And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. (Isaiah 58:12)
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. (Daniel 9:25)
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: (Amos 9:11)
The reference in Amos is to the New Earth, it speaks of Jehovah himself repairing the breaches and ruins. But Isaiah is not speaking to Jehovah, Jehovah is speaking to his people. The reference in Daniel is referring literally to the rebuilding of Jerusalem, but this was done without a particular emphasis on good works. In this prophecy in Daniel, the Jews are given the chance to restore Jerusalem so that they can accept the Messiah before the expiry date specified in the prophecy (v.24). They had "seventy weeks" to anoint the Messiah along with several other things. But the Jews failed in this and they lost everything. The church today has a commission to prepare for Jesus' second coming. There is no expiry date on it, but Jesus is ready when we are. The bridegroom cometh, get ready.
What does it look like to get ready? Fast. Yes, afflict your soul and repent of your sins and go without food sometimes but mostly: draw out thy soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul.
No comments:
Post a Comment