"From Ancient Kingdoms to End-Time Restoration: Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel in Prophecy"
God’s Prophetic Plan for Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel: An Integrated Study
Learn how Symbolism are used: God’s Prophetic plan for His people in the Latter Days
Prayer Thought:
"The Church’s Freedom to Complete God’s Plan"
Today the church of God is free to carry forward to completion the divine plan for the salvation of a lost race. For many centuries God's people suffered a restriction of their liberties. The preaching of the gospel in its purity was prohibited, and the severest of penalties were visited upon those who dared disobey the mandates of men. As a consequence, the Lord's great moral vineyard was almost wholly unoccupied. The people were deprived of the light of God's word. The darkness of error and superstition threatened to blot out a knowledge of true religion. God's church on earth was as verily in captivity during this long period of relentless persecution as were the children of Israel held captive in Babylon during the period of the exile. {PK 714.1}
This study aims to:
Understand how God deals with His people in terms of blessings, warnings, and judgments.
Recognize our role as Seventh-day Adventists, the modern-day spiritual Israel.
Prepare for the final purification and sealing before the Loud Cry and the great crisis.
Ellen White writes:
“God's people have departed from their simplicity. They have not made God their strength, and they are weak and faint, spiritually. {5T 75.2}
I have been shown that the spirit of the world is fast leavening the church. You are following the same path as did ancient Israel. There is the same falling away from your holy calling as God's peculiar people. You are having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Your concord with unbelievers has provoked the Lord's displeasure.” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 75).
The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past experience of the Adventist body.”
V.T. Houteff affirms:
“Apostate Israel in the promised land of the past is a type of the church in the promised land of the future.” (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 9, p. 4).
Thus, history repeats itself, and we must learn from past failures to fulfill our calling today.
Jerusalem symbolizes God's dwelling place and center of divine truth.
It is both literal (Old Testament) and spiritual (New Testament, end-time application).
SOP states:
“Jerusalem is a representation of what the church will be if it refuses to walk in the light that God has given. Jerusalem was favored of God as the depositary of sacred trusts. But her people perverted the truth, and despised all entreaties and warnings. They would not respect His counsels. The temple courts were polluted with merchandise and robbery. Selfishness and love of mammon, envy and strife, were cherished. Everyone sought for gain from his quarter. Christ turned from them, saying: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem," how can I give thee up? "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Matthew 23:37. {8T 67.2} (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, p. 67).
The city of Jerusalem is a representation of what the church will be if it refuses to walk in the light God has given.”
SRod identifies Jerusalem as the SDA Church:
“The fact that the sealing of the 144,000 takes place in the house of God, shows that the cleansing is in the church, in Jerusalem.” (Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 1, p. 30).
Just as ancient Jerusalem was destroyed for rejecting the prophets, modern Jerusalem (SDA Church) faces purification for rejecting present truth.
Ezekiel 9 describes an angelic slaughter among the unfaithful within God's house.
SOP warns:
“The work of judgment begins at the sanctuary. "And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar." Read Ezekiel 9:2-7. The command is, "Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house." Saith God, "I will recompense their way upon their head." {TM 431.3} (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 431).
Study the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled. {1MR 260}
SRod confirms:
“Ezekiel nine is the purification of the church, marking the beginning of the judgment for the living.” (Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 1, p. 30).
Being part of the SDA Church does not guarantee safety—faithfulness to truth does.
The church must heed present truth to avoid judgment.
A remnant will survive and fulfill the final work.
Judah was chosen for kingship, but leadership comes with accountability.
The Jewish leaders rejected Christ, leading to their downfall.
SOP states:
“The Jewish nation was a symbol of the people of all ages who scorn the pleadings of Infinite Love. The tears of Christ when He wept over Jerusalem were for the sins of all time. In the judgments pronounced upon Israel, those who reject the reproofs and warnings of God's Holy Spirit, may read their own condemnation. {DA 587.3} (Desire of Ages, p. 587).
The Jewish leaders were filled with envy and hatred against Him because He exposed their hypocrisy and reproved their sins.”
SRod warns about SDA leadership today:
“As the Jewish leaders were the greatest persecutors of Christ, so the church leadership today rejects any additional light.” (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 18, p. 9).
Today’s church leaders bear the same responsibility as ancient Judah.
They may accept or reject new truth and determine the course of the church.
