Jesus Prophesied That Armies Would Surround Jerusalem Before Its 70 AD Destruction

Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies

Today we're showing another historical event that was a fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies before its 70 AD destruction.

Jerusalem's trench: Jesus' prophecy fulfilled.

Jerusalem, Israel

Jerusalem was an amazing city with a beautiful temple

Jerusalem was like a beautiful castle, with a super special building called the Temple. It was beautiful and made of big, pretty stones. Some people thought it was the most amazing place ever! 

One day, Jesus' disciples showed Him the beautiful stones. Instead of being awed, Jesus said something really surprising. He said that one day, all those pretty stones would be knocked down like building blocks falling apart!

He also said that Jerusalem would be destroyed and that armies would surround it before that happened!

Jerusalem, Israel

The Roman army surrounded Jerusalem in AD70

About thirty seven years after Jesus' prophecy, something terrible happened. The Jews, who were ruled at the time by the Roman Empire, revolted against them. The Roman king sent his  powerful army to take back the territory.

The Romans had a lot of soldiers and weapons and they surrounded the city. Just like Jesus said, Jerusalem was "surrounded by armies."

A Jew named Josephus wrote about the war

A Jewish man named Josephus, who lived during that time, wrote  about what happened. Josephus was one of the generals who led the Jews in the war.

He said the Romans built walls and towers all around Jerusalem, so nobody could go in or out. They put a big fence around the whole city.

The people inside Jerusalem were very scared. They didn't have enough food, and they were fighting each other too. It was a very sad time. The Romans kept attacking, and they were very strong.

                                 Western Wall of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem

The Romans finally broke through the city walls

Then, after a long time, the Romans finally broke through the walls. They went into the city and, just like Jesus said, they knocked down the Temple. All those beautiful stones fell to the ground. Not one stone was left on top of another! It was like a giant puzzle being smashed.

Josephus told us that there was a big fire, and many, many people were hurt or died. Those who lived were carried away as captives to other nations. It was a really sad time for Jerusalem.

Jesus had already warned His disciples about everything that would happen

Do you remember that Jesus had said that not one stone of the temple would be left on another and that Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies?  We can truly see that Jesus’ words came to pass. 

Jesus' prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem reminds us that He is God and knows everything. He always tells the truth. Therefore we can believe everything that the Lord said and trust Him to save us from hell and from the lake of fire.

We begin by confessing our sins to God. After that we must repent. To repent means to turn away from sinning and obeying the Word of God. God is always pleased with those who obey His Word and do what is right and pleasing to Him.

       An Israeli stamp from 1968, quoting Psalm 122:6; Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!...

Armies will surround Jerusalem scriptures

Luk 21:5

Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said,

Luk 21:6

“These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” 

Luk 21:20

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

References

Josephus

The Wars Of The Jews By Flavius Josephus

Jerusalem's Trench: Jesus' Prophecy Fulfilled

Last time we dived into Parable Of The Fig Tree Foretells The Time Of The 70AD  Destruction Of Jerusalem   In the parable, Jesus prophesied that armies would dig a trench around Jerusalem before its destruction:

“For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side - Luk 19:43.

“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 - Luk 19:44.

Roman General Titus built the trench around Jerusalem

The Romans used to rule over the Jews, but they decided to form their own government. The king of Rome sent his army to take back the territory. There was a big fight between the Romans and the people living in Jerusalem. Titus, the Roman general, really wanted to win, so he did something really different!

He told his soldiers to build a giant wall all the way around the city. It wasn't just any wall; it was like a super long fence and a ditch, all together! We call it a "circumvallation," which is a big word for a wall built all the way around a place.

Why did Titus and his army build this wall? Well, they wanted to stop anyone from bringing food and water into the city. They also wanted to stop anyone from leaving. It was like putting a big circle around the whole city so nobody could go in or out.

                        

Source

The Romans built the ditch very quickly

The Romans worked super, super fast to build this wall. It was a really big job, but they did it quickly! They wanted to make sure the people inside the city got very hungry, because if they couldn't get food, they would have to give up and let the Romans win.

We know all about this because Josephus, a leader of the Jewish army,  wrote a book called "The Wars Of The Jews." He told us all about the big wall and what happened in Jerusalem when the Romans invaded.

                              Titus - By © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62268165

What happened to the Jews when the Romans built the trench around Jerusalem?

Just as Jesus warned, the Romans closed off the city of Jerusalem when they built the trench. People inside the city could not get food and water. Also, they could not escape to find safety elsewhere.

The people inside got very hungry and sad, and it was a very difficult time for them, as Josephus explained in his book

You Can Believe Jesus' Words When He Speaks

The amazing thing is that Jesus warned the Jews that their enemies would build a trench around Jerusalem then destroy it.  Just as Jesus said, the Romans locked down the city so that no one could go in or out.

The Lord gave the prophecy about thirty seven years before it happened. 

Jesus came to die for our sins in order to save us from the punishment of hell. He will save you if you believe His Word.

Go to the link below to know how to be saved from hell.

Link here.

Sources:

• Josephus, F. (n.d.). The Wars of the Jews. 

Parable Of The Fig Tree Foretells The Time Of The 70AD Destruction Of Jerusalem

Parable Of The Fig Tree Luke 21: 29 - 33

Today we are talking about Jesus' parable  of the fig tree.  The parable was recorded by several of Jesus' disciples and each one gave different parts of the prophecy.

