Phase 4 -Page 2: The 'Ark of the Covenant' (see phase 3 page 2, phase 4 page 1) on Mount Zion is God's signal to all Jews still left in Gentile lands to return to Israel as Joshua commanded the people of his day (Joshua 3;3).

Joshua 3:3
3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

  The 'Ark of the Covenant' is a standard - an object that has God's faithfulness attached to it throughout its history. Concerning this standard, God tells us in Isaiah 49:22 (see also phase 4 page 1), because of the Ark in Zion the remaining scattered Jews will come home to Israel. As they get off those planes landing in Israel they will be carrying their sons and daughters in their arms and on their shoulders.

Isaiah 49:22
22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.

  God says He will lift up His hand against the Gentiles (God will defeat the enemies of the Jews) and God will set up a standard (ensign from the Hebrew word 'nes') which is the 'Ark of the Covenant' which will be in Mount Zion after the second exodus out of Egypt and notice the result - the children of Israel returning to their homeland. The 12 tribes scattered for over 2500 years have now come home to the land God gave them, through Abraham, and confirmed in Issac and Jacob whose name was changed to Israel. The time to rebuild the tabernacle of David and their temple (see timeframe 3) will now take place.

The mass return Complete

  In this last study on the mass return we want to look at several scriptures that confirms the mass return has taken place. Some of these scriptures quoted will be dealth within in greater detail in other timeframes they belong to; but will confirm the mass return has already taken place. For e.g. Ezekiel 38 and 39 (see Gog and Magog)

                                          

Ezekiel 38:8-12
8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
  
  Antichrist will invade the land of Israel after the rapture in the middle of Daniel's 70th week (last 7 years before Christ returns - see chart above - also Daniel's 70th week, Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11 page 2). Notice the words in verse 8 'land that is brought back from the sword'. The land being brought back from the sword (sword means weapons). We saw that Israel will be put to the sword in the ' Day of calamity' (phase 2 of the mass return - see phase chart above) when the Arabs, plus foreigners killed many Jews and made many cities desolate and much of the land. Then phase 3 and phase 4 of the mass return saw the Jews come back to their land with great power and victory with the 'Ark of the Covenant'   fulfilling the above words in Ezek 38:8 'and gathered out of many people'. Ezek 38:8 also says the land was a wasteland for a long time. It was for centuries till the turn of the 20th century under the Zionist movement.  A homeland for Jews was created in 1917 A.D. under the Balfour Declaration and Nationhood followed in 1948 A.D. The partial return of the Jews continued in the 20th century and then in the 21 st century along came the rise of Antichrist  (timeframe 1) before the rapture. Then came the mass return with its 'Day of calamity' (timeframe 2 - see phase chart above) and the resulting repentance of the Jews in Egypt and the reappearing of the Ark of the Covenant (phase 3). This resulted in a second exodus with the Ark of the Covenant out of Egypt (phase 4) followed by the mass return of all remaining Jews around the world to come home (see scriptures on top of page). Notice in verse 8 the first part of this verse as applying to the latter years - that is - generation that will see Christ return. Notice also in verse 8 they are all dwelling safely in their land.

 

     Only the events of the mass return (timeframe 2) before the rapture fulfill the conditions described in these verses of Ezekiel 38 as having already been fulfilled. Ezekiel 38 as well as Ezekiel 39 (see Gog and Magog) is mostly about Antichrist invading Israel during the last 7 years (Timeframe 5 - Daniel's 70th week) before Christ returns (see generation chart above). It is the visible return of Christ and the raptured saints that save Israel this time (see Kingdom). The process of the mass return (timeframe 2) before the rapture (see rapture generation chart above) brought the Jews back into a covenant relationship with Jehovah based on the blessings and curses of the Mosaic covenant. However, it is the events of Timeframe 5 - Daniel's 70th week after the rapture (again - look at generation chart above) brings them to accept Christ as their Messiah (see Kingdom).

11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.

  Notice the Jews are living in unwalled villages, they are at rest, they are dwelling safely without bars or gates (Ezek 38:11). This is certainly not the conditions of Israel before the mass return. These are the conditions that the mass return brought about. After the mass return, the Jews build their temple to house the 'Ark of the Covenant' (see timeframe 3). God had defeated all their enemies in the process of the mass return (phase 4) and now the places that were made desolate in the 'Day of calamity' are now inhabited and the cities rebuilt (Ezek 38:12).The Jews also find great deposits of oil, and God has blessed them with cattle and goods. However, they have backslidden so much since the mass return (timeframe 2)  before the rapture, that after the rapture in timeframe 5, Antichrist believes he can invade the land successfully and conquer it. God will allow this to happen and use these circumstances to bring them to accept their Messiah Christ who is the only one that can deliver them from all the armies of the world marching on them (see Gog and Magog - timeframe 5). Remember, these events of Ezekiel 38, 39 are happening after the rapture while God has been pouring out his judgments upon the earth (7 trumpet/vial judgments - see timeframe 5 and picture chart above). These judgments have been on Gentile nations while Israel is like the land of Eden. Antichrist sorely needs what the nations want and He invades Israel to get the oil, the cattle, goods and to rule the world from Jerusalem. 

