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November 5th

The Bible reading today is in Matthew 23 and Luke 20,21.

“And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:5-6‬

During the week of Passover, Jesus taught many times...Jesus taught many things...It was festival time. But this lesson of Christ doesn't sound festive to me.

The organizers of the festival would have preferred a different message, a different tone. At least the message could have included a “happy memory” of days gone by when God delivered his sons and daughters of promise from Egyptian bondage. Something to feel good about.

But this lesson was not about a happy time and a happy place for Israel. This day, Jesus taught on the Temple Mt, in the shadow of the Temple, to fifties, hundreds, and to thousands of Jewish people about the judgment of God to come upon this unfaithful nation.

On this occasion, with the Temple in the background, Jesus prophesied that one day that great temple, that the people were so proud of, would be “completely destroyed”.

Talk about a shocking message...an offensive message...Jesus was giving one. It was a spiritual wake up call.

40 years after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Rome would put down a Jewish rebellion, kill 1.1 million Jews, and totally pull every marble stone down so that to this day no one is quite sure where Herod’s Temple rested on the Temple Mt.

For a thousand years, the Temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish life and worship and fellowship. Jesus’ prophesy came true...the rabbi from Nazareth was a prophet too. As great and magnificent as the Temple was, Jesus never hesitated to tell the people that “he” was greater than the temple.

“I tell you, “something greater” than the temple is here.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:6‬

There was only one thing greater than the Temple and that was God Himself. Jesus was one more time identifying himself as the great I Am. God very God in the flesh. Jesus was proclaiming to the people that instead of making the temple the center of their lives, they needed to believe Him and surrender their lives to His Lordship.

So many Jews worshipped the temple. The temple became an idol to the Jews of that day. God would take away that idol too.

Wow, Jesus would be raised from the dead to glory. Jerusalem and the temple that the people worshipped would be torn down, never to rise again.

“Then Jesus said something to His disciples that would speak of a judgment coming that would touch the whole world....”

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

World war like none other will come to the earth. Jesus was speaking of the Great Tribulation that would precede Christ’s second coming to earth. A tribulation of death and destruction against all unbelievers in Jesus...Jews and Gentile.

There will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and pestilences. Nature will give this world its worst, and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. You will have nothing to compare to the destruction and devastation that will be poured out upon the whole earth and everyone upon it...should God not cut it short for the elect’s sake.

But before all this, they, evil powers, will lay their hands on you and persecute you. My enemies will torture you for your faith in Me. They will kill you in gladiator arenas and wild animals will tear you limb from limb as great crowds cheer your death...and more and more and more.

You will be delivered up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

Fear not, all of this will be your opportunity to bear witness.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:10-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Oh friends, before Christ comes, there will be much persecution of the church throughout the world. It is already happening around the world in many nations. For instance, in Kenya, where God is using us to train future pastors and wives for the purpose of planting churches in that Muslim dominated country, Muslim led governments are targeting churches, followers of Jesus with life-threatening penalties for being Christian instead of Muslim.

Friends, persecution of the church for her beliefs is already beginning to happen in our nation. For instance, in California today, state and local governments are shutting down church gatherings giving community health reasons for such decisions. They are saying that churches are not “essential” to the life and work of the community, only a threat to the community health by their gatherings for worship during the Covid pandemic.

Yes, Jesus told his hearers then and He tells us today that great persecution is coming. Therefore we should not be surprised when it comes against us. But rather, we should be prepared in faith for it. Thus we need not shrink from it.

For as Jesus said, “ It will be our “opportunity” to courageously identify with Jesus and bear witness to him as Lord and Savior to those who believe Him.

Father, be preparing us to be fearless in our love toward people who need Jesus. Help us to practice that even now.

Have a great day