He Shall Reign Forever and Ever

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.” Revelation 11:17

In Revelation 11, John is given a measuring rod and instructed to measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there. We know through Bible prophesy, that the temple will be rebuilt and they will reinstate worship and sacrifice one day. Today, if we look at the current circumstances, we would say this is impossible, but according to the Word of God, it will happen. At this writing, the temple mount is under tight security and Jews as well as non-Muslim tourists are discouraged from entering. “Christians and Jews may enter only four hours daily, and no non-Muslim prayer is permitted on the sacred site.” (Daniel Levin, The Last Ember) Palestinians’ deny any connection between the Christians and Jews and the Temple Mount. However, we know through Bible Prophecy as well as historical findings, that the Temple Mount is the place where we will see prophecy fulfilled. There are small groups of Jewish people who are preparing to rebuild the temple. One of the Ushivas, a school for the training of rabbis in the old city, is training these young men how to butcher the animals for the sacrifices according to the Levitical law. They are actually training them now for sacrifices, the offering of sacrifices. Therefore, it is something that they are very committed to and they would like to do it now. We visited one of these schools while in Jerusalem a couple of years ago, and they were reproducing temple articles of worship exactly as recorded in the Old Testament. We move on to Revelation 11:3-5 and read of two witnesses (one is the prophet Elijah but we are unsure of the second) who are sent to witness to the Jewish people. God never forgets His promises. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) He loves Israel and He longs for her to receive His Messiah. Psalm 122: 6 says we are to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…” We are not just to pray for the peace “of” Jerusalem but that the Jews will have peace “with” God through His Son Jesus. Would you take a moment to pray for Israel? Pray for her peace and pray for the heart of Israel to open up to the gospel of Jesus Christ. “…the kingdom of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

In Christ,
Carol

Next Reading: 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36; Jer. 40-41; Revelation 12