Christian Zionists need to study Biblical prophecies in the light of 1st century politics in the Roman Empire, rather than 21st century politics under the American empire.
If they did, they would quickly realize that the textual and historical evidence points overwhelmingly to the Fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD as the “end-time” and “Day of the Lord.”
Let’s survey some of the many passages whose characters and events tie the second coming to the fall of Jerusalem.
Gen. 49:1, 10 – “And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days…the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
This passage, spoken by the patriarch Jacob upon his deathbed, ties the “last days” to events bound up with Biblical Israel and the coming of Christ. Since the “last days” are tethered by this prophecy to Biblical Israel, when the nation terminated and ceased to exist so did the last days. Indeed, the “last days” are coterminous with the last end and closing days of the Jewish state. Jacob does not directly describe the destruction of the Jewish nation, but his saying “what will befall you in the last days” certainly carries ominous overtones suggesting that event. In saying that the monarchical power would not depart from Judah until Shiloh (Christ) had come, Jacob alludes to the political end and existence of the nation. With the appearance of Christ, a new dynasty and world epoch would begin, in which the government would devolve upon Christ, who now reigns [sic] earth’s nations from his throne in heaven. In transferring the government to heaven, Christ removed the mantel of authority from national Israel upon earth. And since the Jews murdered Christ and persecuted his church, Jesus sent and destroyed the nation by the armies of Rome.
Num. 24:14-25 – “And now, behold, I go to my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days…I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but now nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab and destroy all the children of Sheth. And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.”
This is Balaam’s prophecy of events that would occur in the latter days. Like Jacob’s prophecy, Christ was to appear in the latter days while Biblical Israel still existed. Jesus is referred to under the imagery of a “Star” and “Sceptre,” and “he that shall have dominion.” Christ’s “possessing Edom and Seir” should be compared with the prophecy of Amos about the restored tabernacle (house/throne) of David, “that they may possess the remnant of Edom” (Amos 9:11, 12). James said the prophecy of Amos was fulfilled in the apostles’ day, as Christ reigned from heaven and the Gentiles came into the church (Acts 15:16, 17). As Balaam’s prophecy treats of the same events, it too was fulfilled in the first century. The last prediction in Balaam’s prophecy states (Num. 24:24):
“And ships shall come from Chittim and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.”
The prophet Daniel mentions “Chittim” in a context that makes unmistakable reference to Rome (Dan. 11:30), and is witnessed by the Septuagint version of the Qumran community and the Vulgate in this place, both of which render “Chittim” “Romans.”[1] “Asshur” is Assyria and represented the extreme eastern border of the Roman Empire. “Eber” was the forebear of Abraham (Gen. 10:21; 11:17, 26), and is believed to be the root of the word “Hebrew.” In saying “he also shall perish for ever,” Balaam’s prophecy becomes the first direct prediction the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem by Rome. Spiritual Israel (the church) would do valiantly and conquer the world, but national Israel would be destroyed.”