House Of Israel vs House Of Judah Due At Christ’s Return
One of our fellow writers of this magazine, has stated a few times that half of Israelites will be saved at Jesus’ return (based on Mathew 24:40 stating one man taken and one left and various other verses indicating the same sort thing).
This is possibly, even probably, correct (seeing as there are no Bible verses contradicting this view), but I believe that this applies to the House of Israel. For the House of Judah there are Bible verses supporting another possible conclusion, most of which are recorded in the book of Zechariah chapter 13. To establish when these prophecies take place one should look at the surrounding chapters.
Zech 11:13-14 “And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel”.
Zech 12:3 “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it”.
Zech 12:9 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem”.
Zech 12:11 “In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon”.
Zech 14:1-2 “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle”.
So, from these verses, I speculate that Zechariah 13 is a dual fulfillment prophecy. One fulfillment was likely when the Roman armies seiged and conquered Jerusalem in 70 AD while the other is soon to be fulfilled. Zech 12:11 seems to mirror Rev 16:13-16 with vast armies to be in valley of Armageddon (in the Holy Land). There is an argument that that has already been fulfilled (and it may have) but I believe that there is a future fulfillment to occur fairly soon (shortly before Jesus’ return and culminating with Jesus and His angels fighting these armies on our behalf).
Zech 11:14 is an interesting verse which seems to indicated that after the 30 pieces of silver are paid God cuts his other staff asunder that He might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. These sticks are to be reunited in God’s hand (Eze 37:17-20) and all discontentment between the two houses will disappear:
Isaiah 11: 13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
Which brings us to Zechariah 13. It starts by outlining some of the sins of the House of David and Jerusalem (idols and false prophets). Then it concludes with:
Zech 13: 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
Now during this 2nd fulfillment (that will soon happen) it appears the 2/3rd of the people of present day Jerusalem (and the Israeli state in general I believe) will perish and 1/3 will at some point accept Jesus as their Lord and saviour and be saved.
This brings up a bunch of things. Such as only 10-15% of Jews today being descendants of Israel with the rest being Edomites (as stated by Josephus and inferred by the books of Maccabees by the conversion of Edom to Judaism several generations before Christ), Ashkenazis and other non-Israelites.
Now it is generally accepted that one is not saved by being an Israelite (perhaps only half will be as stated in the beginning of this article), but by accepting Jesus as one’s lord and saviour. Non-Israelites can also be saved by the same means and are grafted into God’s people.
With respect to Edom, God has stated that he hated Esau (Mal 1:3). This brings us to national promises and individual salvation. God will honor his word and allow into His kingdom all individuals who accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour regardless of ethnicity.
In ancient Israel foreigners (non-Israelites) were allowed to be part of the community so long as they accepted God and His customs (Laws, statutes, etc.) (Num 15:13-16 and Deut 29:9-15). This arguably applies to today. So as a group, Esau/Edom faces destruction (Obadiah 1:1-4, Isaiah 34:5-6, Jer 49:17-18 and Eze 25:12-14), on an individual basis individuals can be saved. Having lived in proximity to descendants of the House of Judah for so long, some are likely made more righteous, just as the reverse is true in that many descendants of the House of Judah have become less righteous due to their proximity and interactions with Edom.
Perhaps 50% (or more) of the descendants of the House of Judah will be saved and maybe 20% of the rest will be saved. That is pure speculation on my part, but as a group, of the inhabitants of Jerusalem (as stated in Zech 13:1) 2/3rds will face destruction and 1/3rd will be saved.
In the end the angels of our God have an unenviable task to sort it all out: Matthew 13:49 “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,” 50 “And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Written By Dean Maxwell
