Renewed interest in the last days from a Biblical and evangelical perspective began in May 1948 when, after 1868 years, the nation of Israel was re-born against all odds.
Having been dispersed after the Roman destruction of the 2nd temple in 70 AD, the Israelites were scattered to the four corners of the world – in fulfillment of Scripture.
The 35th chapter of Ezekiel as well as passages from Isaiah, Obadiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Haggai and the apostles Matthew, Mark and Luke are packed with prophecy of the rebirth of the nation of Israel.
And in fulfillment of those passages, Israel was reborn on May 14, 1948 rekindling an interest in Bible prophecy.
On the same day as Israel’s independence, the new nation was attacked by Jordan, Lebanon and Syria in what was called the War of Independence.
This first of several wars ended with an Armistice agreement, leaving Israel with more territory than was granted under the Partition Plan, including western Jerusalem.
Jordan annexed the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and eastern Jerusalem (Temple Mount), while Egypt occupied Gaza and Syria, the Golan Heights.
The turning point for Israel came in the Six Day War of 1967. Preempting an attack by Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, Israel’s victory stunned the world as the nation regained the land previously granted in the 1917 Balfour Declaration: the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights.
The unification of Jerusalem was in Israeli hands in fulfillment of Luke 21:24. That, more than any other victory, began the end of days’ fervor of today.