Save Now
By Caron Cline
Burke County
On October 7, 2023, Israel was enjoying a quiet Sabbath morning when Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups attacked southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. It was the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. Since Israel became a nation in 1948, most of the Arab world has sought to annihilate this small area of land and its people. The Jewish leaders desire peace for their nation, but it constantly seems to elude them. But why?
Delving into History
We must travel back in time to gain some understanding. In approximately 556 BC, the prophet Daniel was given a vision concerning the future of the Jewish people at the hands of Gentile nations. Two years later, he received a more specific vision of two of those nations, Persia, and Greece. Thirteen years later, Daniel discovered the writings of Jeremiah and discerned that the Jews would only be in captivity in Babylon for 70 years.
Such revelation led to a heartfelt prayer of confession and repentance and a request to know the future of his people. Daniel’s faithful obedience to God resulted in an angelic visit from Gabriel who brought the answer to his prayer. One key component of Israel’s deliverance is found in Daniel 9:25: “So you are to know and discern that from the issue of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress”.
Fulfillment of Prophecy
On March 14, 445 BC, Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the clock began to tick off the time until the Messiah would appear; 483 years in the future. Isaiah had prophesied the coming of the Prince of Peace, One Who would carry the government upon His shoulders. For hundreds of years, the Jewish people awaited their deliverer, the One God had promised would come and save them.
On April 6, 32 AD, Messiah the Prince rode into Jerusalem on a colt with kingly authority, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey. Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” For the first time in His ministry, Jesus allowed the crowd to praise Him as their long-awaited Messiah. Their Sar Shalom, Prince of Peace, had arrived and Jesus entered the holy city to shouts of Hosanna in the Highest! Save now!
Consequences of Rejection
In only a few short days, Jesus would be arrested, cursed, mocked, and crucified by the Roman government. The religious leaders, representing the Jewish people, refused to accept His identity as their Deliverer and did not rest until He was eliminated. In the words of Daniel 9:26, the Messiah was cut off. In doing so, the peace of God was also eliminated.
For over two thousand years, true peace has been non-existent for the Jewish nation and will remain so until a future day when their eyes are opened to the truth that Jesus of Nazareth is God’s anointed Messiah. According to Daniel 9:24, a day will come when the enemies of God’s people will be conquered and the Kingdom of God will come, bringing everlasting righteousness.
A Universal Message
Israel’s rejection of the Messiah was a blessing to all Gentiles, and although many Jews were saved at Pentecost and even today, the gospel exploded among the Gentile nations. The grace of God opened the doors of heaven for every tongue, tribe, race, and people.
Conclusion
As we celebrate Palm Sunday on March 24th, may we remember that the Prince of Peace, Jesus, desires to come into the lives of all who will receive Him. He will come and save you now!
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Caron is a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. She loves to teach the word of God.
Her desire is to see every believer grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
You can read more Christian News from Caron HERE.
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