Today I was reading through Hosea the third pass, and this verse stands out as it provides a timeline for Israel’s future restoration. Let me explain in this article.
After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Hos 6:2, KJV
The book of Hosea, mainly talks about the condemnation on (northern) Israel due to their sins. But also, the compassion of Yahweh to restore them.
In this verse, we see Yahweh’s promise to restore Israel both physically and spiritually on the “third day”.
This promise of Israel’s restoration is prophesied in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezeikel (please refer to Isa 41 article).
As a recap, God will bring Israel back to dwell in their homeland (Jer 32:37-38). This is also echoed in Ezek 36:24-25. Hence this is Israel’s physical restoration.
And reading further in Jer 32:39, we see God giving them a new heart to follow Him. This is echoed further in Ezek 36:26, where God replaces the heart of stone in them with a heart of flesh. Hence, this is Israel’s spiritual restoration.
As we look at Israel today, it is obvious that these prophesies haven’t been fulfilled. So when would these happen?
As per the verse, Israel’s restoration will take place on the “third day”. When is the third day, what does it mean?
A cross reference to 1 Cor 15:4, similarly talks about Jesus was buried and rose on the third day.
Indeed Jesus death and resurrection did bring about salivation to mankind (those whom the Father calls / chooses), once and for all.
If we assume the literal interpretation of “third day” where after Jesus rose again and Israel would be restored, it doesn’t seem to add up.
Because even today, it is obvious that these prophesies of Israel’s restoration haven’t seem to been fulfilled.
Hence, a symbolic interpretation of “third day” would align more.
In Psa 90:4, we see that one day <=> a thousand years. Hence 3 days = AD 3000++.
Considering Jesus millennial reign on earth (1000 year), it means the beginning of his reign is 3000 AD – 1000 yrs = 2000 AD.
This means, Israel would be first revived, and given life in the current millennial we are living today at 2000+ AD!
The rapture of the church will happen first, then the seven years tribulation, which will sanctify and purify Israel, so to bring them to life again.
And after seven years, Jesus would return, and start his millennial 1000-year reign.
And at the end of his reign at 3000 AD (third day), and even during his reign, they can live in his sight.
Please refer to Pretribulation article, for these events which includes the rapture of the church, the seven years tribulation, the second coming of Christ, his millennium reign on earth, and judgment day.
Please refer to 2 Thess 2:3 article, for the falling away, the restrainer being taken away, and the revealing of the Antichrist, which kickstarts the seven heads tribulation.
Once Israel is brought back to dwell in her land, and God gives her people a new heart.
Then Ezek 40-48, which describes the Israelites offering sacrifices in the temple / tabernacle with all those grand measurements would be fulfilled.
And as this remaining prophesy is fulfilled, the season where God is coming for his people both Israel and His church draws even closer!
