Book excerpt: This book is centered around the relationship between ethnic Israel and biblical eschatology. For at the heart of biblical eschatology is what Isaiah referred to as "the controversy of Zion" (Isaiah 34:8) and what Jeremiah termed "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7).The "controversy of Zion" refers to the historical continuum of spiritual and natural conflict over the city of Jerusalem; the past, present and future Land of Israel; and the Jewish people whose ancient history and prophetic destiny are inextricably connected. The "time of Jacob's trouble" refers to the Age-ending suffering of the Jewish people and the glorious restoration that follows. It is this time of "trouble" that lays the ancient contention and controversy to rest through the "restoration of the Kingdom to Israel" and the decisive once-and-for-all "judgment of the nations" who take part in the "final" assault on the people and the Land of Israel.