Will the real antichrist please stand up.

There are volumes of books written TV shows like the history channel, on the Antichrist today. People have tried to name the Antichrist from among the men of their day. Just about every Pope has been given the title of Antichrist. Adolf Hitler, Henry Kissinger, Bill Gates, just to name a some.

Most of these men are dead and presumably off the hook, But what does the Bible about the Antichrist? The word "antichrist" is only used four times in the scriptures, all by the apostle John. Antichrist is a term used exclusively in two ...books of the New Testament: 1 John and 2 John. Contrary to popular assumption the word “antichrist” does not appear in the book of the Daniel or Revelation. John uses this term specifically in his first two epistles, with a specific definition. Let us consider these verses.

The Apostle John, writing to those living in his current time and his present generation said, "Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time" (I John 2:18) John specifically says that the antichrist has come (as had been prophesied) John’s audience was already aware of the antichrist probably from Jesus. John was acquainted with the Greek for “false Christ’[Gr. pseudochristos], but he chose not to use it. He used “antichrist”

John uses their presence as proof that it was then already the last time. This verse clearly indicates a period of time called “the last time" which certainly was present back then at the time of John’s writing. Obviously, it was the last times of the Old Covenant age that the writer of Hebrews said was vanishing away. “In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews. 8:13) John and the writer of Hebrews were both living at the (end of the Old Covenant age) and in order to have the start of the New Covenant there must be last days or a vanish away of the Old Covenant that John and all the disciples were writing under.

The new covenant has NO last days or end as clearly seen in scripture. Ezekiel 37:26-28 "Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. "My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. "The nations also will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore." Hebrews 13:20 says Christ's kingdom will never be destroyed. In Isaiah 9:6-7 it predicted the establishment of the rule of Christ on the throne of David and "of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." Christ's throne is endless. See Daniel 4:3, 34, 7:14, 27.

These antichrists were contemporaries of John and former church members who left the faith. John’s antichrist was of Christian origin. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it may be shown that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19) History records that the Jewish apostasy from the faith was already underway in the early 60s. Some followers of Christ who remained zealous for the law and Temple system were departing from the new faith and falling back into the old ways. The antichrists’ departure from the church was evidence that they did not truly belong to the church.

The antichrist continued trying to deceive believers. 1 John 2:22- 26 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. There antichrist were trying to deceive these first century Christians.

The antichrist in NOT a single individual but many. With the use of the original Greek words, (antichristos) we can clearly see that they were many in the first century. (It is not a single individual). In the original languages the letter (a) is not capitalized in antichristos. It was capitalized later by the translators. In other words, John’s antichrist are collective. We cannot ignore John’s use of these words, antichrist with a small (a) because it supply us with important information to the interpretation of these two epistles.

John never told his first reader one time that the antichrist was a single person that flowed many antichrist. That is a assumptions that has been read into scripture. John specifically told his readers, as you have heard that antichrist shall come (as had been prophesied) even now are there many antichrists. There is a big difference in the wording you have heard (the antichrist) shall come. Then you have heard (that antichrist shall come). One is a single person and the other is a movement. John never mentions a person but a movement of antichrist. (The Antichrist) is not a person, but any person that fits the description of a movement John (gaves) in his Epistle. For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2 John 7.

John uses the term “antichrists” above to describe a movement Jews who deny that Jesus was the Christ and that He had come in the flesh The word antichrist (Greek. antichristos) mean “against Christ” The antichrist was a movement and already present when John was writing and there were "many antichrists."

The antichrist heresy was a system of belief opposed to orthodox Christianity. The term antichrist as used by John in his epistles is used to describe a movement of those who had left the Church and did not believe Christ had come in the flesh (the Messiah had come) and were spreading false teachings within the Church. This leaves us with one conclusion. It is unbiblical to use the term ‘antichrist’ for a present-day or future political ruler. The proper eschatology is pre-A. D. 70

Act 1:11

Act 1:11 is one of the most misunderstood verse in our New Testament assimilating spiritual truths! The primary rule of hermeneutics is to let (Scripture interpret Scripture). Scripture is the best interpreter of itself. Because that is the case, the first commentary you should consult on a passage is what the rest of the Scriptures have to say on the topic being examined.

Jesus replied by interpreting Scripture with Scripture. What did He do? He quoted Deuteronomy 6:16: “You shall not tempt the LORD your God.” Jesus used Scripture to interpret Scripture when he was tempted by the devil. By doing this, Jesus ...was saying to us that a passage of Scripture must be understood in the light of those clearer and more expressive Scriptures.

First, it is agreed by all that Acts 1:11, "...this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven," refers to the Parousia. Jesus used the term "parousia," (presence) four times in Matthew 24, speaking of his return. But lest look at all the context Acts 1:9-11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Often times we hear the argument that Acts chapter 1 is speaking of a literal physical coming of Jesus Christ. But is there another biblical alternative for these three verses? First, as with all passages, we should try to use some sort of a consistent hermeneutic.

Let's draw some biblical lessons from the Bible to see what the account of Act 1:11 really say. Most people agree that Jesus was in a material body at this time. That is indeed correct. The Angels tell the disciples that Jesus will return just as He left-bodily and visible right? It that correct? Problem one. That is NOT what Acts 1:11 says.

Lets tack a closer look at the verse11. "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so (COME IN LIKE MANNER) as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) The verse says Jesus will (come in like manner). There is no mention that Jesus will return just as He left-bodily and visible. The Bible is not to be read in such a way that it is made to conform to our opinions and assumptions; instead, we must conform to what it says.

What was the (manner ) that the disciples saw Jesus go into heaven? Verse nine contains the answer. Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and (A CLOUD RECEIVED) Him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9) Verse 9 speaking of the (manner in which Jesus was going into heaven). What was that manner? A cloud received Him out of their sight.

The two Greek words that Luke uses in the construct (OUTOS…TRAPON) specifically means, “the same manner.” The angels verify that Christ would return in the “same manner.” Just reverse the order. Here is the Hebrew Cloud: CLOUD `anan OT:6051, "cloud; fog; storm cloud; smoke." Cognates of this word appear in Aramaic and Arabic. Its 87 appearances are scattered throughout the biblical material. ; (A) of the "cloud" which covered Israel in the Red Sea, 1 Chronic 10:1-2; (B), "The cloud, of course, symbolizes the Divine Glory of God,

Problem two. The angels tied Christ’s coming directly to (the disciples). "This Jesus, who was received up from you (the disciples) into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you (the disciples) beheld him going into heaven." v. 11 Jesus stated the same thing on numerous occasions. Worth noting is Matthew 10:23. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the (Son of Man comes).

And from the manner in which He went up into heaven we can learn certain things respecting the manner of His Return: Letting Scripture interpret Scripture. Did Jesus ever mention returning in the clouds other places when speaking of His Parousia? This is precisely the thought Jesus was conveying to Caiaphas when he told him he would see him coming in the clouds. But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:63-64)

When Jesus said he was going to come in the clouds this was a claim to the Messianic office and divine nature; Caiaphas responded, "He has spoken blasphemy!" Caiaphas was not responding to a claim that Jesus would literally return on a physical cloud. He was responding to the IDENTITY which Jesus was claiming by associating himself as the one to come in the clouds of heaven! Jesus adopts the classical style of Jewish apocalyptic literature.

The idea of God's coming in the clouds is also associated with the exercise of his sovereignty in JUDGING his enemies. In Zephaniah 1:14-16 we are told the "great day of the Lord is near;" and that it would be a day of "wrath," "distress," and a "day of clouds," when the Lord would come. This is precisely the thought Jesus was conveying to Caiaphas when he told him he would see him coming in the clouds.

In Daniel 7 one like the Son of man is depicted as coming in the clouds of heaven. This concept of Messiah on the clouds was certainly one well known to Caiaphas and all the Jews in the first century.

One final thought. The New Testament TIME FRAME for the coming of Jesus in the clouds. Jesus told Caiaphas he would see Him' return in the clouds. He did not say Caiaphas would die and be resurrected a thousand years later to view the parousia. He was living and was told he would witness Jesus' return.

"Any interpretation of Acts 1:11 that fails to honor the time limitations for the parousia is not "exegesis" but "eisegesis"!"

Biblical death.

To be dead, as used in the Bible, can mean different things. It can mean to be dead physically; it can mean to be dead spiritually; and it can have yet another meaning. It is the last definition of death' that is the subject of our study.

The land of Israel is often referred to as the Promised Land because of God's repeated promise (Gen. 12:7, 13:15, 15:18, 17:8) to give the land to the descendants of Abraham. The land is described repeatedly in the Torah as a good land a...nd "a land flowing with milk and honey" (e.g., Exodus. 3:8).

The rule of Israelites in the land of Israel starts with the conquests of Joshua (ca. 1250 BCE). The land of Israel was central to Judaism. With that in mind let look at a passage of Scripture that gives us a feeling for this third definition of death. Ezekiel 37:11-14 Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, `Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' Therefore prophesy and say to them, `Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it," says the LORD.'" ()

In 587 BCE, Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar's army captured Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and exiled the Jews to Babylon (modern day Iraq) During the Babylonian captivity Israel was cut off from her homeland Palestine. They spent seventy years in another country. While Israel was cut off from the promised land she was in the sight of God, as dead! They were as dry bones in a grave.

Why? Israel was not in her rightful place because of her sin. All these Jews were alive physically, but as the Lord showed Ezekiel 37:11 they were a valley of dry bones (in a grave nationally.) When the Isralites were living in exile outside of the land of Palestine, they were (figuratively dead and in a grave).

God in restoring His covenant people back into their own land uses the figure of graves opening and His people coming forth in (a national resurrection). Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, (I will open your graves) and cause you to come up from your graves, and (bring you into the land of Israel). (Ezekiel 37:12) When the Jews were living inside of land of Israel, were all live nationally.

And when national Israel was cut off from the land they were considered as dead and in a grave nationally while exiled from the promise land. (Ezekiel 37:11-14) It is obvious from this scripture that God see life and death independent of the physicality of man. If you now understand this third definition of death (national Israel was cut off from the promised land), then you possess a valuable tool in the understanding (separation as dead).

