Simeon “would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

Posted By on Oct 26, 2020 |


The aged, Simeon was righteous, devout, and a strong man of faith, who ministered in the Temple. He patiently waited his entire life for the “Consolation of Israel”; that is, for the Messiah to alleviate the stress, persecution, and suffering of the nation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was powerfully upon this man of strong faith as he ministered in God’s Temple in Jerusalem.  It was revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had laid his eyes on God’s Messiah (Luke 2:25,26). Simeon would receive the blessed moment he had hoped for when the Child Jesus was handed to him by His parents Joseph and Mary. What a moment that must have been!  The exuberant Simeon took the Babe in his arms, blessed His parents and uttered a most profound benediction, realizing God had fulfilled His Word: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation.” (Luke 2:29-30). It is most comforting that all Christians have peace with God through salvation.

Simeon’s entire benediction is stunning, including his concluding prophetic words for all believing humanity: “A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32).  The “Light” was revealed: “Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.’” (John 8:12).  Sadly, at His first coming Jesus was rejected by His own (Jn. 1:11), but at His second coming, Israel will repent and He will forgive, redeem, and rescue them from their millennia of suffering and misery; when the “Consolation of Israel” will indeed gather His people unto salvation. It was this promise Simeon patiently waited for; the promise God had made to Abraham and the prophets centuries prior (Gen. 12:1-3, 15:17-21, 2 Sam 7:12-16, Ps. 110) of which God’s covenants and promises assure Israel will see and believe in the “Glory” of Jesus Christ, at His second coming (Zech. 12:10-31:1, 14:3-9, Ezek. 36: 25-28, Rom. 11:26-27). Acts 2:1-4).  In closing, like Israel’s aged physical deliverer, Moses, who stood on Mt. Nebo and looked upon the Promise Land (Deut. 34:1-4), the aged Simeon looked upon the Child Jesus who would become Israel’s spiritual Deliverer.  When both Jew and Gentile will worship King Jesus in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem—forever and ever! (Rev. 21-22).