The Final Showdown

When Jesus first came here to God’s people of Israel, they were in a state of darkness and confusion in terms of the knowledge of God, greater than they had ever been in. When he was taken to the temple as a baby, the prophet Simeon told Mary, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Lk. 2:34,35). And that is exactly what happened when he grew up and fulfilled the ministry that his Father sent him into the world to accomplish. Those who resisted him fell by their pride and unbelief, and those who received him rose by their humility and faith. And as Simeon said, it is certain that the presence of Jesus brought out exactly what was hidden in the hearts of those around him. The darkness of those who claimed to “see” was manifested as they sought to kill him, and finally were successful [to our good] (Jn. 9:39-41). And truly the injustice done to him, and his death by crucifixion pierced Mary’s heart. Before long God is going to pour out his Spirit both in power and in truth, such as the world has never seen. And once again, it will be for “the rise and fall of many” in the kingdom of God, as it was with Jesus and Israel. And once again, “the thoughts of many hearts” will be made clearly manifest by the glorious presence of the same Jesus, this time by means of his holy Spirit in his elect whom he is preparing. And once again, those who claim to “see” will persecute those whom God works through, and will in large measure cause them to be put to death (Mat. 24:10-13). And make no mistake, that persecution will largely come from within the body of Christ, even as the persecution against Jesus came from God’s people of Israel. As the disobedient of Israel turned Jesus over to the Romans to be put to death, so the disobedient in the body of Christ will betray their brethren to the unbelievers to be imprisoned and killed, even as Jesus said it would be (Lk. 21:16). Nothing ever changes my friend. Nothing. Ever. These things will close the show on this present age, and along with God’s turn back to Israel, it will bring about the second coming of Jesus to this world. These things are certainly upon us. Amen.