Dispensational Foreshadowments of

the Coming Restoration of Israel

There are fifteen, main foreshadowments, in this text, concerning the coming restoration of Israel. Incidentally, these things were written before 1948, so they do not speak of the restoration in the past tense. They speak of this restoration in the future tense (from a pre-1948 perspective). To maintain the integrity of the text, I’ll write from the same position and tense.

Like Jacob left the house of God (Bethel) for the land of exile, so has the nation of Israel. As God told Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel," He will call the children of Israel to return to their country. Jacob’s call to purge his house from idolatry and change their ways will be seen when Israel is purified. Like Jacob acknowledged how God answered him in the day of his distress, so will Israel when God responds to their cry in the great Tribulation. In the same way the "terror of God" fell upon the Shechemites, His terror will fall again on the Gentiles when He resumes His dealings with the people of His covenant. As Jacob returned to Bethel, built another altar and worshiped God, Israel will do the same. Jacob’s past was severed and the children of Israel will die to their past life. As God appeared to Jacob "again," He will appear to Israel as He has in the past. Like God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, they will no longer be called Jews, but the nation of Israel. Like God revealed His name as "Almighty" to Jacob, after Israel’s restoration, the Messiah will be revealed as "the Mighty God". In the same way that national prosperity was promised to Jacob, the prosperity and blessings promised through God’s prophets will be present in Israel. The land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac and their descendants will be given to the restored nation of Israel. As in Bethel, where Jacob poured oil on the pillar, God will pour the Holy Spirit on Israel and the Gentiles. Like Jacob found Bethel near Bethlehem, Israel will realize the Bread of Life after having their second Bethel. Finally, like Benjamin has taken his place in Jacob’s household, Jesus Christ will take His rightful place among the redeemed children of Israel.