Bible outlook

Much of what was told by the prophet Jeremiah continues into the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel was another prophet and leader of the Israelites who saw visions. He foresaw God’s judgment to come upon the nations of Judah, the restoration of Israel and their deliverance from Babylon. The restoration of Israel is supposed to mean the new earth, and its deliverance is most often referring to his return.

Just as it was told in the book of Jeremiah, God will unleash his spiritual wrath on Babylon; however, it will be used to destroy the rest of mankind — including both Jews and gentiles. That is unless the Bible is speaking of Israel in the literal sense and not the whole church in general. If Israel were being used literally instead of allegorically, then only the Jews would be delivered from the tribulation period.

The captivity of ancient Israel, during the days that Jeremiah experienced, prophesied, and warned his people about, are to come upon the Israelites again, but to save the rest of God’s people from Babylon. In this case, the entire planet will be taken over by Babylon, or the one world religious system, that is led by the false prophet. Therefore, the church will not be on earth when the tribulation period has begun.

Ezekiel was called to be a watchman of ancient Israel, but in the visions that he received, he warns all people of judgment coming upon the earth: For anyone who hears the trumpet but does not give heed will be taken by the sword (v. 33:4).

The false prophet is indeed the last pope who wants to lead all of Judah and the rest of the world into the antichrist’s system. If Israel were taken literally throughout prophecy, how must we both be set free from the antichrist? Jesus must return before he reveals himself to all of Judaism. There are some Jews who may have converted to Christianity to come along with the gentiles who will be raptured.

How can there be a new earth (or new Jerusalem) without the gentiles being excluded from the doctrine of dispensationalism? Dispensationalism means that Christ will reign in a new Jerusalem for a thousand years after the second coming. But Judaism has no effect on Christianity for what’s to be fulfilled in the end times. Instead, Christianity will have an effect on what happens to Judaism—that is, if the Jews refuse to repent before Christ returns. Not only would the Jews be left behind, but Israel will become a fallen nation after the fall of Babylon. Because if a new earth is equal to a new Israel, we must all follow Judaism and Christianity at the same time.

In the book of Ezekiel, God reveals to us his visions that speak about the sinful nation of Israel. He sees how they have become a rebellious people full of abominations for Babylon to fall on their shoulders. But because of the captivity of ancient Judah, He will bring Babylon into destruction within all nations that drink of her wine. All nations include Israel, not only due to their wickedness but also because of the false religion of Judaism. Since most Israelites await the true messiah, how can a new earth reign there for a thousand years when the body of Christ is our kingdom?

In covenant theology, Israel, being the church in general, has to reside in his one body outside of the earth’s destruction. How can the kingdom of God also represent a new earth in a land that’s against Jesus?

Surely, the transgressions are upon all nations of the world, so the Lord must be speaking to all people within the house of Israel to depart from their evil way. What will the nation of Israel become if they’re looking for someone to rescue them from war, famine, and waves of genocide, as well as the threat of a nuclear holocaust?

Judaism is on the lookout for another savior—a false messiah who will lead them into exile—against the Babylonian system that deceives the world. The Antichrist will cause many people to think that he will restore Israel or destroy its existence. It is God who will judge the literal nation of Israel but restore his people, “O house of Israel.” His church will be caught up in the air in a twinkling of an eye at the moment of the last trumpet.

Israel will have become a fallen nation because of its wickedness, according to Ezekiel:

“He will make the land a desolation and waste, her proud might will come to an end, and none will pass through its mountains, for because of their wickedness, he will destroy the land and make known that he is the Lord” (33:28-29).

So how can Israel become a renewed earth if God is against the land but for his own people? We are not part of Judaism; we are not part of the Babylonian or papal system; and we do not follow the beast spirit, but the spirit of Christ alone as our fortress.