2 Kings 21 – 25

Verse 21:4 begins the end of the kings ruling over the Jewish people:

He constructed altars in the Eternal’s temple to foreign, pagan gods. This was the temple the Eternal had spoken of when He said, “My name will dwell in Jerusalem.”

As we have seen right from the start when Israel wanted to be ruled by a man and not God, things broke down. We find in each king problems, some greater than others but all had their weaknesses. God never wanted us to be ruled by man, but rather follow His guidance. Manasseh had not followed God and as prophesized by others (including recently read in Ezekiel) the land will be over run and destroyed.

Verse 22:11 has the last “good” king find the book of the Law in the temples ruins:

While the king listened to the words of the book of law, he was filled with sorrow, and he tore his garments. 

This repentance actually spared Josiah actually witnessing the impending doom. God felt compassion over Josiah’s true remorse. Josiah did all he could to warn and change the hearts of the people, but as we read it was only temporary. Sometimes I wonder if my remorse is true or plastic, since if I did tear my clothing I would second guess myself and think it was for show. See Josiah did not know the stories of before, he had no model to go on and when he heard God’s word it moved him.

Verse 25:9 sees the end of the first temple:

Nebuzaradan set fire to the Eternal’s temple, the palace, and every house in Jerusalem. He burned down every large house and structure in Jerusalem. 

God did as He promised through the prophets before. As with most prophetic visions the people eventually dismiss them when they go generations without being fulfilled. If you read all the New Testament, everyone expected Jesus to return and free them from Rome. The prophecies were not fulfilled in their life time or in the past 2000+ years. The “End is Near” placard is getting old even in our generations.

Everyone talks of “God’s time” but don’t take it to heart. We want the riches and glory now, not some time in the future. The big score has replaced decades of hard work and savings. We want it now and why not, we can ask difficult questions in the middle of nowhere and get the answer quickly on our phones. So a prophecy that is 2000 years old does not seem real, even though we are witnessing much of what was written today.

We have been saying that with each new evil dictator that rises. That is the anti-Christ and then end is near. Only time will reveal if it’s right or not, unfortunately my belief is the anti-Christ will seem great until he turns. Sure time will tell, but the end IS near.