Restoration of Israel, Key to the Blessing of the World

Israel’s desolation was the result of God’s judgment for covenant violations. Desolation means ruin, emptiness, bitterness, oppression, bondage, and defeat.

Isaiah 1:9
Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

God’s mercy upon Israel for the sake of his covenant promises to Abraham and David would result in mercy upon a remnant. The remnant would be the group that God would restore through Messiah, and subsequently be a blessing to the world. Israel’s restoration is not present or future, but past, in the first century.

Galatians 3:8
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

God’s promise to Abraham would be accomplished through Messiah and the remnant. The remnant were believed Jews of the first century, also called the ELECTION according to GRACE.

Romans 11:5
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Isaiah 65:9
And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

The rest were blinded and judged.

Romans 11:7
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

The desolation of Israel is vividly portrayed in the Lamentations of Jeremiah.

Lamentations 1:4
The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.

Lamentations 1:13
From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.


Lamentations 1:16
For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.

Lamentations 3:11
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.

Lamentations 4:5
They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

Lamentations 5:18
Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

Israel’s restoration would come through Messiah’s suffering and travail. Israel would be healed (restored) through the stripes of Messiah. Israel’s restoration would result in blessing to the world.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Israel’s restoration would mean healing, comfort, salvation, redemption, blessing, light, and glory.

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

God’s glory would come upon Israel causing the nation in darkness to come to the light.

There book of Acts records the Gentiles coming to salvation through Messiah, the light of Israel. Salvation came to Israel with the salvation of the remnant, and salvation was extended to the gentiles beginning with the salvation of Cornelius in Acts 10. The world is blessed with salvation today because of God’s salvation (restoration) of Israel.