The Last Days (7) - ►The Destruction of Jerusalem

The epochal event that marked the end of the Last Days and the beginning of the next season is the Destruction of Jerusalem. When the temple was destroyed and the Jewish people scattered in exile, the old order that had obstinately persisted on during throughout the Last Days was finally dead. The destruction of Jerusalem was the final ‘nail in the coffin’ of the old system.

Jesus predicted the fall of Jerusalem in Matthew 24:1-35, Mark 13:1-31 and Luke 21:5-33. Most Christians believe these verses describe events before the Second Coming. This is not true. I explain the reasons in detail in Jesus Big Prophecy.

To understand these verses, we must note the question that Jesus was answering. The disciples had commented on the glory and beauty of the temple, but Jesus warned that it would be totally destroyed.

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” (Luke 21:5-6).

The disciples could not believe this would happen; the temple was the centre of their world, so they asked him when these things would happen. Jesus gave them the signs leading up to this terrible event.

He warned Christians to flee Jerusalem when it was surrounded by armies and idolatrous sacrifice was made in the temple. In AD 70, a Roman army surrounded Jerusalem and started a terrible siege. The Jewish historian Josephus described the siege and the terrible tribulation it caused. Conditions were so severe that mothers ate their babies to survive. Jesus' awful prophecies were fulfilled. However, Christians who had heeded Jesus warning left the city before the siege began and fled to the safety of the mountains.

The Destruction of Jerusalem was the epochal event that marked the beginning of a new season called the Times of the Gentiles. It was a judgment event for Israel.

For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written (Luke 21:22,24).

The Jews had rejected Jesus. Forty years later, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and they were scattered among the nations. The destruction of Jerusalem was a judgment on the city that had crucified the Son of God and rejected his ministry.

During the Last Days, the fledging church was centred on Jerusalem. After the destruction of Jerusalem, the centre of gravity shifted to Asia Minor.