OneForIsrael.org is a Messianic Jewish online ministry that preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that they are fulfilling Book of Mormon and Hebrew Bible prophecy by spreading the good news of Jesus to both Jews and Arabs in the Holy Land. Jesus is working through these Holy Land converts to spread his word, open hearts, and prepare the people for his second coming. It seems clear that the spirit of Jesus is working through Latter-day Saints, Messianic Jews, Arab believers in Christ, and other people of faith so that we will all become united in Him when he returns. This will fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy that Jesus told the people in the Book of Mormon that:
And then the words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled, which say: Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion.
3 Nephi 16:17-18
When Jesus returns, a new nation of peace will be born. We will all see and rejoice together as we learn about the many miracles and spiritual gifts he has given to each spiritual community. We will be all become united in Him. We will let go of the false ideas and misunderstandings. In a day, we will all [Jew, Gentile or non-Jew, Latter-day Saint, and all people moved by the spirit of God] become a united family in Christ. Speaking of the Second coming, Isaiah also states:
“Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” … “For thus saith the Lord, Behold I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream”… “it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory”…”And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.”
Isaiah 66:7-8,12,18,23
In ancient times, the tribes of Israel were scattered across the earth among the Gentile nations. God covenanted with Abraham that his children would be more numerous than the sands of the sea. Abraham’s children would eventually be found in every nation and people on earth. Their destiny would be to eventually bless all people. After Christ was on the earth, the gospel spread from his disciples who were Messianic Jews to the Gentiles who were adopted into the family of Abraham and into the body (or church) of Christ. In the latter-days, Jesus has restored and continues to restore the fulness of his gospel. Other non-Jewish tribes of Israel that were scattered around the world have been gathering with Gentiles to his gospel as part of the restitution of all things prophesied by Peter in Acts 3:21 and by Paul in Ephesians 1:10. This includes the descendants of Ephraim and Manassas who are the children of Joseph of Egypt and a part of which we know from the Book of Mormon migrated to the ancient Americas. Now, after millennia, some Jews are beginning to come to know and believe in Christ. The Lord is spiritually reaching out to gather all people. Christ’s spirit of “The Gathering” is seen behind evangelical ministries like OneforIsrael.org. The Lord’s hand is moving across all the earth. Eventually, we will all be united in Him together as prophesied in all the holy scriptures.
The Book of Mormon contains the ancient writings of Jews, Gentiles, and the descendants of Joseph of Egypt who were scattered at the time of the Babylonian invasion around 600 B.C. The prophet Ezekiel who lived during this time period saw a vision of the nation of Israel as a pile of dead bones that was resurrected in the latter-days. In additional witness, the first Book of Mormon prophet Lehi [2 Nephi 1:10-14] and the last Book of Mormon prophet Moroni [Moroni 10:31-34] called the descendants of Abraham and each of us to awake and arise from the dust [reborn in Jesus] and to become united in Him in one body as part of their final sermons.
These things parallel the separation of Joseph of Egypt from his family and then the reunification where Joseph shared the wealth that he had received with his brethren. We will each learn about how the Spirit of God has worked in each of our communities and rejoice with each other as siblings reunited in the Lord when he returns. Then the words of Isaiah will be fulfilled where he states that when Christ returns the watchmen (the prophets and leaders with the Spirit of God) will sing together, see eye-to-eye, and rejoice in what the Lord has done for all people and the entire earth. After seeing the vision of dead bones coming back to life, the Lord told Ezekiel to write the following prophecy which proclaims that not only scattered descendants of Abraham, but also their scattered ancient scriptures would be reunited.
The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, for Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions [the Bible]: then take another stick, and write upon it, for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions [the Book of Mormon]: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.” Ezekiel 37:15-17
The ancient prophesies of Zenos found in Jacob chapter 5 of the Book of Mormon use vineyard symbology to explain the scattering and gathering of Israel. In the allegory, the entire world is the Lord’s vineyard, Israel is compared to a tame olive tree and the Gentiles are compared to wild olive trees. The Lord noticed that the top of his tame olive tree was perishing but there were new young tender branches. The Lord took the young tender branches and grafted them into the wild olive trees in the northern parts of his vineyard symbolic of the scattering of Israel. The Lord also grafted wild olive branches into the tame tree to strengthen it. Both the tame tree strengthened by the wild olive branches and several wild trees that had received tame branches bore good fruit. Some of them bore more fruit than others and the Lord gathered the fruit. Some of the trees in poor ground outperformed trees in good ground. The Lord plucked off the branches that did not produce good fruit. After a long time the Lord revisited his vineyard to prepare for the final gathering in the latter-days. The Lord and his servants noticed that the original tame tree had stopped producing good fruit and had been overrun by the pride and overgrowth of the wild branches, but that the roots were still good. The wild trees that had received the tame branches were also not producing good fruit. There was a problem with all of the trees. The Lord decided to take the tame branches that had been transplanted and graft them back into their mother tree along with a bunch of other grafting symbolic of the latter-day gathering to Christ and getting the people back to the roots and core aspects of the gospel. In doing this, the Lord hoped to strengthen the good parts of the trees so as to overcome the parts interfering with the production of good fruit. The Lord and the servants prune and care for the vineyard while clearing out the branches that produce bad fruit so that there is room for the good branches producing good fruit to flourish. The trees begin to produce good fruit with some bad fruit, and the good fruit is gathered in for the last time while the bad branches and bad fruit are removed. Eventually the good overcomes the bad and the vineyard becomes as “one tree” producing good fruit with no more corruption. This is symbolic of the future unification of all people who will become as one body in Christ during his millennial reign.
