“he will abandon them until the time.” We today know that between the Babylonian Captivity and Jesus Christ, no legitimate descendant of David ruled on the throne of Judah or Israel. The Babylonian Captivity brought an end to the Davidic dynasty that had lasted for over 400 years, but when the Messiah came there was once again a Davidic king in Israel, even though he did not claim his throne in the way people expected him to. That is waiting until his Second Coming, at which time Jesus will rule over the earth from Jerusalem.

There was no indication that between the life of Christ (Mic. 5:2) and the time Israel will be restored (Mic. 5:3), would be over 2,000 years, but that is the case: Israel has still not been restored and united as the Twelve Tribes. That will not occur until Christ sets up his kingdom on earth and the First Resurrection, the resurrection of the righteous dead, occurs (Rev. 20:4-6).

[For more on Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom, see Appendix 3, “Christ’s Future Kingdom on Earth.” For more on the two future resurrections, the Resurrection of the Righteous and the Resurrection of the Unrighteous, see commentary on Acts 24:15. For more on the Sheep and Goat Judgment and the “big picture” chronology of the end times, see commentary on Matthew 25:32.]