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Of the prophecies which have already been fulfilled, few, perhaps, are so interesting in themselves, or so striking in their accomplishment as those which relate to the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, and the signal calamities which every where befell the Jewish nation . . . Whether we consider its architecture, its dimensions, its magnificence, its splendour, or the sacred purposes to which it was dedicated, it must equally . be regarded as the most astonishing fabric that was ever constructed.
“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:3). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
Such were the questions of the disciples, in answer to which our Lord condescended to give them a particular account of the several important events that would precede, as well as of the prognostics which would announce the approaching desolations; including suitable directions for the regulation of their conduct under the various trials to which they were to be exposed.
#1. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:5). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
The necessity for this friendly warning soon appeared; for within one year after our Lord's ascension, rose the Samaritan . . . deceivers rose up daily in Judea, and persuaded the people to follow them into the wilderness, assuring them that they should there behold conspicuous signs and wonders performed by the Almighty.
#2. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars . . . The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:6). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
One hundred and fifty of the copious pages of Josephus, which contain the history of this period, are every where stained with blood . . . "The extent of this slaughter," says Josephus, " had no parallel in any former period of their history” . . . not less than ten thousand Jews were trodden to death in the streets . . . This event laid the foundation of a most cruel and sanguinary contest between the two nations.
#3. And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:7). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
Of these significant emblems of political commotions, there occurred several within the scene of this prophecy, and, as our Saviour predicted, in divers places . . . "A heavy storm (says Josephus) burst on them during the night; violent winds arose, accompanied with the most excessive rains, with constant lightnings, most tremendous thundering s, and with dreadful roarings of earthquakes. It seemed (continues he) as if the system of the world had been confounded for the destruction of mankind; and one might well conjecture that these were signs of no common events!"
Our Lord predicted "famines" also. Of these the principal was that which foretold would happen in the days of Claudius, as related in the Acts of the Apostles.
Our Saviour adds "pestilences" likewise. Pestilence treads upon the heels of famine . . . The first took place at Babylon, about A. D. 40, and raged so alarmingly, that great multitudes of Jews fled from that city to Seleucid for safety, as hath been hinted already. The other happened at Rome, A. D. 65, and carried off prodigious multitudes. Both Tacitus and Suetonius also record, that similar calamities prevailed, during this period, in various other parts of the Roman empire.
“4. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 21:11). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
1. " A meteor, resembling a sword, hung over Jerusalem during one whole year."
2. "On the eighth of the month Zanthicus (before the feast of unleavened bread), at the ninth hour of the night, there shone round about the altar, and the circumjacent buildings of the temple, a light equal * Luke xxi- 11. t Vide 1 Charon. xxi. 16, to the brightness of the day, which continued for the space of half an hour."
3. “As the High.Priests were leading a heifer to the altar to be sacrificed, she brought forth a lamb, in the midst of the temple."
4. Another
5. Another
6. Another
7. As the last and most fearful omen, Josephus relates that one Jesus, the son of Ana nus, a rustic of the lower class, during the feast of tabernacles, suddenly exclaimed in the temple, "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 bridegrooms and brides—a voice against the whole people!" These words he incessantly proclaimed aloud both day and night, through all the streets of Jerusalem, for seven years and five months together, commencing at a time (A. D. 62)
#5. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you . . . and some of you they will put to death. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 21:12–16). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
In the very infancy of the christian church, these unmerited and unprovoked cruelties began to be inflicted. Our Lord, and his forerunner John the Baptist, had already * Luke xxi. 12. f Mark xiii. 9. \ Luke xxi. 16. been put to death; the apostles Peter and John were first imprisoned, and then, together with the other apostles, were scourged before the Jewish council; Stephen, after confounding the Sanhedrin with his irresistible eloquence, was stoned to death . . .
#6. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 21:17). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
"It was a war," says "against the very name; to be a christian was of itself crime enough." And to the same effect is that expression of Pliny in his letter to Trajan; "I asked them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it, I asked them a second * Mat. xxiv. 9. and a third time, threatening them with punishment, and those who persevered I commanded to be led away to death.
#7. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:10). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
Speaking of the persecutions of the Christians under Nero, to which we have just alluded, he adds, "several were seized, who confessed, and by their discovery a great multitude of others were convicted and barbarously executed."
#8. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end [of the Jewish dispensation – author’s interpretation] will come. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:14). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
St. Paul too, in his Epistle to the Romans, informs them that "their faith was spoken of throughout the world f and in that to the Colossi and he observes, that the "Gospel had been preached to every creature under heaven." Clement, who was a fellow-labourer with the Apostle, relates of him that " he taught the whole world righteousness, travelling from the east westward to the borders of the ocean." says that "the Apostles preached the Gospel in all the world, and that some of them passed beyond the bounds of the ocean and visited the Britannic isles":" so says Theodore t also.
CONCLUSION
“Such, briefly, is the account that history gives of the several events and signs, which our Lord had foretold would precede the destruction of the Holy City. No sooner were his predictions accomplished, than a most unaccountable infatuation seized upon the whole Jewish nation; so that they not only provoked, but seemed even to rush into the midst of those unparalleled calamities, which at length totally overwhelmed them.”
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