Each week we like to focus for a few minutes on Bible prophecy. For one thing, as Christians we are encouraged to understand the times in which we live, and act accordingly.
The apostle Paul encourages us that, “Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11 NLT).
The subject of prophecy takes-up about 30% of the Bible. Scholars estimate there are somewhere around 500 unfulfilled last-days prophecies. Since we know they will be fulfilled, we should be able to look around us, in the news, and see trends in the direction the prophecies predict.
A Jewish Temple, on the Temple Mount, figures prominently in the future seven-year Great Tribulation. The prophet Daniel spoke of events that would take place in it; and Jesus quoted and referred to Daniel, verifying that his words were to be taken literally.
You’d therefore expect lots of news about the Temple and the Temple Mount… And there always is!
A July 23rd article was titled, Record Number of Jews on Temple Mount Commemorating Temples’ Destruction.
Excerpts:
While Jews around the world fasted in mourning for the destruction of both Jewish Temples, an astounding 1,440 Jews ascended to the Temple Mount on Sunday, setting records that display a mounting desire to rebuild the Temple.
Until four years ago, Jews were prohibited from visiting the site on Tisha B’Av. Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, is a fast day commemorating the destruction of both Jewish Temples. This year, it fell on Saturday but since it is forbidden to fast on the Sabbath, the fast was held in Sunday, the tenth day of Av.
This reflects a general trend of rising Jewish connection to their holiest site. Earlier this month, Jewish visits to the site during this Hebrew year of 5778 passed 22,566, surpassing last year’s total.
Elishama Sandman, spokesman for Yera’eh, an organization that tracks the number of Jews ascending to the Temple Mount, reported that that the number is currently approaching 25,000.
“Seeing so many Jews on the Temple Mount made me forget that the fast day was supposed to be sad,” Sandman told Breaking Israel News. “In the morning, there were more Jews on the Mount than at the Kotel. That was the first time I ever saw that.”
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/111190/record-number-of-jews-on-temple-mount-commemorating-temples-destruction/
It’s not all rainbows and unicorns on the Temple Mount. Another article was titled, DOZENS OF PALESTINIANS RIOT AT TEMPLE MOUNT FOLLOWING FRIDAY PRAYERS.
The Temple Institute in Jerusalem is ready with the articles of furniture and other things necessary to conduct services in a rebuilt Temple. They’ve identified the priests. They claim to know the location of the hidden Ark of the Covenant.
These are all the things you’d expect from a literal, futurist reading of the Last Days prophecies.
You’d mostly expect that Jesus could return at any moment.
Jesus promised He’d return to rapture His church – which entails the resurrection of the dead in Christ of the Church Age, then the translation from earth to Heaven of all living believers.
It is presented in the Bible as an imminent event.
Are you ready for the rapture? If not, get ready, stay ready, and keep looking up. Ready or not, Jesus is coming!