Destruction of Jerusalem
25
gators of this hellish work publicly declared that they had no fear that
Jerusalem would be destroyed, for it was God’s own city. To establish
their power more firmly, they bribed false prophets to proclaim, even
while Roman legions were besieging the temple, that the people were
to wait for deliverance from God. To the last, multitudes held fast to
the belief that the Most High would interpose for the defeat of their
adversaries. But Israel had spurned the divine protection, and now
she had no defense. Unhappy Jerusalem! rent by internal dissensions,
the blood of her children slain by one another’s hands crimsoning her
streets, while alien armies beat down her fortifications and slew her
men of war!
[30]
All the predictions given by Christ concerning the destruction of
Jerusalem were fulfilled to the letter. The Jews experienced the truth
of his words of warning, “With what measure ye mete, it shall be
measured to you again.” [
Matthew 7:2
.]
Signs and wonders appeared, foreboding disaster and doom. In
the midst of the night an unnatural light shone over the temple and
the altar. Upon the clouds at sunset were pictured chariots and men
of war gathering for battle. The priests ministering by night in the
sanctuary were terrified by mysterious sounds; the earth trembled,
and a multitude of voices were heard crying, “Let us depart hence.”
The great eastern gate, which was so heavy that it could hardly be
shut by a score of men, and which was secured by immense bars of
iron fastened deep in the pavement of solid stone, opened at midnight,
without visible agency.
For seven years a man continued to go up and down the streets of
Jerusalem, declaring the woes that were to come upon the city. By day
and by night he chanted the wild dirge, “A voice from the east; a voice
from the west; a voice from the four winds; a voice against Jerusalem
and the temple; a voice against the bridegroom and the bride; and
a voice against all the people.” This strange being was imprisoned
and scourged; but no complaint escaped his lips. To insult and abuse
he answered only, “Woe to Jerusalem! woe, woe to the inhabitants
thereof!” His warning cry ceased not until he was slain in the siege he
had foretold.
Not one Christian perished in the destruction of Jerusalem. Christ
had given his disciples warning, and all who believed his words
watched for the promised sign. “When ye shall see Jerusalem com-