The nation of Israel plays a central role in biblical end-time prophecy. According to the Bible, in the last days prior to the return of Jesus Christ, several key events will take place in Israel and involving the Jewish people.
Here are some of the major biblical prophecies concerning Israel’s role in the end times:
Regathering of the Jewish People to Israel
The Bible foretold that in the last days, the Jewish people would be regathered to the land of Israel after a long dispersion. This prophecy can be found in passages such as Isaiah 11:11-12, Ezekiel 37:21-22, and Zephaniah 3:20. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, millions of Jews returned to the ancient homeland and established the modern state of Israel in 1948. This unprecedented regathering is viewed by many as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy setting the stage for end-time events.
Israel Becoming a Nation
The book of Isaiah contains a prophecy that Israel would be “born in a day” (Isaiah 66:8). On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion publicly read the Israeli Declaration of Independence and the modern state of Israel was born. This momentous event occurred almost 1900 years after the Romans had expelled the Jewish people from the land. The rebirth of Israel as an independent nation in 1948 is considered a modern miracle and a fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
Return of the Hebrew Language
The revival of the Hebrew language in Israel is another important end-time sign. For centuries following the exile, Hebrew existed primarily as an ancient liturgical language. However, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hebrew became a living, spoken language in Israel. The successful restoration of Hebrew as the national language of the Jewish people is seen as a partial fulfillment of Zephaniah 3:9 – “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord.”
Control of Jerusalem
Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem would be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the “times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). In 1967, Israel captured the eastern part of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War. This marked the first time the entire city was under Jewish control since the Babylonian captivity. The significant prophetic implications of Israeli control over all of Jerusalem is seen in passages such as Zechariah 12:2-3, Zephaniah 3:16, and Ezekiel 37:28.
Temple Mount Activities
According to prophecy in Revelation 11:1-2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:4, a third Jewish temple will be built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Over the years, various Jewish groups have prepared architectural plans and religious implements for this prophesied temple. The Temple Mount area is the focus of increasing religious and political tensions between Jews and Muslims. Some believe these activities and tensions relate to end-time prophecies about the temple.
The Rise of Israel’s Military
The Bible prophesies that Israel will be exceedingly mighty in the last days (Zechariah 12:6). Since 1948, Israel has fought multiple major wars and is widely considered the most powerful military force in the Middle East. For such a small nation, Israel’s military prowess in multiple arenas is remarkable. The rise of Israel’s military strength seems to be setting the stage for the various Israeli-focused battles prophesied in passages like Ezekiel 38–39, Daniel 11:40-45, Psalm 83, and Zechariah 12–14.
Ingathering of Judah and Israel
The Bible indicates that in the last days, the dispersed remnant of both Judah and Israel will be restored (Isaiah 11:12, Jeremiah 23:3-4). While Judah refers to the Jewish people, Israel often refers to tribes associated with the Northern Kingdom who were scattered after the Assyrian conquest. Various prophecies indicate that along with Judah, the “lost” northern tribes will also be regathered in the end times. Some speculate that the discovery of groups like the Pashtuns of Afghanistan may represent part of this dispersed remnant.
Israel Surrounded by Enemies
The Bible indicates that in the last days, Israel will be surrounded by hostile neighbors intent on its destruction. Psalms 83 presents a detailed prophecy of the nations surrounding Israel conspiring to “destroy them as a nation.” Today, the very existence of the Jewish state is threatened by Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and other hostile forces. The Bible prophesies that ultimately all these nations will form a coalition against Israel (Zechariah 12:2-3).
The Rise of Antisemitism
God promised to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her (Genesis 12:3). The Bible prophesies that in the end times, anti-Semitism will grow as the world turns against Israel (Zechariah 12:2-3, 14:2-3). Despite constant calls for tolerance, anti-Jewish hatred is mainstream again. The rise of antisemitism sets the stage for the world to gather against Israel as prophesied.
Israel’s Prominence Among the Nations
The Bible indicates that in the last days, Israel will be at the center of world affairs. The prophecies of Ezekiel 36–37 indicate that when God gathers the Jews to Israel, “the nations all around will know that I the Lord have rebuilt the ruins and planted Israel” (Ezekiel 36:36). No longer just a tiny sliver of land in the Middle East, Israel is now a major focus internationally.
The Gospel to All Nations
Before Jesus Christ returns, the gospel message must reach the whole world. Prophetically, Israel’s restoration sets the stage for the gospel to go global. Scripture promises that those gathered to Israel will “declare my glory among the nations” (Isaiah 66:19-20). Through the Jewish people, the knowledge of God will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14). Israel plays a role in spreading the gospel in the last days.
Two Witnesses in Jerusalem
The book of Revelation prophesies that two witnesses of God will prophesy in Jerusalem for 3 1/2 years before they are killed by the Antichrist. Their bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem as the world celebrates their deaths. After 3 1/2 days, they will be resurrected to life and ascend up to heaven (Revelation 11:3-13). Clearly, Israel and specifically Jerusalem have a central end-time role connected with these unique prophecies.
Israel’s National Repentance
The Bible prophesies that in the end times, Israel will come to national repentance recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. Prophecies in Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:25-27 foretell that the Jewish people will turn to Jesus Christ. Israel’s national repentance and restoration will come after great trials described as “Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). This turning of Israel to their Messiah is a major prophetic milestone.
The Abomination of Desolation
The prophet Daniel gives insight into a future time when the Antichrist will place an “abomination that causes desolation” (Daniel 9:27) in the temple and begin a severe persecution of Jews. Jesus affirmed this prophecy in Matthew 24:15-21 indicating it will immediately precede His return. A rebuilt temple in Jerusalem is central to this pivotal end-time event.
The Battle of Armageddon
The Bible prophesies that the armies of the world will gather in Israel for the climactic battle called Armageddon. This will follow Antichrist’s takeover of Jerusalem and desecration of the temple. Massive forces will converge in northern Israel to fight against Jesus Christ at His Second Coming described in Revelation 16:16 and Zechariah 14. Israel is clearly the focal point for this decisive battle.
Jesus Christ’s Second Coming
At the end of the seven year tribulation period, Jesus Christ will personally return to Israel to establish His millennial kingdom. His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives from which He ascended to heaven 2000 years ago (Zechariah 14:4, Acts 1:11-12). Jesus Christ will reign in Jerusalem over the nations of the world. Israel has a primary role in this crowning prophetic event.
As these major prophecies make clear, Israel lies at the center of end-time prophetic events. After centuries of being scattered and persecuted, the ongoing restoration of the Jewish nation sets the stage for the fulfillment of many crucial biblical prophecies leading up to the return of Jesus Christ.