ISRAEL’S ROLE IN THE END TIMES
With heightened world tensions, strategic alliances forming, and Israel in headlines around the globe, many Christians question if we are nearing, or perhaps already in, what the Bible calls “the last days,” or as many refer to, “the end times.”
There’s no shortage of perspectives regarding the sequence and details of end time events. Yet Bible scholars widely agree Israel will have an increasingly visible and consequential role as ancient prophecies unfold.
What is Israel’s role in the end times according to the Scriptures?
God sovereignly assigned to Abraham and his family, Israel, the divine purpose of making Him known to the world (Gen. 12:2-3; Deut. 7:6). The ancient prophets portrayed Israel’s unique role in various ways. Israel is called a kingdom of priests, a light to the nations, God’s servant, His firstborn son, even God’s wife.
God also called Israel – My witnesses, and it’s through this lens, Israel’s role as a witness, through which we’ll consider Israel’s end time function. Israel’s ancient assignment as God’s witness to the nations has never been rescinded.
But now listen, O Jacob, My servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen . . .
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last,
And there is no God besides Me. . . .
Do not tremble and do not be afraid;
Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it?
And you are My witnesses,
Is there any God besides Me,
Or is there any other Rock?
I know of none.” (Isaiah 44:1, 6, 8, emphasis added)
In the 18th century, Fredrick the Great, the atheist king of Prussia asked his ministers if they could offer him “one single, irrefutable proof of God.” One advisor responded he could prove it in two words: the Jews.
Israel is a Witness
The nation of Israel is a witness unto the world of God’s existence and preeminence. Israel not only has a message – Israel is a message.
Some posit Israel’s call has been transferred to the Church at the exclusion of Israel. Gentile believers have been grafted into this covenant and the calling as witnesses of the Lord to a lost world, but the Church’s inclusion does not require Israel’s exclusion.
The Word of God presents an eternal, unconditional covenant between God and Israel with the sun, moon and stars, the expanse of the heavens and foundations of the earth as a sign of God’s eternal choice and Israel’s enduring role (Jer. 31:35-37; 33:24-26; Ps. 89:34-37).
What is Israel’s role in the end times? The same role it had throughout the ages: a witness.
Israel’s Rebirth as a Nation is a Witness
Jesus prophesied of His return that it will not occur until the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem bids Him back with the earnest cry “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matt. 23:37-39)
From AD 70 until 1948 there was no Jewish authority in Jerusalem to welcome the Lord’s return. But on May 14, 1948, in the aftermath of the Holocaust and WW2, the nation of Israel was reborn in a day. Bible students sat up and took notice – a witness, albeit a badly wounded one, was called by the Eternal Judge to “take the stand.”
God had not forsaken the Jewish people nor His covenant giving them the land of Israel as an eternal inheritance. Their survival, return, and national rebirth were profound miracles and a collective witness that God is sovereign, faithful and well-able to fulfill His Word.
In the last 76 years, we’ve seen a sovereign Israel living in the land of promise, and a unified Jewish Jerusalem since 1967. These serve as witnesses to the world that God is preparing the world stage for His Son’s return.
Israel’s Military Victories Are a Witness
Israel is no stranger to war. From their 1948 War of Independence, 1967 Six-Day War, 1973 Yom Kippur War, to the current war against Hamas, Hezbollah and ultimately Iran, God has preserved, protected, and enabled Israel, despite the odds against them.
Jesus said that in the days prior to His return, there will be an increase in wars among the nations (Matt. 24:6-7). This prophesy is closely linked to Israel’s role in the end times.
Though its timing is debated, Ezekiel prophesied the war of Gog and Magog would be launched in a day when Israel is dwelling in security. God will summon a leader He called “Gog” and a coalition of nations down from the north to the mountains of Israel.
The armies’ intentions will be on Israel’s wealth and destruction, but God “in My zeal and in My blazing wrath” will destroy those armies (Ezek. 38-39).
It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog. (Ezekiel 38:16, emphasis added)
My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. (Ezekiel 39:7)
It’s not the purpose here to weigh in on the timing of this event beyond “in the last days,” but this war will certainly happen. And the result will be a witness to the nations and to Israel of God’s power and sovereignty.
In other words, the world will know He is God when He stands and fights for Israel. But will it be a knowledge accompanied by repentance? Time will tell.
Israel’s End Times Message During Jacob’s Trouble Is a Witness
Isaiah 24 provides a sobering picture of the time known as the Tribulation (Matt. 24:21) and the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:5-7). A seven-year span of which the prophets, apostles, and Jesus spoke, and the book of Revelation detailed.
