The purpose of this write-up is to thoughtfully and biblically challenge several long-standing assumptions regarding Zion, Israel, and the return of Yeshua. Through careful examination of Scripture, we seek to clarify what the Bible truly says—and does not say—about these key topics.
📜 Myth #1: Every reference to Zion, Israel, or Jerusalem refers to modern-day Jerusalem or earthly Israel.
This is simply not true. While some passages clearly reference the historical city or the Promised Land, the vast majority of prophetic scriptures that mention “Zion,” “Jerusalem,” or “Israel” are not about earthly geography but rather about New Jerusalem—a heavenly city and eternal kingdom that will descend from heaven (Revelation 21:2–3).
Examples include:
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Isaiah 2, Micah 4, Joel 2–3, Jeremiah 3:14–18, and Psalm 132:13–14 — These describe a restored Zion or Jerusalem where God dwells “forever,” language that cannot apply to a city on the current Earth, which will pass away (Revelation 21:1).
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Psalm 48:1–3 and Psalm 2:6–9 — These may hold double meanings, reflecting both historical Jerusalem and future New Jerusalem.
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Ezekiel 43:7 — Speaks of God's throne in a place He will inhabit “forever,” aligning with New Jerusalem, not temporary earthly land.
👑 Myth #2: Yeshua will reign physically from the current land of Israel.
This is a theological assumption not directly supported by Scripture. There is no verse that plainly says Yeshua will physically reign from modern-day Jerusalem or walk on this Earth again. While we fully affirm that Yeshua will return and that He will rule the nations, we believe He will do so from the clouds, with heavenly authority and power—not from a throne on the physical Earth.
Scriptures like 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, Acts 1:9–11, Matthew 24:30–31, Daniel 7:13–14, and Revelation 1:7 describe Him returning “with the clouds,” and believers being caught up to meet Him. The emphasis is not on Him touching Earth but on ruling above it—and through His disciples now, tomorrow, and throughout the Millennial reign (Revelation 20:6).
It’s also important to address a common misunderstanding about Armageddon. Some have assumed that this location—mentioned in Revelation 16—is where Yeshua will establish His throne or initiate His earthly rule. However, Scripture makes it clear that Armageddon is not a place of divine authority but a gathering ground for demonic spirits and the rebellious kings of the earth. Revelation 16:13–16 describes it as the staging area for the final conflict between the forces of darkness and the will of God. Yeshua does not reign from Armageddon—He confronts and defeats evil there. His rule is marked by holiness, justice, and glory, and it is not connected to any earthly battlefield, but rather proceeds from a heavenly position of power and dominion.
☁️ Reigning from the Clouds – Not the Ground
We affirm Yeshua’s return—but also believe He will not set foot on Earth again, either in this age or the next. He will return in the clouds, and rule from above (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). His rule will extend to Earth, but He will govern through His saints and heavenly authority.
| Scripture | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 Thess. 4:16–17 | Saints meet Yeshua in the air |
| Acts 1:9–11 | Yeshua returns in the same way He ascended — in clouds |
| Matthew 24:30–31 | He returns in the clouds to gather His elect |
| Revelation 1:7 | All will see Him coming in clouds |
| Daniel 7:13–14 | Son of Man comes with clouds to receive dominion |
| 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 | Believers are transformed at His coming |
🌍 Myth #3: “Israel” refers exclusively to the Jewish people.
This is a common but incomplete view. While the Jewish people today are widely associated with the tribe of Judah, the term “Jew” (Yehudi) actually came to represent a broader group of Israelites—a mixture of multiple tribes who were part of the Babylonian exile and eventual return to Jerusalem. It is a myth that Jews are solely descended from the tribe of Judah. In reality, many individuals from the southern kingdom of Judah included remnants from Levi, Benjamin, Simeon, and likely even refugees from the northern tribes, who had fled south before the Assyrian conquest (see 2 Chronicles 11:16–17; 2 Chronicles 15:9).
Over time, the term “Jew” became a general label for all those who preserved covenant identity and worship centered around Jerusalem—regardless of tribal ancestry.
Furthermore, the northern kingdom (10 tribes) was dispersed by Assyria (2 Kings 17:6) and scattered throughout the nations all over the Earth. These people merged with other nation populations, and over centuries and millennia, the tribal lines blurred. As a result, no one today can definitively deny Israelite tribal or genetic identity—because anyone could potentially carry that heritage. This aligns with God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as countless as the stars in the sky.
From God’s perspective, Israel was always defined by covenant, not by race or DNA. The Torah itself included the “mixed multitude” (Exodus 12:38) that came out of Egypt as part of Israel. Isaiah 56:3–7 speaks of foreigners who join themselves to the Lord and are fully accepted. Paul affirms this in Romans 2:28–29: “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly... but a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart.”
The covenant was first ratified by the blood of animals (Exodus 24:8), but after Yeshua, it is sealed once for all by His blood (Hebrews 9:11–14). Therefore, those who walk in faith and obedience to Yeshua are considered part of Israel by covenant, not by ancestry (Galatians 3:26–29; Romans 11:17–24).
NOTE: This is not replacement theology. Israel is still the chosen family of God. Revelation 21:12 confirms that the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the gates of the everlasting city. That city is the family home of Israel, and all who are grafted in through Yeshua—including Jews and all nations—are invited to become part of that household. It is not about bloodlines but about belonging through covenant.
