The Great Revival

Introduction

Christianity has always had a hard time making headway with the Jewish people. In the beginning, there were thousands converted and Christianity was making an inroad, but even those thousands were nothing compared to the overall population of Israel. Scholars don’t know exactly how many Jews lived in Israel at the time though some estimate as many as a million total people lived in Palestine and world wide there were 4-8 million Jews. The entire basis for Paul having to write chapters 9-11 is that Jewish conversions paled in comparison to the Gentiles coming to Christ.

Even today, in America, about 19% those with Jewish ancestry claim some connection to Christianity though that doesn’t mean they are Christian, but in Israel 1.9 % of the population claims to be Christian. That number may seem to still be decent compared to some countries, but you must also take into account that many of those are Palestinian Christians. So the population of actual Jewish ethnic Christians is smaller. Some would argue, see so many Jews rejecting Jesus just proves Christianity can’t be true, but even during the days of prophets like Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, the Jewish people rejected God’s messenger and His message. In fact Isa said in Isaiah 53:1 “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?”

It is interesting that Isa 53 is a messianic prophecy and yet it is linked with this question. Paul has argued that part of Israel has temporarily been blinded, hardened or had a vail put over their eyes as it relates to the Messiah until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled, but In our text today, we see that that is not permanent. I began last week by explaining what the time of the Gentiles is, but as we saw last week, the time of the Gentiles ends with the millennial Kingdom. During which time, there will be a great Jewish Revival.

The Salvation of the Jews

All Israel- refers to the totality of Israel as a corporate body, this does not necessarily mean every individual, but the nation as a whole. This is reinforced in Revelation 7:1–8 “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.”

144,000- Numbers in the book of Revelations are often symbolic but they are not merely symbolic. At the beginning of the book, John addressed this letter to the 7 churches of Asia Minor. How many churches did he write? Literally 7 churches, now seven can carry a complementary layer of meaning with it. It is interesting that Israel had 12 tribes and Jesus called 12 apostles. Here we have 12,000 for each of the 12 tribes. This passage is relating the fulfillment of Paul’s prophecy.

God is pausing the seal judgments between number 6,7. The angels are holding back the winds of judgement on the earth. While 144,000 servants of God are sealed, preserved from judgment.

vs 4 tells us these 144,000 are of the children of Israel.

vs 5-8 gives us a census of 12,000 for every tribe of Israel- While I believe these numbers are literal, they do have symbolic significance as well. This number is signficant in the bible as it speaks of completeness or fullness. Notice each of the twelve tribes are mentioned. There are some differences of this list and some lists in the OT, but each of the tribes listed is supposed to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. But also a significant portion of these men are sealed from each tribe. These aren’t all the Jews who get saved either; rather they are the servants or messengers of God.

Later in, they are mentioned again.

Revelation 14:1–5 “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

Here they are called the firstfruits. They are the beginning of God’s fulfillment of this promise in Romans 11:26.

Shall be- This is a future event, I believe begins with the sealing of the 144,000 and then is culminated at the second coming of Christ as we will see when we dig into the other verses.

Saved- Paul has in mind here spiritual salvation not merely physical salvation although both are in play in the book of Revelation. Romans’s does not address the physical tribulation coming on the earth in the end times directly. Paul’s concern for Israel is that Romans 10:1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” which he frames around receiving the righteousness which comes by faith. Even in Revelations, the 144,000 are the servants of the living God who were redeemed from the earth and are the firstfruits of God and the lamb.

The evidence that this is spiritual salvation is seen in the passages that Paul chooses to quote from Isa. Paul uses a technique in Hebrew culture and rabbinic teaching style called Gezerah Shevah which means “two passages are linked because they share the same key word or phrase, allowing meaning from one text to illuminate the other.” (ChatGPT) How many of you have a Thompson Chain Reference bible. Back when I was a kid, they used to be popular. But the whole premise of the Chain Reference Bible’s was that passages could be linked based on shared words. Its really no different than when a preacher brings up cross-references which though they may not be directly linked they share some commonality. Paul gives one long quote, but it is a combination of two OT passages that share a link of redemption from sin for Israel.

Isaiah 59:20 “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, And unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.” Parallels Romans 11:26 through the first phrase of vs 27.

Isaiah 27:9 “By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; And this is all the fruit to take away his sin; When he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, The groves and images shall not stand up.” Parallels the last phrase of Romans 11:27.