The Old Testament use many types and shadow that were to be fulfilled in the New Testament. The language that was used in Ezekiel 37 was a type or shadow that was to be fulfilled in the future of Israel.

In Acts Paul has stated. "And now I stand and am judged for the HOPE OF THE PROMISE made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes instantly serving God night and day, hope to come. Which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be and incredible thing with you, that God should raise the dead?" (Acts 26:6-7)

There are a few things to note in these verses. First the promise which was a hope for national Israel, was the resurrection of the dead. This verse should be compared to the verse in Romans 15:8 were we read "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers.

Jesus WAS a minister of the circumcision (the Jews) and if he has not fulfilled the hope of Israel then there is still a promise made to the fathers that is incomplete. If that is the case the gospel in its full proclamation could not come to the Gentiles as Paul says in those same verses. Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy?.."

The Gentiles can only glorify God for his mercy if indeed he has confirmed every promise made to the fathers. Most would agree forgetting Acts 26:6-8 where Paul says that the resurrection of the dead was the promise.

What is interesting about these words is that Paul said he hoped to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:11-12. Just as these OT saints were seeking to obtain the resurrection of the dead so was Paul.

Articles that cover from (Matthew 24:3-30) And the Jewish wars start below.

Titus states "We have certainly had God for our assistant in this war.”

1. Now when Titus was come into this [upper] city, he admired not only some other places of strength in it, but particularly those strong towers which the tyrants in their mad conduct had relinquished; for when he saw their solid altitude,... and the largeness of their several stones, and the exactness of their joints, as also how great was their breadth, and how extensive their length, he expressed himself after the manner following: "We have certainly had God for our assistant in this war, and it was no other than God who ejected the Jews out of these fortifications; for what could the hands of men or any machines do towards overthrowing these towers?" At which time he had many such discourses to his friends; he also let such go free as had been bound by the tyrants, and were left in the prisons. To conclude, when he entirely demolished the rest of the city, and overthrew its walls, he left these towers as a monument of his good fortune, which had proved his auxiliaries, and enabled him to take what could not otherwise have been taken by him. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 9

As Rome's power grew and its sphere of influence expanded, the Roman Empire encountered the older and richer religious beliefs of the Greeks.

The Romans also came into contact with the beliefs of other eastern Mediterranean Sea cultures. As a result, Romans began to adopt various foreign gods and religious customs. In many cases, gods and heroes from foreign cultures were given temples in Rome. The acceptance of Greek gods had the biggest influence on Roman religion. The earliest Greek gods adopted by the Romans were Castor and Polydeuces in 484 BC. Later in the 5th century BC, the Greek god Apollo was introduced. Apollo would eventually symbolize Roman virtue and austerity. Other Roman gods that took on Greek characteristics included Diana (Artemis), Mercury (Hermes), Neptune (Poseidon), Venus (Aphrodite), and Vulcan (Hephaestus).

We are not told by Josephus if Titus believed in Jehovah or not. However when Jehovah came in judgement He always used a nation or people as "instrument to judge” a nation.

The Lord said that He would ride into Egypt on a cloud to punish them: Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud, and is about to come to Egypt. The idol of Egypt will tremble at His presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. (Isa. 19: 1). In the above verse. the Lord did NOT literally ride on a cloud. However. Egypt did receive this judgment at the hands of the Assyrians (Isa. 20:1-6) . When God used the means of a nation or people to carry out a judgment. He was said to come on the clouds.

In biblical language "clouds" are symbolic of God's wrath and judgment against the enemies of God's people. In Psalms 18 David described in graphic detail how God had delivered him from his enemies. He said God descended on the clouds, the earth was shaken, all creation was moved. This did not literally happen but is highly symbolic language to describe God's actions. Of course clouds also speak of God's divine presence and power.

This apocalyptic language was well known to all within the Jewish communities. This language was studied by all the congregation of Israel on the Sabbath in the synagogue. It was spoken in homes and by the rulers of Israel. This is the reason Jesus chose to use apocalyptic language as He described His SOON return to the people of His day.

The Apocalyptic language was never intended to be taken literally and leads to direct contradictions when literalized. When Jesus promised Caiaphas the high priest that he would see Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:57-65) He was using standard apocalyptic language to describe the time when he would put a full end to the Old World of Judaism. Caiaphas understood this highly symbolic language that describes God's actions. That is why tore his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. Why did Caiaphas believe the language Jesus was using was blasphemy? vs. 65 Caiaphas was a high priest of Israel, and he know the Old Testament. He know only the God of Israel can ride the clouds of heaven judgement.

In 70 AD Jesus destroyed the Old World of Judaism that had stood for over 1500 years. Remenber the real purpose of the whole episode, to accuse Stephen of the crime was that Jesus will destroy the Temple and the Mosaic law handed down to them. Acts.

The temple was the only place on earth where sacrifices could be offered; and only genealogically confirmed Levites could offer those sacrifices. National Israel had been God's chosen people to bring Messiah and his word. That purpose was now accomplished and Israel had rejected her own Messiah and kingdom. Concurrently, God was establishing a New Covenant and a New People.