SOP warns:
“I do hope that the trumpet will give a certain sound in regard to this Sunday-law movement. I think that it would be best if in our papers the subject of the perpetuity of the law of God were made a specialty. . . . We should now be doing our very best to defeat this Sunday law.--CW 97, 98 (1906). {LDE 128.1}
The United States Will Pass a Sunday Law
When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery.--5T 712 (1889). {LDE 128.2}
Protestants will throw their whole influence and strength on the side of the papacy. By a national act enforcing the false sabbath they will give life and vigor to the corrupt faith of Rome, reviving her tyranny and oppression of conscience.--Mar 179 (1893). {LDE 128.3}
Sooner or later Sunday laws will be passed.--RH Feb. 16, 1905. {LDE 128.4}
Soon the Sunday laws will be enforced, and men in positions of trust will be embittered against the little handful of God's commandment-keeping people.--4MR 278 (1909). {LDE 129.1} (Last Day Events, p. 128).
Men in responsible positions will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but from the sacred desk will urge upon the people the observance of the first day of the week.
SRod parallels this:
“The message of the hour always finds the leadership unprepared and unwilling to accept it.” (Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 1, p. 31).
SDA leaders must seek truth with humility to avoid repeating the sins of Judah.
Members must test all teachings by the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.
Those who follow present truth will be part of God’s purified leadership.
Israel was divided and scattered because of rebellion.
Today, spiritual Israel (SDA Church) faces the same risk if unfaithful.
SOP states:
“The prophecies of judgment delivered by Amos and Hosea were accompanied by predictions of future glory. To the ten tribes, long rebellious and impenitent, was given no promise of complete restoration to their former power in Palestine. Until the end of time, they were to be "wanderers among the nations." But through Hosea was given a prophecy that set before them the privilege of having a part in the final restoration that is to be made to the people of God at the close of earth's history, when Christ shall appear as King of kings and Lord of lords. "Many days," the prophet declared, the ten tribes were to abide "without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim." "Afterward," the prophet continued, "shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days." Hosea 3:4, 5. {PK 298.1} (Prophets and Kings, p. 298).
Because of her sins, Israel was scattered; yet the Lord declared that He would gather the remnant.”
SRod affirms:
“The scattering of Israel represents the condition of God’s people before their purification.” (Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 6, p. 15).
God will gather and seal 144,000 faithful ones to lead the Loud Cry (Revelation 7).
SOP states:
“The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another's feet and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet. {EW 15.1} (Early Writings, p. 15).
They will stand without fault before the throne of God, and will be translated without seeing death.”
SRod confirms:
“The 144,000 are to be gathered first in the church, then they will gather the great multitude.” (Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 1, p. 22).
The purification of the church must come before the final Loud Cry.
Only those who accept the sealing truth will be part of the 144,000.
SDA members must study prophecy carefully to be among the gathered ones.
SDA members must undergo a true revival to escape Ezekiel 9's judgment.
This means fully embracing present truth and turning away from sin.
SOP states:
“A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. ” (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 121).
SDA leadership must align with the advancing truth or be judged.
Members must prove all things and hold fast to truth (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Only those sealed by God will survive the coming purification.
This involves obedience to God’s commands and full acceptance of His messages.
SRod states:
“The sealing is the last act of mercy for the church before the great tribulation.” (Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 1, p. 23).
Conclusion
The SDA Church is modern Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel. As history repeats, God calls for:
✅ Personal and corporate repentance
✅ Acceptance of present truth
✅ Preparation for purification and sealing
“God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor. {5T 79.4} Those who have been timid and self-distrustful will declare themselves openly for Christ and His truth. The most weak and hesitating in the church will be as David--willing to do and dare. The deeper the night for God's people, the more brilliant the stars. Satan will sorely harass the faithful; but, in the name of Jesus, they will come off more than conquerors. Then will the church of Christ appear "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 81.2).
Let no one deceive his own soul in this matter. The purification of the church means the judgment of the living.
Jerusalem: Represents God's dwelling place, His covenant people, or His church in its visible form. Prophecies about Jerusalem often include both warnings of destruction and promises of restoration.
Judah: Represents the remnant who remain faithful amidst widespread apostasy. Judah also symbolizes God's leadership and the governing authority of His church.
Israel: Represents God's covenant people, historically and spiritually. It includes all who accept the promises of God through faith, with an emphasis on the final gathering and restoration of the faithful remnant.
The literal and spiritual conflicts over Jerusalem symbolize the broader conflict between Christ's kingdom and Satan's kingdom.
The division between Judah and Israel foreshadows the separation of the faithful remnant from the unfaithful majority within the church.
The restoration of Israel and the gathering of spiritual Jerusalem signify the final victory of God’s people and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
In conclusion, Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel are central to understanding God’s redemptive work throughout history and in the end times. They represent both literal and spiritual realities, with lessons and applications for the church today.