Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 21 : 20-28 "THE FALL OF JERUSALEM"
Day 267 – Luke 21
Text: Luke 21 : 20-28
THE FALL OF JERUSALEM
As we study the Scriptures carefully (Luke 21), we note that Jesus actually dealt with three important topics. They may be seen as separate topics, and yet they may also be seen as inter-related.
The topics included firstly the destruction of the Temple, secondly the End Times, and thirdly the persecution of believers. These topics were all part of the eschatology Jesus taught His Disciples.
Jesus went on to tell His Disciples that Jerusalem would also be destroyed. This too was part of the eschatology Jesus taught. If Jesus taught that the Temple would be destroyed, then it would be natural that the destruction of Jerusalem would also be contemplated!
Let us consider the words of the Lord Jesus Christ carefully, as He spoke about the destruction of Jerusalem.
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
then know that its desolation is near.
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,
Let those who are in the midst of her depart,
And let not those who are in the country enter her.
For these are days of vengeance,
That all things which are written may be fulfilled.”
Luke 21:20-22
TENDER AND SORROWFUL WORDS
How did Jesus say these words? We must seek to enter His sense of sorrow as we read these words. Remember what Jesus said on previous occasions about Jerusalem? On at least two occasions Jesus mourned over Jerusalem.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
the one who kills the prophets
and stones those who are sent to her!
How often I wanted to gather your children together,
As a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
But you were not willing!
See! Your house is left to you desolate…”
Luke 13:34-35
“Now as Jesus drew near,
He saw the city, and wept over it,
Saying,
‘If you had known, even you,
Especially in this your day,
The things that make for your peace!
But now they are hidden from your eyes.
For days will come upon you
When your enemies will build an embankment
Around you, surround you and close you in
On every side, and level you,
And your children within you,
To the ground;
And they will not leave in you one stone
Upon another, because you did not know
The time of your visitation.’ “
Luke 19:41-44
Jesus had warned Jerusalem – altogether three times! His words fell on deaf ears! Nevertheless Jesus had to play the part of a watchman-prophet. He had to sound the alarm that a great disaster would come to the city!
“THAT ALL THINGS THAT WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED” Luke 21:22
The words of Jesus challenge us to pay even closer attention. We note firstly that Jesus mourned over Jerusalem, predicting its destruction. It is important to note that Jesus also referred to the things which were written.
What were these things that were written? We are drawn to study the Word of God found in the Book of Daniel.
“Seventy weeks are determined
for your people and for your holy city…
And after the sixty-two weeks,
Messiah shall be cut off,
But not for Himself,
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary…”
Daniel 9:24,26
Daniel was given a special prophetic word from the Lord. The prophecy in Daniel is quite complex, but we may simplify it by dividing this prophecy into three periods of time:-
1. There will be the restoration of Jerusalem (Nehemiah, Ezra, Zerubbabel were key figures during this period).
2. The Messiah will come to Israel, but He will be cut off (that is, “killed”). Jerusalem would also be destroyed as God’s punishment!
3. The third stage is yet to be fulfilled. This is with reference to “the prince who is to come”. This has to do with the coming of The Antichrist”.
“That all things which are written may be fulfilled…!” May wisdom teach us to pay close attention to all that the Scriptures say concerning the end times!