5 Current Events with Powerful Prophetic Significance

Posted on Jan 24, 2017 Topic : Prophecy

Some Christians will continue to scoff at the signs of the times, but those of us who seek to follow Jesus’s injunction to be accurate observers of the times have our eyes on some key events in the world. Here is a sampling of some of the more significant developments:

1. The Rebirth of Israel

The birth of the modern state of Israel as a self-governing nation began an actual fulfillment of specific Bible prophecies about an international regathering of the Jews in unbelief before the judgment of the tribulation (Ezekiel 36:10; 37). This regathering was to take place after centuries of exile in various nations around the world (36:24).

In AD 70, Titus and his Roman warriors destroyed Jerusalem, definitively ending Israel’s existence as a political entity (see Luke 21:20). Since then, the Jews have been dispersed worldwide for many centuries. But Israel achieved statehood in 1948, and the Jews have been returning to their homeland ever since.

2. The Escalation of Apostasy

Scripture clearly prophesies an escalation of apostasy in the end times. Apostasy can include a denial of God (2 Timothy 3:4-5), sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3-4), Christ (1 John 2:18), morals (2 Timothy 3:1-8), Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:3-4), authority (2 Timothy 3:4), and the faith (1 Timothy 4:1-2). I have witnessed every one of these denials in the Christian church over the past decade.

3. The Craving for Peace in the Middle East

The entire Middle East has been an arena of conflict for more than 60 years. People are crying out today for a leader who can take control of world crises and solve the Middle East problem.

This yearning is setting the stage for what is to come. For Scripture prophesies that the antichrist—the leader of a revived Roman empire—will sign a covenant with Israel. To the amazement of everyone, he will appear to have solved the Middle East dilemma.

4. A Revived Roman Empire

The idea of a revived Roman Empire of the end times is based on Daniel 7, which makes reference to four beasts. The fourth beast was a mongrel beast, and it was more terrifying and powerful than the three preceding beasts (Daniel 7:23-25). This wild imagery refers to the Roman Empire. Rome existed in ancient days but fell apart in the fifth century AD. It will be revived, however, in the end times, apparently comprised of ten nations ruled by ten kings. A smaller eleventh horn (the antichrist) emerges from within this ten-nation confederacy.

Many modern biblical interpreters see the European Union as a primary prospect for the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. A common monetary currency is the first step in what will eventually be a common and unified political entity.

5. Globalism

As danger continues to mount in the world, people worldwide are yearning for a leader who can take control and fix everything. The global economy is reeling, people are suffering, and there is a sense of urgency for a powerful leader who can finally chart a clear global course toward lasting stability. Such a leader is coming, and he may already be alive in the world. Scripture identifies him as the antichrist.

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We must ever seek to avoid two extremes when regarding the signs of the times—seeing signs everywhere and scoffing at the signs. Our best policy is to first become thoroughly acquainted with what Scripture teaches about the end times. Only then are we in a position to watch for legitimate correlations between current world events and biblical prophecy.