Ezekiel 39:23-29
23 And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.
24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them.
25 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;
26 After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.
27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;
28 Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.
29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God.

  Ezekiel says in that day the heathen will know why the history of the Jews has been the way it is. Notice God says that after He brings about the captivity of the Jews from all nations (the mass return - timeframe 2) that they shall dwell safely in the land and none around made them afraid. These are the conditions the mass return will produce for Israel before the rapture and a short time after. 

Isaiah 49:8-26
8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
12 Behold, these shall come from far and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
14 But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
17 Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.
19 For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
20 The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I
may dwell.
21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

  This whole chapter sums up the miracles of the mass return. After the Jews repent in Egypt (phase 3) God will raise up a standard ('Ark of the Covenant' - phase 3 page 2). God will open springs and rivers in the desert to give them thirst and a cloud by day to protect them from the hot sun as God did for their fathers in the days of Moses. God will defeat their enemies that were all around them that attacked them in the 'Day of calamity' (phase 2). God will clothe Israel with the land of their enemies. Because of the second exodus out of Egypt (phase 4), and the 'Ark on Mount Zion' the rest of the Jews will see this as the sign to return (all of them!) to Israel. The land will multiply so greatly that it will already become too straight for them. Those that lost family in the 'Day of calamity' (phase 2) will be comforted with more children.

Amos 9:9-15
9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.
10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.
11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doeth this.
13 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.
14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and
drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.

  Verse 14 talks of the mass return to the land of Israel to build the waste cities and inhabit them. The prophet calls this 'the rebuilding of the Tabernacle of David'.  That is, as the days of old when King David ruled, the 'Ark of the covenant' was central to the nation for its protection. Now, once again the Ark is in the midst of the nation as a result of their repentance and exodus out of Egypt a second time (phase 3, phase 4). The Jews will go on a great building campaign to restore Jerusalem as in the days of David (see timeframe 3) because they are in covenant with God and so God's great blessings are now upon them.

Zephaniah 3:10-20
10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and
fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.

  Verse 20 is referring to the mass return (timeframe 2) when God turns their captivity. Verse 10 God confirms the offering by his dispersed daughter - His suppliants - worshippers - beyond the rivers of Ethiopia who bring an offering to the Lord.  This offering is the 'Ark of the Covenant'. These verses confirm Isaiah 18 (phase 3 - page 2) where the 'Ark of the Covenant' is lifted up upon the mountains by the remaining Ethiopian Jews (called Falashas). The trumpets are sounded and God brings a great destruction upon the enemy. The 'Ark' is then presented to the Jews who have repented in Egypt (phase 3) and return in a second exodus with the 'Ark' and great power over their enemies as Jehovah fights their battles for them (phase 4).

Jeremiah 23:7,8
7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
8 But, The Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven
them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

  Jeremiah talks of a time when God will be spoken of, as one that not only brought the children of Israel out of Egypt again, but brought all the scattered Jews back from all nations - this will complete the mass return of timeframe 2.

Jeremiah 3:16
16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

  In verse 16, Jeremiah says that in the days when the Jews are multiplied and increased in the land -that is - after the mass return (timeframe 2) is complete and all the Jews have returned from all nations wherein they were scattered for over 2500 years, they shall no longer say the 'Ark of the covenant' or visit or even remember it.  The Jews do not do that today, so what is Jeremiah saying? Verse 18 has the answer 'At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered to it'.  This would be when Jesus returns (see charts above, Kingdom). The 'Ark of the covenant' is God's emblem or standard of His pledge to give the Jews victory over their enemies and to give them the land promised to Abraham, Issac and Jacob (see phase 3 page 2). When Christ returns the promises to the Jews have been completely fulfilled and they will be in total possession of their land and their enemies totally vanquished (see Kingdom) . Christ as Lord in Jerusalem is that 'Mighty and living Ark of the Covenant' that only Moses 'Ark' always pointed to.  Jeremiah is clearly saying that the 'Ark of the Covenant' will be a great tourist attraction in the last days and will be on many minds, but will end when Christ reigns gloriously Himself in Jerusalem.