Our paragraph topic is: (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 8.
The Bible is an interesting book to study. It is a study of man's belief system. What does mankind believe? What belief system has he developed to order his world and make it such that it has meaning and understanding? Here we are in Chapter 24 of the book of Mathew where Christ is telling his disciples of the coming destruction of the city of Jerusalem.
What do we believe? We have prognosticators today that foretell of things to happen in the future. Scientist foretell of the doom that carbon emission is causing to the planet and what we must do to prevent the consequences of its outcome. The flooding that will come, the unusual rains, the unseasonal cold weather that will come, all as a result of the outcome of climate change. These are all predictions being foretold today.
But two thousand years ago no one had the scientific equipment or knowledge to foresee the future, to foresee the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Except Christ. Believe it or not. And he told his disciples exactly what would happen. Pray, he said that it does not happen in winter: "Or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation."
Here was a man, not just an ordinary man, but one of much power and mystery. He traveled throughout the country doing good for the suffering people. He healed the sick, made the lame walk, cured the lepers, made the blind see, fed thousands, gave people hope of a new beginning, taught them to love one another, and gave them new ideas to live by. He feared not the leaders and the rulers, calling them out for their sins. Yet he knew that all this would only bring him to his destruction. What do we believe today?
Does the Bible give us structure to live our lives in these times or is it just another book to read? What can we obtain from the reading or the study of it? What message does it have for us today?
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
