Fascinating message from Adam at Pursuing Truth.
Quote,
In about 30 AD, Jesus said something to the scribes, Pharisees, and people of Jerusalem which must have been earth-shattering to His audience at the time: “See! Your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). This mirrors what happened in the days of Jeremiah: “I have forsaken My house, I have left My heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of My soul into the hands of her enemies” (Jer. 12:7).
Notice that Jesus didn’t say the temple belonged to His Father, but instead He referred to it as “your” house (speaking to the people of Jerusalem). As we will see, even secular history provides a stark depiction of the desolation of the temple and the once holy city of Jerusalem during the next 40 years, before they were destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
The Talmud is an important text within Rabbinic Judaism, made up of both oral teachings and interpretations of these teachings. The earlier collection is known as the Jerusalem Talmud and the later collection, compiled between the 3rd and 5th centuries AD, is known as the Babylonian Talmud. Both of them have fascinating things to say about the 40 year period between Jesus’ ascension and the temple’s destruction in 70 AD:
[1] Jerusalem Talmud:
“Forty years before the destruction of the Temple, the western light went out, the crimson thread remained crimson, and the lot for the Lord always came up in the left hand. They would close the gates of the Temple by night and get up in the morning and find them wide open” (Jacob Neusner, The Yerushalmi, p.156-157).
[2] Babylonian Talmud:
“Our rabbis taught: During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot ‘For the Lord’ did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-colored strap become white; nor did the western most light shine; and the doors of the Hekel [Temple] would open by themselves” (Soncino version, Yoma 39b).
Continue Reading Here
The Lord has been focusing my heart, mind and prayer on Genesis 22:::>
Gen 22:18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
I am praying daily now using google earth for every nation on earth by name, praying for the leaders of these nations so that we Christians can lead a peaceful and quiet life in dignity and godliness:::>
1Ti 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
1Ti 2:2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
1Ti 2:3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The problem with Christian Zionists is they seem to forget this part of the Gospel vision! They seem to be taking sides with present day Israel, a nation, to be sure, but not the nation of Jacob’s twelve sons. Even the list of twelve nations in the book of Revelation is different than the twelve tribes of Israel Moses wrote about if anyone cares to read up on that? The firstborn is no longer Rueben. It is the Lord Jesus Christ of the tribe of Judah.
We are to go into ALL the world, to EVERY nation and become a true spiritual LIGHTHOUSE and blessing with the blessings promised to Abraham.
Somehow there is being permitted in the world today a distraction from this reality. The plan for the fullness of time is still this and no other plan will preempt it:::>
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Eph 1:8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
Eph 1:9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
Eph 1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
I fully expect many living in the land of Abraham’s blessing as promised will come out of darkness and into His marvelous Light! I also fully expect the same in every other nation on earth in these final last days, too.
🙂
Amen Michael. I too pray many continue to come to Christ, from all over the world.
Adam’s post was very interesting. It was very coincidental for i have been reading of the many supernatural things which occurred (concerning the Temple) leading up to it’s total destruction in 70AD. The Crimson thread which never changed color (to white) after the Cross, was only one of these supernatural signs.
Apparently the Jewish religious leaders at the time, gave no thought to all these things happening, having anything to do with Jesus: his Words/Warnings, death, widely reported resurrection and ascension.
Michael, it sounds like your daily prayer project is a rich and fulfilling one. I share your expectation that God will continue to bring many to Himself from every nation.
PJ, is Philip Mauro’s writing (the one you’ve been reading recently, that is) online? I know some of his material is. If so, and if this is easy enough to do, would you be able to cite a link and which pages speak to this topic? I’m interested in seeing what other signs Mauro spoke of. Thanks.
Yes it’s online (believe its the same version) http://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/1921_mauro_seventy-weeks.html
Think it is chapter XV.🙂
Did i send you the little book, The Destruction of Jerusalem by George Peter Holford? I “think” i did….If so, he has a section concerning different supernatural signs which were noted by all the people (one or more sign in the sky over the Temple) and signs within the Temple (seen/heard by the religious leaders) leading up to 70AD. His little book (68 pages) doesn’t have chapters so i can’t point you to specific pages.
The crimson cord is one i had not read about, so was very interested in it. Its a fascinating topic as most of these (if not all) can be found in the writings of Josephus.
I located this after reading Mauro’s book, which was interesting: Apparently most early Church fathers believed Daniel’s 70 weeks was fulfilled at the end of the Jewish age (in 70AD)
http://georgekouri.publishpath.com/the-early-church-fathers-and-the-last-days-of-the-jewish-age
(will see if i can locate some quotes in Holford’s book….believe you have it)
While looking for something else i came across this Adam, buried within comments under an old post. Thought you might be interested
Quoted from a commet i made a few years back:
Someone may find it interesting as it also pertains to Jerusalem’s destruction in 70ad and many believe, Matthew 24.
“Besides these [signs], a few days after that feast, on the one- and-twentieth day of the month Artemisius, [Jyar,] a certain prodigious and incredible phenomenon appeared; I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armour were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities. Moreover, at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner [court of the] temple, as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as of a great multitude, saying, “Let us remove hence” (Josephus (A.D. 75) – Jewish Historian: – Jewish Wars, VI-V-3).
Source
PJ, thank you for the link to Mauro’s book. I was wondering if it was that one.
Yes, you did send me George Peter Holford’s (excellent) book. He discusses those supernatural signs on pages 16-19, and they’re very interesting.
George Kouri’s post is interesting as well. I remember sharing it at my blog about a year ago, I believe.
Thanks also for digging up that fascinating quote from Thomas Newton and that exact quote from Josephus. I’m grateful that the Lord has allowed us to come across (and share with others) such revealing information.
George P. Holford’s book is indeed interesting! Knew i meant to send it, glad to hear i hadn’t forgotten🙂
I re-read sections of it while reading Mauro’s work on the 70 Weeks. I get the impression the teachings surrounding the entire Jewish war (and ultimate destruction) was preached and taught about for the first 18 centuries…that it’s only been since dispensationalism, and it’s Israeli-centric doctrines became so popular, that it was ignored.
It’s really amazing we have to go back to writings of 2 centuries ago to even find works on the topic! I’ve looked and looked for any newer books on the topic, and found none, actually. Without recognizing this event, and the results (theologically) it changes how we read the bible.
You’re very welcome. I was actually looking for something else when coming upon that old post. While reading through the comments there it was!