We are familiar with the events of Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a small donkey, as the crowds, laying their garments on the ground upon which for Him to ride, waved palm branches. The crowds were shouting in triumphant welcome to the one whom they believed had come to rule and deliver them as a king. They shouted:
"...Hosanna: Blessed is the king of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord...Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest...Blessed be the kingdom of our father, David, that cometh in the name of the Lord..." Jn. 12:13, Mt. 21:9, Mk. 11:10
Both Jesus' riding on a donkey, and the shouts that greeted Him, were fulfillment of prophecy that day. There was much about the events of those days that followed Christ's entry into Jerusalem that fulfilled prophecy, and also prophesies to us regarding the times in which we are living now.
All Jerusalem was in an uproar over Jesus. People were asking, "Who is this?" (Mt. 21:10). The religious leadership of the day were afraid and annoyed at this spectacle, and the cries of the children and others who hailed Jesus. They told Jesus to command them to stop this shouting. The leaders sought a way to destroy Him, because they feared His influence over the people (Mk. 11:18). Before Jesus had even entered Jerusalem, He had performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. The leadership began even then to fear Him. They said among themselves in outrage, "...behold, the world is gone after him." (Jn. 12:19).
Doesn't this also prophesy to us today of how many refuse to see the glory of God, even in miracles and evidence done before their eyes?
There were those in leadership who stayed quiet although they believed that Jesus came to deliver them, because they feared being thrown out of the synagogue for their belief. They feared men more than they believed God. They sought the approval of men, more than the deliverance of God:
"Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Jn. 12:42-43
Wasn't this prophetic at the time of the same condition that exists today in many of the leadership of the Church? Fear to speak the truth. Fear to bring the Word of deliverance. Fear to declare the remedy for sin, because they will not call sin, sin. The leaders of the Church prefer the praise and acceptance of men, rather than bringing the Word of salvation to those who are perishing.
As Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem, He first looked around it upon all things (Mk. 11:11). When He returned the next day, He overturned the tables of the money changers, and cast out those who bought and sold. Jesus expressed His outrage, which also fulfilled prophecy, saying:
"Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." Mk. 11:17 (Isa. 56:7, Jer. 7:11)
Is Jesus not prophesying the very condition of much of the Church today? The success of a church to many in leadership is not measured by the number of anointed prayers going up, nor by the effort to spread the Gospel, but rather by the number of people in the seats.
After Jesus had examined the temple that first day, He came upon a fig tree and sought its fruit, even though it was not the season for bearing fruit. He cursed the fig tree and said that no man would eat fruit of it forever (Mk. 11:14). Returning the next day, His disciples noted that the same fig tree had withered from the roots. As the disciples brought this to His attention, Jesus told them that things spoken in faith in God would come to pass, including being forgiven as we forgive (v. 20-26). What is today's Church believing and speaking?
If Jesus examines His Church, will He find fruit upon it? Has the Church withered today because of lack of fruit? Upon seeing Jerusalem, Jesus wept over it. He saw its future destruction and the scattering of its inhabitants, which was later fulfilled in 70 AD. Their destruction came as a result of missing the visitation of their Deliverer (Lk. 19:41-44). After two thousand years, in this generation, Jerusalem has been restored, and its inhabitants brought back from all nations. Doesn't this speak to us as a sign of Jesus' soon return? What is the Church declaring about this sign, if anything?
There in the temple, Jesus did the work of the temple, which was not buying and selling. He healed the sick, and taught the truth of God daily (Mt. 21:14, Lk. 19:47). Though many saw the miracles at his hands, "yet they believed him not." (Jn. 12:37). Because of their lack of faith, the prophecies of Isaiah came upon them that they should not be able to see or hear, nor understand in their hearts to be converted and healed (Jn. 12:39-40). If we prefer spiritual blindness when evidence is before our eyes, then deep spiritual blindness in fact will come upon us. The Apostle Paul also addressed this in Romans 1, regarding those who do not like to retain ("echo"-hold, own, possess, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to, to be closely joined to) God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a reprobate mind (Rom. 1:28). Paul was speaking of those to whom God had manifested Himself, who had received the knowledge of God, but had not retained it. This also is the condition of our time, even among those who have known God.
The conditions of the temple and the religious leaders of that Palm Sunday two thousand years ago, have prophetic importance to the Church today. We should seriously heed the words of Jesus regarding them.
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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