October 14: THE FIRST TRUMPET IN REVIEW
“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” Matthew 21:43
The unimaginable calamity and destruction that fell upon the nation of Israel was, in the simplest terms, a harvest sown by their own hands. Even the unrepentant who seemed to get away did not escape continuing troubles. But our efforts to understand these things will fall under a terrible, deceptive shadow if the woes and troubles are classified as “God’s decree.” This is exactly how the great deceiver works to conceal his own ugly work. In reality, the stubborn rejection of the LORD’s love and mercy moves an individual—or an entire nation—away from God. With deep and indescribable sadness, God withdraws His protection from those who have every advantage of knowing Him, yet disregard His voice. When someone, or a whole nation, steps out from under God’s protection, Satan rushes in to fill the vacuum (see Luke 19:43). The unimaginable cruelties that occurred during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem demonstrate the vindictive power of Satan over those who yield to his control.
The divine longsuffering for nearly four decades after the Lamb’s sacrifice on Calvary’s cross proved profitable for kingdom growth. Continued preaching of the gospel won many Jews for the eternal kingdom, in spite of the persecution coming from both the secular world (pagan Rome) and the religious world (unconverted Jews). Not a single Christian perished in the conflagration of Jerusalem’s destruction. Every one escaped safely (revisit Exodus 9:26; Psalm 91).
Every one of us has been stubborn in at least one or, more likely, multiple ways. It is impossible for us to fully realize how deeply indebted we are to the Lord Jesus for the peace and protection afforded us up to this point. We must never think that we have “arrived” as followers of Christ. Each of us is on a journey, and every marker of growth and understanding reveals yet another defect in our character that the LORD yearns to gently lift away – as we allow Him to do His work – and replace it with a greater revelation of Himself. As we stumble and bumble our way through life as flawed humans, we are called to come straight to Him daily for cleansing and renewal.* In true recognition of our own disobedience, rebellion, and lack of thankfulness, our response can become a heart that is swollen to the brim with gratitude and love for the Savior, ready to receive afresh the power of His Spirit.
The marvelous news of the everlasting gospel is reiterated throughout the book of Revelation. Every time the Lamb is mentioned, we are reminded of the infinite and ongoing value of the cross. We are reminded of His mediation from heaven on our behalf, His merits being mingled with each prayer that we breathe (8:3-4). It should also be an encouragement to us to know that there is a limit to His divine forbearance. The wicked will not prosper indefinitely. Jerusalem’s destruction in 70AD serves as a fearful warning that is an essential part of the pure and complete gospel message. The God of love warns . . . exactly because He is love!
*For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. Proverbs 24:16