Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Prophecies Respecting: Signs Preceding Its Destruction

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Jerusalem, the city central to biblical history and prophecy, has been the subject of numerous prophecies concerning its destruction. These prophecies, particularly those concerning the signs preceding its destruction, are found primarily in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ Himself foretold the events that would lead to the city's downfall.

Prophecies by Jesus Christ

In the Gospels, Jesus provides a detailed account of the signs that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem. In the Olivet Discourse, recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the future of the city and the temple. He warns of false messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and other calamities as precursors to the impending judgment.

False Messiahs and Prophets

Jesus warns, "See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:4-5). This prophecy highlights the rise of false messiahs and prophets who would lead many astray, a phenomenon documented by historians such as Josephus during the years leading up to Jerusalem's destruction in 70 A.D.

Wars and Rumors of Wars

The Lord continues, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but the end is still to come" (Matthew 24:6). The period before Jerusalem's fall was marked by political instability and conflict, both within Judea and in the broader Roman Empire.

Natural Disasters and Famines

Jesus also predicts natural disasters, stating, "There will be famines and earthquakes in various places" (Matthew 24:7). These events are described as "the beginning of birth pains" (Matthew 24:8), indicating that they are initial signs of the coming judgment. Historical records from the era confirm occurrences of such disasters, adding to the turmoil of the time.

Persecution of Believers

Another sign mentioned by Jesus is the persecution of His followers: "Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name" (Matthew 24:9). The early Christian community faced significant persecution, both from Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire, fulfilling this aspect of the prophecy.

The Abomination of Desolation

A critical sign is the "abomination of desolation," spoken of by the prophet Daniel and referenced by Jesus: "So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand)" (Matthew 24:15). This event is interpreted as the desecration of the temple, which many scholars associate with the Roman siege and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem.

Flight from Jerusalem

Jesus advises those in Judea to flee to the mountains when these signs appear: "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains" (Matthew 24:16). This warning underscores the urgency and severity of the coming destruction, urging believers to seek safety away from the city.

The Great Tribulation

The prophecy culminates in a period of intense suffering: "For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again" (Matthew 24:21). The siege of Jerusalem by Roman forces, led by General Titus, resulted in catastrophic loss of life and the complete destruction of the temple, fulfilling this dire prediction.

Heavenly Signs

Finally, Jesus speaks of cosmic disturbances: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken’" (Matthew 24:29). These apocalyptic signs symbolize the profound spiritual and historical significance of Jerusalem's fall.

These prophecies, delivered by Jesus Christ, provide a comprehensive picture of the signs preceding the destruction of Jerusalem, emphasizing both the physical and spiritual dimensions of this pivotal event in biblical history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 24:6-15
And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 21:7-11,25,28
And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... common denominator for this collection of prophecies.". ... over the fate of Jerusalem;
of Ezekiel ... several interesting critical inquiries respecting the component ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... To Zechariah's authentic prophecies were added the earlier ones ... is true, were still
expressed respecting certain books ... in the Temple at Jerusalem is apocryphal ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... Hosea, his prophecies respecting the things of the gospel, [858 ... Jerusalem, the new,
coming down from heaven, [926 ... 978]343; promises of God respecting, [979]348 ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
... was to establish in accordance with the prophecies of the Old ... There is a mass of
traditions respecting the latter ... with the Jewish rulers at Jerusalem, (2) his ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxix the historical books.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... become absorbed in calculations beforehand respecting its dates is ... minute description
of a New Jerusalem, with its ... In the classes of prophecies that have been ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... Romans and sojourners, yes, and in Jerusalem, Jews and ... He says, also, that even the
prophecies were derived ... writes in these very words respecting the appendages ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

The Gospels in General
... clear teaching contained in this Gospel respecting the divinity ... machinations of the
Pharisees that came from Jerusalem. ... It is filled with prophecies that await ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospels in general.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... This concludes the oracular utterances respecting Rome. ... as "Land of Sodom," an
appellation of Jerusalem common alike ... After some other prophecies we come to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." For the ... sinners, I am to infer His
wishes respecting ourselves. ... And just as the signs of Moses were imitated by ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Extracts No. vi.
... earnestly solicitous to have your doubts respecting divine revelation ... the people
who lived in Jerusalem and its ... for the fulfilling of the prophecies, for the ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vi.htm