Every time I have heard scholars speak of the Last Days, I have heard them say that we must keep our eyes on Jerusalem. Many things will and are happening in and around that city as signs of the times. Known as the city of David, it has always played an essential role in the Bible.
Scripture often compares Israel to a fig tree. Jesus spoke of the fig tree as a mega sign of His return in Mark 13:28, 29: “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: so ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.” Ezekiel 37-39 talks about the rebirth of Israel — the gathering of Jehovah’s people. When we see these signs, Jesus said we know that His return is very near.
The gathering of God’s people happened in May of 1948 when Israel declared that it was once again a free state. After the annihilation of six million Jews by the Nazis, Jewish people started coming back to the land God gave them hundreds of years prior. Never before in history had a nation ceased to be and then come back into being. Soon after, five Arab countries went to war with Israel which divided the city of Jerusalem. The old city, the temple mount, and most of the historic sites were under Jordan’s control.
Another war in 1967, that lasted for six days, resulted in Israeli forces seizing the old city and reuniting the whole of Jerusalem. After many centuries, the Jews had control of the city of Jerusalem, fulfilling Bible prophecy.
God said He will destroy his people’s enemies, Zechariah 12:2, 3: “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” In other words, Jerusalem will be the center focus in the world in the last days. We are seeing these things happen in our time. God will protect Israel.
We read and hear of the conflicts in the middle east every day, and many times Jerusalem is at the center of it. We should all be very familiar with the Israeli-Palestinian struggle. Most Arab leaders around the world resolutely believe that the whole West Bank and the old city rightfully belong to the Palestinians. They want the territory relinquished as a condition for peace.
Zechariah 14 talks of how God will bring all the nations of the world against Jerusalem. I believe it is speaking of the battle of Armageddon and how the Lord will end it. There will never be any real peace until Jesus comes back and rules His kingdom on Earth. That is what we need to be watching for. I also believe that the world is at the point where the Rapture of the Church is the next prophecy to be fulfilled. We must watch and be ready for it to happen at any moment.
Next: The Rapture of the Church
