Is Bible Prophecy Being Fulfilled Today?

Ever fifty years ago Gordon Jensen wrote “Redemption Draweth Nigh,” a song that focused on the second coming of Jesus and that suggested signs pointing to His soon return were “everywhere.” But are there signs and prophecies currently being fulfilled that focus directly on the soon return of Jesus?

Some point to the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948 as a fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy of a valley of dead bones returning to life. “Behold, I am going to open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel” (Ezek. 37:12). Others see prophecy being fulfilled in modern Israel’s transformation of the land. “The wilderness and the desert will rejoice, and the desert will shout for joy and blossom; like the crocus it will blossom profusely” (Isa. 35:1–2). But are these actual fulfillments of Bible prophecy?

Guard against finding the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in every current event.

The problem is that many people understand the fulfillment of prophecy in much the same way they understand romantic love. They claim to “know it when they see it,” but they can’t provide a clear explanation of what “it” actually is. A prophecy has only one meaning, though it can have multiple applications. The best way to determine if a prophecy has been fulfilled is first to understand what the original prophecy actually predicted. Only then can we look to see if current events match that prediction.

The rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948 doesn’t actually fulfill Ezekiel’s prophecy. Ezekiel’s vision described both a physical restoration (bones coming back together) and a spiritual rebirth (causing God’s breath to enter the still-dead bodies) of the nation. But when God interpreted the vision, He said the spiritual rebirth would occur at the same time as the physical restoration. “I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land” (Ezek. 37:14). The spiritual restoration of Israel hasn’t yet happened, so the prophecy hasn’t yet been fulfilled.

While we’re not yet seeing the fulfillment of these prophecies, we could very well be seeing God setting the stage for His end-time program. The distinction is subtle, but important. The final act in God’s prophetic drama hasn’t yet begun. The curtain remains down. But from our seats we hear the sound of props being moved into place and the muffled coughs of actors preparing to play their designated roles. This suggests the curtain could soon rise as the drama begins to unfold.

But remember, the actual fulfillment of end-time events hasn’t yet begun.

The nation of Israel is back in the land because the final act in God’s prophetic drama revolves around them. The land itself has experienced a renewal, but they have yet to see “the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God” (Isa. 35:2), which is also part of Isaiah’s prediction.

Guard against finding the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in every current event. Those who have done so in the past have found themselves looking foolish when the “fulfillments” evaporated. During World War II some were convinced Hitler was the prophesied Antichrist, Mussolini was the false prophet, and Japan fulfilled the prediction regarding the kings from the east.

Be cautious about claiming Bible prophecies are being fulfilled today. The prophecy will only be “fulfilled” when all the details of the prophecy come to pass.