Both of these OT prophesies speak of a day in which Israel will:

Be redeemed from their iniquities

Turn from their transgressions

Reject idolatry

The Restoration of the Jews

We have already seen the role that the 144,000 play in initiating this national revival in Israel, but there is more to it than that. Otherwise, only 144,000 would be saved in Israel. Currently, there are 182,000 Christians living in Israel. Do it doesn’t seem like much to say 1.5 % of Israel will be saved, but it is a start. This prophecy connects to a larger prophetic concept when you study the context of both verses in Isaiah.

Isaiah 59 is about Israel’s sins separating between her and God vs 1-2. Their inability to make up for their sins by their works vs 6 and a communal lament by the faithful remnant over their sins vs 10-15. Vs 16 begins the section of text that is important to our understanding of this promise.

Here God looks for a man or nation to deliver Israel and finds none; so He Himself delivers them. He puts on his armor and defends them. Revelation 19:11–15 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

He judges the enemies according to their deeds.

the enemy comes like a flood. Revelation 19:19 “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.”

He lifts up his standard Revelation 19:13–15 “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

After he delivers them, they are redeemed from their sins.

After redemption, God establishes his new covenant with them. Immediately after this we have the millennial kingdom finalized in the New Heaven and the NEw Earth, New Jerusalem descending God wiping away all tears, receiving the water of life freely

Isa 27 connects with a regathering of Israel-

In that day- refers to the eschatological time frame when Israel is saved vs 9

Ye shall be gathered vs 12

When the great trumpet sounds connects with Matt 24, and 1 Cor 15.

Ye shall come and worship. vs 13

So the salvation of Israel is linked to the future regathering of Israel as a nation. Some would argue that this was all fulfilled already and it isn’t a future event. I want to give you six reasons this is still a future event waiting for Israel.

Isaiah 24-27 is known by bible commentators as Isaiah’s Apocalyse because it speaks of a world-wide judgment. This judgement to this extent has not occured as of yet.

Isaiah 27:1 which speaks of Leviathan is often linked with Rev 12 and the Dragon.

The return would come from Assyria and Egypt not just the Babylonian captivity. N. Israel was scattered throughout the nations when taken captive by Assyria and when some fled to Egypt, but they have not returned yet. The return to the land was among Judahites who were taken by Baylon.

This regathering is tied to true worship and removal of sin in vs 6,9,13

Later prophets would reiterate this same langauge after Judah had already returned to the land. Zech 10, Eze 36-37, Amos 9.

The NT reuses this same langauge in Matt 24 and as we see in Romans 11.

The regathering of Israel would happen in two stages: Ezekiel 36:22–24 “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.”

Chapter 37 gives an allegory to illustrate this regathering.

Stage One- vs 1-8 describe the bones and sinews coming together again but there was no breath in them. The beginning of this process will occur as Israel returns to the land. They are regathered. The body parts are joined together, but the still lack life. So Israel will regather in her unregenerate state first. This is why we see Israel in the land in Revelations. Possibly this began in 1980 when Israel became a nation again, but it has not been fully fulfilled yet.

Stage Two- vs 9-10 Life is given to the reconstituted body. This refers to the salvation of the Jewish people. Later in vs 11-14 God interprets the allegory. First, He will bring them into the land vs 12 and then His Spirit ill be given to them vs 14.

Conclusion

Paul said that his heart and his prayer for Israel was that they would be saved and yet he knew that his prayer would not ultimately be fulfilled until the future. Paul didn’t know how long that would be. He didn’t know it still wouldn’t have happened in AD 2026. In fact, I believe many honestly thought these things would happen at any moment in their lifetime. And Yet, he still prayed. He still had hope. In fact, he had a confident expectation that someday this would happen.

In spite of resistance from the Jews, in spite of knowing this salvation was down the road in spite of persecution

Paul still prayed

Paul still witnessed

Paul still suffered their persecutions

He did not give up. When you get into apocalyptic prophecy, you will see that there is one overarching theme that they are all intended to impart. Endure, Don’t Quite because God wins, there is still hope. So this morning if I could challenge you with something, I would challenge you with this: Don’t quite praying for the salvation of loved ones. Don’t quite trying to give them the gospel when the Lord opens a door. And when things get hard, don’t let their rejection and persecution silence your witness.