The U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel came exactly 500 years after the Reformation (1517) and 100 years after the Balfour Declaration (1917). The Balfour declaration came at the end of World War I and stated that Great Britain wanted to establish a Jewish homeland in ancient Judea.
His Majesty’s government views with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.
(Here is a video I made on the 100th anniversary of Balfour.)
In addition, the Trump declaration came exactly 50 years after Jerusalem was reunited (1967) during the Six-Day War. While we do not know when the actual Jubilee year should be, it is amazing that these four historical and prophetic events came on the 50th year.
Is this what Yeshua meant when He responded to His disciples (after they asked about the restoration of Israel) “It is not for you to know the times or the dates, which the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:7). It would appear that God has a set timing for Zion’s restoration, and we are witnessing it in real time.
Sadly, many Bible teachers teach that the disciples were slow of mind in asking this question. John Calvin said of the disciples’ inquiry, “This question has as many problems as it has words.” But Yeshua did not respond as Calvin. He understood that this was the obvious question for any student of the bible.
The disciples were familiar with passages such as Zechariah 14:8-9, which says, “On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the Dead Sea and the other half to the Mediterranean Sea. This will happen for the summer as well as the winter. And the Lord will be king over all the earth. In that day it will be—”The Lord is one,” and His name is one.”
Or maybe they were thinking of Jeremiah 30:18, “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city will be built upon her own heap, and the palace will remain in its rightful place.”
Yes, it was the most obvious question to ask. Each jump in Israel’s restoration brings us closer to the Millennial age, when the Messiah will return (Rev. 19:11 and following) and fight for Israel (Zech. 14:3-4) and set up His international kingdom in Jerusalem.