When Christ came in judgment. He took that Old Nation out of the way. When Jerusalem was destroyed Jesus' claims were fully vindicated by the fulfillment of all prophecy, Luke 21:22. He was "seen" to be true when his predictions came to pass. He was revealed to be at the right hand of power on high when his prediction of Jerusalem's fall came to pass. This was the coming of the Lord. In short, Jesus never predicted to bodily return to this earth.

"The year A.D. 70 marked a turning point in the history not only of Judaism but also of Christianity. The military defeat which ended in the destruction of the Temple effected the young Jewish Church in several ways: It detached the Jewish Church from the old religious system, and thus allowed a greater measure of freedom and independence. The overthrow of the Jewish state served to confirm to the world that the saints were the true children of Abraham and son’s of God.

The only way to maintain a belief in the inspiration of the scriptures and Jesus is to be willing to believe he kept his words; this means a change in our beliefs about the nature of the coming.

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries..

The sons of the kingdom are cast out.

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." The centurion answered and sa...id, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! "And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:5-12)

Those that were found slain were above two thousand persons, partly by their own hands, The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6Chapter 9

The young of both sexes were sold as slaves. Those under seventeen were sold as slaves. In the days it took Fronto to make these decisions, 11.000 perished for want of food. (Josephus 37:B.C A.D. 70 p. 230) The Roman general Titus, who conquered Jerusalem and Israel, sent 17,000 adults Jews to Egypt."

The tallest and most beautiful of the young men were saved for the triumphal procession; everyone else over the age of seventeen was sent in bonds to work the Egyptian mines. A great number were also sent into the provinces to provide amusement in the theaters. (Josephus 37:B.C A.D. 70 p. 230)

Fulfillment of prophecy. (Deuteronomy 28:68 concerning Jerusalem) "And the LORD will take (you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you), 'You shall never see it again.' And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves), but no one will buy you." (emphasis added)

“The cities could be seen full of unburied corpses, the dead bodies of the aged flung down alongside those of infants, women without (a rag to conceal their nakedness) and the whole province full of indescribable horrors. (Eusebius, The History of the Church, 9 105)

"But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Fulfillment of prophecy. (Jeremiah 7:33 concerning Jerusalem) The corpses of this people will be food for the birds of the heaven and for the beasts of the earth. And no one will frighten them away. Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. For the land shall be desolate.

Fulfillment of prophecy. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, (each hailstone about the weight of a talent). Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great. (Revelation 16:21) (emphasis added)

Josephus reckon the number of captive taken during the war at 97,000 and the number of those who perished during the siege at 1,100.000. The number who perished in the whole war are reckoned at the total of 1,337,490 and the number of prisoners at 101,700; but even these estimates do not include all the items of many skirmishes and battles, nor do they take into account the multitudes who, throughout the whole country, perished of misery, famine and disease. In may well be said that the nation seemed to have given itself ‘a rendezvous of exterminations.’ Two thousand putrefying bodies were found even in the subterranean vaults of the city, (F.W. Farrar. pp 487-489).

Titus ordered Jerusalem to be completely leveled and work began. However, he allowed part of the walls to remain in their place. All the stones were thrown down at that time. Eleazar, commander of the Temple along with many Jewish men, women, and children escaped from Jerusalem fled to Massada, a fortress in the wilderness built by Herod. Fighting dragged on for three more years after Jerusalem fell and ended when Massada was captured in 73AD.

The Temple along with the system of the laws of Moses came immediately under attack and fell on August 10, 70AD. The upper city fell on September 7, 70AD and the capture of Jerusalem was over. That millstone was threw it into the sea, and shall not be found anymore. (Revelation 18:21)

Despite the alliance between Jerusalem and Rome and the vigorous and universal persecution of the Church, Nero and the Jews failed to purge the world of Christian power and influence. The faith and sacrifice of the saints proved to be stronger than the fiery trials and persecutions. Their earthly forces were no match for the spiritual power of Christ’s gospel. Thus, Nero failed to serve Israel’s purpose.

God was not simply doing away with a national system and people; he was also receiving and bringing to perfection a spiritual nation. Unlike national Judaism, spiritual Israel cannot be entered, possessed, or ruled by earthy kinds. The spiritual rule and dominion of Christ is not vulnerable to the military might and ingenuity of civil governments. Nations shall rise and fall, but God’s spiritual nation of Israel shall abide forever. Daniel 7:14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries..

Titus decides not the burn the Temple.

Titus decides not the burn the Temple but his soldiers made as if they did not hear Caesar's orders and they encouraged those that were before them to set the temple on fire.

Titus proposed to these that they should give him their advice what should be done about the holy house. Now some of these thought it would be the best way to act according to the rules of war, [and demolish it,] because the Jews would neve...r leave off rebelling while that house was standing; at which house it was that they used to get all together. Others of them were of opinion, that in case the Jews would leave it, and none of them would lay their arms up in it, he might save it; but that in case they got upon it, and fought any more, he might burn it; because it must then be looked upon not as a holy house, but as a citadel; and that the impiety of burning it would then belong to those that forced this to be done, and not to them.

