In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua]
was in the beginning with God.
THE NATION OF ISRAEL
The nation of Israel was established in 1051 BC with the reign of
King Saul. The nation remained united under the reign of King David and
his son, King Solomon, from 1011-931 BC. Rebellion after the death of
King Solomon resulted in the division of Israel into the northern
kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Each kingdom lived
under the reigns of twenty kings. The kingdom of Israel existed for 209
years from 931-722 BC. The kingdom of Judah existed for 345 years from
931-586 BC. The books of First Samuel,
Second Samuel,
First Kings and
Second Kings are an account of Israel's history.
The history of the two kingdoms portrays a persistent
rejection of God. Both kingdoms fell into
apostasy,
immorality and idolatry. All of Israel’s twenty kings were
unrighteous while eight of the twenty kings of Judah walked
in righteousness. God raised His prophets to warn the people
of judgment for their disobedience but they did not listen.
Finally, God’s judgment resulted in the fall of the kingdom
of Israel to Assyria in 722 BC followed by the fall of the
kingdom of Judah to the Babylonians and the destruction of
Jerusalem in 586 BC. However, God did not forget His people.
He raised prophets during their years in Babylonian
captivity to encourage them to live in obedience. He
promised He would save a remnant of Israel and restore her
for His eternal glory. God would gather His people from the
corners of the earth and bring them back to their land in
Palestine where they would never be uprooted again (Amos
9:11-15).
The promise as proclaimed by the prophets has been delivered in
part. God has brought back a portion of His people to their land in
Palestine. In 1948, the nation of Israel was reborn.
At the end of the seven years of
tribulation, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, will return to earth the
second time as proclaimed by the prophets. During the
Millennium age, which will begin after the
tribulation at the end of this age,
God will have fully brought back His people to Palestine. He will set up His eternal reign on the
throne of David in Jerusalem. Israel will be redeemed and forever
restored to the glory of God.