When Israel became a nation in 1948, many people thought the end times were imminent. They saw it as a sign. Then, the world seemed plagued by false prophets and would-be Christs, an increasing number of natural disasters, and more tension in the Middle East. Are these legitimate signs? What role will Israel play? What about nations going against Israel?

Is the Modern World Pointing to the End Times?

The fact is that Israel became a nation after World War II and fulfilled one sign of the end times. What about the other "signs"? They might be genuine, but they might not be. The internet's existence could account for the abundance of false prophets and would-be Christs in the world. Natural disasters could be attributed to global warming, or they might be a sign that media coverage of them is extensive.

As for the Middle East, Israel and its non-Jewish neighbors have been at odds for more than 70 years. Tensions are nearly always high in that part of the world, and they have been for several thousand years.

Yet here we are.

People cannot accurately predict when the last days will come or what will happen when they do. They can, however, turn to the Bible for possible answers or hints of answers. The Bible, especially the books of Ezekiel and Revelation, says a great deal about the end times.

Israel's Role in the End Times Timeline

The problem for modern readers is that books like Ezekiel and Revelation use symbolic language that was clear to people in ancient times but unclear in today's world. Consequently, many of the passages in Ezekiel and Revelation are open to modern-day interpretation and misinterpretation.

This timeline for the last days from the Got Questions Ministry may provide some insight:

• Christ comes in the clouds to take away all people on earth who are saved and all followers who have died.

• The Antichrist makes an agreement with Israel, which he later breaks, and gains control of the world with false promises of peace.

• The tribulation is a seven-year period when God pours out his judgment on humanity.

• A coalition of nations from north of Israel, as well as the Middle East and Africa, attack Israel. God uses supernatural means to save Israel.

• The Battle of Armageddon takes place. Christ and his heavenly armies defeat Satan and his armies. The Antichrist is captured and thrown into the lake of fire along with the false prophet associated with him.

• Christ judges the people who survived the tribulation.

• Satan is bound and held in a bottomless pit for 1,000 years.

• Jesus rules the world for a 1,000-year time of peace and prosperity.

• At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan is released for a short period but deceives the world once again. He is thrown into the lake of fire and will remain there forever.

• People who are in hell and evil people from throughout history are judged.

• God creates a new heaven and new earth.

The Book of Revelation is attributed to a man named John and takes the form of several letters to churches in Asia Minor. John begins by saying that he was banished to the Isle of Patmos because of his faith. He explains that he heard a loud voice tell him to write about the things he saw and send his writings to seven churches.

John's writings focus on God's power and faithfulness and Christ's final victory over Satan and evil. They use symbolic language to reveal spiritual truths about the last days and God's plans. More specifically, they describe the author's visions about the last days, earthly and heavenly wars, and God's final victory against evil.

The Bible says Israel will face extreme hatred and persecution during the period known as the Tribulation. A new temple will come into existence before the Tribulation ends, and the Antichrist will emerge and reach a seven-year agreement or covenant with Israel, only to break it. This development will bring even greater suffering to Israel.

Gog, Magog, and the Enemies of Israel

Amid the chaos and dark days of the end times, a coalition of nations allied with Satan will arise against Israel. The focal point will be Jerusalem. Ezekiel 38-39 says someone named Gog from Magog will lead the armies. Many scholars identify Magog as modern Russia, but other experts resist identifying specific modern nations with nations mentioned in the Bible, other than Israel.

Gog/Russia's allies may include nations that were once part of the Soviet Union, as well as Persia (modern-day Iran), Meshech, Tubal, Gomer and Beth Togarmah (Turkey), Put (Libya), and Cush (Sudan). Some scholars suggest that other possible allies may come from parts of central Asia and eastern Europe.

Ultimately, God intervenes and saves Israel from destruction. One interpretation of this story is that God will use supernatural means and Israel's acceptance of Christ as the Messiah to save the country. God will never abandon Israel, many scholars say.

Revelation 7 takes a step back from accounts of dark days and offers hope in the face of God's judgments. It assures the Lord's people that God is in control, He will protect his people, and He will offer salvation to those who turn to Him.

Revelation 12 shares the symbolic story of a woman who is preparing to give birth, the baby boy she delivers, a large red dragon, and God's angels under the direction of the archangel Michael.

Many people believe the woman represents Israel. Others say she symbolizes the church or God's people, and some believe she is Mary, the mother of Jesus. The baby represents Jesus, who is rescued and taken to God before Satan can kill Him. Revelation 12 clearly identifies the dragon as the "serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan."

As the scene unfolds, the woman is in labor and gives birth. Meanwhile, the dragon prepares to kill the baby/Jesus. However, the dragon/Satan fails when Jesus is snatched away and taken to God.

Revelation 12:13-17 is another important passage about the triumph of good over evil. It states that "the brethren" – i.e., Christ's followers – will overcome Satan with the blood of the Lamb, which represents Christ's triumph over sin and death through His own death and resurrection.

Context should be important to anyone trying to understand the Book of Revelation. The book was written at a time when the Roman government was extremely hostile toward Christians. The emperor was Nero, who convinced many people that Christians caused a devastating fire in Rome. The accusation was false, but Christians were blamed.

The late first century also was a time when Christians were falsely accused of plotting against the Roman government. Consequently, Christians were ordered to prove their loyalty to Rome by worshipping a statue of the emperor. When they refused, they were tortured, and some were killed.

Many scholars believe that Revelation was written to encourage Christians living in the late first century who were being persecuted.

For these Christians, the message was that evil would be destroyed, and righteousness would triumph in the end.