In Genesis 12, God chose a man, Abram, and issued three covenantal promises to him: a land for his descendants, a son with successive generations of posterity (though his wife was barren), and a blessing (redemption). This was the beginning of the Hebrew nation of Israel. They are God’s covenant people through which He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for their sins, and for the sins of the world. The Bible is the story of this redemption.
Israel has had a rich history, filled with pitfalls and literal mountain top experiences. They have suffered in times of rebellion and flourished in times of repentance and obedience. And God is not yet through with Israel; it has a bright future, foretold explicitly in the prophetic Scriptures.
Soon, there will be a time of Great Tribulation that will humble the nation of Israel and cause a remnant to turn to God and accept Jesus as their Messiah. Nineteen apocalyptic events, described in Revelation 4-16, will get the job done. At the end of the Tribulation Period, Jesus will return to fulfill His promise to reign over Israel for 1000 years as King of kings (the Millennium).
While the end time events will be visible and predictable once they begin, until then we see only shadows of things to come:
Apostasy = Falling away from the body of truth delivered to us by God. (the Bible) 1Timothy 4:1; 2Thessalonians 2:2-4
False Deliverers = People claiming to be sent from God. Matthew 24:5
Wars and Rumors of Wars = Nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Matthew 24:6-7a
Famine, Pestilence (plagues, pandemics), Earthquakes = Matthew 24:7b
Persecutions = Matthew 24:9; 2Timothy 3:12
These and many other shadows loom on the horizon even now, and will become increasingly ominous until the end. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9).” You Need Jesus Christ!