Jesus and the Jews

A time is coming when Jesus will return to this earth in a visible form. The bible does not tell us exactly when He will return but there are prophecies which vividly describe events which we can recognise in the world today.

The bible does not say exactly when Jesus will appear but the bible does say precisely where He will appear.

Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle.

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. Zec 14:3–4 NIV

Jesus will come down from heaven and be seen in Jerusalem, in Israel. Israel at that time will be populated by Jews. It will be the reconstituted Jewish nation of Israel. We are seeing this restoration of Israel in our time.

When Jesus returns, He will take His place as the Jewish King of Israel and rule the whole world from Jerusalem.

The Jews in Bible times rightly believed in these prophecies and were looking for their Messiah who would not only put the world right but also liberate the nation of Israel from foreign domination, just as the biblical prophecies taught.

Shortly before His execution on the cross, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding an unbroken young donkey. This fulfilled Old Testament prophecy about the coming of the Messiah King.

"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." John 12:15 (NIV)

The Jews greeted Jesus with jubilation, expecting Him at that time to fulfil other aspects of the prophecy.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. Zechariah 9:9-10 (ESV)

Verse nine foretells the coming of the Messiah as the suffering servant, the Son of God who sacrificed his life on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins.

Verse ten refers to the second coming of the Messiah to judge the nations and establish his kingdom on earth, with his capital city in Jerusalem.

The Jews 2000 years ago did not understand that the Messiah would come not once but twice.

After Jesus rose from the dead, he spent time with his disciples. They were all Jews and they too were confused about God’s historical timetable.

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Ac 1:6–7 NIV

As Christians, we must not be critical of the Jews because of their misunderstanding. For centuries, Christians have also been misguided in our understanding of God’s long range plans.

Martin Luther and other reformers taught that God had permanently discarded the Jewish nation and transferred all the promises to the Church as the new Israel.

In Romans chapter 11, Paul clearly teaches something quite different.

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,

and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Ro 11:25–27 NIV

A New Heaven and a New Earth

 A couple of days ago, a willy wagtail came so close to me, one pace away. Then my wife held out some food and the dear little wild bird ate out of her hand. 

I love online videos showing pet budgies playing with the family cat, or the family cat and dog showing playful affection for each other.

There is a story on social media about a pet dog discovering a baby magpie that fell out of the nest. The female dog adopted the magpie and cared for it like a mother, with the help of the dog’s owner. The magpie grew up loving its dog mother and human family. 

The magpie was free to fly away, and it came and went, playing with its human family and its beloved dogs. It learned to bark like a dog.

You will find the story if you google Molly and Peggy.

In the Bible God created all the animals, and he gave the first man and woman responsibility to rule over the natural world, to love and care for the animals, not to exploit them.

When Adam and Eve listened to the Prince of Darkness, they became mortal and death also entered into the animal world. Cats killed birds, foxes killed chickens and lions killed antelopes.

In the Old Testament, we see prophecies where God promises to restore the peace and friendship between animals.

The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. Is 65:25 NIV

We do not know exactly when and how this will happen, but God’s promises are trustworthy. Even now, we see foretastes of this. I see videos on YouTube of animals which rescue humans and other animals from death, even animals of different species.

This world is full of violence and killing. Chickens and ducks bully their own kind, picking on the weak ones, but this world is temporary. God is planning something far better, a new creation. It will surely come.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Re 21:1–5 NIV

END TIME REVIVAL, FALSE PROPHECY OR BIBLE TRUTH?

We hear so many people prophesying and teaching about The Great End Time Harvest of souls, of the global revival which is coming. 

On the other hand, there are people who question these prophesies and for two reasons.

The first reason is the Bible prophecies that speak of terrible times and spiritual decline before Jesus comes.

Mt 24:12 (ESV)  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 

 

2 Timothy 3:2-5 (NKJV)  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, 

• lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 

• having a form of godliness but denying its power. 

• And from such people turn away!

Mt 24:5 (NKJV)  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.

This last text can have two meanings. The usual interpretation is that the false preacher claims to be Christ.

It can also mean that the preacher affirms that I (Jesus) is the Christ but then deceives many with bad doctrine and manipulative and controlling leadership. 

• There are indeed many false cult leaders who affirm that Jesus is the Christ. 

• There are also many preachers who teach correct doctrine regarding the Trinity and salvation but they behave like cult leaders, making their members into mindless slaves under the control of church leaders.

The second reason for doubting the prophecies of a Global End Time Revival is the actual experience of the negative prophecies coming true before our eyes.

All of the countries which were Christian before the 20th Century are now either Post Christian or under attack from powerful Anti-Christ culture. 

• Lukewarm Christianity has poisoned all Western societies which were once known as Christendom. Church attendance and moral standards are catastrophically low.

However, there is another side to the story.

• The number of fervently believing Christians in formerly unreached,  or non-Christian countries is hundreds of millions and growing rapidly.

• In Africa, the Christians Gospel is accompanied by signs and wonders which challenge witchcraft and Islam.

• In China, the Communist government has not been able to contain a powerful, believing, miracle working underground church with over 150 million members.

• As in China, so in North India, there are new churches planted every day, thousands of souls saved every week and miracles are a way of life.

It appears the Great End Time Revival has already begun but most of the old Christian countries have not yet realised it.

But what about Bible prophecy?

The same text that correctly warns of lukewarm Christianity in the West, also predicts a global End Time harvest reaching, reaching every nation.

Mt 24:12-13 (ESV)  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

14  And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

People of every NATION, every TRIBE and every TONGUE must be reached in this great End Time harvest.

Rev 5:9 (ESV)  And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Up to now, there are many millions of people in unreached people groups. 

• There are languages and dialects which have never been used to speak the name of Jesus.

Only a global revival can bridge the gap between present reality and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

What will this End Time revival look like?

Jn 17:22-23  (NKJV)  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 

• I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, 

• and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Eph 5:27 (NKJV)  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.