[HarleyD]

If, as you suppose, this is talking about a future event, then you would have to include the preceeding verses:

Mat 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!
Mat 23:38 See, your house is left to you desolate.
Mat 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Now if their house is left desolate, why would anyone say Israel is blessed?

[HarleyD]

BTW-A quick word study on “desolate” reveals ruin. This runs counter with all the other arguments I often hear that Israel is a blessed people.

[Lee N. Field]

Harley, I do kind of suspect we’re being baited here. The rhetoric went completely over the top in this thread, very quickly.