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.