Daily Encouragement

December 25 – Prophecies of Jerusalem

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Zechariah 8:1-23
Revelation 16:1-21
Psalm 144:1-15
Proverbs 30:29-31

On this day that many people celebrate the birth of Jesus, feel free to go back and read Luke 2 or Matthew 2 with your family!

Jimmy DeYoung Jr. teaching on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem (author’s photo)

Zechariah 8:3 — Over 2,000 years after Zechariah wrote these words about Jerusalem, it is still a controversial city!

  • The LORD is jealous for Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:2)
  • The LORD will dwell in Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:3)
  • Old men and young boys will dwell there (Zechariah 8:4-5)
  • Jews will return to Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:8)
  • The Temple will be built (Zechariah 8:9)
  • God will bless the people of Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:12)
  • The Jews in Jerusalem will be a blessing (Zechariah 8:13)
  • Fasting will be joy (Zechariah 8:19)
  • Gentiles will seek the LORD in Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:22)

Zechariah 8:16 — Truth and Peace! As we’ve shown for the last few days, Jesus is the peace, and Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6)!

Zechariah 8:22 — In John 12:21, certain of the Greeks approached Philip and said, “We would see Jesus!” Yes, many people came to seek the LORD in Jerusalem, and once again they will come!

Zechariah 8:23 — We haven’t seen that happen yet – antisemitism is on the rise globally.

Revelation 16:1 — Sores, blood seas, blood rivers, scorching fire, darkness – notice the similarities between the Ten Plagues of Egypt: sores/boils (Plagues 5 & 6), water to blood (Plague 1), fire – fiery hail (Plague 7), darkness (Plague 9).

Revelation 16:12 — The way of the kings of the East. Some commentaries discuss whether or not it refers to the 200-million-man army of Revelation 9:16. If so, the Chinese army is rumored to be around 200 million men. Others believe that it’s a demonic army.

Revelation 16:15 — This is the fifth time that the LORD describes His coming as a thief. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 16:15, the coming is described as a thief, yet even some pre-tribulational experts say this refers to the Second Coming, not the Rapture.

Revelation 16:21 — Instead of repenting, the men blaspheme God. It’s been said that the same sun that melts butter, hardens clay.

Psalm 144:1 — The Psalmist is thankful to the LORD for His offensive capability. In the next verse, he’s thankful for His defensive protection (fortress, tower, deliverer, shield).

Psalm 144:8 — We just read in Revelation 16:21 that God will be judging those who blaspheme.

Psalm 144:15 — Are you happy?

Proverbs 30:31 — A king without insurrection … ahhh … Rehoboam would have longed for that (1 Kings 12:16)!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

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