Israel’s Hope, Israel’s Restoration, and Boldness in the Last Days

Every generation faces the question: What does it mean to walk faithfully with Elohim in uncertain times? From the words of the prophets to the teachings of Yeshua, we are given both warnings and promises. We see the desert blossoming, the weak strengthened, the blind seeing, and the exiles gathered back to Zion. We see boldness poured out on believers in the Kehilah, even in the face of threats. And we also see counterfeit messiahs rise and fall — like Bar Kokhba — while the true Messiah Yeshua remains the cornerstone.

Today, we are called to discern what is acceptable to the Lord, to seek His face, to pray for Israel and the IDF, to stand against antisemitism, and to walk in faith as ambassadors of reconciliation.

1. Desert Blossoms — Isaiah 35

“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” (Isaiah 35:1–2)

Isaiah paints a picture of renewal. The dry land springs to life, Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon flourish again. This prophecy has a literal fulfillment in the modern land of Israel — barren hills now clothed in vineyards, deserts producing vegetables, and forests planted where there was once dust. Spiritually, it speaks of Elohim reviving hearts through Messiah.

Strength for the Weak

“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.” (Isaiah 35:3–4)

Elohim Himself promises to come with vengeance against oppressors and salvation for His people.

Healing and Miracles

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” (Isaiah 35:5–6)

Yeshua fulfilled these words (cf. Matthew 11:4–5), showing He is the promised Messiah. But Isaiah 35 also points forward to the fullness of the Messianic age.

The Highway of Holiness

“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness.” (Isaiah 35:8–10)

This road leads the redeemed back to Zion, symbolizing both Aliyah and the eternal joy of the ransomed.

2. Seeking the Face of Elohim — Psalm 27:8

Hebrew: לְךָ֣ אָמַ֣ר לִבִּ֑י בַּקְּשׁ֥וּ פָנָ֗י אֶת־פָּנֶ֥יךָ יְהוָ֗ה אֲבַקֵּֽשׁ׃

Transliteration: L’kha amar libbi, bakshu fanai; et-panekha, Adonai, avakesh.

English: “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I will seek.’”

Here, David shows us the heart of a relationship. Elohim invites: “Seek My face.” The believer responds: “Your face I will seek.” This is intimacy, not ritual. It is the essence of what is acceptable to the Lord: obedience, humility, faith, and love (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:17; Hebrews 11:6).

3. The Light of His Countenance

Psalm 44:3 reminds us:

Hebrew: כִּי לֹא בְחַרְבָּם יָרְשׁוּ־אָרֶץ… כִּי־יְמִינְךָ וּזְרוֹעֲךָ וְאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ כִּי רְצִיתָם׃

“For they did not gain the land by their own sword… but by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.”

The Hebrew phrase אוֹר פָּנֶיךָ (or panekha, “the light of Your face”) speaks of Elohim’s favor. Victories do not come from military might alone, but from His presence shining on His people. This connects directly to the IDF today: even with advanced weapons, victory is ultimately from Elohim’s favor.

4. The Gathering of Israel — Isaiah 43:3–6

“Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you… bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the end of the earth.”

This passage promises the ingathering of exiles — a process we see unfolding before our eyes in modern Aliyah. Every Jewish family returning from the four corners of the earth is a testimony to Elohim’s covenant faithfulness.

5. Prophecy, Counterfeit Messiahs, and Bar Kokhba

Yeshua foretold the destruction of the Temple:

“Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:2)

In 70 CE, the Romans fulfilled this prophecy. Later, Bar Kokhba led a revolt (132–135 CE). Rabbi Akiva declared him Messiah, but Messianic believers refused to follow him, knowing Yeshua had warned of false messiahs.

Eusebius wrote:

“Bar Chochebas… gave orders that they should be dragged to terrible punishments, unless they would deny Yeshua as the Messiah and blaspheme Him.” (Ecclesiastical History IV.6)

Justin Martyr confirmed:

“You compelled the believers alone to be punished mercilessly, unless they denied Yeshua the Messiah and uttered blasphemy against Him.” (Dialogue with Trypho, c. 135 CE)

The Jerusalem Talmud records Rabbi Yochanan ben Torta warning Akiva: “Grass will grow on your cheeks and still the son of David will not have come.” (Ta’anit 4:5)

This history shows the cost of fidelity to Yeshua and the danger of false messianic hopes.

6. Boldness for the Kehilah

In Acts 4:29–31, the early believers prayed for boldness and were filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit). Paul requested prayer for fearless proclamation (Ephesians 6:19–20). Proverbs 28:1 declares: “The righteous are as bold as a lion.”

This boldness is needed today:

In Canada, where antisemitism has surged (over 6,200 incidents in 2024, B’nai Brith).

In Israel, where soldiers face daily threats.

In the Kehilah worldwide, to stand unashamed for Messiah Yeshua (Romans 1:16).

7. Praying for the IDF

Scripture gives us patterns to pray:

Protection in Battle — Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”

Wisdom and Strategy — Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 11:2.

Strength and Endurance — Isaiah 40:29.

Unity and Morale — Psalm 133:1.

Provision of Needs — Philippians 4:19.

Healing and Recovery — Psalm 147:3.

Justice and Ethics — Isaiah 1:17.

Spiritual Awakening — Psalm 27:1.

Victory comes not by sword alone, but by the favor of Elohim and the light of His countenance.

8. Acceptable to the Lord

What Elohim accepts: obedience (1 Samuel 15:22), humility (Psalm 51:17), faith (Hebrews 11:6), truth (Ephesians 5:9).

What He rejects: hypocrisy (Isaiah 29:13), injustice (Amos 5:21–24), pride (Proverbs 16:5), idolatry (Exodus 20:3).

Discernment comes by the Word, Spirit, and humility (Psalm 119:105; Galatians 5:16–25; James 1:5).

9. Ambassadors of Reconciliation

Paul wrote:

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Messiah, as though Elohim were pleading through us: we implore you on Messiah’s behalf, be reconciled to Elohim.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

In a world of division — whether in Anglican debates over morality, in Canadian antisemitism, or in Israel’s diplomatic isolation — believers are called to embody reconciliation through Messiah Yeshua.

10. Prophetic Hope

Daniel 2 shows the statue of empires shattered by a stone not cut by human hands — the kingdom of Elohim that fills the whole earth. Isaiah 11 speaks of the Branch from Jesse, filled with wisdom and counsel, judging with righteousness.

Matthew 24 and Luke 21 point to the return of Messiah after tribulation, with angels gathering the elect from the four winds. The trumpet will sound, and all who belong to Him will be gathered in ultimate Aliyah.

Conclusion

We live between promises fulfilled and promises yet to come. We see the desert blossom, exiles return, Kehilot strengthened, and boldness poured out. We also see rising antisemitism, counterfeit messiahs, and global pressures on Israel.

But the Word of Elohim stands:

“The ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads.” (Isaiah 35:10)

“Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8)

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our Elohim.” (Psalm 20:7)

Let us therefore be bold, rooted, and abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6–7). Let us pray for Israel and the IDF. Let us stand as ambassadors of reconciliation. And let us look with hope for the day when Messiah Yeshua returns, and the light of His countenance shines forever on Zion.