Ezekiel 28:25-29:21 and Matt 24:1-51

[Jacob Ben Avraham]

EZEKIEL 28:25-29:21 

 

 

     The prophet speaks through the Holy Spirit and affirms that even though Israel has been scattered throughout the countries of the world, they will be returned to their land in the future, it is already happening, Israel was recognized as a nation in 1948, and since then, the people have been returning.

 

      One positive thing to dwell upon is the Jewish people made known to the nations of the ONE GOD, Adonai-Elohim-YHVH” and through the migration of the Jewish peoples to different parts of the world, we now have the Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Falashim, people groups which make up most to the Jewish peoples today.  These people groups have introduced many varieties of foods, customs, and ways of worship in today's Judaism, many are also Messianic believers. 

 

      Bad news for Egypt, just as the Israelites were scattered among the nations, the Egyptians will also be scattered among the nations for 40 years. Egypt will be desolate and peopleless for this period, which will probably happen during the millennium.  The Egyptian people will return after that time, but Egypt will never be prosperous.  Since the fall of Egypt after the time of Passover, Egypt was conquered by the Babylonians, the Greeks, and Romans.  Even today, Egyptians live in many countries, but Egypt has never been left completely without people and animals, at least not yet. 

 

      Yet a good note to ponder on, Egypt opened its doors to receive young Yeshua with Mary, and Joseph when they were fleeing from Herod.  There are quite a few believers in Egypt today, making up the “Coptic Church” 

 

MATT 24:1-51  

 

      Yeshua tells his disciples about the “end times” and we all know and have read this chapter, of “wars and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, etc.  As we look around today, we can be certain that we are living in these “end times” for sure, yet the end is not yet...we still have a way to go.  We have heard of many “false-Messiahs” leaders claiming to be “Jesus” yet we know better than believing on them.  When Yeshua returns, the “Whole World” will see him returning, what will modern satellite cameras, etc.

 

     Verse 15 is interesting; It talks about the “Abomination of Desolation” set up in the “Holy Place” in the Third Temple.  This takes us back to Hanukkah, reminding us of Antiochus Epiphanes, who set up a “Statue of Zeus” in the Holy Place.  The future Anti-Messiah, a second “Antiochus” will also set up a statue, perhaps of himself, and command all to bow down and worship it.

 

     Verse 30 talks about the “Sign of the Son of Man (Ben Adam) shall appear in the Heavens, and all the tribes (peoples) of the earth will mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with all power.  We might ask ourselves, what is this sign? It must be visible since all will see it.  Some might say the “Star of David” but that existed even before the formation of the Nation of Israel in Egypt.  Many believe it will be the cross, the instrument of suffering and death, but for us, the sign of salvation from our sins. 

 

     Yet why do the peoples of the earth mourn? Should they not be joyous of Messiah’s coming? Happy that the tribulation will end and HIS kingdom established?  One thought is that those “peoples” might be the unredeemed, the lost that follow the Anti-Christ.  They know that their end is near and that their leader will be vanquished and thrown into the fires of hell.  They also fear for their fate as well. Yet many will remain alive on earth and will have to subject themselves to Messiah’s millennial rule, like it or not.  What an opportunity for them to accept Messiah Yeshua with all heart and willingly submit themselves to HIS rule. 

 

     We, as believers, will return with him.  We are his servants and we must be around and occupied with the Master’s work, HIS work is to share the “Good News” of Salvation with all who are willing to hear, and to teach HIS Word to those who wish to learn it and apply it to their lives, thus is the work of Torah teachers and Sunday School teachers, pastors, rabbis, missionaries, etc…

 

      The gospel will be preached to the whole world, which is happening now, we need to be ready for his return, those of us who are alive will be gathered together as well as those who have gone on before us and who are now in heaven, we will be ONE FAMILY and share life in the Millennial Kingdom of Yeshua and for all eternity.

 

     Knowing that Yeshua is returning soon, we should do as much as we can to witness to others.  Introducing the gospel to those who have ears to hear, who want to hear.  We can hand out gospel tracts, there are "online missionaries" who reach out to the lost and to those who want to learn more about Jesus and the Bible.  (example) GMO (Global Media Outreach).  I have been part of that outreach for the past 7 years (in Spanish).  We should measure our time wisely.  Time is short, what we do now for the LORD will echo throughout eternity.