The Rejection of Israel as a Nation
Jesus lamented the rejection of the nation of Israel to His claim of Messiah-ship saying: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’” (Matthew 23: 37-39).
When the religious leaders topped their opposition of Christ by asking Pilate to crucify Him at the cross, they forever sealed their doom and destiny. The torn veil that separated the holy place from the most holy (Exodus 26:31–33; 2 Chronicles 3:14) in the temple was God’s visible sign that He no longer accepted their meaningless forms and ceremonies (Matthew 27:51).
The consequent exposure of the Holy place was Heaven’s signal that the typical service had ended—type had met anti-type. This occurred at the hour of the regular evening sacrifice in the temple, as the priest was about to slay the lamb of the daily burnt offering. At that same time, Jesus gave up His life on Calvary. The time was probably about 2:30 in the afternoon, or about the “ninth hour” according to Jewish time.
Thus, the prophecy of Daniel 9:27 about the cutting of the Messiah in the middle of the week was fulfilled in the Passover season of A.D. 31, three and a half years after Christ’s baptism in the autumn of A.D. 27. For more on this prophecy, check the following link:
Jesus predicted that the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed, “Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:1, 2). Josephus (War vi. 4. 5–8 [249–270]) described the destruction of the Temple and efforts made by Titus to save it. The excellent construction of the building assured the Jews that it would stand indefinitely. And the city was believed to be impregnable. But the destruction of Jerusalem came to pass in 70 AD by the Romans who besieged the city and destroyed it.
And God’s promises and covenant to the literal nation of Israel were transferred to spiritual Israel – the New Testament church (Jews and gentiles) that manifests faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and keeps His commandments (Revelation 14:12; 12:17). “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team