Heaven Bound

“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:18

This morning we received terrible news out of Israel. One of the news outlets reporting was the New York Post which had this to say:

“Hamas terrorists slaughtered at least 40 babies and young children — decapitating some of them — at a kibbutz near the Gaza border, shaken Israeli officials and reporters at the scene said Tuesday”.

Like most people I was absolutely sickened at this news. The sheer evil of such actions is nearly incomprehensible. But it’s not the first time. As soon as I read the reports I immediately thought of the verse from Matthew about Rachel weeping for her children when King Herod (at the time Jesus was born) had all baby boys under two years of age killed. Rachel is a metaphor for the mothers of Israel which goes back to Jeremiah 31:15 where mothers were in mourning for their children as they were being carried off in to Babylonian captivity.

I’ve been pondering this all day – the similarities between the two events – the one in Matthew and the one in the news today. It seems as there is something to be learned.

In Matthew chapter 2 it says that King Herod (out of jealousy) had all baby boys under two years of age in Bethlehem and the vicinity killed. Now, Bethlehem was a very small place (as it is now) and I’m not sure how much territory “vicinity” would consist of but based on that information the number is most likely not as high as I had originally thought. For some reason in my mind it was thousands! But now I’m wondering if the number might be closer to 40 which is the number in the news story today.

Now, I’m not sure about the implication of any of this except to say that in my opinion it could indicate that what is coming (the tribulation) has nothing to with us – the Church … this is about Rachel … and the time of Jacob’s trouble. So if that is the case – the rapture must be very, very near. Rachel because Jacob had to work a second seven years for her – the outcome of which will be the salvation of Israel – even if it is just a remnant.

It’s interesting to note that Rachel is buried at Bethlehem while Leah is buried with Jacob in Hebron. Rachel buried at the site of her weeping per the scripture out of Matthew is quite extraordinary.

And as always and particularly now –

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee “. Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy