Psalms 102:16
God promised to restore Zion, the land of Israel, after a period of desolation, and to bring the Jews back to their land, where they will become God's people and witnesses during the final 7 years of man's rule on earth.
Chuck Smith discusses the desolation of Zion as a consequence of rejecting the Messiah, emphasizing that God scattered His people and left the land barren. However, he highlights God's promise to restore Zion, bringing His people back and revitalizing the land, which has seen a remarkable transformation in recent history. Smith points out that the return of the Jews to their homeland, despite initial unbelief, is a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, leading to Israel's rebirth as a nation in 1948. He concludes with the assurance of Christ's second coming in glory, contrasting it with His first coming in humility, and the future role of the Jewish people in God's plan.
Text
I. ZION WAS TO BECOME DESOLATE.
A. God said that he would scatter them among all nations.
1. They were to be a curse and a byword.
2. They were to be persecuted & tortured.
B. The former & the latter rains were to be removed and the land lie desolate.
1. This once fertile land to become arid.
2. Vineyards & groves to disappear.
C. This desolation was to follow their rejection of the Messiah.
1. Dan. "But, the Messiah shall be cut off..."
2. Zech "Smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered."
This desolation to last about 2,000 years.
Il. GOD PROMISED TO AGAIN BUILD ZION.
A. He promised to bring them back into their land.
1. Ez. 36, 37.
2. This was to take place in the latter years.
3. This was the burden of the message of the prophets.
a. Because you have forsaken God, God will for-sake.
b. You are to be taken captive.
c. God will bring you back again.
d. God will then set up His Kingdom.
4. Their first coming back would be in unbelief.
B. God promised to restore the former & the latter rain.
1. That the land so long desolate would blossom & bud & fill the earth with
her fruit.
C. He promised to give them strength & make them a terror to their enemies.
D. 100 years ago there were fewer than 10,000 Jews in all the land.
1. At the turn of the Century the modern Zionist movement began. Mostly
in unbelief.
2. 1917 It came under British control. Gen Allenby sent reconoscent planes
over the city & the defending Turks became terrified & retreated.
b. Isa. 31:5 "As birds flying, so will the Lord of Hosts defend
Jerusalem; defending also He will deliver it, & passing over He
will preserve it."
3. Doors opened for immigration.
a. So many began pouring back - limited, began to smuggle back
into land.
b. They started planting orchards & vineyards & crops.
c. Former & latter rains began in land again.
d. Israel has become- the third largest exporter of fruit in
the world.
4. 1948 nation Israel born (reborn).
a. under UN Mandate - Jerusalem a divided city.
b. surrounding Arab nations twice decided to drive Israel
out of land.
c. Russia shall yet try with an alliance of nations.
1. This will result in Russia's defeat &
Israel's conversion.
III. "HE SHALL APPEAR IN HIS GLORY."
A. His first coming was in humiliation.
a. Zech. "Behold thy King cometh, He is lowly."
b. He was to yield His cheeks to the smites & be despised &
rejected & crucified.
B. His second coming will be in glory.
a. Matt. "Then shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds of
heaven with power & great glory."
C. The Lord is now building up Zion, not much more can be done before removal
of Church from the world scene. Then the Jews to become God's people & witnesses
during final 7 years of man's rule on earth. Then Jesus shall reign.
Sermon Outline
- Zion Was to Become Desolate points: - Scattering Among Nations - A curse and a byword - Persecuted and tortured
- Arid land and disappeared vineyards and groves points: - Removal of Rains and Desolation - To last about 2,000 years
- Dan. 'But, the Messiah shall be cut off...' points: - Rejection of the Messiah - Zech. 'Smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered.'
- God Promised to Again Build Zion points: - Return to the Land - Ez. 36, 37 - In the latter years
- Land to blossom and bud and fill the earth with fruit points: - Restoration of the Former and Latter Rain
- 100 years ago fewer than 10,000 Jews in the land points: - Strength and Terror to Enemies
- 1917 under British control points: - Modern Zionist Movement - Israel born (reborn) in 1948
- He Shall Appear in His Glory points: - Humiliation in the First Coming - Zech. 'Behold thy King cometh, He is lowly.'
- 'B: Glory in the Second Coming'
- 'a: Matt. ''Then shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.'''
Key Quotes
“As birds flying, so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also He will deliver it, & passing over He will preserve it.” — Chuck Smith
“Then shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” — Chuck Smith
“Behold thy King cometh, He is lowly.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- God's plan for Israel is still unfolding, and we should be aware of the significance of the modern Zionist movement.
- The Church will be removed from the world scene, and the Jews will become God's people and witnesses during the final 7 years of man's rule on earth.
- We should be looking forward to the second coming of Jesus, when He will reign and bring glory to God.