Jerusalem’s Desolation

September 13

(Luke 21:20-24 NIV) “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. {21} Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. {22} For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. {23} How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. {24} They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

(Matthew 24:15-22 NIV) “So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- {16} then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. {17} Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. {18} Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. {19} How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! {20} Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. {21} For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. {22} If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”

Every day we hear news of Jerusalem. It is a world “hot spot” that never seems to cool down. Why is it such an important place? Jerusalem is a holy city for three major world religions. For Christians, it is where our Lord was crucified and rose from the dead. It is where He ascended into heaven, and it is where His feet will touch down when He returns again. Jesus told His disciples that Jerusalem would be surrounded, trampled, and destroyed. This happened in 70 A.D. when Roman armies leveled the city, and her people were dispersed all over the world. Not until 1967 were the “times of the Gentiles fulfilled” as the Jewish nation once again took control of the holy city. Many prophecy scholars see Jerusalem being trampled on again just prior to the return of Christ. The world talks daily about New York, L.A., London, Paris, Beijing, and Moscow -- but keep your eyes on Jerusalem. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day