1) It is at the end of Mt. 23 and the first part of Mt. 24 that we read about the destruction Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
2) The temple was going to be destroyed; the religion of Judaism would be torn to shreds; the city of Jerusalem would be ransacked.
3) It took about 40 years for Jesus’ prediction to be fulfilled, but Rome did come and do exactly what Jesus promised.
4) The judgment that came on Jerusalem has some striking parallels to the judgment at the end of time.
5) Mt. 23 – verses 37-39 – READ
6) Jerusalem was involved in various kinds of wrongdoing.
7) The rejection by the people of Israel finally caught up with this nation.
a) Mt. 24:2 is our next verse – READ
b) The temple in Jerusalem was a massive building and there were numerous other structures in this area.
8) Mt. 24:1 talks about the other “buildings.”
9) Jesus said one stone would not be left on top of one another.
10) In the case of Jerusalem, the damage was localized.
11) When the Lord returns the destruction will not be limited to a small part of our world.
12) Heb. 1:10 refers to the “earth and heavens.”
13) Verse 11 of Heb. 1 says THEY (the earth and heavens) will “perish.”
14) Verse 12 indicates they will be “folded up” (when Jesus returns, the heavens and the earth will need to be put away).
15) 2 Pet. 3:10 says the heavens will “pass away” and this will occur with “great noise.”
a) 2 Pet. 3:11 says the environment we now have will be “dissolved.”
b) Verse 12 in this chapter says the “elements will melt with fervent heat.”
16) When compared to Jesus’ return at the end of time, Jerusalem’s destruction is insignificant.
17) Next point: When Jerusalem was destroyed, the people had the opportunity to flee.
a) Mt. 24:15-18 – READ
b) Most of us will probably never experience the kinds of things described in these verses.
18) We live in a time when people like to procrastinate.
a) We may like to think things can be put off until tomorrow or a much later time.
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c) Others have concluded they will right their relationship with God someday, but “someday is not today.”
19) The Bible says procrastinating in the spiritual realm is a very unwise thing to do.
20) Notice verses 37-39 in Mt. 24 where Jesus spoke about His next and final coming – READ
a) At least some of the Jews in Jerusalem had a chance to flee from the Roman invaders.
b) Jesus said when He returns, there will be absolutely no hope of fleeing.
21) If the people in Jerusalem wanted to preserve their lives, they had to follow God’s instructions.
22) The information in Mt. 24:15-18 told people what to do when the Romans came.
a) This is also true for Jesus’ coming at the end of time.
b) If we want to avoid eternal catastrophe, we must follow God’s instructions.
i) Jesus referred to this as being a “wise man” in Mt. 7.
c) Rom. 3:4 says let God be true but every man a liar.
23) When we think about the attack on Jerusalem we cannot overlook the suffering that took place.
24) As bad as war is, it eventually comes to an end.
25) The Romans are still not attacking the city of Jerusalem today.
a) The suffering associated with Jesus’ next and final return, however, will be ongoing.
b) Mt. 25:41 speaks about an “eternal fire.”
c) Mt. 25:46 speaks of “eternal punishment.”
26) Anyone who enters into hell would gladly go to war for a long time if this meant no eternity in torment.
a) A person cannot spend a certain amount of time in hell and then get out on probation.
b) There is no “early release” for “good behavior.”
If Jesus were to come within the next 15 minutes, would we be ready to meet Him?