The Book of Mormon contains the writings and dealings of God with Gentiles who migrated from the middle east [Jaredites], Jews [Mulekites] and the descendants of the children of Joseph of Egypt [Nephites & Lamanites] who were led out of Jerusalem across the seas to the Americas. The Nephites were also Israelites from the tribes of Joseph. They had their own prophets who prophesied of Christ. Similar to what the Lord said to Ezekiel, the Book of Mormon states that the Lord will gather his covenant people who were scattered across the earth. It reaffirms that the Jews are part of his ancient covenant people and that they were inspired by him to write the Bible. The Lord also states that he has inspired other prophets among the Gentiles [example Jaredites] and among scattered tribes of Israel [example Nephites] to write his words.
Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of two nations shall run together also. And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to my own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever. Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. For I command all men…which I speak unto them…And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews…And it shall come to pass that … my word also shall be gathered in one.”2 Nephi 29:1-14
We are living in a time when ancient prophecies are being fulfilled in preparation for Christ’s return. I believe that the Spirit of Christ is leading organizations such as OneForIsrael.org to spiritually gather Jews and Arabs to the Lord Jesus who appeared to Moses at the burning bush and parted the Red Sea to save them from Pharoah’s armies. I believe that OneForIsrael.org is among the Lord’s “watchmen” and “gatherers” as prophesied in the Book of Mormon. The Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of the Gathering extend far beyond the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jesus is Lord of all of humanity and his hand moves among all peoples. While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a very special role and part to play in preparation for Christ’s return, the Lord’s hand extends beyond the membership of his restored church. It is not Latter-day Saint missionaries who are evangelizing to Jews and Arabs in the Holy Land leading them to the Lord their God who is Jesus Christ. These Book of Mormon prophecies are mostly being fulfilled by other “watchmen” and other “gatherers” called and moved by the Spirit of Christ in preparation for the Lord’s return.
And it shall come to pass that the Jews which are scattered also shall begin to believe in Christ; and they shall begin to gather in upon the face of the land; and as many as shall believe in Christ shall also become a delightsome people [filled and radiating with the light of Christ]. And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall commence his work among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, to bring about the restoration of his people upon the earth.
In the Book of Mormon, the Lord warned the Latter-day Gentiles that when/if they sin against the fulness of the gospel that it would be taken from them unless/until they repent. I believe that these warnings extend to both the larger Christian community and also to the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At various times in these latter-days, the growth of Christianity among the Gentile nations as well as the growth of the restored church on earth has stalled due to errancy, forgetfulness, or wickedness. The Lord promised his ancient covenant peoples that even though he has allowed them to be abused by other nations, He has not forgotten them and He will gather them. Sometime after his resurrection in Jerusalem, Jesus descended from heaven to visit portions of scattered Israel. After showing himself to the people and teaching them, he explained what would happen to scattered Israel in the latter-days.
Behold, because of their belief in me, saith the Father, and because of the unbelief of you, O house of Israel, in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fulness of these things shall be made known unto them. But wo, saith the Father, unto the unbelieving of the Gentiles—for notwithstanding they have come forth upon the face of this land, and have scattered my people who are of the house of Israel; and my people who are of the house of Israel have been cast out from among them, and have been trodden under feet by them; And because of the mercies of the Father unto the Gentiles, and also the judgments of the Father upon my people who are of the house of Israel, verily, verily, I say unto you, that after all this, and I have caused my people who are of the house of Israel to be smitten, and to be afflicted, and to be slain, and to be cast out from among them, and to become hated by them, and to become a hiss and a byword among them (the Jewish holocaust and the slaughtering of Native Americans are examples of this) — And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the [Christian] Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them. And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them. And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel. But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel.
