With each passing day, we get closer and closer to the end of time. We don’t understand everything about these times. But understand this: they will be exciting times for the church.

In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.  Isaiah 11:10

This chapter in Isaiah talks about the 1000-year reign of Christ, called the Millennium. Many wonders will happen during that time that would seem unnatural today. Isaiah mentioned these;

• In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.

• The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all.
  The cow will graze near the bear. 

• The cub and the calf will lie down together. 

• The lion will eat hay like a cow.
  The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.
• Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Isaiah 11:6-8

In the same context, a couple of other things are worth noting. During the tribulation time, not all of the Israelites will make it back to Jerusalem. 

In this setting, Isaiah talked about the conclusion of the tribulation with the Battle of Armageddon. He continued by saying the following.

In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to bring back the remnant of his people. . . He will raise a flag among the nations and assemble the exiles of Israel. He will gather the scattered people of Judah from the ends of the earth. Isaiah 11:11,12

God chose Israel, Abraham’s seed, ever since God made a covenant with Abraham. The Lord invited the Gentiles to join His family after Jesus arose from the grave. 

All who have accepted what Jesus did on the cross, both Jews and Gentiles, have now become God’s chosen people.

Israel, as a nation, however, will not recognize Jesus as their Messiah until during the seven years of tribulation. Before that tribulation begins, enough evidence shows the church will be raptured or taken out of this world to meet Jesus in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)

This will be a reunion of the entire body of Christ coming together. If you don’t share the same end-time view, that’s fine. One thing we can all agree on is the pan theory—it will all pan out in the end.

As we read what verse 12 said, a reunion of the Israelites will happen just before the Millennium, after the Battle of Armageddon. In that verse, Isaiah He said, “He will gather the scattered people of Judah from the ends of the earth.”

In chapter 12, Isaiah continued speaking to Israel with the following.

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is! Isaiah 12:3-4

We, too, can and should be letting others know how mighty the Lord is in the same way daily. Because we already enjoy salvation from our Savior. 

So, don’t wait for some sort of tribulation to remind you to look to Thank the Lord! Praise his name! And tell others what He has done for you!

Lord, sometimes we forget how blessed we are, and sometimes we just take you for granted. Would you forgive us for that?