The Assyrian
(Part 2)
Mr. Allan M. Ure of North Bay, Ont., continues his series of prophetic studies on ‘The Assyrian.”
The Earthly Kingdom
There still are details in the Old Testament prophets which complete the outline presented in the first study. It is reasonable to assume that a transitional period preceded the final and permanent establishment of the earthly kingdom.
In the books of Daniel, Zechariah and Revelation the Jews in Palestine are delineated as in a state of unbelief, they are still rejecting the Lord Jesus as their Messiah.
Daniel speaks of their having accepted a king (Dan. 11:36-40). In the Revelation they are following the False Prophet, the second beast of Revelation 13. Zechariah describes their repentance and acceptance of the Lord Jesus as the Saviour and Messiah of the elect remnant (Zech. 12:9-13:1). This is immediately before the descent of the Lord Jesus and the destruction of His enemies (Zech. 14:1-5). These are the scenes at the close of the Great Tribulation period.
Three Major Prophets
Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel abound in the description of the glorious day of millennial blessing for Israel, and through them all mankind.
A panoramic view is given by Isaiah (66:18-24). All nations who have survived the judgments of Daniel’s 70th week are to be gathered, and the Lord affirms, “They shall come and see my glory.” Furthermore, He says that a remnant from Israel will be sent into the nations which have not heard my name neither have seen my glory, and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. These nations are not those which have been dealt with in judgment, for they have never heard Jehovah’s fame. These witnesses shall be used to bring all the remaining tribes of Israel “for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations” back to Palestine (v. 20). The Kingdom of God on earth shall be permanently established (v. 22).
Zion is to be comforted after her time of tribulation (Isa. 49:13-26) and an unknown multitude of Israel is to be brought to the land by the Gentiles (vv. 21-22). Israel is to be delivered from all her oppressors, and says the Lord, “All flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob” (v. 26).
Isaiah records a great song of the Lord addressed to redeemed Israel (Chap. 60). She is now the head of the nations (v. 12). They shall bring their silver and gold with them (v. 9), and the wealth of the nations shall be brought to Israel (11, marg. AV).
Whereas Judah (generally understood as the two tribes of the southern kingdom under the Davidic line of kings) is returning to the land in unbelief. The rest of the nation (understood as the ten tribes of the northern kingdom) are described as being brought back to the Land of Promise by the Lord Himself (Ezek. 20:33-44). In contrast to Judah, these tribes are to be purged of all rebels before they enter “the land” (v. 3). The situation is compared to the Lord’s dealing with Israel in the wilderness under Moses, when the unbelief of the nation resulted in the adult death of so very many, and only their children entered in the land of Canaan (Deut. 1:35-36). This predicament cannot be applied to the present day generation of Jews who have returned to Israel in unbelief.
Isaiah gives a most amazing revelation of the reign of the Lord Jesus in that imminent day (Isa. 11). The person of the Messiah, “the Branch,” is portrayed (Isa. 11:1-5). Peace shall prevail for “they shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain” (vv. 6-9). The Gentiles shall seek the Root of Jesse (v. 10). The Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people (v. 11). The nations referred to are, in the main, outside the area of Old and New Testament prophecy. The outcasts of Israel (ten tribes) and the dispersed of Judah (two tribes) shall be gathered from the four corners of the earth — the entire range of mankind (v. 12).
The enmity of Ephraim (ten tribes) and Judah (two tribes) shall depart. The division of the two kingdoms which occured in the days of Rehoboam shall finally be repaired. All Israel shall be saved (v. 13). Israel’s neighbours shall be subdued (v. 14), barriers which kept God’s people in Egypt shall be removed, and a highway for His people to return from Assyria shall be opened (vv. 15-16).
[Ammon, Moab and Edom of old are now occupied by Israel’s Arab enemies. These nations escape the devastation of the King of the North (Dan. 11:41) who probably will be a Mohammedan, if not an Arab. They are left to be finally conquered and brought into subjection by Israel herself when the millennium is established (Isa. 11:14).]
The apostate Jews in Palestine under the False Prophet are destroyed by the Lord Himself: “It shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die, but the third shall be left therein” (Zech. 13:8).
There are groups of references which record the Lord’s dealings with the remnant. God will pour out His spirit on all flesh, the sons and daughters shall prophesy, etc. (Joel 2:28-29). This Scripture is referred to by the Apostle Peter as being partially fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. All who enter the millennium shall be possessors of the new birth, including the saved out of all nations (Matt. 25). They will enter into eternal life (Matt. 25:46).
Each of the major prophets echoes this theme stipulated as the New Covenant: “As for me, this is my covenant with the, saith the Lord” (Isa. 59:21). “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel (ten tribes), and with the house of Judah (two tribes)” (Jer. 31:31). The new birth is clearly intimated in the three verses which follow (Jer. 31:32-34).
Ezekiel continues this victorious theme (cf. 11:17-10). “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh” (v. 19). Again (cf. 36:24-28), he says, “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (v. 27).