But Titus said, that "although the Jews should get upon that holy house, and fight us thence, yet ought we not to revenge ourselves on things that are inanimate, instead of the men themselves;" and that he was not in any case for burning down so vast a work as that was, because this would be a mischief to the Romans themselves, as it would be an ornament to their government while it continued. So Fronto, and Alexander, and Cerealis grew bold upon that declaration, and agreed to the opinion of Titus. Then was this assembly dissolved, when Titus had given orders to the commanders that the rest of their forces should lie still; but that they should make use of such as were most courageous in this attack. So he commanded that the chosen men that were taken out of the cohorts should make their way through the ruins, and quench the fire.

4. Now it is true that on this day the Jews were so weary, and under such consternation, that they refrained from any attacks. But on the next day they gathered their whole force together, and ran upon those that guarded the outward court of the temple very boldly, through the east gate, and this about the second hour of the day. These guards received that their attack with great bravery, and by covering themselves with their shields before, as if it were with a wall, they drew their squadron close together; yet was it evident that they could not abide there very long, but would be overborne by the multitude of those that sallied out upon them, and by the heat of their passion. However, Caesar seeing, from the tower of Antonia, that this squadron was likely to give way, he sent some chosen horsemen to support them. Hereupon the Jews found themselves not able to sustain their onset, and upon the slaughter of those in the forefront, many of the rest were put to flight. But as the Romans were going off, the Jews turned upon them, and fought them; and as those Romans came back upon them, they retreated again, until about the fifth hour of the day they were overborne, and shut themselves up in the inner [court of the] temple.

So Titus retired into the tower of Antonia, and resolved to storm the temple the next day, early in the morning, with his whole army, and to encamp round about the holy house. (But as for that house, God had, for certain, long ago doomed it to the fire); and now that fatal day was come, according to the revolution of ages; long ago doomed it to the fire; and now that fatal day was come, according to the revolution of ages; it was the tenth day of the month Lous, [Ab,] upon which it was formerly burnt by the king of Babylon; although these flames took their rise from the Jews themselves, and were occasioned by them; for upon Titus's retiring, the seditious lay still for a little while, and then attacked the Romans again, when those that guarded the holy house fought with those that quenched the fire that was burning the inner [court of the] temple; but these Romans put the Jews to flight, and proceeded as far as the holy house itself.

At which time one of the soldiers, without staying for any orders, and without any concern or dread upon him at so great an undertaking, and being hurried on by a certain divine fury, snatched somewhat out of the materials that were on fire, and being lifted up by another soldier, he set fire to a golden window, through which there was a passage to the rooms that were round about the holy house, on the north side of it. As the flames went upward, the Jews made a great clamor, such as so mighty an affliction required, and ran together to prevent it; and now they spared not their lives any longer, nor suffered any thing to restrain their force, since that holy house was perishing, for whose sake it was that they kept such a guard about it.

6. And now a certain person came running to Titus, and told him of this fire, as he was resting himself in his tent after the last battle; whereupon he rose up in great haste, and, as he was, ran to the holy house, in order to have a stop put to the fire; after him followed all his commanders, and after them followed the several legions, in great astonishment; so there was a great clamor and tumult raised, as was natural upon the disorderly motion of so great an army.

Then did Caesar, both by calling to the soldiers that were fighting, with a loud voice, and by giving a signal to them with his right hand, order them to quench the fire. But they did not hear what he said, though he spake so loud, having their ears already dimmed by a greater noise another way; nor did they attend to the signal he made with his hand neither, as still some of them were distracted with fighting, and others with passion.

But as for the legions that came running thither, neither any persuasions nor any threatenings could restrain their violence, but each one's own passion was his commander at this time; and as they were crowding into the temple together, many of them were trampled on by one another, while a great number fell among the ruins of the cloisters, which were still hot and smoking, and were destroyed in the same miserable way with those whom they had conquered; and when they were come near the holy house, they made as if they did not so much as hear Caesar's orders to the contrary; but they encouraged those that were before them to set it on fire.

As for the seditious, they were in too great distress already to afford their assistance [towards quenching the fire]; they were every where slain, and every where beaten; and as for a great part of the people, they were weak and without arms, and had their throats cut wherever they were caught. Now round about the altar lay dead bodies heaped one upon another, as at the steps going up to it ran a great quantity of their blood, whither also the dead bodies that were slain above [on the altar] fell down.

