7.In the things to come Jerusalem vs Babylon - Zac Poonen
Seeing The Glory Of Christ (Dutch Translation)
Summary
The sermon discusses prophetic passages concerning the Second Coming of Christ, using the fig tree as a primary analogy. Jesus's cursing of the fig tree symbolized Israel's lack of fruitfulness, representing a spiritual failure. The speaker argues that while the physical nation of Israel has seen resurrections and rebuilding, the spiritual fruitfulness—the manifestation of the Holy Spirit—is still lacking, though the religious activity continues. The message warns that the signs of the end times are becoming apparent.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What did Jesus say about the timing of His return?Jesus taught that no one knows the exact day or hour of His return, but He gave signs in Matthew 24 so believers would recognize when He is near the door.
The parable of the fig tree and IsraelThe fig tree represents the nation of Israel, which experienced spiritual barrenness and judgment when they rejected Christ, but whose national revival points to the end times.
Jerusalem no longer trampled by GentilesJesus prophesied in Luke that Jerusalem would be trampled by Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled, a prophecy marked by the recapture of Jerusalem in 1967.
Warfare centered around Jerusalem and the EuphratesScripture highlights specific end-time focal points for warfare, including nations gathering against Jerusalem and the release of bound forces at the Euphrates River in Iraq.
Preparing people for the second comingJust as John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare people for Christ's first coming, the end-time church must prepare people for His second coming.
God works through the body, not isolated individualsUnlike the Old Testament era of prominent individual prophets, God now works through a new man called the body of Christ expressed in local churches.
Overcoming individualistic ChristianityThe devil promotes a spirit of independence, but true spiritual growth requires submission and cooperation with other members of the local body, much like joints in a human hand.
New wine requires new wineskinsThe new life of Christ cannot be contained within human denominations or old systems, but requires the genuine New Testament pattern of local church fellowship.
The heavenly Jerusalem coming down from GodRevelation pictures the true church as the heavenly Jerusalem descending from God, representing a heavenly-minded people who put the kingdom of God first.
Contrasting Jerusalem with BabylonWhile Babylon represents compromise with earthly political and commercial powers and will be destroyed, the New Jerusalem stands forever with the glory of God.
