On three different occasions Paul declared publicly that the Hope of Israel was the reason why he was persecuted. Let’s look at the third and final time the Bible records him saying this.
Arriving to Rome as a prisoner, having appealed to Caesar, Paul was put under house arrest, and from his house summoned a meeting with the local Jewish leaders who lived in Rome. At that time, Rome was the greatest city in the World. That’s where Paul declared with confidence before the rabbis and elders of the Jewish community:
It is because of the Hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain (Acts 28:20).
Paul had been transported by land and sea in shackles as a Roman prisoner. Having suffered shipwreck, hunger, abuse, and mistreatment, he almost died on numerous occasions. But all that suffering only made him more sure of his calling. Paul understood the cause of the hatred directed towards him. It was his proclamation of the Hope of Israel.
The prophets testify that the Hope of Israel is for Israel to become the epicenter and source of truth, justice, and blessings in the New World. Israel will become the first of many theocracies when we return with Jesus and establish the Kingdom of God on Earth. Israel will be to other countries as a nucleus is to a cell. From Israel will flow the wisdom to program the World for peace, righteousness, order, and prosperity.
Just as a nucleus contains the genes to program a cell for health and functionality, so will Israel influence the other countries of the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Australia, and America. Israel will lead in international affairs. It will be the primary example for the religious and political systems of every nation on Earth.
Now it shall come to pass in the Latter Days that the mountain of the Lord’s House shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.
Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the House of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and we shall walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (Isaiah 2:2-4; NKJV).
We, as the Church, have always hoped that Israel will be the country God has called it to be, and our Hope will be fulfilled. Israel will become the global leader in religion. That will be the first step, fulfilled when the Lord Jesus establishes the Millennial Temple as the worldwide worship center. Then, Israel will lead the rest of the World in justice, law, government, politics, and economics. In addition, stupendous developments in engineering, transportation, communications, art, culture, science, medicine, and health will come about—inspired by the religion Israel exports.
Jerusalem will become the capital of the World. From there, Christ will appoint us as rulers over the people—over nations and over cities.
… he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very small thing, have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Sir, your mina has made five minas.’ So he said to this one also, ‘And you be over five cities’ (Luke 19:17-19; LEB).
From Israel will proceed great developments in agriculture, husbandry, crafts, industry, and education. This will happen because pilgrims from every corner of the Earth will return to their countries of origin with ideas, principles, and faith.
And many peoples and powerful nations will come to seek Yahweh of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of Yahweh. Thus says Yahweh of Hosts: “In those days’ ten men from all the nations of every language will take hold of the hem of a Judean man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you!’” (Zachariah 8:22-24; LEB)
God will establish Zion as “ground zero”—the main pilgrimage destination of the World. Massive caravans of people will pour into the Temple daily, seeking instruction and wisdom from Jesus—the Great Teacher and King of Israel.
In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s Temple… peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths’ (Micah 4:1-2).
In that day the Root of Jesse [Jesus] will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place [Jerusalem] will be glorious (Isaiah 11:10).
Jerusalem will be the city to which people flock from Russia, Nigeria, Mexico, France, China, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, New Zealand, and the United States. Ships will port in Jaffa (Israel) arriving from Iceland, Ireland, England, Crete, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Seychelles, Madagascar, and every other island! The Hope of the Kingdom of God will no longer be a wish, it will become a reality.
In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath, and from the islands of the Mediterranean.
He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the Earth… (Isaiah 11:11-12)
The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm (Isaiah 51:5).
Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests? Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you [Jerusalem] with splendor (Isaiah 60:8-9).
If you preach these passages of Scripture--ones that highlight the Hope of Israel--you'll get in trouble just like Paul did. You'll be persecuted. But why? Because it's such a radical belief that it will transform people's lives, and the Devil hates it when he loses people. The Hope will lift them out of their subjugation to this World, and will allow them to be born again.
Yes, we are born again through the Hope of the Kingdom!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a Living Hope... (1 Peter 1:3; LEB)
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain..." Hebrews 6:19