Does Israel Have To Be A Nation?

Q

Great site you have. I have a question? Where in the bible does it refer to Israel and the generation which sees it become a state again being the generation to see the end times. In Matthew (Olivet Disclosure) I don’t see a connection with Israel becoming a nation again.

A

The verse about the final generation is Matt. 24:34. There are several statements in the Olivet Discourse that require Israel to be a nation in covenant with God at the End of the Age. The first is the reference to a Temple in Matt. 24:15 (the Holy Place) followed by the warning to “those in Judea” in the next verse. Judea was Israel’s name in New Testament times. Finally there’s the Lord’s admonition for them to pray that their flight not be on a Sabbath. Only covenant keeping Jews are forbidden from traveling on the Sabbath.

In addition, Isaiah 11:11, Amos 9:14-15, Ezekiel 36:12 and Ezekiel 37:21-22 all speak of Israel being restored as a nation in the Last Days. When you put it all together you see that the restoration of Israel was the first major sign that the end of the age is upon us, and that the generation being born at that time would still be alive at the 2nd Coming.