Map 1                           Map 2                                               Map 3
               Map 1 credit: WL3Review    Map 2 credit: es.wikipedia.org    Map 3 credit: Christianity.stackexchange.com
The maps above demonstrate that after the Romans conquered Israel and destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD (Map 1), the names of many of the cities were changed and the country was later called Palestine (Map 2). Since Israel became a nation again in 1948, many of the cities’ names have been restored to those that existed prior to 70 AD (Map 3 – Israel today). The restoration of Israel was the fulfillment of prophecy (Jeremiah 30:3, Isaiah 11:12) and a sign of the Lord’s return in this generation (Psalms 102:16). Other prophecies have been fulfilled regarding Israel, along with the rebirth of the nation. Zephaniah 3:9 says, “For then I will return to the people a pure language, that they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.” In 1881, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda left Paris to live in Jerusalem with a vision that Israel should be restored as a nation and that the Jews should again speak their native language, Hebrew. Ben-Yehuda inspired school officials to teach the younger generation the Hebrew language and he was successful in convincing government leaders to adopt Hebrew as their official language. When the Jews returned to Israel from all corners of the world, they spoke more than 66 languages, having adopted the languages spoken in their former countries of residence. Israel’s official language today is Hebrew, the language spoken by the Jewish patriarchs of the Bible. The Torah/Old Testament scriptures were written in Hebrew and it is commonly accepted by Bible historians that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments in the Hebrew Language. It is no wonder that, as God promised He would restore Israel as a nation, He would also restore their cities and the Holy Language.

The Temple Institute (36 Misgav Ladach Street, Jerusalem, Israel 97500) was established in 1987 to restore all of the implements of the Holy Temple and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Paul spoke of the future Temple (II Thessalonians 2:3-4); Jesus referred to the future Temple (Matthew 24:15); and God told Ezekiel how the Temple should be rebuilt in the latter days (Ezekiel 40-42). It is apparent that, according to Bible prophecy, the Temple will be rebuilt in the last days. The Temple Institute in Jerusalem is setting about to do just that and they have already restored over 150 of the sacred vessels, the priests’ garments have been made, and there is a registry of 300,000 Levites available, of which many are currently in training to perform the priestly duties required at the Temple. A peace treaty may be confirmed between the Israelis and Arabs and they could start building the Temple any time; but according to the order of Ezekiel 38-42, I believe the Gog-Magog war will come first.

The use of the shekel has also been restored to Israel, as in the days of old. Ezekiel 45:12 says, “And the shekel...shall be your maneh (currency).” In order for the Jews to bring sacrifices to the future Temple, as commanded by the Lord, it was also necessary that the Jews return to using the shekel as currency (Leviticus 5:15). The Palestinian pound was used until 1952, at which time it was replaced by the Israeli Lira. In 1985, the Israelis began to mint and use shekels as their currency – more Bible prophecy fulfilled in our generation!


Photo credit: Flickr - Scott Soerries
There are five primary gates in Jerusalem and to this day, only one gate remains closed. There have been several attempts to open the Eastern Gate, but all efforts to open it have failed. God told Ezekiel, “...This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened...it is for the Prince...He shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate...” Ezekiel 44:1-3; thus, it remains closed, until He returns. Are you prepared for the Lord’s return? He will come as a thief in the night (I Thessalonians 5:2).