I Corinthians 15:46 "However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual."
The essence and fingerprints of God are seen throughout His creation. Daily we are given the gift to observe His design and creativity in nature and even in the natural events that occur. When we understand His sovereignty over all of creation we can rest in knowing that there is a plan and it is good, even in the midst of absolute wickedness.
Last week, in the city of Mosul, two tombs were blown up by terrorists in Iraq known as ISIS. Prior to this event, ISIS had implemented a required tax known as jizya for all non-Muslims. As the violence escalated, these terrorists decided that all Christians must either convert to Islam, flee (without even a suitcase), or die by the sword.Their houses were painted to show which residents were marked by imminent death.
The tombs that were obliterated are of significance to every person that is a Christ follower. One tomb was of the Old Testament minor prophet, Jonah. The other tomb was of the prophet, Daniel. These tombs were places of pilgrimage that have existed for centuries. ISIS claims that these will no longer be places of prayer; instead, they will now symbolize sites of apostasy.
Eradication of Christianity, Judaism, antiquities, crosses and all other symbolism is the ultimate goal in the Middle East today. There is a religious cleansing that is currently underway. Many people and terrorist groups are wholly committed to its cause. In fact, they believe it is their very purpose for existence and are willing to give their lives to achieve it.
Destruction of these tombs in Mosul is a direct assault on the faith of both Christians and Jews. Arrogance and deception reign in the hearts of any people who believe they can erase any remnant of belief in the One, True God- that is, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Additionally, over 2000 years have proven that the existence of Jesus as Messiah will forever remain a part of our world and belief system.
Knowing that natural events often occur to reveal spiritual events that are yet to occur, I began to reflect on the potential symbolism of the bombing of these two tombs. In order to do that, it is imperative to journey back in time to a place called Nineveh (which is current day Mosul) in a country named Babylon (which is current day Iraq). As we travel to these places, there is a burning question: "In the midst of these tragic occurrences, what could God possibly be saying to believers today?"
The book of Jonah was written sometime between the sixth and third centuries (between 600 and 200 B.C.) In broad strokes, Jonah is a national hero because his prophecies have led to military victories. Unfortunately, Jonah does not appreciate his latest assignment which is to preach to his enemies in Nineveh. The Ninevites actually extended beyond an enemy status in that they were also intimidating, violent and a cruel people who violated every human right imaginable.
As panic triumphs over reason, Jonah decides to flee from God and travel West, rather than East. A huge storm arises on the sea and an angry captain and crew decide Jonah is to blame for the horrific storm. Jonah instructs them to throw him into the ocean so the storm will cease. God sends a special fish to accommodate His wayward prophet.
For three days and three nights Jonah's life is supernaturally preserved in the belly of this fish. At some point, Jonah experiences an epiphany and decides he will indeed obey the Lord. Jonah celebrates his deliverance with a song of thanksgiving. He contrasts his situation of deliverance with idol worshippers who forfeit God's grace. In the midst of his distress, he promises to worship and sacrifice to his God.
Compliant, but not passionate, Jonah travels to Nineveh and only preaches five Hebrew words (the shortest sermon in history). He waits to see what will happen. To his chagrin, revival breaks out! The king calls on all people and even animals to fast, mourn, and repent for their evil, violent ways. God responds in sympathy and decides not to destroy the city. Jonah was infuriated! God contrasted Jonah's selfish attitude with His own merciful heart that longed to extend salvation.
The major point of the book of Jonah, according to Gary V. Smith in The Prophets as Preachers, is as follows: "To experience the grace of God and not be willing to tell others of His compassion is a tragedy all must avoid. Messengers of God can neither limit the grace of God nor control its distribution, but they can prevent God's grace from having an effect on their own lives."
Jonah's descent into the depths of the belly of the great fish and subsequent triumphant prophetic mission to Nineveh is seen as a reference to and prototype of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The book of Jonah symbolizes justice, obedience, providence, fairness and divine mercy. Additionally, I believe Jonah teaches us about the harvest of souls that occur when we obey the Lord and are submitted to His calling.
In Matthew, Chapter 12, Jesus parallels the miracle of Jonah's deliverance to His own resurrection that was yet to occur. Jesus contests the idolatrous Ninevites that repented with the religious leaders of His generation that would ultimately reject Him as the Messiah. Despite the fact that Jesus was greater than Jonah and the scriptures that had been written, Jesus' generation was essentially blind to His deity.
While the book of Jonah parallels the first coming of Jesus, the book of Daniel is an apocalyptic book that reveals truths concerning the second coming of Christ. It is often referred to as the book of Revelation of the Old Testament. The book of Daniel complements the book of Revelation and neither book could be appropriately understood without the other.
Daniel was a prophet of the exile, as the southern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Babylonians in approximately 620 B.C. Judgement fell on Israel, and Daniel penned his memoirs from the heart of Babylon. While some of his writings are historical, he primarily focuses on prophecy and the prediction of future events.
Through a series of supernatural visions that God gives to Daniel, divine communication is released to the general populous. The Greek word apokalupsis means that God unveils truths that had been previously unknown or deliberately concealed. Most scholars believe that only the books of Daniel, Revelation, Zechariah, and portions of Ezekiel (Primarily Chapters 40-48) fall into the category of apocalyptic books.
Daniel stresses the omnipotence and sovereignty of God. His writing occurs at a time when Israel had every reason to believe that all the old promises and covenants of God were obsolete. Paganism had twice triumphed (Assyria and Babylon) and the Jews felt all divine purpose and vision had been banished.
Amidst human depravity, Daniel also emphasizes godliness and morality. He teaches us to be fully committed to the King of Kings and to be set apart for His purposes. Daniel emphasizes that while we may live in a godless culture we do not have to succumb to its' predilections.
Walvoord observes:" In many respects, the Book of Daniel is the most comprehensive prophetic revelation of the Old Testament, giving the only total view of world history from Babylon to the Second Advent of Christ and inter-relating Gentile history and prophecy with that which concerns Israel. Daniel provides the key to the overall interpretation of prophecy, is a major element in premillennialism, and is essential to the interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Its revelation of the sovereignty and power of God has brought assurances to Jew and Gentile alike that God will fulfill His sovereign purposes in time and eternity."
Therefore, while God may allow evil to persist in our world for a season, we can all rest in knowing that God is sovereign over it all. While He did not cause the tomb of Jonah and the tomb of Daniel to be destroyed, He did allow both landmarks to be obliterated by the enemy. And, He permitted that both these occurrences should happen on the same day.
Both prophets point us to Jesus as the Messiah. Jonah points to the first coming of Christ and Daniel points us to His return at the end of the age. There has never been a time before now that had more evidence of the imminent return of Christ. As believers, we are commissioned to understand the times in which we live.
In conclusion, I believe there are three questions we should ask ourselves:
1. Am I ready for the Lord's return?
2. Are the people I know and love ready?
3. Am I submitted and obedient to His call?
We have so much knowledge and resources in this generation. And to whom much is given, much is required. We do not want to be like the generation in Jesus' day that rejected God's glorious display of mercy through the extension of salvation to a lost and dying world.
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