Matthew 23:39

[dlspence_58]

I thought I'd put this out for everyone since the weekly question is locked.

Gary wrote an article (linked below) in response to a premillennialist concerning Matthew 23:39:

http://www.preteristsite.com/docs/demarthisverse.pdf

My question is based on these 2 paragraphs:

Jesus is describing what was necessary in order to escape the coming judgment that was to take place before that “perverse generation” passed away (Acts 2:40). Throughout the period between the crucifixion and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, Jews cried out, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

After hearing Peter’s Pentecost message, the Jews “were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’” (2:37). Peter told them that they must “repent” in order to “be saved from this perverse generation” (2:38, 40). Three thousand Jewish converts were added to the believing community “that day” (2:40-41). Luke records that “many of those who had heard the message [of Peter and John] believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand”(4:4). The restoration had begun in Jerusalem and extended throughout the Roman Empire prior to the destruction of the temple and city in A.D. 70.

Gary writes of the conversion of many Jews during and after Pentecost, but how does that mean Jews were crying out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"? I don't see the correlation since their conversion would be in regard to His first coming, not His 2nd. Any thoughts?

[Brother Les]

by dlspence_58 »

by G DeMar
Jesus is describing what was necessary in order to escape the coming judgment that was to take place before that “perverse generation” passed away (Acts 2:40). Throughout the period between the crucifixion and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, Jews cried out, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

After hearing Peter’s Pentecost message, the Jews “were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’” (2:37). Peter told them that they must “repent” in order to “be saved from this perverse generation” (2:38, 40). Three thousand Jewish converts were added to the believing community “that day” (2:40-41). Luke records that “many of those who had heard the message [of Peter and John] believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand”(4:4). The restoration had begun in Jerusalem and extended throughout the Roman Empire prior to the destruction of the temple and city in A.D. 70.

I don't see the correlation since their conversion would be in regard to His first coming, not His 2nd. Any thoughts?

What was His 'second coming' for? Judgment.... they were crying out on how to be 'Saved' from that coming Judgment "on the Last Day" of that “perverse generation” .

[kramden327]

Gary writes of the conversion of many Jews during and after Pentecost, but how does that mean Jews were crying out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"? I don't see the correlation since their conversion would be in regard to His first coming, not His 2nd. Any thoughts?

Hi dl,

Why wouldn't Jews converting in the first century (the remnant in Rom 11:5) say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" in acknowledging that Jesus was the Messiah who came and did the will of His Father? Could it not be said that Christ came "in the name of the Lord" at His "first coming"?

[dlspence_58]

Why wouldn't Jews converting in the first century (the remnant in Rom 11:5) say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" in acknowledging that Jesus was the Messiah who came and did the will of His Father? Could it not be said that Christ came "in the name of the Lord" at His "first coming"?

Hey Dave. I believe the Jews did say "Blessed is He..." in Matthew 21:9 in the Triumphal Entry. But my question has to do with the context of Matthew 23:37-39 where Jesus laments over Jerusalem and prophesies the desolation of their house. But when did the Jews say, "Blessed is He who comes..." in reference to this desolation? To suggest the conversion of Jews in Acts is the fulfillment of Matthew 23:39 is not something I see from the context. How do we know the Jews were thinking of avoiding the "judgment" of AD 70? Is the "see Me" of verse 39 just spiritual perception or the physical viewing of an event?

[Brother Les]

by dlspence_58
Hey Dave. I believe the Jews did say "Blessed is He..." in Matthew 21:9 in the Triumphal Entry. But my question has to do with the context of Matthew 23:37-39 where Jesus laments over Jerusalem and prophesies the desolation of their house. But when did the Jews say, "Blessed is He who comes..." in reference to this desolation? To suggest the conversion of Jews in Acts is the fulfillment of Matthew 23:39 is not something I see from the context. How do we know the Jews were thinking of avoiding the "judgment" of AD 70? Is the "see Me" of verse 39 just spiritual perception or the physical viewing of an event?

The turmoil of the Jewis war against Rome (against God) would bring the Salvation of the Jewish Elect.


Luke 21:20-22

Matt 24:30
Luke 11:29-30

http://www.preteristarchive.com/StudyAr ... light.html

[dlspence_58]

The turmoil of the Jewis war against Rome (against God) would bring the Salvation of the Jewish Elect.

And just how would this occur? Is the "salvation of the Jewish elect" just their physical departure from Jerusalem? Were there no Jewish Christians killed during the Romans' siege of Jerusalem? Did God gather all His elect from the 4 corners of the earth or was this just restricted to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem? When did the Jews say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" in the context of the desolation of Jerusalem?

[MillennialSaint]

The verse is talking about the one condition of Jesus Christ's return: Jewish national repentance. The key is found in Hosea 5: 15. Although their house would be left desolate, the nation is still promised restoration when they receive Jesus Christ as Messiah. See Acts 3: 19-21. The Jews never repented in A.D. 70. So Matthew 24: 30, Revelation 1: 7 await a future fulfillment. Thye O.T. prophets link the return of Yeshua HaMashiach to the repentance of the nation. See Isaiah 59: 20-21; Zech. 12: 8-10 with Zech. 14: 1-4.

Brian