Alex McFarland
It has been said that Israel is the “time clock” of world history. Why? What about this ancient, enigmatic nation could portend the trajectory — and conclusion of — world history?
Many Bible scholars consider the rebirth of Israel in 1948 as a nation as a “super sign” of the end times. Why is the return of this historic nation to its homeland so important in Bible prophecy?
The primary reason Israel’s rebirth is considered important is that many predictions in Revelation and other prophetic books discuss Israel as a nation. In other words, before Israel was a nation again, many of the predictions in Bible prophecy would be difficult to see fulfilled. Now that it is a nation again, it is easier to see how God could bring forth many of the predictions found concerning the last days.
Israel often appears in the Bible’s prophecies. The Jewish people and the nation of Israel are also immeasurably significant regarding past human history. What is the role of this important nation in the last days?
Scripture lays out many ways Israel will be influential in the last days. First, Israel will be a nation, something that was not true from A.D. 70 until 1948. The re-establishment of modern Israel is a testimony that God fulfills His promises and has an ongoing literal plan for Israel in the future.
Second, the Bible predicts a return of many Jews to Israel in the end times. Ezekiel 36:24 predicts, “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.” Isaiah 43:6 adds, “Bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” Millions of Jews have returned from around the world to the Jewish homeland in Israel, bringing these words to life in a vivid way in our times.
Third, the future tribulation includes the Antichrist making a covenant of peace with Israel that will be broken after three and a half years. Daniel 9:27 predicts concerning Israel, “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week, he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” The weeks in this context refer to seven-year periods of time.
Israel’s rebirth was prophetically important, as the Bible predicts that a future Jewish temple will be constructed in the city of Jerusalem. In Daniel 9:24-27, the Antichrist (who may be alive on planet earth at this time) will desecrate this temple. Jesus Christ alluded to this prediction in Matthew 24:15.
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