“The essence of the gathering is the gathering to the covenants of the gospel of Jesus Christ— … the same covenants that God made with Israel’s great ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. … The idea of a physical return in the scriptures may often be a metaphor for returning to the covenants, accepting the gospel, and joining Christ’s church. Geographical relocation plays a lesser role. Today the gathering of Israel is taking place as individuals from all over the earth are gathering to the Church in their own lands” (Jackson, “Comfort My People,” 142–43).