The Great Tribulation
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that
the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee
to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out;
and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be
the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in
those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon
this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led
away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of
the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luke 21:20-24
Read Luke 21
Yesterday we noticed that the Lord Jesus not only spoke about the end
times, but also about the destruction of Jerusalem that would take place
approximately forty years after His death. Our passage today focuses upon
the second aspect, Jerusalem’s destruction. The common belief among the
Jews was that the Messiah would come to restore the kingdom of David,
which would include a glorious renewal for Jerusalem. Instead, the Lord
Jesus said Jerusalem would be invaded in such a way that they should flee if
at all possible.
In verse twenty-two Christ referred to that day as a day of vengeance against
the Jews. Why would God take vengeance upon them? Because when the
Messiah came He was not received by them; they rejected Him. They even
crucified Him, nailing Him to the cross. But, the Lord is a God of grace, isn’t
He? Yes, indeed! The Lord is gracious to sinners who bow before Him in
contrition and repentance. That is why He also placed a time limit on the
vengeance He would execute (verse 24).
However, if we reject the salvation that has been revealed in Christ Jesus, refusing
to bow humbly before Him, the day will come when God’s wrath shall
come upon us. Then the day of Christ’s return will be a most terrible day for
you; it will be impossible to flee His wrath then. No one will be able to run
away from God. Perhaps you do not want to think about this, but you must
consider this for your life’s sake! Flee to Christ Jesus. You will find Him to
be the great Deliverer!
Thought: Do you ever think about the fact that God will judge all those who
do not believe in Him?
Psalter 446:4 (based on Psalm 130)
Hope in the Lord, O nation! For with Him there is grace
And plenteous salvation, For all who seek His face.
He shall redeem His people, His chosen Israel,
From all their sin and evil, And all their gloom dispel.
