The last teaching Jesus gave was about His Second Coming. There are thousands of books on the subject, but most of them are based on the Revelation of John or the book of Daniel. Both books use apocalyptic imagery and both can be difficult to interpret. But the sermon Jesus gave was very straightforward. It's also interesting to note, the same message was recorded in 3 of the 4 gospels, in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.
All versions start with Jesus talking about the destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus said "when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near..". He goes on to say "there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled". (Luke 21:20,23-24)
Jesus plainly states, Jerusalem will be destroyed and the Jews will be scattered to different nations. That event happened when Rome leveled the city in 70 AD and the Jews were exiled. For over 1900 years they were a people without a nation. Then in 1948, they were returned to their homeland. Well, almost. They were given a small section of what used to be their homeland. But they did not have control of Jerusalem.
According to the prophecy of Jesus, the city would be "trampled under foot by the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled". In other words, until control of the city was returned to the Jews. Thank God for the 6-day war in 1967. Several Arab countries tried to attack Israel, but they were soundly and thoroughly defeated. Instead of losing land, the Jews actually took land in that conflict- one of the "spoils of war" was Jerusalem.
After almost 1900 years, not only were the Jews returned to their ancient homeland, they also once again laid claim to the "Holy City".. So why is that significant? Because in that same sermon, Jesus also said this..
"So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place". (Luke 21:32) So within a single generation after Jerusalem is returned to Israel, we will see Christ return. That's not based on someone's interpretation of the books of Daniel or Revelation, those are the words of Jesus. And if Jesus was right about everything else, why would He get this wrong? I mean, He predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, the return of Jews to Israel and their reclaiming control of the city. How many times in history has a people reformed a country after 1900 years? It's never happened before. So Jesus just didn't pick a rabit out of the hat. It wasn't a guess. He gave the prophecy and it came true. I have a feeling "this generation won't pass away until ALL these things take place".
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Luke's account here
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Saturday, March 27, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Great Earthquakes
I've been reading Psalm 46 lately. The first 3 verses read "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging"..
The led me to reflect on another verse Luke 21:11- "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places and fearful events and great signs from heaven". The word "great" in talking about earthquakes could be more literally translated "mighty and violent".
Of course, one thought leads to another. Given the recent earhquakes in the news lately, that made me wonder. Are there really more earthquakes today than in previous years? I decided to look it up on the internet. They say the internet knows everything, right?
I found several sites showing earthquake data, all of them showed the same things. Indeed, there's MUCH more earthquake activity than at any time in recorded history. In fact, the number of strong earthquakes today is well over 10 times higher than any year before 1995. We've gone from an average of 5 quakes a year worldwide, to almost 70. Here's how the numbers break down..
Year Num
==== ====
2009 66
2008 41
2007 55
2006 33
2005 49
2004 48
2003 69
2002 45
2001 7
2000 7
1999 13
1998 10
1997 6
1996 1
1995 5
.
.
.
Before 1995, there were between 1 to 5 per year. That's quite a jump! Could it be the prophecy of Jesus is coming true? I think it's very likely. Why would Jesus give us a sign to look for, if it wasn't really a sign? Given the things going on in the world right now, I wouldn't doubt we're close to the end. It's best to be prepared.
"It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back— whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping". (Mark 13:34-36)
The led me to reflect on another verse Luke 21:11- "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places and fearful events and great signs from heaven". The word "great" in talking about earthquakes could be more literally translated "mighty and violent".
Of course, one thought leads to another. Given the recent earhquakes in the news lately, that made me wonder. Are there really more earthquakes today than in previous years? I decided to look it up on the internet. They say the internet knows everything, right?
I found several sites showing earthquake data, all of them showed the same things. Indeed, there's MUCH more earthquake activity than at any time in recorded history. In fact, the number of strong earthquakes today is well over 10 times higher than any year before 1995. We've gone from an average of 5 quakes a year worldwide, to almost 70. Here's how the numbers break down..
Year Num
==== ====
2009 66
2008 41
2007 55
2006 33
2005 49
2004 48
2003 69
2002 45
2001 7
2000 7
1999 13
1998 10
1997 6
1996 1
1995 5
.
.
.
Before 1995, there were between 1 to 5 per year. That's quite a jump! Could it be the prophecy of Jesus is coming true? I think it's very likely. Why would Jesus give us a sign to look for, if it wasn't really a sign? Given the things going on in the world right now, I wouldn't doubt we're close to the end. It's best to be prepared.
