The Future to Come

Notable Sources

All Sources

Rebuilding the City for God

TANAKH

The prophet Jeremiah offers a vision of hope, foretelling the future rebuilding of Jerusalem for God. This ancient prophetic text describes the geographical markers of the future city, from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.

See, a time is coming—declares GOD—when the city shall be rebuilt for GOD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate;

Jeremiah 31:38

A Vision of Renewal

TANAKH

The promise of a new heaven and a new earth, where past troubles are forgotten, offers a vision of ultimate renewal and joy. The Book of Isaiah, written during the First Temple period, contains prophecies of universal peace and the transformation of Jerusalem into a place of delight.

For behold! I am creating
A new heaven and a new earth;
The former things shall not be remembered,
They shall never come to mind. Be glad, then, and rejoice forever
In what I am creating.
For I shall create Jerusalem as a joy,
And her people as a delight;

Isaiah 65:17-18

Jerusalem's Future Glory

TANAKH

The Book of Zechariah, one of the Twelve Minor Prophets, envisions a future where Jerusalem is physically transformed and secure, and God is recognized as the sole sovereign over all the earth.

And GOD shall be sovereign over all the earth; in that day there shall be one GOD with one name. Then the whole country shall become like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. The latter, however, shall perch high up where it is, and shall be inhabited from the Gate of Benjamin to the site of the Old Gate, down to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses. Never again shall destruction be decreed, and Jerusalem shall dwell secure.

Zechariah 14:9-11

The Necessary Heresy Before Redemption

JEWISH THOUGHT

The heresy spreading across the world before is seen as a necessary precursor to a great supernal light. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, a prominent early 20th-century Jewish thinker and mystic, explores this eschatological theme in his writings.

The heresy that will spread across the entire world (Sanhedrin 97a) prior to the great supernal light that will manifest itself over [that heresy] is like “the void prior to being” (Maharal, Netzach Yisrael) in the entirety of existence.

Shemonah Kevatzim 1:569:1

Harmony in the Future to Come

SECOND TEMPLE

In the future, even wild animals will become tame and respectful in the presence of humans. Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, envisions a future where harmony prevails in nature.

[89] When that time comes I believe that bears and lions and panthers and the Indian animals, elephants and tigers, and all others whose vigour and power are invincible, will change their life of solitariness and isolation for one of companionship, and gradually in imitation of the gregarious creatures show themselves tame when brought face to face with mankind. They will no longer as heretofore be roused to ferocity by the sight, but will be awe-struck into respectful fear of him as their natural lord and master…

On Rewards and Punishments 15:5

The Predetermined Redemption

TALMUD

The timing of the redemption is predetermined and not contingent upon repentance. In a debate between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua, the latter interprets a verse from Daniel to argue that redemption will occur at a set time regardless of repentance.

Rabbi Eliezer said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “If you will return, Israel, says the Lord, return to Me” (Jeremiah 4:1), indicating that redemption is contingent upon repentance? Rabbi Yehoshua said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven and swore by the One Who lives forever that it shall be for a period, periods, and a half; when the crushing of the power of the holy people shall have been completed…

Sanhedrin 98a:2

Eternal Life or Eternal Shame

TANAKH

The promise of eternal life or eternal shame is a profound and central belief in Jewish eschatology. The verse from Daniel 12:2 is a cornerstone in Jewish discussions about the afterlife and divine judgment, frequently referenced in the Babylonian Talmud in tractate Moed Katan.

Many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, others to reproaches, to everlasting abhorrence.

Daniel 12:2

The Future Song of Redemption

JEWISH THOUGHT

The future song of redemption will be distinct from past songs, using masculine language instead of feminine. Rav Shagar's interpretation of Isaiah 42:1 contrasts the linguistic gender of past and future songs of redemption, reflecting Jewish eschatological themes.

According to the midrash, the Song of the Sea upon the redemption that previously occurred is described in feminine language -shirah. However, the song of the future will be in masculine language - "a new shir (Isaiah 42:1)"

Panekha Avakesh 11:5

Kabbalah and the Future of Israel

COMMENTARY

Kabbalah offers profound insights into the historical processes affecting the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook’s work integrates Kabbalistic concepts with contemporary Jewish thought, emphasizing their spiritual and historical significance.

This refers not to "technical" or superficial study of Kabbalah (which has become popular in recent times), but to the deeper understanding the Kabbalah offers into the processes currently taking place among the Jewish people as a whole and in the State of Israel. Such an application of the Kabbalah for an understanding of historical processes in the life of the Jewish people is the Torah of the Messiah's deliverance. (Note that even in the sixteenth century, R. Itshak Luria, the Arizal, believed that the process of messianic deliverance would require a renewal of Torah…

Commentary on Selected Paragraphs of Arpilei Tohar 2:21:9

Relatedראו גם

The Jewish People in the Future

The Birthpangs of the Messiah

Eschatology

Jerusalem in the Future

Sheetsדפי מקורות

Related Sheets