The earth’s foundations will be shaken, and God’s wrath poured out. The unrighteous will be judged, and few men will be left. Daniel said it will be a time of distress unlike any other time. It will be warfare between the forces of good and evil.
Amid the upheaval and shaking, Jesus said the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony, a witness, to all nations, and then the end will come (Matt. 24:14).
Speaking to His disciples, Jesus foretold that “they” will be delivered over to courts, flogged, stand before kings and governors for His sake – as a testimony and a witness to them.
“The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” (Mark 13:9-11)
The Upcoming Awakening and Israel’s Role in the End Times
Revelation 7 introduces a unique group of bond-servants of the Lord: 144,000 Jewish believers who, scholars believe, will be part of the spread of the gospel during that time. It’s possible the number isn’t literal but represents a full number from within Israel (Rev. 7:4-8; 14:1-6).
The Tribulation will present both a rude awakening and a great awakening. The devastating warfare and judgment will be accompanied by a great harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God (Rev. 7:9-14).
Revelation 12 speaks of Israel’s role in the end times. Israel is portrayed as “a woman” who gave birth to a son whom the great Dragon, Satan, sought to devour. John prophesied that prior to Jesus’s return, Satan will be thrown down to the earth and persecute the woman.
“The brethren” will overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and by not loving their lives even when faced with death (Rev. 12:9-11).
Enraged, Satan will pursue the woman; however, God will instruct the earth to supernaturally help her, protect, and nourish her for 3 ½ years. Israel’s supernatural protection will be a witness to Satan that he cannot override the Lord’s will and purpose (Rev. 12:13-17).
Israel’s Restoration to the Lord is a Witness
On the day of Jesus’s second coming, all Israel that remains and is without faith, will see and understand Jesus’s true identity and receive Him as their Messiah unto salvation (Zech. 12:10; 13:1; Rom. 11:26).
For the sons of Israel will remain for many days without a king or prince . . . Afterward, the sons of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the Lord and to His goodness in the last days. (Hosea 3:4-5, emphasis added)
“In the last days,” Jesus will reign from Mount Zion in Jerusalem and establish a kingdom of peace and righteousness. His glory will be renown, and His word will cover the earth. Israel in the end times will be the chief of nations and Mount Zion the chief of the mountains (Jer. 31:7; Isa. 2:2; 11:1-9).
Isaiah 4 tells us the Branch of the Lord, speaking of Jesus and His reign, will be beautiful and glorious. The Lord will have washed away Israel’s sin and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem, and He will create over Mount Zion a cloud by day and a fire by night.
The Bride and the Bridegroom
Over the glory, Isaiah wrote, there will be a “canopy,” or in Hebrew, a chuppah – a bridal chamber. God’s wife will be restored and presented to Him, even as Gomer was restored to the prophet Hosea.
And Paul prophesied that Jesus will present to Himself the ekklesia in all her glory – Jew and Gentile together – having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, holy and blameless.
Thus says the Lord of hosts, “It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. . . . So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord. In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard God is with you.’” (Zechariah 8:22-23)
OUR ROLE AS WITNESSES TODAY
Jesus commissioned His disciples to go as His witnesses into all the world (Acts 1:8). Gentile believers have been grafted into this family calling. Paul said that in the last days difficult times will come, perilous times, days hard to bear (2 Tim. 3:1).
One of the last teachings Jesus gave to His disciples was of the ten virgins who waited for the bridegroom to return for the wedding day. “Be on the alert” Jesus exhorted, “for you do not know the day nor the hour (of the bridegrooms return).”
The five foolish virgins were asleep and unprepared. But the five wise virgins kept their wicks trimmed and maintained a full supply of oil, which is a picture in Scripture of the Holy Spirit. Only the wise were ready at the bridegroom’s return (Matt. 25:1-13).
Let’s be people who remain ready and watchful for the Lord’s return – no matter the cost. Let’s keep our testimony flowing – ready on every occasion to give witness to what we have seen and experienced firsthand of the Lord. To all believers today: Take the stand!
Finally, let’s be those who pray for the majority of Israel today who have no idea they are His witnesses. As such, our role in the end times is also linked to Israel.
As sure as the return of the King is the soon fulfillment of all the prophets have spoken (Acts 3:20-21), and that includes the gospel given to all people and Israel one day being fully restored to her Messiah.
The original design will be the final display!
How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)
God’s Perfect Plan – From Israel to You: Free PDF Download
The Bible is full of God’s promises that can encourage our faith. Together, these promises make up one master plan of God.
You’re about to discover God’s perfect plan through the lens of 25+ references throughout Scripture.
Articles Related to What is Israel’s Role in the End Times?
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes