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Destruction of Jerusalem
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judgments upon Jerusalem, their minds revert to that coming, and as
they are gathered about the Saviour upon the Mount of Olives, they
ask, “When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy
coming, and of the end of the world?” [
Matthew 24:3
.]
The future was mercifully veiled from the disciples. Had they at
that time fully comprehended the two awful facts,—the Redeemer’s
sufferings and death and the destruction of their city and temple,—
they would have been paralyzed with horror. Christ presented before
them an outline of the prominent events to transpire before the close
of time. His words were not then fully understood; but their meaning
was to be unfolded as his people should need the instruction therein
given. The prophecy which he uttered was twofold in its meaning:
while foreshadowing the destruction of Jerusalem, it prefigured also
the terrors of the last great day.
Jesus declared to the listening disciples the judgments that were
to fall upon apostate Israel, and especially the retributive vengeance
that would come upon them for their rejection and crucifixion of the
Messiah. Unmistakable signs would precede the awful climax. The
dreaded hour would come suddenly and swiftly. And the Saviour
warned his followers: “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 Judea flee into the mountains.” [
Matthew 24:15, 16
.] When the
idolatrous standards of the Romans should be set up in the holy
[27]
ground, which extended some furlongs outside the city walls, then
the followers of Christ were to find safety in flight. When the
warning sign should be seen, judgment was to follow so quickly that
those who would escape must make no delay. He who chanced to
be upon the housetop must not go down through his house into the
street; but he must speed his way from roof to roof until he reach
the city wall, and be saved “so as by fire.” Those who were working
in the fields or vineyards must not take time to return for the outer
garment laid aside while they should be toiling in the heat of the
day. They must not hesitate a moment, lest they be involved in the
general destruction.
In the reign of Herod, Jerusalem had not only been greatly beau-
tified, but by the erection of towers, walls, and fortresses, added to
the natural strength of its situation, it had been rendered apparently