Prophesy Fulfilled

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:24)

In Luke 21, Jesus gave us a prophetic utterance that unveils a period of trials and tribulations for the people of Israel—a time marked by dispersion and the subjugation of Jerusalem. Jesus depicted the harsh reality of warfare and conquest that would come upon the Jewish people. He specifically said they would be led away captive unto all nations. The word nations in the Greek is ethnos and means different people groups. The Jewish people would be scattered among all nations. They would be in exile for nearly 2000 years.

For nearly two millennia, the Jewish people had no homeland, and anyone looking at the situation would say that there was no way for it to change. Now, there were still some Jewish people in Jerusalem. In fact, God made it clear that the Jewish people would never be completely defeated or fully kicked out of their land.

Thank God, Jesus’ prophesy about the Jewish people didn’t end with them scattered around the world. Yes, Jerusalem would be trodden underfoot, but Jesus said there would be a time that the subjugation of Jerusalem by Gentiles would end. There would be a returning. There would be a redemption, and that has happened. After World War II, Jews from all over the world repatriated themselves in their homeland. On May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation and was first recognized by U.S. President Harry S. Truman. Jerusalem came back under Jewish control after their victory in the Six Day War of 1967.

God’s prophecies always come to pass. The story of Israel is the story of a prodigal. God’s plan is always to redeem. God pursues those who have walked away from Him. He wants to restore them and reignite a vision of a future hope with Jesus.