Lift Up Your Heads

Lift Up Your Heads

“‘Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.’ Then He spoke to them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you, likewise, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things are fulfilled.” Luke 21:28-32.

We are experiencing amazing things in these days. We see that the fig tree is budding with great power, and the generation that sees the beginning of all these things will also witness their conclusion. Things are happening quickly in these last days. For the elect who have had their spiritual ears and eyes opened, the world events of these days are a clear and powerful cry of Christ’s imminent return, and they are making themselves ready.

The Jewish people are the sure sign to which Jesus asks us to pay heed. Ezekiel saw the children of Israel’s dry bones in the valley, and they were joined to each other with a great noise and commotion. Ezek. 37. This has happened during the last two world wars. The Jews have also been covered with sinews and skin by being joined together as an independent state; nevertheless, they still do not have the Spirit of the Lord. They will only receive the Spirit when Jesus, together with His saints, descends on the Mount of Olives. Then they will see that they crucified the Messiah, and then they will mourn and grieve, and the Lord will pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on them. Zech. 12:10. They will be led there as a blind and deaf people. Isa. 43:8. But “then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” Isa. 35:5. However, even now while their hearts are hardened against Christ, the Lord cares for them and blesses their land. “I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising sun to its setting that there is none besides Me.” Isa. 45:5-6. Here the prophet sees the division that exists in our days between East and West while the Jews are being gathered; and on both sides they will notice that it is the Lord who helps them. The Lord does not share His glory with the great powers; He Himself will save them. Isa. 35:4. The prominent politicians of our days have to acknowledge that it is nothing less than a miracle that the small Jewish nation was able to put the large Arab armies to flight. More and more countries have had to recognize Israel as an independent sate. God will use Israel as a name of honor. Isa. 44:5. All earthly promises are bound to this name, and the desert and the wilderness will begin to blossom like a lily. Ten thousand Jews are now traveling to Israel every month. They come by ship and airplane. Read Isaiah 60 and Isaiah 8.

February 14th of this year was an eventful day when Israel chose its first president. The following is a quote from the February 15th evening edition of Aftenposten1: ‘Israel’s first national assembly opened in the ‘eternal capital city’ Jerusalem. Five thousand years of Jewish history entered a new epoch yesterday when the young Jewish state’s first assembly gathered for the purpose of formulating a constitution at its opening meeting in the holy city.

“The president of Israel’s provisional government, Chaim Weizmann, opened the meeting and said, among other things: ‘I have the feeling that this is a holy moment that I am now opening the first Israeli parliament . . . in the eternal capital city, Jerusalem.’

“It is very important that he quite openly spoke of Jerusalem as the capital city, and it is also significant that this first meeting of Parliament took place there instead of in Tel Aviv. The newspaper Dagens Nyheter2 in Stockholm reported that one representative of each of Israel’s twelve tribes was present at this meeting of Parliament, and they blew the same kind of ram’s horn that was used when the walls of Jericho fell.”

Shouldn’t people wake up when they read such things!? The fig tree will only blossom when we can expect Christ’s return; therefore we must be prepared and awake.

Recently the Jewish Prime Minister said that the state of Israel should have Jerusalem as its capital city. When this happens, the time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled, according to Jesus’ words. Luke 21:24.

It is sad to see that these mighty signs of the times do not make a deeper impression on people. However, it was the same in the days of Noah until the Flood came.

I want to address a wake-up call to every young person in particular who has backslidden and loves the present world. Wake up! Give yourself wholeheartedly to Christ. Love Him and obey Him with whom you want to have fellowship in your innermost heart for all eternity. Not many days of grace are left, so you will have to be quick.

We live in serious times, but also in very joyful and interesting times for those whose heart relationship to Christ is in order. “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Ps. 31:24.

Jesus will come to fetch those who are waiting for Him, and we have reason to wait for Him with joy. It will be a day of redemption, glorious liberty for the children of God. Rom. 8. Summer is near—an eternal and glorious summer. Let us rejoice and be glad and glorify Him with everything we say and do, and let us labor as long as it is called “Today,” so that as many as possible can be awakened by our life.