Hidden From Their Eyes

Luke 19:41-44 ESV

“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’”

Jesus Wept Over the City

Now, I am no Bible scholar when it comes to biblical history. I am just a woman of God listening to hear what the Lord wants me to hear and to share from his word each day in all practicality to our lives, world, and church today. So, I will do my best to relay as much history as I understand, but I will probably focus more on how this might apply to our lives today.

This was the day that Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, so I think this was a week before he was crucified on the cross. So, as he was drawing near to Jerusalem, riding on this donkey, he wept over the city because of the people’s sinful condition. For the vast majority of them had rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Messiah, and he knew they were about ready to hang him on a cross to die, although he had done them no wrong.

And why did he weep? Because he had compassion on his rebellious people and he wanted to see them saved from their sins. He wanted to see them trust in him as their Lord and Savior and not end up dying and going to hell. Their sins hurt him deeply, especially since they would not listen to the truth, for he could see where they had been and where they were going, and it grieved him greatly. And this is how we should feel about those lost in sin.

For he knew that after he was gone that judgment was going to come upon his nation and his people, which occurred in 70 A.D., I believe. God would judge them for their denial of Jesus as their Messiah and for all their other sins against God and against his Word and against his calling on their lives. And I believe that is when the physical temple of God was destroyed, never to be rebuilt again. For after that the temple of God was no longer a building built with human hands, but his temple is the hearts of those who believe in Jesus Christ. So historians out there, feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Do We Weep?

When we look at our own people and the church and our cities and nations, do we weep over them? Do we see how lost most of them are, even among many who profess faith in Jesus Christ? Do we see how much of the church has gone the way of the world, at least here in America, and how God’s people have gotten so far away from him and his calling upon our lives? Do you notice? And does it bring you to tears? It brings me to tears.

Do you know the Bible teaches that as Christ’s followers that we are now his temple, and that God dwells within those of us who are genuinely saved by his grace through God-given faith in Jesus? And do you sense impending judgment upon the church in your city or in your nation like I do here in America? Honestly, I believe the American church is already under the judgment of God but it is headed to much future disaster.

Do we see the spiritual condition of today’s church? Here in America it is in horrible condition. Outwardly they may appear successful by human standards, but so much of the church in America has gone the way of the world and has brought the world into their gatherings so that there is not now much of a distinction at all between the world and the church. They look alike, act alike, think alike, and talk alike in so many ways.

And yet so many of them are convinced that God is just going to rapture them out and take them to heaven and his judgments are only going to fall upon the people who “don’t go to church,” even though so many who profess faith in Jesus are ignoring him, are not living in submission to him, and are caught up in the pleasures of this world, instead. But what do the Scriptures teach. Judgment begins with the household of God, right? (1 Peter 4:17)

Judgment on the Church

Now, you may feel that I took that Scripture in 1 Peter out of context, and maybe I did, and maybe I didn’t. For let’s look at the book of Revelation. This was written to the seven churches in Asia, but that doesn’t mean it applies only to them, for seven is a number of completion, and I believe the writings in Revelation are intended for the church of all ages. Otherwise, why would it be part of our Scriptures? And how does the book begin?

After John’s introductory remarks in chapter one, he moves right into seven letters to seven churches, and what was written to them still applies to the church today, wherever what is said specifically applies to any particular gathering of the church today in any particular location. 

Two out of the seven churches had nothing said against them. They were representative of the persecuted church today throughout the world. They are suffering much tribulation, but not just at the hands of those who profess no faith in Jesus Christ. For a lot of this persecution is coming from those who profess faith in Jesus with their lips but who are not living the faith that they profess, but who are teaching an altered gospel which does not require death to sin and living to God and to his righteousness.

Four out of the seven had both positive and negative remarks directed to them. But all four of them were called to repentance, and if they did not repent, they were warned that they would face some type of judgment from God. 

And the negatives were this: One: They had abandoned their first love (or the love they had at first). They had abandoned Jesus Christ and the passion they once had for him, so they were to remember from where they had fallen, and repent, and to do the works they did at first. Two: They had some among them who were holding to the teachings of false prophets and false gods leading them to sexual immorality and eating what is sacrificed to idols. Three: They were tolerating a woman or a false teacher or teaching that was leading them to practice sexual immorality, etc. Four: They had a reputation of being spiritually alive but they were dead (or mostly dead) spiritually.

And then there was Laodicea, which many people feel represents much of what is called “church” in these last days before our Lord’s return. For they were neither hot nor cold spiritually, but they were lukewarm (apathetic, unconcerned, indifferent). And I definitely see that describing the majority of what is called “church” in America today. And Jesus had no positive words to say to them at all. So, he was about to spit them out of his mouth.

Okay, so after all these warnings of judgments on the church, which would take place unless they repented, then we have the declarations of the judgments. So, to whom were these judgments promised? To the world? No! To the church. God promised he would judge his church for her rebellion against him and for turning away from him and his plan for her life, and that these judgments would come about if she did not repent. And then look at where the church in America is today? Laodicea? Yes, but the other four, too.

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15] 

For Our Nation  

An Original Work / September 11, 2012

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.

Jesus Christ is gently calling

You to follow Him in all ways.

Trust Him with your life today.

Make Him your Lord and your Savior.

Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.

He will forgive you of your sin;

Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.

On our knees to God we’re praying,

Seeking God to give us answers

That are only found in Him.

God is sovereign over all things.

Nothing from His mind escaping.

He has all things under His command,

And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling

You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: We’re believing

In our Lord, and interceding

For our nation and its people

To obey their God today.

He is our hope for our future.

For our wounds He offers suture.

He is all we need for this life.

Trust Him with your life today.

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