Saturday, March 30, 2024

D.L. Gardner: What a Week

In his gospel account, Luke records Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem on Sunday of Passion Week.

“And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their garments on the colt, and put Jesus on it.And as He was going, they were spreading their garments in the road. and as He was now approaching near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’”

The Holy Week had begun with hundreds if not thousands of Jews and their families traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Some Pharisees in the crowd asked Jesus to rebuke His disciples, but Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

Then Jesus wept over Jerusalem, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children with you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

About 40 years after this the Roman army led by Titus destroyed Jerusalem stone by stone including the Jewish Temple. That was then.

Matthew records Jesus’ description of the fall of Jerusalem in chapter 24 of his gospel, but this description answers the disciples’ questions, “when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” We’re still waiting for these things to happen.

Jesus depicts a time of extreme tribulation that far exceeds anything we’ve seen before. “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall.”

Then Jesus pronounces the coup-de-gras saying, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

During this Holy Week, 2024, we remember and celebrate Jesus’ first coming to save us even in the middle of times that seem not that different from those 2000 years ago. The faithful among us find refuge in looking forward to Jesus’ return to redeem us from the prince of the power of the air.

Will 2024 be the year Jesus returns while we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body?

Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

Posted by Kingfish at 2:47 PM

5 comments:

Saltwaterpappy said...

Let us take a look at history. Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 68 c.e., Christian's were convinced that the Second Coming was nigh. Many even slept on their roof tops because they didn't want anything to obstruct their ascension up to heaven upon Jesus' return. Nothing happened.

In 1187 c.e., the Muslims (under the leadership of Saladin) re-took Jerusalem from the Christian European "invaders". Once again, Christian's were convinced that the Second Coming was nigh. Nothing happened.

In the 20th century, Hitler was considered by many to be the Antichrist because of his human rights' abuses and the Holocaust of the Jews. Many Christians were convinced that the Second Coming was nigh. Nothing happened.

With the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, many Christians were convinced that the Second Coming was nigh. Nothing happened.

With the rise of Communism in the 20th century, many Christians were convinced that the Second Coming was nigh. Nothing happened. With the fall of Communism, many Christians were convinced that the Second Coming was nigh. Nothing happened.

Even today, many Christians see Putin as the Antichrist, and that we are now living in the final days. Some folks claim to be Pre-millinial believers, while others claim to be Post-millinialists. Some even claim to be Amillialists. Many are convinced that the Second Coming of Jesus is nigh.

Christians, don't you see a troubling pattern?

March 30, 2024 at 4:14 PM
Patriot in Madison said...

God sent his chosen one in 2016 to save the world. If people don't get on their hands and knees and praise him and crawl to the ballot box in November we will send the end days like Revelations says.

March 30, 2024 at 7:35 PM
Anonymous said...

@4:14
The pattern is because the Nazarene Messiah myth was created by Romans as a pacifist messianic cult to counter violent messianic cults. Funny how it turned into a Roman Cult that was nearly entirely rejected by Judeans who still recount the true history of the fake Roman messiah plot. Basically, Christianity is to Judaism what Mormonism is to Christianity. False prophets.

March 30, 2024 at 10:12 PM
Saltwaterpappy said...

7:35--- I'm not sure that I understand. Being the patriot that you are, surely, you are not suggesting that we make The Donald our Reich Furor, regardless of the election results.

March 31, 2024 at 10:48 PM
Anonymous said...

Seems to me that DL and other false wannabe prophets conveniently forget that The Bible clearly says we won't know.

I could make an argument that Trump, Putin, Xi, and Jong Un or Ayatollah "de jour" are The Four Horsemen and in a spat between the 5, nuclear weapons become the catalyst for God to intervene and spare those of us who didn't listen to false prophets from the fiery Hell dictators and their devotees brought upon themselves!

One has only to go to The Vatican Museum or the museums of Protestant royals and their historic churches or see where witches were burned or watch the stoning of women and beheadings in Islam to realize that every religion has been built on the bones of innocents and we Christians have the least excuse to tolerate such evil men! Such men killed Christ. And, they sure didn't use their wealth to feed or heal the poor. Jesus wasn't fond of the " money changers" either, was he? Yet look how richly preachers of the gospel live these days. Churches own businesses now and if you think profits go entirely to " good works" and not to "good salaries and 'church' owned opulent living , you are hopelessly blind. What did Tammy and Jim not teach you?

Still, the DLs and males like him just can't help being " puffed up"! And, seem to struggle with the role of the women in Jesus' life.

April 2, 2024 at 9:18 AM

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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).

Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.

In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.