7. And now, since Caesar was no way able to restrain the enthusiastic fury of the soldiers, and the fire proceeded on more and more, he went into the holy place of the temple, with his commanders, and saw it, with what was in it, which he ...found to be far superior to what the relations of foreigners contained, and not inferior to what we ourselves boasted of and believed about it. But as the flame had not as yet reached to its inward parts, but was still consuming the rooms that were about the holy house, and Titus supposing what the fact was, that the house itself might yet he saved, he came in haste and endeavored to persuade the soldiers to quench the fire, and gave order to Liberalius the centurion, and one of those spearmen that were about him, to beat the soldiers that were refractory with their staves, and to restrain them; yet were their passions too hard for the regards they had for Caesar, and the dread they had of him who forbade them, as was their hatred of the Jews, and a certain vehement inclination to fight them, too hard for them also

Moreover, the hope of plunder induced many to go on, as having this opinion, that all the places within were full of money, and as seeing that all round about it was made of gold. And besides, one of those that went into the place prevented Caesar, when he ran so hastily out to restrain the soldiers, and threw the fire upon the hinges of the gate, in the dark; whereby the flame burst out from within the holy house itself immediately, when the commanders retired, and Caesar with them, and when nobody any longer forbade those that were without to set fire to it. And thus was the holy house burnt down, without Caesar's approbation.

8. Now although any one would justly lament the destruction of such a work as this was, since it was the most admirable of all the works that we have seen or heard of, both for its curious structure and its magnitude, and also for the vast wealth bestowed upon it, as well as for the glorious reputation it had for its holiness; yet might such a one comfort himself with this thought, that it was fate that decreed it so to be, which is inevitable, both as to living creatures, and as to works and places also. However, one cannot but wonder at the accuracy of this period thereto relating; for the same month and day were now observed, as I said before, wherein the holy house was burnt formerly by the Babylonians. Now the number of years that passed from its first foundation, which was laid by king Solomon, till this its destruction, which happened in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, are collected to be one thousand one hundred and thirty, besides seven months and fifteen days; and from the second building of it, which was done by Haggai, in the second year of Cyrus the king, till its destruction under Vespasian, there were six hundred and thirty-nine years and forty-five days. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 4

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries..

Hailstones One Hundred Pounds in Weight Thrown Upon City.

Now the stones that were cast were of the weight of a talent (1), and were carried two furlongs and further. The blow they gave was no way to be sustained, not only by those that stood first in the way, but by those that were beyond them fo...r a great space.

As for the Jews, they at first watched the coming of the stone, for it was of a white color, and could therefore not only be perceived by the great noise it made, but could be seen also before it came by its brightness; accordingly the watchmen that sat upon the towers gave them notice when the engine was let go, and the stone came from it, and cried out aloud, in their own country language, THE STONE COMETH so those that were in its way stood off, and threw themselves down upon the ground; by which means, and by their thus guarding themselves, the stone fell down and did them no harm.

But the Romans contrived how to prevent that by blacking the stone, who then could aim at them with success, when the stone was not discerned beforehand, as it had been till then; and so they destroyed many of them at one blow. Yet did not the Jews, under all this distress, permit the Romans to raise their banks in quiet; but they shrewdly and boldly exerted themselves, and repelled them both by night and by day.

"The missiles shot by the catapults, stone-throwers, and "quick-firers" flew all over the temple, killing priests and worshipers at the very altar itself. For despite war, the sacrifices went on..." (Josephus The Essential Writings p.329)

"All the Roman engines were well built, but those belonging to the Tenth legion were most powerful. Their stone -projectors hurled boulders weighing a talent (75-85 pounds) a quarter mile, and the Jews set lookouts on the towers to spot the fired stones which, being white, shone and whizzed as they flew. When they saw the stone discharged, these watchmen would call out,'Sonny's coming!' ("The stone" in Hebrew is ha-eben, which is easily corrupted to ha-ben, "the son.") - at which those in the line of fire dropped down to let the stone pass through harmlessly. When it occurred to the Romans to blacken them, the stones were more effective, destroying many with a single shot." (Josephus The Essential Writings p.340)

Scripture fulfillment. "And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent): and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." (Revelation 16:19-21, KJV) It might be of interest here to mention that the stones that were thrown from the Roman ballista were the exact weight of the hail stones (a talent) John mentions in Revelation.

"As with the other plagues of Revelation, imagery is borrowed from the plagues that were brought upon Egypt by Moses. (In the current case, the seventh plague: Exodus ). "Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now. "Therefore send now and gather your livestock and all that you have in the field, for the hail shall come down on every man and every animal which is found in the field and is not brought home; and they shall die."

He who feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses. But he who did not regard the word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt—on man, on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt." And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail. Exodus 9:18-26

The plague of hailstones also calls up associations with "the large stones from heaven" that God threw down upon the Canaanites when the Land was being conquered under Joshua. Joshua. 10:11 And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the LORD cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword.

In association with their destruction Jesus made a clear declaration of himself by saying: "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it (will grind him to powder)." (Matthew 21:44) There can be little doubt that the chief priests and Pharisees who heard these words were indeed ground into powder. Matthew 21:45-46 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries..

Woe to Jerusalem.

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." But, what is still more terrible, there was one Jesus, the son of Ananus, a plebeian and a husbandman, who, four years before the war began, and at a time when the city was in very great peace and prosperity, came to that feast whereon it is our custom for every one to make tabernacles to God in the temple, began on a sudden to cry aloud, "A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the holy house, a voice against the bridegrooms and the brides, and a voice against this whole people!"

This was his cry, as he went about by day and by night, in all the lanes of the city. However, certain of the most eminent among the populace had great indignation at this dire cry of his, and took up the man, and gave him a great number of severe stripes; yet did not he either say any thing for himself, or any thing peculiar to those that chastised him, but still went on with the same words which he cried before. Hereupon our rulers, supposing, as the case proved to be, that this was a sort of divine fury in the man, brought him to the Roman procurator, where he was whipped till his bones were laid bare; yet he did not make any supplication for himself, nor shed any tears, but turning his voice to the most lamentable tone possible, at every stroke of the whip his answer was, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!"

And when Albinus (for he was then our procurator) asked him, Who he was? and whence he came? and why he uttered such words? he made no manner of reply to what he said, but still did not leave off his melancholy ditty, till Albinus took him to be a madman, and dismissed him. Now, during all the time that passed before the war began, this man did not go near any of the citizens, nor was seen by them while he said so; but he every day uttered these lamentable words, as if it were his premeditated vow, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!" Nor did he give ill words to any of those that beat him every day, nor good words to those that gave him food; but this was his reply to all men, and indeed no other than a melancholy presage of what was to come.

This cry of his was the loudest at the festivals; and he continued this ditty for seven years and five months, without growing hoarse, or being tired therewith, until the very time that he saw his presage in earnest fulfilled in our siege, when it ceased; for as he was going round upon the wall, he cried out with his utmost force, "Woe, woe to the city again, and to the people, and to the holy house!" And just as he added at the last, "Woe, woe to myself also!" there came a stone out of one of the engines, and smote him, and killed him immediately; and as he was uttering the very same presages he gave up the ghost. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 5

Comments. The apostle John tells us in Relegation that he beheld and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth (Rev. 8:13.)

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries.

The miseries that were within the city during the Roman siege of Jerusalem.

The miseries that were within the city during the Roman siege of Jerusalem, Josephus reported that a heifer being led to the altar in the temple gave birth to a lamb; he reported that a bright light shined about the altar in the middle of the night and gave the appearance of daylight. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 5

A ster star resembling a sword, stood over the city, Thus were the miserable people persuaded by these deceivers, and such as belied God himself; while they did not attend nor give credit to the signs that were so evident, and did so plainly foretell their future desolation, but, like men infatuated, without either eyes to see or minds to consider, did not regard the denunciations that God made to them. Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year. Thus also before the Jews' rebellion, and before those commotions which preceded the war, when the people were come in great crowds to the feast of unleavened bread, on the eighth day of the month Xanthicus, [Nisan,] and at the ninth hour of the night, so great a light shone round the altar and the holy house, that it appeared to be bright day time; which lasted for half an hour. This light seemed to be a good sign to the unskillful, but was so interpreted by the sacred scribes, as to portend those events that followed immediately upon it. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 5.

At the same festival also, a heifer, as she was led by the high priest to be sacrificed, brought forth a lamb in the midst of the temple. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 5

Tacitus, a Roman historian, also says, "There were many prodigies presignifying their ruin which was not averted by all the sacrifices and vows of that people. Armies were seen fighting in the air with brandished weapons. A fire fell upon the Temple from the clouds. The doors of the Temple were suddenly opened. At the same time there was a loud voice saying that the gods were removing, which was accompanied with a sound as of a multitude going out. All which things were supposed, by some to portend great calamities."1

A gate to the inner court of the temple opened by itself ~ The Moreover, the eastern gate of the inner [court of the] temple, which was of brass, and vastly heavy, and had been with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed with iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which was there made of one entire stone, was seen to be opened of its own accord about the sixth hour of the night. Now those that kept watch in the temple came hereupon running to the captain of the temple, and told him of it; who then came up thither, and not without great difficulty was able to shut the gate again. This also appeared to the vulgar to be a very happy prodigy, as if God did thereby open them the gate of happiness. But the men of learning understood it, that the security of their holy house was dissolved of its own accord, and that the gate was opened for the advantage of their enemies. So these publicly declared that the signal foreshowed the desolation that was coming upon them. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 5.

The eastern gate, called in the Talmud Nicanor's, or the great gate, was made of Corinthian brass and was regarded as the principal gate on account of its greater height (being 50 cubits) and width (40 cubits) and from its being more richly decorated with precious metals. It is undoubtedly the "gate of the temple which is called Beautiful" (Acts 3:2)

Chariots of soldiers seen running in the sky ~ Besides these, 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 armor were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 5.

Woe to Jerusalem ~ 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." But, what is still more terrible, there was one Jesus, the son of Ananus, a plebeian and a husbandman, who, four years before the war began, and at a time when the city was in very great peace and prosperity, came to that feast whereon it is our custom for every one to make tabernacles to God in the temple, began on a sudden to cry aloud, "A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the holy house, a voice against the bridegrooms and the brides, and a voice against this whole people!" This was his cry, as he went about by day and by night, in all the lanes of the city. However, certain of the most eminent among the populace had great indignation at this dire cry of his, and took up the man, and gave him a great number of severe stripes; yet did not he either say any thing for himself, or any thing peculiar to those that chastised him, but still went on with the same words which he cried before.

