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.
Fourth, many see the revival of the Hebrew language in Israel as a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Zephaniah 3:9 says, “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord.” By the end of the 19th century, use of the Hebrew language was just about nil. Spoken Hebrew was almost extinct, but today it is one of the world’s powerful languages. When Israel was restored as a nation, Hebrew became one of its official languages and is now spoken by millions of people.
Israel is already fulfilling some of the Bible’s predictions. However, this important nation will continue to play a vital role in the unfolding plan of God throughout the future as His predictions come to complete fulfillment in keeping His promises to Abraham and the Jewish people.
In Revelation, the Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel at the midpoint of the tribulation. This will take place in the Jewish temple, something that does not exist today except for the remaining Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Many prophecy teachers believe that between the rapture and the midpoint of the tribulation, a new Jewish temple will be rebuilt as part of the Antichrist’s promise of peace. An organization in Israel called the Temple Institute has already established detailed plans to rebuild a future temple. In addition to the temple, the furnishings, vessels, and other instruments needed for ritual sacrifices and worship have been created.
For now, construction on the Temple Mount remains blocked due to tensions between Jews and Muslims, along with the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the same land. Some argue that the Temple Mount is the most volatile piece of real estate on the planet due to the many conflicts over who should control the location.
While many details remain a mystery, the re-establishment of modern Israel following World War II marked a major change, providing a literal nation and land where the Bible’s prophecies could be fulfilled. The change also led to a new understanding of many of the Bible’s predictions in a more literal manner rather than seeking to interpret references to Israel symbolically.
The very land Abraham was promised and where Jesus and His followers walked is now a Jewish homeland once again. Despite political differences and concerns in this land today, the emergence of modern Israel provides strong testimony that God fulfills His promises and continues to have a plan for Israel, the Jewish people, and for the many Bible predictions yet to unfold.