The parable began when the disciples showed Jesus the lovely stones used to build the temple

One record is in Luke 21. The disciples had shown Jesus the beautiful jewels that decorated the temple in Jerusalem. He shocked them by saying that the stones would all be broken down one day. Amazed, the disciples asked Jesus when that would happen.

Jesus told the disciples about the events that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple

Jesus gave the time and events of the destruction. In Luke 21 verses 20 to 24, He said that the desolation would be preceded by armies surrounding Jerusalem. The disciples were warned to flee into the mountains because there would be great distress in the city. Jesus also said that the war would end with many dead Jews and with many being carried away as captives to other nations.

Jesus then used the Parable of the Fig Tree to reveal the TIME of the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple

The Lord then gave the timing of the destruction of Jerusalem in the parable of the fig tree. Here's what Jesus said in Luke 21: 29 to 33.

He said:

"Think about the fig tree and all the other trees. When you see the leaves starting to grow, you know that summer is almost here. 

In the same way, when you see these things happening, you’ll know that God’s kingdom is close. 

I promise you, the people alive today won’t die until all of this happens. 

The sky and the earth will disappear one day, but My words will last forever and never go away."

Spiritual Meaning Of  The Fig Tree In The Bible

The fig tree, is scientifically known as Ficus carica. It is a small,  tree that typically thrives in warm, sunny climates like Israel. In the bible, the fig tree was used to represent the nation of Israel.

Growth Cycle Of The Fig Tree

In ancient times, the fig tree followed a fascinating seasonal cycle that was closely observed by people. They paid attention to the time that the leaves appeared, to the time of the leaves, first figs and fully ripe fruit. 

The timing of the leaves and fruit are important in understanding the timing of Jesus' parable about the destruction of Jerusalem:

1.  Time the leaves appeared: Leaves typically start to emerge in March, marking the beginning of spring. Spring begins the day after the Spring Equinox in March each year. The appearance of leaves is a sign of renewal and growth, as the tree prepared for its fruiting phase.

2. First Figs or Early Figs: The early crop, also known as "breba figs," begins to develop shortly after the leaves appear. They could be harvested in May or June.

3. Full Bloom and Main Crop: The fig tree produces most of the fruit between July to September. These fruits are larger and sweeter than the early figs. 

Jesus Warned That Some Of The Disciples Would Be Alive When Jerusalem Would Be Destroyed

Do you remember that Jesus warned the disciples that this generation of people alive at the time would not die until the events took place?  That means He was speaking about something that would happen in Jerusalem in a few years, not thousands of years away.

In fact, Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerusalem in great detail. He told His disciples exactly how it would happen.  A prophet by the name of Daniel was the first to foretell this event. He called it the abomination of desolation or abominable desolation. This prophecy is found in Daniel 8.

Jerusalem, Israel

Jesus foretold these events would take place around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem:

1. Jesus warned that the disciples about the destruction of Jerusalem. He called it the "abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet."  ( Mat 24:15,  Mar 13:14).

2. Jesus warned that some of the people in His time would be alive: "I promise you, the people alive today won’t die until all of this happens."  Luk 21:32 

3. The Lord warned that armies would surround Jerusalem before its destruction: 

"... when you see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation ... is nigh. (Luk 21:20).

4. Jesus even told in the parable that the Roman army, the eagles would do the destruction. This is because double headed eagle was on the coat of arms of the Roman Empire:

“For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together" Mat 24:28

                                                                Wailing Wall, Jerusalem

5. He warned the disciples to FLEE from Jerusalem because there would be great tribulation in the city:

“Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her." Luke 21:21

“For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled."  Luke 21:22  

But woe unto 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 upon this people. Luke 21:23

6. Jesus said that their enemies would build an embankment or trench around the city and destroy it entirely  Luk 19:43 and  Luk 19:44:

“For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, 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.”

                               Wailing Wall Jerusalem

7. Jesus also warned that many people would die and that others would be carried away as captives to other nations: 

“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."  Luk 21:24

 

Were Jesus' Prophecies About The Destruction Of Jerusalem Fulfilled?

Yes they were!

The Jews living in Judah began a revolt against the Roman Empire in 66AD.  In response, the Roman King placed Judah under attack  beginning in the year 66AD. The Romans wanted the territory back under their rule. 

After three and a half years of warfare, the Roman king sent his son Titus to lead the army. Here's what happened:

a. March 70 CE - the Roman army broke through the walls - matching the time fig leaves begin to appear:

The Romans began their assault on Jerusalem with the help of four Roman legions. Titus conducted a strong military attack and dug a trench around Jerusalem. He also killed escapees and people could not go in or out of the city. Many people died inside from starvation.

Despite strong resistance from the defenders, the Romans broke through the city's walls and forced the defenders into the temple property.  

b. Around August 4th 70AD - the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the beautiful temple - matching the time of the Full Bloom and Main Crop of Figs:

Around August 4th, AD 70, Titus finally took control of Jerusalem. He destroyed the city entirely, burned the Jewish temple, killed many people and carried the living away captives.

Jerusalem has been occupied by non-Jews for over two thousand years, but Jesus will rebuild the Temple when He reigns in the earth.

Parable Of The Fig Tree Bible Verses Luke 21: 29-33

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 

6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 

21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 

22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 

23 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. 

24 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.

29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 

30  When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 

31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 

32  Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 

33 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.