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How do we Know that the Time when Jesus will Return is Near? We saw in the article How can we trust these Bible predictions? that the return of the Jews to their land of Israel in 1948 was a sign that the era when Jesus would return had begun. Let us now look in more detail at another helpful Biblical passage in Luke 21 v24-28:
The explanation of v.24 is covered in the link Destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem would be trampled on by the Gentiles (or non-Jews) until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. What did he mean by this? Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled? Simply this: That Gentiles would have possession of the city until a certain time in God's scheme of things, this time being “the end of Gentile time.” Jewish people had from the time of Abraham until the time of Christ, approximately 2000 years in which to get their act together with God. Many outstanding characters are recorded for us in the pages of the Bible. But nationally the Jews failed and so for a similar time span the Gentiles were given the opportunity to serve God. Hence “Gentile times”. So it is not difficult to see that when Jerusalem is back in Jewish hands again, the end of the Gentile times is accomplished. Verses 25 and 26 of Luke 21 detail certain things that will happen during or after the fulfilment of the “Gentiles times”. And v 28 tells us that then Jesus will return. This is why it's important that we know when it is that the “Gentile times” have been fulfilled – because it is a signpost or milestone for us that tells us that the return of Jesus is drawing near. 1967 was a very important year in Jewish history. This is because it was the year when the Jews finally regained control of Jerusalem after about 1900 years. Now at the moment they do not have sole control over the whole of Jerusalem, but never-the-less many Bible scholars feel that 1967 was an important milestone. It was the start of the fulfilment of the “Gentile times”, and thus points to the time when Jesus will return. Jesus prophesied in v 25 and 26 that after Jerusalem was back in the hands of the Jews, there would be an era of “distress of nations, with perplexity” – and the word perplexity actually means “no way out”. The nations would be so distressed that they won't see any way out of it. Verse 26 goes on to say “Men's hearts failing them for fear”, and the New International Version of the Bible says that they are “apprehensive of what is coming on the earth”.
Verse 28 of Luke 21 is important to keep in mind during such fearful times. It says: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” It is suggested that “these things” (i.e. the end of the Gentile reign of Jerusalem, and men's hearts failing them for fear) have already begun to come to pass. Therefore we must be looking for Jesus to return soon. As Luke puts it, our redemption (rescue or salvation by Jesus) draws near.
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So would you say that at the moment “Men's hearts fail them for fear, apprehensive of what is coming on the earth?” We would remind you of the horrific events on September 11th 2001 . (As if anyone could forget?!) It was a world changing event, and at that time, there was real fear in the world and real distress of nations. People around the world were definitely apprehensive of what was coming on the earth. This was surely a sign that Jesus will soon be returning. We wonder what other atrocities are in store for the world. What further terrorist activities will shake our planet, and make our hearts fail for fear?
