Nougat 23

Siblings, how are you? Forgive me if I seem preoccupied with the heat! I’m from the tropics, and heat is part of the natural way of life. But wintry weather extending till May followed by tropical level heat waves in the summer is outside my experience. I remember July being tagged the hottest to date, and being relieved the worst was over! Not! The Swiss have had to climb higher than usual to find Zero degree temp in the mountains – now at 5298 meters – and that was 2 nights ago

(https://www.swissinfo.ch/…/heatwave-pushes…/48749338)I know it may seem trite, but the Climate Crisis coupled with all these wars continue to convince me that we all need to be right with God, our Maker. No time for lollygaging . Hence my invitation to reflect for the next few days on The Times. Please receive today’s Holy Nougat

“Now while Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭3‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Preparing

Jesus’ words about the destruction of the temple (verse 2) struck a raw nerve in the disciples. It didn’t make sense that The Temple, the symbol of God’s Sovereignty and Glory would be destroyed yet again. For, if the Temple represented God’s favor and presence, then its destruction meant even more perilous times ahead than being under Roman rule.

Just think, the first temple, built by Solomon according to David’s blueprint, was destroyed during the Exile in 586. Many Israelites were in Babylon and the temple’s destruction then would have made Psalm 137 much more poignant, for how would they sing the Lord’s song in an idolatrous land?

With the rebuilding of the second temple under Cyrus, King of Persia, Zerubabbel, Nehemiah and Ezra; exiles returned to Jerusalem, just as Jeremiah had prophesied. Jewish Spirituality flourished, with four main groups of teachings emerging prior to Jesus’ birth. Like many enthusiasts, some got carried away by the letter of God’s Law than the Spirit Who brought the Law. In fact, many saw it as the Law of Moses. And though Israel never returned to the Golden era of kings, they knew their eternal life was secure with the second temple being in the city.

Jesus’ words justifiably took the disciples to a space of wondering about the future, or as some of us would say ‘End Times.’ I suspect that they wanted to ensure that they were ready for what would come next. For if every single stone would be overturned, there would be nothing to build on, nothing to remind them of God’s grace. And if that was the case, worse if it was happening in their lifetime, they would need to prepare.

And that’s how I feel when I see the impact of the Climate Crisis and hear what seems to be other signs being fulfilled. I want to be ready. And I don’t want you to be left behind. With that, even before revising Jesus words about the End Times, I seek to ensure that my call and election is with Jesus. No apologies.

Don’t misunderstand me, I live in this 21st century and am trying to figure it out, but as a believer I recognize that my first allegiance is to Christ: crucified and risen, and already in intercession for us at God’s right hand. Yes, I do have questions and sometimes niggles and even doubt; but when the time comes, when it comes to the crunch I vote and choose Jesus! And that’s why I follow His ways.

We prepare by committing ourselves to Jesus, and seeking to follow His lifestyle – with the direction of God’s Spirit (kinda like Zerubabbel oversaw the temple with Nehemiah and Ezra). The greatest joy is – we are the new temple (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20) as the second temple was destroyed in 70 AD/CE. With God’s Spirit dwelling in us, God’s glory and sovereignty is visible not only to Jerusalem and Israel, but the whole world.

If Christ were to return today, are we prepared?

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May all we seek be found in Christ