Nineveh Judgement

In verse 29 Jesus warns us that, as a whole, the majority of our society have and will continue to reject Him and His word. Luke relays to us a scenario on our literal judgement day that we will have historical figures like the queen of Sheba testify against those who reject God. Luke also includes the citizens of Nineveh in that chorus who will condemn the unbelieving generations.

Now, to be condemned by the citizens of Nineveh would be like having a Las Vegas casino owner lecturing you on your bad habits. Their redeeming quality, in God’s eyes, was their willingness to repent openly for their sins. We think that what we are doing is fine and feel sorry for everyone else because we know that they are doing it wrong. There is little open repentance in our society or the modern American church.

From a historical standpoint, Nineveh was a prosperous city that literally connected the eastern and western world at that time. The city was located on a level plain near a major highway that connected the trade route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean on the Tigris river. The mounds of this ancient city are close to the Iraqi city that is now known as Mosul. The city was probably founded by Nimrod, the great grandson of Noah

In and about the year 612 BC, the Medes (Iranians) along with the Susianians and the Babylonians attacked Nineveh and burned it to the ground. It isn’t until recent history, when the remains of the city were found, that people realized that the city of Nineveh actually existed. The reason for this was that the only historical reference for its existence prior to that was in the bible, specifically in Genesis 10:11.

Several things came to my attention while writing this particular section. We need to repent as a church and a nation, to God, for our transgressions before Him. The second thing that struck me is that the Iranians and the Iraqis have been fighting each other for thousands of years and how the modern city edition of Nineveh, Mosul, is still in the news. Lastly, the words of the bible are true and in time, all will be revealed.