It has long been observed that about one-third of the Bible is prophecy, and the majority of those prophecies have not yet been fulfilled. In addition, nearly all of those unfulfilled prophecies pertain to the descendants of Abraham in general—and those of Jacob in particular—and to other nations and entities only as they come into contact with the descendants of these patriarchs. Even in the New Testament, the theme of Israel runs steadily, even appearing prominently in the most futuristic of all its books, Revelation.

Understanding the history and future of the descendants of Jacob, who was renamed Israel (Genesis 32:27-28), is paramount to understanding the rest of the Bible. In particular, comprehending what God prophesies will happen to these people allows us to make sense of the seemingly incomprehensible events in the world. As Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (KJV). But God has given us a vision of where current events are leading and what will soon happen to the nations of Israel that have been scattered around the globe.

A little knowledge of the history of the Israelitish people during Old Testament times is a necessary background to comprehending the significance of this subject. After the death of King Solomon (c. 975 BC), the singular Kingdom of Israel—which had been unified from twelve separate tribes into a nation by David—split into two different kingdoms. The northern ten tribes retained the name Israel and established their capital at Samaria under their elected king, Jeroboam. The southern tribes—Judah and Benjamin, along with part of Levi—became known simply as Judah and continued to be ruled by the royal line of David from the capital city of Jerusalem.

Two hundred and fifty years after this national division, the northern ten tribes were in a terminal state of wickedness and rebellion. Idolatry was widespread, pagan religious practices from the surrounding cultures were common and celebrated, God's law was trampled underfoot, and God Himself was scoffed at—much as we see in today's Western culture. The prophets whom God sent—notable names like Elijah, Elisha, Hosea, Micah, and Amos—warning of Israel's imminent destruction and subjugation, were invariably ignored, mocked, or killed.

Around 718 BC, God caused the kingdom of Assyria to subdue Israel and take the people captive. As was their policy after conquering another nation, the Assyrians deported the population from its homeland in Canaan to the southern shores of the Caspian Sea in what is today Iran (II Kings 17:5-6). The northern Kingdom of Israel thus passed from the view of all but the most obscure histories, becoming known as the Lost Ten Tribes.

The Jews—the southern Kingdom of Judah—followed a similar course shortly thereafter. With a few notable exceptions, the kings of Judah proved more corrupt than the kings in the north, and the common people followed the examples of their leaders. Israel set the pace into idolatry, and Judah enthusiastically followed and surpassed her sister kingdom. As God notes in a well-known diatribe against Judah in the book of Ezekiel: "Samaria did not commit half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they" (Ezekiel 16:51).

As He did with Israel, God sent prophets—men such as Joel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah—to the Kingdom of Judah to warn her of destruction if she did not repent. She refused. Between 604 and 585 BC, in several forced migrations, the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar removed the population of Judah to Babylon (II Kings 24:14). At the end of this period, he completely destroyed Jerusalem—Temple and all—and "carried away captive the rest of the people" (II Kings 25:11).

What Assyria had done to Israel 133 years earlier, Babylonia did to Judah in and around 585 BC. Both kingdoms turned from their covenant with God and earned the chastening of national captivity. In the prophecies of Moses, God had promised the children of Israel that, if they did not listen to Him and keep His commandments, this would be their fate (Leviticus 26:27-35; Deuteronomy 28:47-52, 64).

However, after seventy years in Babylonian captivity, the Jews, albeit a mere remnant, began returning to Canaan. Under Ezra and Nehemiah, these Jews rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, granting them some protection from the hostile peoples around them. In time, the Temple was restored under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. From this remnant of Jews, Benjamites, and Levites descended the people who later threw off the Syrian yoke under Judas Maccabeus, wrangled with Rome, and witnessed the ministry and death of Jesus Christ.

But the northern ten tribes of Israel never returned!

The knowledge of where Israel went has largely been lost. However, the true history and identity of the northern ten tribes, unknown even to the tribes themselves, is the key to understanding geopolitical events in the present and near future. God's promises and prophecies, though, provide the details that show where Israel is today—and what lies ahead for this pivotal people.

Over the next several weeks, we will trace Israel's journey over time and geography to find where her descendants are today and determine what roles they play in Bible prophecy.