Time periods in prophecy are a bit of a nightmare for many Bible readers. But for some, understanding prophecy, including the time periods, is an important way of learning more about events leading up to the coming of Christ. So, as we witness the on-going events in the Middle East today, our understanding of the prophets’ message enables us to appreciate the fact that events leading to Israel’s redemption are actually in progress now. For us, these events are a matter of everyday news, but in the bigger picture they are a prelude to Christ’s return and the establishment of the kingdom that God has promised.