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Originally Posted by Xaccers
I'm sure this has been mentioned before, but could someone clarify?
What is the belief with some people who consider themselves to be christians (is that the politically correct way of referring to them?) that Israel and/or Babylon must be in existance for the second comming to take place?
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Some of the prophesies of the end times clearly take place in the Temple at Jerusalem. Since the ancient nation of Israel effectively ended in ca. 70AD, and the temple was destroyed at the same time, it was reasonable for theologians to conclude that both Israel and the temple would have to be restored before the end could happen.
Israel was restored in 1948, Jerusalem was restored in 1967, and the Temple is yet to be restored. Once it is, things ought to conclude rather rapidly.
As for Babylon, it is commonly used in prophesy as a name for a nation or organisation that opposes God's purposes, and not as a literal nation that must be re-established as part of the end times. Some have chosen to interpret 'Babylon' in prophecy as a literal place that will exist and play a part in the events prior to the end of the world in any case. I'm not certain on that point.