Ruminating in the Word of God: The season for excitement!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 21:24,

"Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the
Gentiles are fulfilled."

Here is a part of Jesus' prophecy about the future of Jerusalem. While
he was walking near the temple with his disciples, they remarked on
the beauty of it. Jesus told them the temple was going to be
destroyed, so his disciples asked about the timing of it. Jesus
explained the temple was going to be destroyed when the city of
Jerusalem was going to be destroyed. This took place about forty years
after this prophecy when Rome sacked Jerusalem in 70AD.

Jesus' prophecy about the city of Jerusalem not only held the key to
the timing of the destruction of the temple, it also holds the key to
the timing of another event, an event all Christians await: Jesus'
second coming to Earth to bring this age to a close and set up his
kingdom from Jerusalem.

Jesus said Jerusalem would be in the hands of Gentiles, "trampled on
by the Gentiles", from its destruction until a time when their control
of the city would end. This prophecy has been the cause of much
speculation, fascination and excitement concerning current events in
Israel, and specifically Jerusalem. When the "times of the Gentiles
are fulfilled" Jesus said that mankind "will see the Son of Man coming
in a cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21:27. He also went on to
say, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your
heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Verse 28.

The return of Israel as a nation in 1948, with Jerusalem partially
controlled by the newly re-established Israel, and subsequent
reunification of the city in 1967 holds an exciting prospect... this
age coming to an end with Jesus Christ coming back to Earth from
heaven. While we do not know the specific timing, Jesus said, "Look at
the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see
for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see
these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near."

Here is cause for excitement and speculation! In another account of
this, found in Matthew 24:36, Jesus said, "No one knows about that day
or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the
Father." We won't know the day or hour, but Jesus told us we should
know when the season for the fulfillment of his return arrives.

These are exciting times!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com