3 Nephi 16:7-13
It is important to note that the Lord allows Gentiles to be included in the spiritual house of Israel, to be numbered with them, and be treated the same with the same blessings. All people are invited into the spiritual tent of God. These scriptures are talking about the spiritual house of Israel or the “family of Abraham” and not the modern nation of Israel. Four chapters later after Jesus healed the Nephites who were sick, prayed for the people, angels ministered to their children, the sacrament was instituted, the people were purified, sanctified, and united in heavenly light, then Jesus reiterated his earlier words. Jesus reiterated that when scattered Israel comes to believe in him, that the watchers would see eye to eye and sing together in the Lord. They would become united through their devotion and love of the Lord.
And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people; and I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them forever, saith the Father. And it shall come to pass that the time cometh, when the fulness of my gospel shall be preached unto them; And they [Jews and scattered Israel who are also descendants of Abraham] shall believe in me, that I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and shall pray unto the Father in my name. Then shall their watchmen lift up their voice, and with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye. Then will the Father gather them together again, and give unto them Jerusalem for the land of their inheritance. Then shall they break forth into joy—Sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Father hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Father hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of the Father; and the Father and I are ONE. And then shall be brought to pass that which is written: Awake, awake again, and put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city, [Also see the last words of Moroni calling for Israel to Awake and come to Christ in Moroni 10:31] for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean [of heart]. Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus saith the Lord: Ye have sold yourselves for naught, and ye shall be redeemed without money. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that my people [scattered Israel] shall know my name [Jesus who is the true Lord God of Israel and of Zion]; yea, in that day they shall know that I am he that doth speak. And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him [who is Christ – also see the words of Abinadi on this topic found in Mosiah 12:19-27, 15:11-20, 28-31,16:1] that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God [who his Jesus] reigneth! … So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him, for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. Verily, verily, I say unto you, all these things shall surely come, even as the Father hath commanded me. Then shall this covenant which the Father hath covenanted with his people be fulfilled; and then shall Jerusalem be inhabited again with my people [who are literal and adopted descendants of Abraham who have been redeemed in Jesus], and it shall be the land of their inheritance.
3 Nephi 20:29-46
Jesus calls us to become one with him and in so doing, to become one with each other. His great commandments of love are about uniting all his children rather than dividing them. As Latter-day Saints, we can rejoice that the Spirit of Christ is working through messianic evangelical ministries like OneForIsrael.org to proclaim the gospel of Christ so that Jews and Arabs will come to know and recognize the name Jesus as the Lord God. Eventually, all the watchmen that have been called by the Spirit of Christ will see eye to eye and sing the song of redeeming love in the fullness of Christ’s light. If we all head towards Jesus, then the space that separates us will gradually disappear until all darkness is gone and we are united in his presence to see the marvelous miracles He has done for each of us.
Interestingly Lehi named his sons with names of both Hebrew and Gentile origin. His hope for unification of his children and their descendants are found in the words that he told his sons before he died. Lehi’s words mirror the words of Ezekiel’s vision of the dead bones coming back to life. Lehi said: “arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity; … Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness [of Christ]. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust [to be reborn in Christ].”
Messianic Jewish ministries like OneForIsrael.org are fulfilling the words of Ezekiel, Lehi, and Moroni for Jews and Arabs. The Lord is using his Spirit to call them to awake and be reborn in Jesus. Those who have been reborn with the Spirit of Christ are then calling others to Him as part of the latter-day gathering in preparation for the Messiah’s return. They are part of Christ’s many plans to unite all his children in One. Paul stated, “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:17. Jesus is about divine unity in love. “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear O’ Israel; Jehovah is our God, Jehovah is One.” Mark 12:29-31, Deuteronomy 6:4
Jehovah who is Jesus, is also known as the Holy One of Israel [1 Nephi 19:14-15, 2 Nephi 22:6, 3 Nephi 22:5]. Israel includes all of his covenant people born or adopted into the family of Abraham. He would have us all (Jew and Gentile) to be one with him. Let us not have the spirit of religious competition, but the spirit of oneness in Christ so that we as watchers may sing together and see eye to eye the miracles that the Lord is doing now to gather Israel. Let us look forward to Ezekiel’s vision when we all are raised together as one body in Christ and as Isaiah states a new nation of peace at Jerusalem [or Zion] is “born in a day” when he returns. Let us rejoice and see the Spirit of Christ acting within the membership of the Latter-day Saints as well as within all of God’s children who will “Hear Him!”
“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, AND upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God [which is in Christ] in great glory.”
Hopes of Glory 