AP

Psalm 126:1-2  When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.  Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.  Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

This triumphant, happy song was written after the Persian king Cyrus had freed the Israelites from their 70 year captivity in Babylon, during which time they were wondering if they would ever get back to Jerusalem to live under the eternal blessing of the LORD, their God, in accordance with his promises to King David.  It is perhaps hard for us to imagine the full depth of feeling that filled their hearts and voices as they sang this ‘Song of Ascent’ going up to worship in Jerusalem at last, to celebrate their annual festivals.  Little did they know that there would yet be another time in the future when all the dreams they were dreaming then would be shattered yet again in AD 70 when even the Second Temple would be destroyed and God’s ‘promises’ left seemingly unfulfilled.

What is most exciting today is when Jewish people come to believe the Gospel and recognise that Jesus of Nazareth (‘Yeshua’ to them) was/is in fact their Promised Messiah (‘Christ’), ushering in the world-wide, Eternal Kingdom that was promised to David and Solomon, and that it will never be destroyed!  It is then that they read their Scriptures through new eyes, seeing in Jesus the fulfilment of Zechariah’s prophecy: “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.  They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zechariah 12:10)  They come to realise that the ‘Third (Everlasting) Temple’ will not be built with ‘bricks and mortar’ as the previous two were, but are no more; but that it will consist of people, God’s Redeemed People, from ‘every nation, tribe and language’ (Revelation 5:9, 13:7, 14:6), whose ‘robes have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb’ (Revelation 7:14)!  The ‘gates of hell’ will never overcome, or prevail against, this ‘Temple’ (Matthew 16:18).

Then, in the ‘New Jerusalem’, which was revealed to the Apostle John in a vision as the ‘Holy City’ (Revelation 21:2), all God’s people, redeemed Jew and Gentile together, will be “like those who dream[ed].  Our mouths [will be] filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.  Then it [will be] said among the nations, ‘the LORD has done great things for them.’

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.  Our new Song of Ascents will be: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” – forever (Revelation 5:9-10)!

– Bruce Christian