I Am Returned

"Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain."  Zechariah 8:3

To the Bible student, whether basic or advanced, it's no secret that the Kingdom of the Messiah is yet future to us.  We don't know how many more years the world will continue before Christ returns.  We just know that this event is coming.

Yet, in this verse found in the Book of Zechariah, God speaks of His return as though it has taken place already.

The LORD'S return is so certain that God used the past tense.  

Our minds are drawn to the Book of Ezekiel's prophecy.  There, Ezekiel has just described the grand dimensions and the glorious beauty of the Millennial Temple, when he stops and sees something far more glorious than any building of wood and stone.  He sees the glory of the God of Israel returning.

"Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory."  Ezekiel 43:1-2

The Lord's presence will someday return to the land of Israel.  In that day following the Great Tribulation when every Jew has turned to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the holy presence of the Almighty will take up residence in the future temple of His glory.

From there, He'll rule the nations with a rod of iron, and every person living will have the privilege of hearing the Law of God taught from the mouth of the Messiah Himself.

"He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."   Isaiah 42:4

All of this is so sure that God simply says, I am returned.  Are you ready for the Kingdom?  Have you made Jesus the Messiah your Savior through simple faith in His blood?  If not, you can ... today.  Don't wait.  

"Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever ... ."  Ezekiel 43:7