The UPLOOK  (June 2009)  edited 9/5/2009 for the Internet

Israel,

God's

 Time

Clock

 

   Jerusalem temple
   
   

 

   In this article we will note:

 

 

we need not be so utterly vague in our discerning of the times. .  .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

there is a connection, between the Gentile Church, and the redemption of Israel. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember . . . who rebuilds the temple . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A burdensome stone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

"And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Luke 21:24

Prophecy, as we are accustomed to encountering it within Scripture, often seems somewhat mysterious and undefined. We may wonder what good reason there is for this, yet as we look back, His wisdom and depth of perception may surprise us to the point of tears. The urgency of the moment may have once cried out for immediate (and imminent) gratification—yet the purposes of God are eternal; considering not the pain of the moment, but a payback in the eons to come.  So, we are tempted to ask, How long will it be, before He returns??

The Span of Biblical Prophecy (how long?):

Scripture states that from God’s perspective—to Whom a thousand years are as yesterday, when it is past—the entire program upon earth will be very short indeed, and its impact, awesome. In fact, judging from the span of Scripture already past (from biblical creation to the promised Messiah’s crucifixion, for example, a span of approximately 4000 years) it appears that we are on track to see a “wrap up” of the human experiment in a mere “one week” span (7000 years, or so).

Yes, in fact, when combining the above perspective with a prophecy from Hosea (and pending discussion from our opening) it does appear that in the broadest sense of the term, we may certainly expect to see the Lord’s return within this millennium. Says Hosea, from the eternal:

Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.

Hosea 6:1,2

It is within this perspective that we see Christ projecting the fall of Jerusalem, and corresponding diaspora, in the years beyond 70 AD, as Israel is then “torn” and “stricken” (scattered, and persecuted) throughout the earth for close to 1900 years (“two days”) —only to have her oven baked bones revived in that second millennia (in 1948).

The Lord’s word to Ezekiel:

Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

Ezekiel 37:3 AV

It is within the third day, therefore (in the third millennia, past Israel’s returning) —that prophecy watchers may expect His new reviving of Israel, in the very fullest sense of the term. . . .

However, we need not be so utterly vague in our discerning of the times. For Jesus gave a much fuller description of time markers that we must look for, just prior to His second coming. For one thing, Israel is most certainly one of the Lord’s most polished time pieces, in the countdown and close out, of this age.

Israel – God’s Time Clock

Our more detailed, and formal, time piece in the biblical layout of history, must now revolve around a tiny nation and its founder (Abraham). Their Book (the Bible) and the worship of their God, will also concern us. The Lord’s comments relating to events in that era into which He entered (the first century) were addressed to the temple then standing with its large and beautiful stones carefully placed in their sacred settings ("Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" –Mark’s account (Mk. 13:1) to which Jesus answered:

As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Luke 21:6 AV)

The very thought of destroying so grand a structure most certainly conjured up apocalyptic images worst than 9/11. Surely, such a thing would only be accomplished over their dead bodies!! Surely, an invading army would have to first sack Jerusalem, itself, before such sacrilege would be allowed, or carried out!

So Jesus answers their inner thoughts and fears, confirming one fear, while vanquishing another:

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.”

vs. 20

So stating, Jesus confirmed their fears concerning the destruction of their beloved Jerusalem. But He was not willing to allow a false second conclusion—that this would mark His second coming as well. No, He would even share a rare insight into specific events to take place in the timing sequence that will close out this present era: the dispersion of the Jewish nation to the far corners of the earth (commonly referred to as the Jewish diaspora)—followed by a mystery.

"And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Luke 21:24

Here lies our opening quote, along with its enigmatic reference to “the times of the Gentiles” being fulfilled after the diaspora is complete. Whatever does it mean? Does it refer to the physical trampling of Jerusalem itself—or, perhaps, to a political event, when Jerusalem would again change hands and once more come under Jewish rule? Does it refer to a spiritual event, a spiritual trampling—or even, a spiritual interaction of Gentile and Jewish believers, in some special way?

Whatever the answer, we must remember Who is speaking, and His special calling. This is Jesus, the Messiah of the Jews, forecasting future events. The Messiah’s purpose was first, and foremost, to bring deliverance to the Jewish people. We now understand this to first be a spiritual deliverance: offering eternal salvation—for “salvation is of the Jews” (John. 4:22). Yet, even in this respect, there were facets that would surely seem alien to a Jewish listener, even though previously pointed out by her prophets.  For this included a ministry to the Gentiles. In essence, Jesus was to be the Messiah sent to “whosoever believes” on Him (John 3:16).

We so often think of God in terms of “our” group and, “our” organization, do we not? The Jewish people were no different—and yet God is. His heart is bigger, and His programs much larger, than “our” little special enclave on this side of Eternity. Said Isaiah, of the coming Messiah:

Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'

Isaiah 49:6

So, there is a connection, between the Gentile Church, and the redemption of Israel? Ah, now we’re getting the picture. Yes, of course there is a connection. Like two brothers fighting over the same ball, only to find out in the evening light that mom and dad want for them to shake hands, and make up. In the evening—that is when the “fullness of the Gentiles” changes everything. That is when restoration takes place.

Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, and fresh from having just healed a man at the temple gate, is just bubbling with prophetic insights every time he makes a major sermon note. He does this after leaving the upper room, just after Pentecost (Acts 2:17-21) and now, after healing a paralytic, he notes that Christ (Greek for “Messiah”) must remain in Heaven

. . .until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Acts 3:21 [emphasis added]

Surely, this must include the restoration of their glorious temple, just before Christ’s returning?!  Perhaps, depending on how you look at it—from a common perspective, or God’s. Perhaps we should first ask not when, but how the temple was scheduled to be rebuilt. It is an answer, to my amazement, that I heard a Jewish Rabbi give, on television. His answer (of course) is from the Old Testament, while completely agreeing with the New (Testament). How is the temple rebuilt? The Branch (of the root, and offspring of David –Is. 11:1, Rev. 22:16) will accomplish it.

"… speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: "Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD;

Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both."'

Zechariah 6:12,13

God (Christ) Rebuilds the Temple:

A similar observation was made by the first church council when wrestling with—you guessed it, the matter of Gentile believers entering the ranks of the “Jewish Church.” (That is exactly how it started, of course, as a Jewish body of believers. And why not? Was not Christ the Messiah of the Jews?!) So the apostle James summarizes the whole matter by quoting from still another Old Testament prophet, saying the very same thing: that God will rebuild the temple.

"And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up’ ”

Please notice, as well, the very next verse:

“ ‘So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.’ ”

Acts 15:15-17 (empahsis added - referring to Amos 9:11,12)

So, then, there is a reason why the temple is rebuilt.

It is is rebuilt for our Deliverance:

Modern Evangelicals have discerned the above interaction of Jew and Gentile as a matter having serious end-time implications. No incidental commentary, spoken into the wind (actually, nothing within Scripture is merely “incidental” if we look carefully enough) this matter of Jewish interaction with the Gentile church has very serious, and eternal consequences. Yet, to believers looking at it from our present time frame, its implications may seem overwhelming. In fact, even the apostle Paul seems to speak to our current discussion as if he were awakening from a dream, and in wonderment. Says the apostle Paul, in his very meticulous explanation of salvation (his letter to Christians in Rome):

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Romans 11:25 [emphasis added]

I know, I know, Paul does not seem to be “awakening from a dream”—yet. Have patience with me, that we may awaken with him(!). For now, notice that closing phrase, “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” . . . This appears to be a sister passage to the “times of the Gentiles being fulfilled” in our opening text, does it not? Yes, for the whole point of Scripture is not a whimsical timing of current events, but the salvation of souls—Gentile souls

Like yours, and mine.

Yet it would be incorrect to assume that the gospel age (“dispensation” to theologians) closes out with the fullness of the Gentiles, as though there were no plan of God for the souls of Jewish folk, before Christ’s returning. For, within almost the same breath, and after declaring the casting away (scattering) of Israel in relation to Gentile salvation, Paul does have his “dream prophecy” for a special move of God—at the time of Gentile fullness, when Israel returns.

For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Romans 11:15,16 [emphasis added]

(Remember it is the Branch, who rebuilds the temple: we believers are little “branches.”)

Is this only a dream, and merely wishful thinking, on the part of the apostle Paul—that a Jewish revival may ignite the hearts of believers world wide, before Christ’s returning?

Hold your tongue, before you answer that one.

For as the Old Testament prophet Zechariah forecast the temple’s rebuilding (6:12) he also foretells of Israel’s paradox (international distress) among the nations

and restoration.

You mean to say that, at the same time men and women are denying the very existence of God . . . He is planning to have a major spiritual move in the middle east?  Obviously, the spiritual world is not silent, at this time.  In fact, it is obvious that—

This has International Implications:

Israel, at this time, Zechariah notes, becomes a “burdensome stone” to all the nations of the world. (Interesting, how accurate prophecy is, concerning events of our day: . .)

"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.

"And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”

Zechariah 12:2,3 [emphasis added]

We are not laying “siege” against the Jews (Judah) today, you say? Really? What other country has the nations of the world telling them that they may not take full possession of their own capital (Jerusalem)? What other nation in the world, has the international community continually telling them that they must give away “land for peace”? What other nation in the world must continually put up with her neighbors lobbing missiles over the neighborhood fence (as with the Gaza strip—which Israel just gave back to the Palestinians)? Which other nation in the world has continually seen the sitting U.S. President laboring to make major overtures to solve the Palestinian issue??

A burdensome stone.

How burdensome?  It weighs upon the thoughts of serious politicians who foresee the implications of:

ARMAGEDDON:

This is how Armageddon, and the end of the age, takes place. —And it is also exactly how Zechariah describes the events taking place that will precipitate the Lord’s returning in the last chapter of the prophecy bearing his name (Zechariah 14, verses 2-4)—in exact agreement with the statement made by angels standing by, as Christ arose into the sky, as He departed from earth (Acts 1:10, 11).

So, that was why in the twelfth chapter, Israel’s paradox is evident with the international community. For, in the fourteenth chapter, Antichrist will execute his “final solution.”

And wait!! Between Zechariah 12:2 and chapter 14 . . . there is that revival forecast for Israel before Christ’s returning!

"And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

Zechariah 12:10 [emphasis added]

You may wish to read the rest of the intervening chapter(s) in Zechariah’s prophecy. For there you may also identify with the graphic language in other verses, as well (as in chapter 12:4-8 – with Israel’s war of independence & six day war, for example).

Yes, for just as faithful and insightful Christians of the past foresaw, and patiently waited, for the re-founding of the nation of Israel (largely through the prophecy of Ezekiel 37)—those who are perceptive regarding God’s will for that nation in our day, will pray earnestly and expectantly for a Jewish revival in Israel

any day now.

For, truly, the opportunity for Gentiles to accept the Jewish Messiah has been fulfilled.

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Matthew 24:14

—And “the end” is coming. Pundits forecast (and joke) about it. Politicians alternately wring, and wash, their hands over the matter. Yet, for those who know the Lord of Heaven, and His plans for His own, this is a time of great expectancy. For the moment, however  . . . those who are prayerful among us must watch patiently, and await the church’s “final act.”

Which will take place in Israel.

Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus.

Amen.
 

* Photo of model of Jerusalem temple @ Holyland Hotel, Jerusalem.  Photo credit: K.C. Hanson