BQA8
What is the Number One Sign That These Are the End Times?
The Bible gives us numerous signs to watch for, signs that indicate whether or not we are living in the end times. However, I believe the number one sign is the modern nation of Israel which became an independent nation in 1948.
That Israel would be regathered and restored in the last days is predicted in many places in Scripture (Isaiah 43:5–6; Jeremiah 30:3; Ezekiel 34:11–13; 36:34; 37:1–14; and Romans 11:25–27). Students of Bible prophecy no longer have to say that this will happen someday. It began in 1948 and continues to be fulfilled today as the Jews are being brought back to their land.
Israel must exist as a sovereign nation for many prophecies in Scripture to be fulfilled. Here are just a few examples:
- Antichrist will make a seven-year covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27).
- Antichrist will invade Israel and desecrate the temple (Daniel 11:40–41; Matthew 24:15–20).
- Gog and his allies will invade the nation of Israel when it is at peace (Ezekiel 38–39).
- All the nations of the earth will invade Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1–9; 14:1–2).
- The people of Israel will flee into the wilderness to escape the wrath of Satan (Revelation 12:13–17).
Israel seems to be in the news every day either on radio or TV or in the newspaper. All eyes are on this tiny piece of real estate and the perpetual peace process that swirls around it.
Isaiah looks forward to a future gathering, when the Root of Jesse (the Messiah) draws together the scattered remnant of Israel (Isaiah 11:11). It will certainly happen in the coming kingdom.
Is there any hope for righteous Jews who do not accept Jesus Christ? (Isaiah 43:10–13)
Works or human efforts, whatever their nature and extent, do not merit a basis for salvation (Romans 3:21–23). Neither are birthright or family connections. Thus neither Jews nor Gentiles are capable of being righteous in themselves or by virtue of their own efforts. Everyone, whether Jew or Gentile, is on level ground at the foot of the cross. All must accept Jesus Christ as God’s Messiah to be saved. Isaiah 43:10
How did the Lord intend to be Israel’s shepherd? (34:11)
Since Israel’s leaders had failed to care for the people, God declared he would again lead them himself. Earlier Israel had been ruled by God’s direct decree, not by kings. Following their return from Babylonian captivity, the Israelites again would have no king but only leaders raised up by God. This prophetic word would also find fulfillment in the coming of the Messiah—the Good Shepherd (John 10).
Will all Jews be saved some day? (Romans 11:26)
All is not an exhaustive numeric reference to individual Jews any more than the Gentiles (Romans 11:25) means every individual Gentile.
Three main interpretations of this phrase all Israel are:
(1) the total number of elect Jews of every generation (equivalent to the fullness of Israel (v. 12), which is analogous to the fullness (full number) of the Gentiles (Romans 25)
(2) the total number of the elect, both Jews and Gentiles, of every generation;
(3) the great majority of Jews of the final generation. Thus, some say national Israel will believe in Jesus as their Messiah en masse before His return. Others say all Israel includes Jews who believe in Jesus throughout church history. While Gentiles are the focus of God’s redemptive plan at the moment, Israel is waiting in the wings to again experience God’s redemptive blessing.
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