Jeremiah 29:10 comes to mind as prophecy (like history) repeats itself. Anciently, Jew returned from the Babylonian captivity 70 years so that the land could enjoy her Sabbaths. In modern times, the Jews returned after a greater dispersion (which exceeded 70 years) so the symbolic 70 years came after the birth of the nation of Israel. I think it's more of a number stamp that shows God is behind it all. First the land, then the city, and the next will be the temple mount.
But there's more. It's one step closer to reestablishing Israel as a whole as prophesied (there's several passages where the prophets say they will come back to their land again). They want their temple and sacrifices again. In the time of the end this will happen and I see that forming as well, e.g. double the amount of Jews visiting the temple mount, all the temple objects and blueprints in place, training of the priests and so forth. While this looks good at the surface, it will pave a way for the false Messiah, the "man of sin" and the resulting in the abomination of desolation, Tribulation and finally the Day of the Lord. Their delusion of peace and safety will be broken. The real Messiah will come back again. Israel has to be in place (as in old times) for Messiah to come back. This is shown by both Paul and Jesus' mention of the temple, for example.
The thing to remember is although I personally believe this is historic, it's simply one piece of the bigger picture in establishing Israel for the end times. But it's a piece that facilitates IMO that establishment.