““When the sticks you have written on are in your hand and in full view of the people, tell them: This is what the Lord God says: I am going to take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over all of them. They will no longer be two nations and will no longer be divided into two kingdoms. They will not defile themselves anymore with their idols, their detestable things, and all their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances, and keep My statutes and obey them.” (Ezekiel 37:20–24, HCSB)

This passage reveals a famous prophecy, which in modern times has been partially fulfilled. In 1948, following World War 2, Israelites came from all over the world to form the nation of Israel. God brought them to their own land. He did not yet make one king rule over them. But He did make them one nation. So the prophecy has been partially fulfilled. What is left for Israel in order for the prophecy to come to fulfillment?

This part of the prophecy has not yet happened. Israel is still a very secular country, who does not take God too seriously. Soon however, when the Antichrist attacks Israel, they will recognize their need to return to God as their source, and not their superior armed services.

Actually, as we learn in the Gospels, David’s great Descendant (Jesus Christ) will rule from Jerusalem. He will be their shepherd. When Jesus rules, there will be complete obedience to God’s statutes and ordinances – not only in Israel but also in the entire world.

This is actually addressed later in the prophecy. This prophecy implies that a future Temple will be built where God will reside. This final temple will be the temple that lasts forever.

““They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They will live in it forever with their children and grandchildren, and My servant David will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set My sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people.” (Ezekiel 37:25–27, HCSB)

God will establish His peace covenant with Israel, and will last forever. This time, the covenant will not be broken by man, nor by God. God said this would happen. We have seen it partially fulfilled. I look forward to the day when it is completely fulfilled. Come Lord Jesus, Maranatha!

Photo by Tanner Mardis on Unsplash