Israel Is a Symbol of the Plan of Salvation

1 Nephi 10:3

That after they should be destroyed, even that great city Jerusalem, and many be carried away captive into Babylon, according to the own due time of the Lord, they should return again, yea, even be brought back out of captivity; and after they should be brought back out of captivity they should possess again the land of their inheritance.

Here is the plan of salvation played out symbolically in the history of Israel. They apostatize, rebel against God, their capital is destroyed, they are taken captive and led away, and then when they repent and turn to God, he rescues them and brings them back to their eternal home. 

Our mortal lives follow the same pattern. When we sin and rebel, Satan gets hold of us and takes us captive into his kingdom. But when we come to ourselves, turn to God, and repent, He redeems us, rescues us from Satan's grasp, and brings us into the kingdom of God, where we can dwell with Him forever. 

Today, we draw hope from the promise of Israel's restoration as a promise of our own salvation. Soon, however, when we see with our own eyes the literal gathering and redemption of Israel, we will know of a surety the redemption of mankind and our own place in God's kingdom to go no more out.

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