Luke 21:20-24
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are in the country enter it. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-24, NKJV)
Although the city of Jerusalem rejected Christ to the extent of crucifying Him, He did not leave them without a warning of the impending destruction. He not only warned them about the coming calamities but also showed them a way to escape. What kind of love is this?
The Lord Jesus foresaw that Jerusalem would be surrounded by Roman armies, which would eventually lead to the city being burned and destroyed. Even worse, the people inside the city would be brutally killed, others would be taken captive, and many would be scattered throughout the nations.
Luke 19:41-44
“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will surround you with a wall, and surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’”
Despite these dire predictions, Jesus did not just leave them with bad news. He gave a solution: when the armies surrounded the city, the people were to quickly escape. Those in the city should leave for the mountains (desolate places), those in the middle of the city should look for other cities to dwell in, and those in the fields should seek safety elsewhere. Jerusalem was to be destroyed, and they were to flee before the calamity struck.
This prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70, about 33 years after Jesus’ departure. For example, if we take the year 2020 as a reference point, it would be as if Christ had prophesied this in 1987. The entire generation that heard Jesus’ words lived to see the prophecy come to pass.
Those who took Christ’s words seriously were astounded to see the Roman armies begin to surround Jerusalem in AD 66. However, the Romans did not immediately destroy the city, giving the people time to escape. Those who listened to Jesus left their property, banks, and homes behind. They abandoned everything to save their lives, but not their souls.
On the other hand, many mocked Christ’s words, thinking they were just old stories, and continued living in the city, hoping that the Romans would eventually leave. Some were convinced that there would be no war, and others simply ignored the warnings. But in AD 70, when the city was completely destroyed, those who had stayed behind faced unimaginable suffering. Thousands were killed, others were taken captive as slaves, and the second temple was destroyed—just as Jesus had foretold.
The Importance of Christ’s Warning and Its Significance for the End Times
Why did Jesus give such a dire warning to the people of Jerusalem? He was showing them a foreshadowing of what would come in the Great Tribulation. Some mistakenly believe that the Great Tribulation concerns all Christians, but the Bible does not teach that.
There are two groups in the church: those who live by the words of Christ and follow Him closely. These are the ones whom God will rescue from the Great Tribulation through a supernatural event known as the Rapture. However, there are others who live carelessly, not focused on the kingdom of heaven, content with their lukewarm spiritual condition. To them, the warnings about the Great Tribulation and the Rapture are just stories, and when they hear messages of repentance, they grumble and complain.
But the Lord has already given us this warning: Be alert.
Mark 13:32-37
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
No one knows the day or the hour of the Rapture, but we have been given signs. Earthquakes, wars, pestilences, and diseases like COVID-19 are all part of the signs that point to the coming of the Lord and the fulfillment of prophecy. We must be ready because the time of harvest is near.
Are You Ready?
The Rapture could happen at any moment. You, who are reading this, must ask yourself: Where will you be when that moment arrives? Will you be in heaven with the saints at the wedding feast of the Lamb, or will you be on earth, facing the Great Tribulation under the reign of the Antichrist? If you cannot boldly confess Christ today, how will you stand for Him in the face of death?
There will be no second chances for those who are left behind. The door to heaven will be closed to those who have rejected Christ.
The Time is Short
This is not the time to continue living in complacency, following the world that is swiftly coming to an end. It is time to hold fast to the words of Christ as written in the Holy Bible.
Revelation 1:3
“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
May the Lord bless you.
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