Part Seven—Coming Events and Signs of the Times

Our Lord’s Great Prophecy

Jerusalem’s Destruction and Its Meaning

How did Christ feel concerning Jerusalem? BR-ASI9 215.1

“And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41, 42. BR-ASI9 215.2

In what words did He foretell its destruction? BR-ASI9 215.3

“Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:43, 44. BR-ASI9 215.4

What pitiful appeal did He make to the impenitent city? BR-ASI9 215.5

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37. BR-ASI9 215.6

What would be a sign of the fall of Jerusalem? BR-ASI9 215.7

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.” Luke 21:20. BR-ASI9 215.8

When the sign appeared, what were the disciples to do? BR-ASI9 215.9

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.” Matthew 24:15, 16. BR-ASI9 215.10

Note.—In A.D. 66, when Cestius came against the city, but unaccountably withdrew, the Christians discerned in this the sign foretold by Christ, and fled (Eusebius, Church History, book 3, chap. 5), while 1,100,000 Jews are said to have been killed in the terrible siege in A.D. 70. Here is a striking lesson on the importance of studying the prophecies and heeding the signs of the times. Those who believed Christ and watched for the sign which He had foretold were saved, while the unbelieving perished. So in the end of the world the watchful and believing will be delivered, while the careless and unbelieving will be snared and taken. (See Matthew 24:36-44; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.) BR-ASI9 216.1

When the sign appeared, how suddenly were they to flee? BR-ASI9 216.2

“Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.” Matthew 24:17, 18. BR-ASI9 216.3

How did Christ further show His care for His disciples? BR-ASI9 216.4

“But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.” Matthew 24:20. BR-ASI9 216.5

Note.—Flight in winter would entail discomfort and hardship; an attempt to flee on the Sabbath would doubtless meet with difficulty. BR-ASI9 216.6

The prayers of Christ’s followers were heard. Events were so overruled that neither Jews nor Romans hindered their flight. When Cestius retreated, the Jews pursued his army, and the Christians thus had an opportunity to leave the city. The country was cleared of enemies, for at that time of this siege, the Jews had assembled at Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. Thus the Christians of Judea were able to escape unmolested, and in the autumn, a most favorable time for flight. BR-ASI9 216.7

What trying experience did Christ then foretell? BR-ASI9 216.8

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Matthew 24:21. BR-ASI9 216.9

Note.—Following the destruction of Jerusalem came the persecution of the Christians under pagan emperors during the first three centuries of the Christian Era. Later came the greater and more terrible persecution during the long centuries of papal supremacy, foretold in Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 12:6. All these tribulations occurred under either pagan or papal Rome. BR-ASI9 216.10

For whose sake would the period be shortened? BR-ASI9 217.1

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:22. BR-ASI9 217.2

Note.—Through the influence of the Reformation of the sixteenth century, and the movements which grew out of it, the power of the Papacy to enforce its decrees against those it pronounced heretics was gradually lessened, until persecution ceased almost wholly by the middle of the eighteenth century, before the 1260 years ended. BR-ASI9 217.3

Against what deceptions did Christ then warn us? BR-ASI9 217.4

“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:23, 24. BR-ASI9 217.5