Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Prophecies Respecting: Its Capture Accompanied by Severe Calamities

◄ Jerusalem: Prophecies Respecting: Its Capture Accompanied by Severe Calamities ►

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Jerusalem, the city central to biblical history and prophecy, has been the focal point of numerous prophetic declarations concerning its capture and the severe calamities that would accompany such events. These prophecies, found throughout the Old and New Testaments, underscore the city's spiritual significance and the consequences of its inhabitants' actions.

Prophecies in the Old Testament

1. Destruction by Babylon: The prophet Jeremiah foretold the capture and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians as a consequence of the people's persistent disobedience and idolatry. In Jeremiah 25:9, the Lord declares, "I will summon all the peoples of the north and My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon," indicating the impending judgment. The calamities included the destruction of the temple, the city walls, and the exile of its people, as vividly described in Lamentations.

2. Siege and Famine: Ezekiel also prophesied the severe conditions that would accompany the siege of Jerusalem. In Ezekiel 4:16-17, the Lord says, "I will cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They will eat bread by weight and in anxiety, and drink water by measure and in horror." This prophecy highlights the dire famine and suffering that would befall the city during its siege.

3. Restoration and Future Judgment: While the prophets spoke of destruction, they also foretold a future restoration. However, they warned of further judgments if the people continued in their unfaithfulness. Zechariah 14:2 speaks of a future time when "I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped." This prophecy points to a time of great distress yet to come.

Prophecies in the New Testament

1. Jesus' Prediction of Destruction: Jesus Himself prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, which was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Romans besieged the city. In Luke 19:43-44, Jesus lamented, "For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls." This prophecy was a direct prediction of the Roman siege and the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem.

2. Warnings of Future Tribulation: In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus warned of future tribulations that would affect Jerusalem and the world. In Matthew 24:15-22, He speaks of the "abomination of desolation" and advises those in Judea to flee to the mountains, indicating a time of unprecedented distress. This prophecy is often interpreted as having both a historical and eschatological fulfillment.

Theological Implications

The prophecies concerning Jerusalem's capture and the accompanying calamities serve as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. They reflect the seriousness of sin and the justice of God, while also pointing to His mercy and the hope of restoration. These prophecies continue to be a subject of study and reflection, emphasizing the enduring significance of Jerusalem in God's redemptive plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 24:21,29
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 21:23,24
But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath on this people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... born in the village of Anathoth, near Jerusalem, being descended ... from generation
to generation in all its original purity ... at the beginning of his prophecies (i.1 ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm