Thank you for the question on the Middle East and biblical prophecy, “Would events in the modern day Middle East possibly parallel biblical prophecy?”
Today, there is great interest in eschatology, the study of future events by Christians.
For one’s consideration on the events in the Middle East that may parallel biblical prophecy, here are some thoughts for one’s consideration:
A. The Bible predicts the rise of the Southern Nations, being interpreted as the Arab countries. The rise of Islam and OPEC is a means for the unity of the Arab people.
Depending on one’s interpretation of Daniel 10–12, some Christians believe that the passage is already fulfilled, while other Christians believe that they are partially fulfilled.
Many scholars interpret the eventual King of the North refers to the Russian people with its ruler and the King of the South refers to the Arab people with its ruler. It appears that the unification of the King of the South is based on religion and oil. It is a force to be reckon with now and in the future.
B. The Bible predicts the return of the Jewish people to the Promised Land.
On May 14, 1948 the Jewish people was given its statehood by the United Nations. It is astonishing that the Jewish people were able to maintain their nationality through the 20 centuries and being able to return to their homeland.
Ezekiel 36 says this, “Thus said the LORD God: …you, O mountains of Israel, shall yield your produce and bear your fruit for My people Israel, for their return is near. For I will care for you: I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. I will settle a large population on you, the whole House of Israel; the towns shall be resettled, and the ruined sites rebuilt. I will multiply men and beasts upon you, and they shall increase and be fertile, and I will resettle you as you were formerly, and will make you more prosperous than you were at first. And you shall know that I am the LORD. I will lead… My people Israel to you, and they shall possess you. You shall be their heritage, and you shall not again cause them to be bereaved” (NIV).
The Jewish people believe this is the starting of the fulfillment by God to send the Messiah to them.
C. The Bible predicts that the Temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices will be restored in Israel.
Although the Temple Mount is sacred to the Muslim people, archaeologists thinks that there may be room to build the Temple on that sacred site. It does not appear that the Arabs would agree to that now, but the Antichrist will bring about a resolution whereby this will happen.
“Since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, religious Jews have expressed their desire to see the building of a Third Temple on the Temple Mount. Prayer for this is a formal part of the Jewish tradition of thrice daily Amidah prayer. Although it remains unbuilt, the notion of and desire for a Third Temple is sacred in Judaism, particularly Orthodox Judaism, and anticipated as a soon-to-be-built place of worship.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Temple
D. The Bible predicts that sacrifices will occur in the Temple.
There are Jews who are building the Temple furniture and priestly garments. It is more than idea for them. They wish to make it a reality.
Daniel 7 says this, “25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One,[f] the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.[g] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’[h] In the middle of the ‘seven’[i] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple[j] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” (NIV).
The world waits and watches to see if the Temple will be rebuilt on the Temple Mount site. If it happens, then those who believe in the Bible prophecy will know that the return of the King of Israel will be near.
Personally I believe this will not happen until the Church is raptured from the earth. Not every Christian believe in the rapture of the Church, but most Christians do believe in the return of Jesus Christ as the Messiah for Israel.
SUMMARY: The united Arab nations, the return of the Jewish people and their desire to rebuild the Temple are precursory events that reflects the coming of the King of Israel to earth is closer than once one thought. It may well happen in our lifetime.
For more perspectives:
https://www.quora.com/Would-events-in-the-modern-day-Middle-East-possibly-parallel-biblical-prophecy