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From Here to Forever
them, they became partakers of the parents’ sins and filled up the
measure of their iniquity. .
The Jews in their stubborn impenitence rejected the last offer
of mercy. Then God withdrew His protection from them. The
nation was left to the control of the leader she had chosen. Satan
aroused the fiercest and most debased passions of the soul. Men were
beyond reason—controlled by impulse and blind rage, satanic in
[22]
their cruelty. Friends and kindred betrayed one another. Parents slew
their children, and children their parents. Rulers had no power to
rule themselves. Passion made them tyrants. The Jews had accepted
false testimony to condemn the innocent Son of God. Now false
accusations made their lives uncertain. The fear of God no longer
disturbed them. Satan was at the head of the nation.
Leaders of opposing factions fell upon each other’s forces and
slaughtered without mercy. Even the sanctity of the temple could not
restrain their horrible ferocity. The sanctuary was polluted with the
bodies of the slain. Yet the instigators of this hellish work declared
they had no fear that Jerusalem would be destroyed! It was God’s
own city. Even while Roman legions were besieging the temple,
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.
Portents of Disaster
All the predictions given by Christ concerning the destruction of
Jerusalem were fulfilled to the letter. Signs and wonders appeared.
For seven years a man continued to go up and down the streets
of Jerusalem, declaring woes to come. This strange being was
imprisoned and scourged, but to insult and abuse he answered only,
“Woe, woe to Jerusalem!” He was slain in the siege he foretold
Not one Christian perished in the destruction of Jerusalem. After
the Romans under Cestius had surrounded the city, they unexpect-
edly abandoned the siege when everything seemed favorable for
attack. The Roman general withdrew his forces without the least
apparent reason. The promised sign had been given to the waiting
Christians.
Luke 21:20, 21
.
*
Milman, History of the Jews, book 13.