The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-Q, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 19."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1980. All Rights Reserved.

Question

In Isaiah 11:11-12, it says, “Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand, the remnant of His people who will remain from Assyria...and from the islands of the sea, And He will lift up a standard for the nations and will assemble the banished ones of Israel and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Now, my question is, will God’s remnant of Jews become believers in Christ before the rapture?

Answer

No. During the time of the Tribulation. And, this is for the establishing of His kingdom.

Question (continues)

And, what will occur that will bring the Jews from the four corners of the earth?

Answer (continues)

Well, I think, basically what happens during the seven-year tribulation. The rapture happens, then you have a seven-year tribulation. Israel is still in unbelief. The first three and a half years they make a pact with the Anti-Christ, Daniel 9. They got the wrong Messiah. In the middle of the seven-year period, he violates the pact, desecrates their temple, abominates the sacred place, and then all hell breaks loose, and he begins to slaughter the Jews and massacre the Jews and so forth, and so on. At that particular point, I believe, the 144,000 are sealed and protected from the massacre and they become the agents of the message of salvation, Revelation 7 and 14. They preach that message of salvation, and, then, Romans 11, becomes a reality...so all Israel shall be saved. The nation turns to Christ. Now, there will be some who will not turn to Christ. And, it says in Ezekiel, it talks about the rebels being purged out. The nation that remains will turn to Christ. Two out of three of them will be murdered by the Anti-Christ. One-third will remain alive and they will enter into the kingdom period in physical bodies. And, I believe, they will be the ones regathered for the establishing of His kingdom. They will come to Jerusalem because the King is there.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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