Later, in the week leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus again expressed sorrow over the fate of the city He dearly loved: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’” (Matthew 23:37-39).
The Bible says, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). These two laments reveal much about the Savior’s passion; He is the heart of biblical prophecy.
The last sentence of Matthew 23:39 aligns with many Old Testament prophecies of a future restoration of a kingdom for Israel. There will be a time when a repentant Israel will greet Jesus with the words, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Although Jesus foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and an extended time of desolation for the city, He also predicted there would be a time when Israel wouldn’t reject its King, but rather joyously greet Him with the blessing of Psalm 118:26.
Just as God gave the Old Testament prophets many signs by which Israel could recognize their Messiah when He first appeared on earth, so we have an abundance of signs concerning the end times given to us throughout Scripture.
Does it not make sense that the Lord desires us to be aware of the signs of His return, just as He wanted the Israelites of His day to recognize Him as their Messiah? The One who commands us to watch for His return put in place many signs heralding His arrival with the intent that they would tell us we live in the last days.
We have a myriad of prophecies concerning the rapidly approaching Tribulation period that alert us to its nearness. The precursors to this time are so vividly evident that I often wonder, “How can those who know the Bible not see them? How is that even possible?”
Jesus Laments The Silence Regarding His Appearing
Does the current silence in most churches today regarding biblical prophecy and the signs of the approaching Tribulation grieve the Savior? I absolutely believe that it does.
As the Tribulation looms ahead for the world, many saints never hear about the signs of the last days. As a result, they plan as though they have decades of normality ahead of them. Some dismiss biblical prophecy because they don’t believe what the Bible says about their future or perhaps dislike its interference with it. Still others need a shepherd to guide them into the glorious truths of their future.
Jesus desires for all New Testament saints to recognize the signs of the times and watch expectantly for His appearing (Matthew 24:36-44; Luke 21:25-35). I’m absolutely convinced that today’s silence regarding Jesus’ soon appearing grieves our Savior. He desires that His bride fix her hope on Him and laments the silence in many Bible-believing churches today.
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