Signs in the Nation of Israel [Lesson 6]

Perhaps the greatest sign of the end of the Church Age is found in recent happenings concerning the nation of Israel. Jesus said, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [the coming of Christ] is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:32-33). Scripture teaches that this fig tree represents the Jewish nation. (See Jeremiah 24:5-10; Hosea 9:10; Luke 13:6-9.)
God said that because of their disobedience, the Jewish people would be scattered among all nations. During the thirty or more centuries of their perilous existence, the Jews have been on the verge of annihilation many times, yet they have always regained their footing. They have been miraculously preserved for a special purpose in connection with the future fulfillment of God’s plan.

• The Promised Land Inhabited by Jews. In 1948, a portion of the land promised by God to the Jewish people was restored to them in a United Nations vote, and they were declared a nation for the first time since 597 B.C., when they were conquered by the Babylonians. The new nation was named Israel. Today Jewish emigrants are moving to Israel from every country in the world just as the Bible foretold in Jeremiah 16:14-15.
• Jerusalem A Burdensome Stone. Zechariah prophesied, “In that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people” (Zechariah 12:3). Jerusalem has increasingly become a source of world contention as it is the location of holy sites significant to three major religions. Arab states captured a portion of the city in 1948 and barred Jews from entering. In the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel once again assumed full control of Jerusalem and renamed it their capital. On December 7, 2017, the United States became the first country to recognize it as such, and on May 14, 2018, (moved its embassy there amidst violent Arab protests and international criticism.[24])
• Return of Rainfall. When the Jews were scattered after the crucifixion of Jesus, the region became desolate, unproductive, and barren. For nearly 2000 years, rainfall was minimal. The Prophet Joel indicated that the rains would return when the Day of the Lord was at hand (Joel 2:1,23). At the turn of the twentieth century, rain began to fall in Palestine (modern-day Israel) and vegetation began to grow. From 1961 to 1990, the annual rainfall increased in Southern Israel by roughly 30 percent.[25]
• Restoration of a Pure Language. The prophet Zephaniah foretold that the nation of Israel would have a pure language during the end times (Zephaniah 3:8-9). In 1982, Hebrew was declared the official and national language of Israel—a language which had been considered dead.
• Preparation to rebuild the Temple. Daniel 9:26-27 indicates that during the Tribulation period, the Temple sanctuary will be in use. Currently, in Jerusalem, several organizations are preparing to rebuild this sacred structure. The Temple Institute has recreated seventy artifacts needed to furnish the Temple and perform the sacred rites, including the golden menorah, the jeweled breastplate of the High Priest, and the musical instruments to be used by the Levitical choir. In addition, the Nezer HaKodesh Institute for Kohanic Studies was established in 2016 to train men from the tribe of Levi in performing the priestly duties of the Temple.[26]
• Availability of a red heifer. Numbers 19:1-10 indicates that a red heifer is necessary for the ceremonial purification of the Temple and the priests who serve in it. For over 2000 years, there was no acceptable red heifer, though some were located and later disqualified. Then in 2022, an American farmer discovered five red heifers in his herd. These were flown to Israel and are being cared for in undisclosed locations. If any of them remains fully red and has no other disqualifying blemishes until its third year, its ashes will be rendered for a future purification ceremony.[27]
• Restoration of the shekel. According to Ezekiel 45:12-13,16, the shekel will be used as the offering to the Messiah at the Temple during the Millennium. In 1980, the shekel was restored as the official currency of Israel.
• Military Victories. The overwhelming victories of Israel over the vastly superior armies of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in 1948, 1967, and 1973 amazed the world. According to Zechariah 12:6, these victories are a prelude to the revelation of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation.
• Jewish Unbelief. In spite of the powerful evidence to Jews today that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, according to Romans 11:25, their continued unbelief is a sign of the nearness of the Lord’s Second Coming.
  We are seeing a foreshadow of what is yet to take place in this nation which will be at the center of end-time events. The fig tree of Biblical prophecy is budding and putting forth leaves. The Jewish people; however, are not yet turning to God, nor crying for their Messiah as Zechariah prophesied they will do (Zechariah 12:10).