"It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back— whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping". (Mark 13:34-36)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Seek the Lord
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD and He will have compassion on him; to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7)
For several years, I've had an occasional "vision". It usually comes during an extended devotional time. You might call it a very intense daydream. In the vision, I see our country falling apart. Some would argue it's falling apart now. Well, in many ways it is. But I'm referring to REALLY falling apart. Imagine grocery stores with no food, gas stations with no gas, people starving, gangs looting, total and rampant lawlessness, with no police or military around to do anything about it. Know that's a scary prophesy, but that's what I see down the road.
Strange as it sounds, I believe we're headed for a major societal breakdown. I also believe this period has been prophesied for thousands of years. In the Bible, it's called the Great Tribulation. I'm becoming more and more convinced we're headed toward the end of the world as we know it. I'm not planning to make a sign saying "THE END IS NEAR", but I do believe we are headed down a VERY rough road. Beside preparing for hard times, I believe every Christian should be seeking God with their WHOLE heart. As John the Baptist would say, "Prepare ye the way for the Lord, make His paths straight". Indeed, if there's ever been a time people should draw closer to God, this IS that time.
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation".. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness. (2 Peter 3-11)
For several years, I've had an occasional "vision". It usually comes during an extended devotional time. You might call it a very intense daydream. In the vision, I see our country falling apart. Some would argue it's falling apart now. Well, in many ways it is. But I'm referring to REALLY falling apart. Imagine grocery stores with no food, gas stations with no gas, people starving, gangs looting, total and rampant lawlessness, with no police or military around to do anything about it. Know that's a scary prophesy, but that's what I see down the road.
Strange as it sounds, I believe we're headed for a major societal breakdown. I also believe this period has been prophesied for thousands of years. In the Bible, it's called the Great Tribulation. I'm becoming more and more convinced we're headed toward the end of the world as we know it. I'm not planning to make a sign saying "THE END IS NEAR", but I do believe we are headed down a VERY rough road. Beside preparing for hard times, I believe every Christian should be seeking God with their WHOLE heart. As John the Baptist would say, "Prepare ye the way for the Lord, make His paths straight". Indeed, if there's ever been a time people should draw closer to God, this IS that time.
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation".. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness. (2 Peter 3-11)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Blind Men of Indostan
One of my favorite poems, by John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887)
It was six men of Indostan to learning much inclined
Who went to see the elephant though all of them were blind,
That each by observation might satisfy his mind.
The First approached the elephant, and happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side, at once began to bawl;
‘God bless me! But the elephant is very like a wall!’
The Second, feeling of the tusk, cried, ‘Ho! What have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ’tis mighty clear
This wonder of an elephant is very like a spear!’
The Third approached the animal, and happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands, thus boldly up and spake:
‘I see’, quoth he, ‘the Elephant is very like a snake!’
The Fourth reached out an eager hand, and felt about the knee
‘What most this wondrous beast is like is mighty plain’ quoth he;
‘ ‘Tis clear enough the Elephant is very like a tree!’
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: ‘E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most; deny the fact who can
This marvel of an elephant is very like a fan!’
The Sixth no sooner had begun about the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail that fell within his scope,
‘I see’, quoth he, ‘the Elephant is very like a rope!’
And so these men of Indostan disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right, and all were in the wrong!
Moral:
So oft in theologic wars, the disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance of what each other mean,
And prate about an elephant; not one of them has seen!
-------------
Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face;
now I only know in part, but then I will know fully
just as I also have been fully known. (1 Cor 13:12)
It was six men of Indostan to learning much inclined
Who went to see the elephant though all of them were blind,
That each by observation might satisfy his mind.
The First approached the elephant, and happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side, at once began to bawl;
‘God bless me! But the elephant is very like a wall!’
The Second, feeling of the tusk, cried, ‘Ho! What have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ’tis mighty clear
This wonder of an elephant is very like a spear!’
The Third approached the animal, and happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands, thus boldly up and spake:
‘I see’, quoth he, ‘the Elephant is very like a snake!’
The Fourth reached out an eager hand, and felt about the knee
‘What most this wondrous beast is like is mighty plain’ quoth he;
‘ ‘Tis clear enough the Elephant is very like a tree!’
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: ‘E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most; deny the fact who can
This marvel of an elephant is very like a fan!’
The Sixth no sooner had begun about the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail that fell within his scope,
‘I see’, quoth he, ‘the Elephant is very like a rope!’
And so these men of Indostan disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right, and all were in the wrong!
Moral:
So oft in theologic wars, the disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance of what each other mean,
And prate about an elephant; not one of them has seen!
-------------
Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face;
now I only know in part, but then I will know fully
just as I also have been fully known. (1 Cor 13:12)
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