How Will God Bring the Nations Back to Himself?

In a previous blog post, we examined how Western laws that were once rooted in biblical principles have increasingly become opposed to the values of the Bible. This shift reflects the warning of Isaiah about an upside-down society that calls “evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). 

There is an undeniable trend of declining morality among Western nations.

Despite this, God, in His infinite wisdom, plans to guide our nations back to Him. However, it’s essential to recognize that God’s focus in the end times is on specific nations at specific times. 

To understand this, we must identify the nations He is focused on first.

Who is Israel?

When many think of Israel, they think of the tiny nation in the Middle East. But the Bible indicates that there’s a modern Israel that’s much larger.

God promised Abraham that he would be a “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:4-5). His grandson Jacob’s name was changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28), and God told him his descendants would become “a nation and a company of nations” (Genesis 35:11).

At the end of his life, God inspired Jacob to give a prophecy about his sons, the 12 tribes of Israel, existing as multiple nations in the “last days” (Genesis 49:1).  

To learn more, study our infographic “Abraham’s Descendants” and our article “The 12 Tribes of Israel in History and Prophecy.”

Before Jacob prophesied about his 12 sons, he gave his grandsons Manasseh and Ephraim a special blessing (Genesis 48:5, compare 1 Chronicles 5:1). Jacob prophesied that Ephraim’s descendants would become a multitude, or a group, of nations. In contrast, descendants of the other brother, Manasseh, would become a single great nation (Genesis 48:19). 

Because of the promises to Abraham, these two brother nations became two of the most significant powers the world has ever seen: Great Britain and the Commonwealth (Ephraim) and the United States of America (Manasseh).

To learn more, read “12 Tribes of Israel.” 

A time of Jacob’s trouble

Jesus, in Matthew 24:21, described a time of unparalleled distress called the Great Tribulation. Both Daniel and Jeremiah also foretold this uniquely trying time:

• Daniel described it as a “time of trouble” unlike any other since nations existed (Daniel 12:1).
• Jeremiah described it as a time of trouble unlike any other, calling it “Jacob’s trouble,” referencing the modern nations descended from Jacob (Jeremiah 30:7). 

The nations responsible for punishing the Israelite nations are of gentile origin. During the end times, Jerusalem will be surrounded by gentiles (Luke 21:20) until the “times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (verse 24), as the “holy city” is “given to the Gentiles” (Revelation 11:2). (To learn more, read “Times of the Gentiles.”)

 But why must this trouble come upon Israel?

Israel will refuse to listen and repent

The Israelite nations are moving away from God at an alarming pace.

God asked Israel to turn from their sins and wickedness and return to Him (2 Chronicles 7:14; Ezekiel 18:30; Isaiah 55:6-7). Amos prophesied a famine “of hearing the words of the LORD” in Israel (Amos 8:11), which could refer to the Word of God becoming a rare commodity and people simply disregarding it. 

Today, we do not want to hear about our sins, so we close our ears and continue doing what we’re doing. Our continual refusal to listen and change will only worsen our spiritual condition. 

But there is a force that will ultimately step in. 

Being evicted from the land

God mercifully gives people time and opportunity to repent. However, when a people’s sin reaches a critical point, God will intervene. 

God is “without partiality” (1 Peter 1:17), meaning He shows no favoritism. Just as past nations were punished and removed from their land for their abominations, so modern nations will face the same fate if they refuse to repent and change course.

There is still time for individuals to repent before God judges our nations for their sins. However, at some point that window of opportunity will close. The warning remains: “Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you” (Leviticus 18:24).

Tragically, it seems these nations will have to learn the hard way. A severe chastisement is coming to wake us up from our sinful condition. God warns that two-thirds of our national populations will perish if we do not repent (Zechariah 13:8). The remaining one-third will be brought through the “fire,” referring to the Great Tribulation. 

There is still time for individuals to repent before God judges our nations for their sins. However, at some point that window of opportunity will close. A time is coming when God will withdraw Himself until after His judgment and punishment are complete (Hosea 5:6, 15).

God will remember His covenant

After King Solomon’s death, the kingdom of Israel split into two: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The northern kingdom was later taken into captivity due to their disobedience and refusal to repent. They became the lost 10 tribes of Israel and never returned. (To learn more, read “Lost Tribes of Israel.”)

He promises that after punishing them, He will bring them back from the “countries where [they] are scattered” (Ezekiel 20:34). As their forefathers were freed from Egypt, Israel will be brought back into God’s covenant and returned to their original land. 

Then, the prophet Hosea’s prophecy will be fulfilled. God will call a people once described as “not My people” the “sons of the living God” (Hosea 1:10; compare Zechariah 13:9). 

What will it take for you to change your life? Will you need to learn a hard lesson, or are you willing to change your life now? 

Start now! Begin the process by reading our free booklet Change Your Life.

Photo credit:
iStock.com/Marinela Malcheva

Date Posted: December 9, 2024