STEP 2 - Israel still features in God's plan today. WHY?
Because...
Old Testament prophecies made specifically to the nation of Israel have yet to be fulfilled.
Read: Gen. 49:1 (Last Days) and 22-26, Isaiah 11:1-13, especially vs 11 - 13 which speak of Israel in the Millennium. Isaiah 54:5-8; 59:19-21; 60:2-3; Jeremiah 3:8-18
Note In Isaiah 54:5-8, God says He'll recall Israel. In Chapter 59:19-21 of the same book, God speaks directly to "Jacob", i.e. national Israel. And in Jeremiah 3:8-18, at the time of this prophecy God had divorced Israel already, but speaks clearly of remarrying her.
Because...
God says He has not cast off Israel, read Jeremiah 31:35-37. He says if the sun, moon and stars continue to exist, so will Israel.
Read: Jer. 31:31-37; and 33:23-26. Indeed the prophets of old foresaw the day of the New Covenant which would restore God's ties with Israel. Ezekiel 37 and Hosea 1:10-11.
Because...
Jesus and the first Apostles said so.
Read: Luke 1:32-33, 54-55, Luke 1:68-73; Acts 1 :6-7; Romans 9:3-5; 11:1,2 11, 12, 15, 25-29. Revelation 7:4-8
Because...
Jesus said in Matthew 19:28 ".. I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel."
Read: Matthew 5:19
Because...
Surely it is no coincidence that the Jews are returning to Palestine this century, thus beginning to fulfil Old Testament prophecies.
Because...
Jesus could not completely fulfil the promises of blessing to an from Israel because the birthright of the tribes of Israel passed to the sons of Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:2) and our Lord Jesus came out of the tribe of Judah.
We therefore move on to Step 3
