Why Is Israel’s Re-Birth The First Sign?
Jesus said that this generation will not pass away until all these things be fulfilled. So, many people including yourself start with either Israel becoming a recognized nation in 1948 or when Israel reclaimed Jerusalem in 1967 as the starting point for this prophecy. Is there support elsewhere in scripture that confirms these things beginning with Israel’s reforming?
Q. I have seen you state that a generation is 70+ years as a biblical life span. I agree with that. Jesus said that this generation will not pass away until all these things be fulfilled. So, many people including yourself start with either Israel becoming a recognized nation in 1948 or when Israel reclaimed Jerusalem in 1967 as the starting point for this prophecy. However, many of the signs Jesus gave have been occurring for many centuries, since the foundation of the church. Is there support elsewhere in scripture that confirms these things beginning with Israel’s reforming? Not to mention, if that is correct starting from 1948 or 1967, which generation are we talking about? Moses’ life span overlapped 3 generations.
I’m just trying to tie all of these things together in my head; Matthew 24:34, 70+ life span, and the reason for beginning with Israel. Thanks and God bless.
A. The reason the re-birth of Israel is considered to be such an important sign is that the end times scenario requires the existence of the Nation Israel in its Biblical lands, and previous to 1948 there had been no nation Israel. Ezekiel 36-40 provide the clearest view of this, with the nation being reborn in chapters 36-37, the great battle in 38-39 and then the Millennium beginning in 40. Daniel 9:24-27 also requires an end times Israel to fulfill the 70th Week.
The 1967 date is important because Jesus said it would mark the beginning of the end of Gentile Dominion, meaning that God would turn His full attention back to Israel. This obviously couldn’t happen until the nation was reborn.
As for the generation / lifespan confusion, you’re not alone. This thing has most of the Church confused. Think of it this way. When Jesus said “this generation” He was simply referring to the people being born when the signs began, and said that before they died all the signs would be fulfilled. So within the lifetimes of people being born when the first signs appeared, all signs would be fulfilled. Since the End of the Age couldn’t begin with out the Nation Israel, its re-birth is viewed by most as the first sign. Concerning the other signs Jesus mentioned, remember that He said that they would be characteristic of the age, not signs of its end. (Matt. 24:6-8)
