The Last Days
Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill. – Matthew 5:17
Jesus did not come preaching that the law of Moses was to be disregarded. It was not to be thrown away just because we wanted to do something else. It had to be fulfilled. Once it was fulfilled, it had done its job and finished its course. When Jesus fulfilled the law (not only by abiding by its rituals, but by exercising the greatest love of all in laying down His life), the Mosaic age came to its completion, and the Christ age began.
The mystery which had been hidden from the ages… which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. – Colossians 1:26-27
The Jews of those days were definitely expecting the promised Christ to come, and it would mark the end of the age and the beginning of a new one for them. They thought this meant that the Christ would “make Israel great again”. (I wonder if some were wearing MIGA hats.) What they didn’t yet know, was that Christ in us, was the hope of glory for us all.
Jesus’ disciples asked Him when the end would come, and wanted to know what sign to look for. He told them about a great destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. This would be the undeniable sign that He was who He said He was, especially since He told them about it years before it happened.
This biblical “day of the Lord”, which was prophesied by Isaiah, Joel, and Amos, came just as described, destroying Jerusalem and the temple. It effectively ended, the sacrifices, the priesthood, and temple service that was fundamental to the Mosaic age. To this day, it is no longer done, all because of Jesus. It was rolled up like a scroll, and a new day was begun. It’s a day of righteousness revealed by the wonderful grace of God.
We are in the time of righteousness! We’re the children of God, and we know Him by His fathomless goodness. We all have permission to abide in this limitless love, without trying to bring an old age into this new creation of Christ. The law and the prophets have been fulfilled by Jesus. They have already come to pass.
So, rejoice! Enjoy living loved by Daddy. Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and you will live in the house of the Lord forever.