The destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD)

Jesus prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem as an event that was soon to take place. (1) It was God’s judgment upon unbelief. The phrase “days of punishment” (v 22) indicates this. (2) This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD, when the Roman army captured Jerusalem. Josephus writes that 1.1 million Jews were killed in the conflict. Even if that number is an exaggeration, it is certain that the number of those who perished was immense. (3) Jesus gave this prophecy to protect His disciples. When the Roman siege began, the disciples remembered His words and fled to the city of Pella, one of the cities of the Decapolis. God prepared His people before the trial came. In the autumn of 1999, when my wife was hospitalized for five weeks, I too experienced God’s protection. That year, I had been led to complete a large amount of Harvest program production work during the summer, leaving September and October with no scheduled projects. Had we followed our usual production schedule, both my staffs and I would surely have been in a state of panic. I gave thanks for God’s love that goes before us. God has prepared the same kind of blessing in your life as well. Even in the midst of trials, let us continue to believe that God’s plan will be fulfilled.

Restoration of Jerusalem (1967)

The year 70 AD marks a watershed in Jewish history. From that point on, they became a dispersed people, wandering the earth for about 1,900 years. Wherever they were scattered, persecution followed them, yet Jerusalem never vanished from their hearts. With the phrase “Next year in Jerusalem!” as their watchword, they continued to believe in the day when they would return to the land of Zion. And finally, in 1948, the nation of Israel was born, and in the Six-Day War of 1967, Jerusalem was restored to Israel’s control. Some scholars believe that “the times of the Gentiles” (v 24) ended at the point of Jerusalem’s restoration in 1967. However, since Israel has not yet brought Jerusalem completely under its control, it cannot necessarily be said that “the times of the Gentiles” have fully ended. In any case, it is clear that the completion of the salvation of the Gentiles will bring about the time of salvation for the Jews, and the salvation of the Jews will bring about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Have you recently taken your eyes off the Scriptures? Let us give thanks that we are living in an age when biblical prophecies are being fulfilled one after another and let us walk in trust of God’s Word.