"And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." Luke 21:20 This past year we've seen war breakout between Israel and Hamas. On, October 27th, 2023 we saw Hamas, attack Israel, killing more than 1200 Israelis and foreign nationals. Hamas and other groups seized 253 hostages and today many are still missing. If there was ever a time to know your bible and discern the times in which we are living, that time is now. In the gospel of Luke God lays out His plan for this generation and He's telling us to understand the times and to STAY WOKE! The scriptures tells us that "Jerusalem shall be surrounded with armies": A comparison with (Matt. 14:15-16 and Mark 13:14), suggests that this sign is closely associated with "the abomination of desolation". This sign of Jerusalem under siege was previewed in A.D. 70, but awaits its fulfillment in the future. We see and hear in the news, nations are demanding that Israel stop the pursuit of trying to return the hostages that were taken by Hamas. If we reference the word of God and study biblical history, we know that just a few years after Jesus spoke the scripture referenced in Luke 21:23, Jerusalem was surrounded and fell. I personally believe that Luke Chapter 21:20 has, what is often called "double fulfillment" or "dual meaning" for what has happened and what will happen in the last days. This "double meaning" or "dual fulfillment" of Biblical prophecy, is found throughout the bible.The prophet Joel, speaking of the day of the Lord, said, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days" (Joel 2:28–29). The first fulfillment of this prophecy is when Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost and spoke the same words to those gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2:14–18). Indeed, miraculous manifestations of God's power through the Holy Spirit happened on that day (Acts 2:1–13). However, that was only a partial fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. The prophecy goes on to speak of "blood and fire and billows of smoke" (Joel 2:30), astronomical signs (verse 31), and the gathering of all nations for judgment (Joel 3:1–2). None of that has yet happened; therefore, the ultimate fulfillment of Joel 2 awaits Jesus' second coming. At that time, God's enemies will experience "the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Joel 2:31; cf. Revelation 16:14–16). One of the things we are to watch is what is happening to Israel today and especially Jerusalem to know when we are near the end of the Gentile age. The main thrust of verse 20 above is for the end of the Gentile age. Therefore my friends, STAY WOKE!!!