📖 Scripture References:
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2 Kings 17:6 – Assyrian exile of the northern kingdom
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2 Chronicles 11:16–17; 15:9 – Northern tribes migrated to Judah
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Exodus 12:38 – Mixed multitude in the Exodus
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Isaiah 56:3–7 – Foreigners joined to the Lord
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Romans 2:28–29 – Circumcision of the heart
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Galatians 3:26–29 – All who belong to Messiah are Abraham’s seed
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Romans 11:17–24 – Grafted into the olive tree
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Revelation 21:12 – Names of the tribes on the gates of the eternal city
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Hebrews 9:11–14 – Blood of Yeshua as the final covenant seal
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Matthew 1; Luke 3 – Genealogy of Yeshua
🔥 Myth #4: “Jewish people are Israelites, and everyone else is either Gentile or from the nations.”
This is a simplification that obscures the deeper covenantal identity revealed in Scripture. While Jewish people today are part of Israel, they do not solely define Israel. The Bible never limits Israel to ethnic Jews, nor does it define everyone else as permanently “Gentile.” In truth, Israel has always been the covenant family of God on Earth—a people defined by their relationship to Him, not by bloodline or label.
From the very beginning, “Israel” referred to those in covenant with the God of Israel. Abraham himself was called out from among the nations (Genesis 12:1–3), and through his faith, he became the father of many nations (Romans 4:16–18). Even during the Exodus, a mixed multitude came out of Egypt with Israel and was counted among God’s people (Exodus 12:38, 48–49).
Paul affirms this in Romans 9:6–8, writing: “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel... it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise.” Likewise, Ephesians 2:12–13 reminds us that those once "alienated from the commonwealth of Israel" have now been brought near by the blood of Messiah. But this does not create a third category. You are either in covenant as Israel, outside the covenant as the nations, or in rebellion altogether.
Some people try to carve out a theological middle ground called “the Commonwealth of Israel,” imagining a sort of hybrid identity between Israel and the Gentiles. But Scripture never presents a third category. There are only three spiritual conditions described in the Bible:
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Israel – those in covenant with God through faith and obedience.
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The Nations (Goyim) – those outside the covenant but not inherently excluded.
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The Rebellious / Children of the Devil – those who knowingly reject God’s rule and belong to the domain of darkness (John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2–3).
When Scripture speaks of “Israel,” it is speaking about anyone—regardless of ethnicity—who is in covenant with the God of Israel. As Paul declares in Galatians 3:28–29: “There is neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua. And if you are Messiah’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
📚 Scripture in Context: Clarifying the Foundation
Many of the myths we’ve addressed—whether about Zion, Yeshua’s reign, Israel’s identity, or covenant boundaries—are often built on isolated readings of Scripture. Below is a breakdown of commonly referenced passages that are used to support these traditional interpretations. However, when viewed in context—and through the lens of covenant, Messiah, and eternity—these same scriptures tell a much different story.
What follows is a categorized timeline of key prophetic texts. I've included my perspective alongside each, to help distinguish between what points to earthly events, what has already passed, and what clearly speaks of God’s eternal Kingdom, which is not bound to this present world.
🅰️ Before the Exile
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Joel 2–3, Isaiah 2, Isaiah 24:23, Micah 4, Jeremiah 3:14–18, Jeremiah 30:1–11 – Prophecies of New Jerusalem
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Jeremiah 30:12–24 – Earthly Jerusalem during pre-Yeshua return
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Psalm 2, Psalm 48, Psalm 132 – Future rule from Zion/New Jerusalem
🅱️ During the Exile
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Ezekiel 43:7 – God's throne "forever" = New Jerusalem
🅾️ Returned or After the Exile
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Zechariah 8 – Earthly Israel, but expires at Yeshua
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Zechariah 10 – Refers to Israel of that time
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Zechariah 14 – Mixed: Apollyon (vv. 1–4), Return (vv. 5,13–15), New Jerusalem (vv. 6–12, 16–21)
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Luke 1:32–33 – Yeshua’s throne = New Jerusalem
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Matthew 5:33–35 – Refers to eternal heavenly pattern
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Acts 1:1–11 – Yeshua avoids affirming a future earthly reign
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Revelation 2:26–27; 3:12; 16–17; 21:2–3 – Kingdom is in New Jerusalem, not modern Israel
🧠 Closing Thoughts
It’s time we reevaluate some of the assumptions we’ve inherited—assumptions about geography, genetics, and the nature of God's Kingdom. The Scriptures reveal a far deeper truth: God’s people are defined by covenant, not bloodline, and His Kingdom is established by heavenly authority, not national borders.
The idea that Yeshua must reign from modern-day Israel, or that “Israel” refers exclusively to the Jewish people, or that there are rigid separations between Jews and Gentiles—these are traditions shaped more by history and politics than by careful reading of the text. Scripture consistently speaks of Yeshua returning in glory—not to dwell on Earth, but to reign from the clouds—and of God's people being those who are in covenant with Him, regardless of ethnic origin.
We see in passages like Galatians 3:29, Romans 9:6, and Ephesians 2:12–13 that covenant status is what determines true Israelite identity. And we are reminded in Revelation 21:12 that the names of the twelve tribes are etched into the gates of the eternal city—signifying that Israel is not just preserved, but glorified in God's eternal plan. That city is the home of God's family, and everyone who walks in covenant with Yeshua is invited in—not as guests, but as heirs.
There is no third category. You are either in covenant with God as Israel, outside as the nations, or opposed to God altogether. The invitation remains open: Come into covenant through the blood of Yeshua, and take your place among His people.
Let the Scriptures—not tradition—define who we are and where we’re going. Let covenant, not lineage, determine who belongs to the family of God.
- Written by Martin and Kayla Briggs of Birmingham, AL
