zion’s fire magazine preview
COVER FEATURE
From the Depths of Despair to the Heights of Exultation
Written by Marvin J. Rosenthal
With the death of Jesus, the hopes, dreams, longings, and aspirations of the Apostles came to a screeching halt. They had forsaken everything and followed Him for three years. They walked with Him, talked with Him, ate with Him, slept with Him, and were taught by Him. They were convinced He was going to lead them in revolt against the despised Romans. The Romans were oppressive. They ridiculed the religion of the Jews. They taxed the Jewish people excessively. They ruled ruthlessly. Practically, every red-blooded Israelite hated the Romans with a passion.
ISRAEL’S TRUE KING
Jesus, as the Son of David, was born King of the Jews – He had a legal right to rule over Israel. The Jewish Scriptures told of a Deliverer who would appear to break the yoke of Gentile oppression (Ezekiel 34:27). It was not without reason, therefore, that the disciples viewed Jesus as their coming King. Peter inquired: “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore [when You enter into Your kingdom]?” (Matthew 19:27). And the mother of James and John, zealous for her sons, requested, “Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom” (Matthew 20:21). And two blind beggars, hearing of Jesus’ presence as He was leaving Jericho, cried out, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David [implying, King]” (Matthew 20:30). As “kingdom fever” was mounting on the part of the disciples, they made their way to the top of the Mount of Olives. It was springtime and approaching the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan and the Passover. Historians suggest that as many as a million Jewish people had returned to Jerusalem that year from all over the known world to observe the sacred holiday. Here, then, was the needed manpower to lead in a rebellion against the despised Romans....
From the Depths of Despair to the Heights of Exultation
Written by Marvin J. Rosenthal
With the death of Jesus, the hopes, dreams, longings, and aspirations of the Apostles came to a screeching halt. They had forsaken everything and followed Him for three years. They walked with Him, talked with Him, ate with Him, slept with Him, and were taught by Him. They were convinced He was going to lead them in revolt against the despised Romans. The Romans were oppressive. They ridiculed the religion of the Jews. They taxed the Jewish people excessively. They ruled ruthlessly. Practically, every red-blooded Israelite hated the Romans with a passion.
ISRAEL’S TRUE KING
Jesus, as the Son of David, was born King of the Jews – He had a legal right to rule over Israel. The Jewish Scriptures told of a Deliverer who would appear to break the yoke of Gentile oppression (Ezekiel 34:27). It was not without reason, therefore, that the disciples viewed Jesus as their coming King. Peter inquired: “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore [when You enter into Your kingdom]?” (Matthew 19:27). And the mother of James and John, zealous for her sons, requested, “Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom” (Matthew 20:21). And two blind beggars, hearing of Jesus’ presence as He was leaving Jericho, cried out, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David [implying, King]” (Matthew 20:30). As “kingdom fever” was mounting on the part of the disciples, they made their way to the top of the Mount of Olives. It was springtime and approaching the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan and the Passover. Historians suggest that as many as a million Jewish people had returned to Jerusalem that year from all over the known world to observe the sacred holiday. Here, then, was the needed manpower to lead in a rebellion against the despised Romans....