What is the significance of Israel becoming a nation again in 1948?

For students of prophecy, one of the most significant events in recent history is Israel becoming a nation in 1948. The existence of Israel as a sovereign nation sets the stage for the fulfillment of many end-times biblical prophecies.

Jesus termed the present era as “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24) in reference to Gentile domination of Jerusalem. Beginning in 586 BC when Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem, culminating in the destruction of the city and its temple, Jerusalem has been dominated by Gentiles. The domination has continued through the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70 and will continue until the time of Christ’s second coming and the establishment of His millennial kingdom.

Scripture reveals that Israel would be dispersed, as it was in the first century, yet would be regathered to their land and reborn as a nation. This occurred when Israel became a nation in 1948. With the return of a significant number of Jews to Israel in addition to the nation being reestablished, God is preparing the world for end-time events. Israel’s present history is one of ongoing crisis and turmoil, particularly in regard to the city of Jerusalem, and this will continue until Israel’s signing of a covenant with the Antichrist. That event will mark the beginning of the final years of Daniel’s seventieth week prophecy.

God is preparing Israel as a nation for the prophetic fulfillment of His covenant promises to them. The Lord began regathering Israel—in unbelief (beginning in 1844)—culminating in her rebirth as a nation in 1948. This partially fulfilled Ezekiel 37 and prepared for the blessing and judgment of Daniel’s seventieth week (the tribulation of seven years). At that time, God “will purge . . . the rebels and those who transgress against Me” from the nation (Ezekiel 20:38, NASB95). Zechariah 13:8–9 prophecies that two thirds of the nation “will be cut off and perish . . . bring[ing] the third part through the fire” (NASB95) in preparation for blessing, namely, Messiah’s kingdom.

The majority, if not all, of biblical prophecies concerning the regathering and restoration of Israel in the latter days regards the future tribulation or Messiah’s kingdom, and thus specifically indicates that Bible prophecy is not currently being fulfilled (with Ezekiel 37 as the only exception). Yet this does not mean that God is not preparing Israel and the world for the final years of Daniel’s seventy-weeks prophecy. Current events may be regarded as significant and related to prophetic fulfillment.

Isaiah 11:11 indicates the significance of Israel becoming a nation in 1948, for it refers to God recovering “the second time with His hand the remnant of His people” (NASB77). The “second time” refers to the regathering—in belief (her future state)—at the conclusion of the seven-year tribulation (Matthew 24:31). The present Middle East peace crisis will reach its climax in the nations staggering and stumbling over Jerusalem, the “cup that causes reeling” (Zechariah 12:2, NASB95). The fact that Israel is reestablished as a nation and regained control of the entirety of Jerusalem’s eastern half and Old City (since the Six-Day War in 1967) is a general indication that God is bringing the church age to completion.

Scripture does not provide any chronological details regarding that time of preparation; therefore, it is not possible to know with certainty whether one’s generation is the final one prior to the Lord’s gathering of His church. The complete fulfillment of biblical prophecies was interrupted with the founding of the church in Acts 2 and will not resume until the gathering together of the church at the rapture. The present church age is a parenthesis between Daniel’s sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks. During the parenthesis, God is preparing Israel and the world for the fulfillment of the biblical prophecies concerning the Lord’s return and the events that occur thereafter.

In the time since Israel’s becoming a nation in 1948, it is possible to discern a general understanding in which God’s plans for the tribulation are developing. It is important to recall how the book of Acts serves as a transition from Israel (and the Old Testament economy) to the church as God’s means through whom He proclaims the gospel message. In a similar manner, there will be a process of change at the end of the present age as the Lord prepares the world for events that will resume His unfulfilled prophecies with Israel.