Prophecy: Real? Myth? Conspiracy?

Part 4: “May 14, 1948”

Today, we’re looking closer at prophecy. So, let’s answer the first question many people have. What are the ‘End Times and Last Days?’ Are they different from each other? And if so, what makes them different?

Many think the labels ‘End Times’ and ‘Last Days’ are synonymous or interchangeable, referring to the same time and/or events. Not so. The End Times denotes a time span when specific events will occur prior to the end of this world. The Last Days refer to a specific time frame within the End Times when God will deal exclusively with the remnant of Israel—those Jews still alive in the second half of the ‘Tribulation’ years.

The following questions are often asked: When will the End Times start? And how can we know? In the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, we’re told the pivotal event for the start of the End Times will be when the people of Israel are reconstituted as a nation in one day. That day was May 14, 1948. Before May 14, 1948, no such action had ever happened or been recorded anywhere in the world.

At no time in human history had any people, tribe, collection, or group of people ever, until May of 1948, come into existence in a single day as a nation. Yet, in the description of the “valley of dry bones” prophesied in Ezekiel 37:11-13, this never-before-seen historic event was foretold to happen to the people of Israel.

When the Roman army destroyed the second (2nd) Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, most Jews in Palestine were scattered throughout the world. This diaspora started when the Roman army entered and destroyed Jerusalem from 70-74 CE (‘common era’ once noted as ‘AD’). This expulsion and exile from Jerusalem and the land of Palestine lasted until May 14, 1948.

For almost 1900 years, no Jewish nation or homeland existed as Jews were spread across the world. On May 14, 1948, Israel was reconstituted and re-established as a nation in one day. On May 13, 1948, Israel did not exist as a nation. The next day, the UN decree fulfilled the Old Testament Ezekiel prophecy that a Jewish homeland would be reborn in a single day.

This action fulfilled this single significant prophecy, signaling the start of the End Times. Here’s the critical point: Not one biblical prophet, author, or scholar anywhere in the world before May 14, 1948, knew, could have known, could have guessed, or could have imagined when this prophecy might come to pass. Israel became a nation again, specifically, in a single day!

Not the prophet Ezekiel nor anyone familiar with scripture for over 2500 years knew if or when the fulfillment of this prophecy would happen. And yet, since May 14, 1948, we have all lived in the End Times. Every person living today, as well as those in the future, experiences life in the End Times.

If these are the End Times, what and when are the Last Days? And how are they different? The Last Days refer to the second half, or final three-and-one-half (3 ½) years of the seven (7) year ‘Tribulation’ period, which is still in the future.

How long will we be in the End Times? Until the ‘Battle of Armageddon’. At the end of the seven (7) years of Tribulation and the “Second (2nd) Coming” of Christ.

Now you may be wondering, what is the Tribulation? As noted, the Tribulation is a seven (7) year period of suffering, death, and destruction that will start with the treaty ratification between Israel and her next group of enemies at the end of the Ezekiel war.

The Ezekiel war will be between Israel and a new coalition of Israel’s enemies. These coalition armies will be assembled in the Syria and Lebanon region, prepared to invade the mountains of Israel. The Ezekiel war will be in our not-too-distant future (Apr 2027).

After the current Israel-Hamas/Hezbollah conflict is tenuously settled, the fallout from the current Gaza / Lebanon situation will become a festering sore for all involved militarily, economically, politically, and socially.

The current Gaza/Lebanon/West Bank area war with Israel is the latest and most deadly in a string of armed conflicts prophetically described in Psalm 83 regarding Israel and her regional neighbors. The coming Ezekiel war will be the final clash in four thousand years of armed conflicts to rid the earth of Jews. However, God Himself will intervene in the Ezekiel war, not allowing that extermination to occur.

The Tribulation years will start with the ratified, signed treaty between Israel and her enemies to settle the Ezekiel war (November 2027). Beginning with this final treaty agreement, the Tribulation will be divided into two distinct, three-and-one-half (3 ½) year periods.

Join me next time for ‘Lead Up to Tribulation.’

Thanks for joining me for this Quick-Read series, “Prophecy: Real? Myth? Conspiracy?”

You’re invited to hear and learn more on my weekly podcast, “Small Changes, Big Dividends.” Branch Isole’s YouTube Podcast playlist.