Daniel 12.1 ‐- "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Try to imagine you are about 20 years of age. Not such a leap. You were there before. Now here comes a giant leap.
The year is about 40 C.E. and you are a Jew, born and living in the land of Israel, just bit north of Jerusalem.
This seems like a totally irrelevant scenario, but I propose to you that it is extremely relevant to you and these times. So try to imagine.
There is major turmoil in the land. Big changes are afoot. Leadership is being challenged. Authority is being called into question. The nation is torn and major societal forces are at work. There are wars and rumors of wars.
Before not too long, the world as you know it is about to be rocked! The walls will come down and your life will never be the same. You will lose more than you could have imagined. Perhaps even your life.
The stresses are enormous. Surely you will be seeking spiritual reassurance and comfort. Where do you turn--The temple? The Roman authorities are about to tear every stone down.
Here's the wild part. The Jewish prophets imagined these times too.
~ The End ~
Zechariah 1:1-3 --
In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo:
“The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.