Hereupon our rulers, supposing, as the case proved to be, that this was a sort of divine fury in the man, brought him to the Roman procurator, where he was whipped till his bones were laid bare; yet he did not make any supplication for himself, nor shed any tears, but turning his voice to the most lamentable tone possible, at every stroke of the whip his answer was, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!" And when Albinus (for he was then our procurator) asked him, Who he was? and whence he came? and why he uttered such words? he made no manner of reply to what he said, but still did not leave off his melancholy ditty, till Albinus took him to be a madman, and dismissed him.

Now, during all the time that passed before the war began, this man did not go near any of the citizens, nor was seen by them while he said so; but he every day uttered these lamentable words, as if it were his premeditated vow, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!" Nor did he give ill words to any of those that beat him every day, nor good words to those that gave him food; but this was his reply to all men, and indeed no other than a melancholy presage of what was to come. This cry of his was the loudest at the festivals; and he continued this ditty for seven years and five months, without growing hoarse, or being tired therewith, until the very time that he saw his presage in earnest fulfilled in our siege, when it ceased; for as he was going round upon the wall, he cried out with his utmost force, "Woe, woe to the city again, and to the people, and to the holy house!" And just as he added at the last, "Woe, woe to myself also!" there came a stone out of one of the engines, and smote him, and killed him immediately; and as he was uttering the very same presages he gave up the ghost. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 5.

Comments. The apostle John tells us in Relegation that he beheld and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth (Rev. 8:13.)

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries.

Josephus pleas with the Jews

Josephus pleas with the Jews spare the city of Jerusalem and the temple.

Upon this Josephus stood in such a place where he might be heard, not by John only, but by many more, and then declared to them what Caesar had given him in charge, and this in the Hebrew language. So he earnestly prayed them to spare their own city, and to prevent that fire which was just ready to seize upon the temple, and to offer their usual sacrifices to God therein. At these words of his a great sadness and silence were observed among the people. But the tyrant himself cast many reproaches upon Josephus, with imprecations besides; and at last added this withal, that he did never fear the taking of the city, because it was God's own city. In answer to which Josephus said thus with a loud voice: "To be sure thou hast kept this city wonderfully pure for God's sake; the temple also continues entirely unpolluted! Nor hast thou been guilty of ally impiety against him for whose assistance thou hopest! He still receives his accustomed sacrifices! 2. As Josephus spoke these words, with groans and tears in his eyes, his voice was intercepted by sobs. Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 2

Mans will can no way go against God’s will for Jesus said in Matthew 24:1-2. Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Matthew 23:38 "See! Your house is left to you desolate;

It is so very easy to read certain Bible passages of years and never fully realize what they are saying.

A similar passage is to be found in Acts 6:9-14 Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they instigated some men to say, "We have heard him (speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God)." They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They presented false witnesses who testified, "This man never stops saying things against this (holy place and the law). For we have heard him claim that this (Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses) handed down to us."(Acts 6:9-14) New American Bible (emphasis added).

It is real important to understand the historical setting in which this was originally written. These false witnesses were making the clam that Stephen was speaking against the (laws of Moses and the holy place). In other words the Holy Temple. For this they accused Stephen of speaking blasphemous words. We have to remember when reading this the Jews had the Torah of Moses and the Holy Temple which represented (the shekinah of glory the presence of God) for over 15.000 years. They were still hanging on to many of the Judaistic rituals that had been so much a part of their life. It was extremely difficult for the Jews to accept the superiority of the New Covenant. It was especially hard for them to make a clean break with the old Mosaic customs.

Lest look at verse 14 again. For we have heard him claim that this (Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses) handed down to us. When this statement was made Jesus had already been crucified, and acended to the Father.

Please ask yourself the following question. How in the world could these people falsely accuse Stephen of saying (Jesus the Nazorean will destroy the Holy Temple and change the customs that Moses) handed down to us?" When Jesus has been arrested and crucified many years earlier.

It is not important if these false witnesses were making false clams against Stephen or not. The point is these people had the idea that Jesus was going to destroy the temple and change the Mosaic customs handed down to them. Mention

The real purpose of this whole episode, is to accuse Stephen of the crime of saying Jesus will destroy the Temple and the Mosaic law handed down to them. Stephen or his accuser tied the parousia of Christ and the destruction of the temple with the end of the Judaistic (age or world). Stephen defense was not a response to refute the charges against him but takes the form of a discourse that reviews God's word to Israel and leads to a prophetic declaration a plea for the hearing of the words.

First Century History ~ The miseries that were within the city during the Roman siege of Jerusalem, Josephus reported that a heifer being led to the altar in the temple gave birth to a lamb; he reported that a bright light shined about the altar in the middle of the night and gave the appearance of daylight. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 5

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries.

Roman soldiers who looked for gold.

Any deserters that was caught trying to leave the City of Jerusalem their bellies were cut open by the Roman soldiers who looked for gold.

Hereupon some of the deserters, having no other way, leaped down from the wall immediately, while others of them went out of the city with stones, as if they would fight them; but thereupon they fled away to the Romans.

But here a worse fate accompanied these than what they had found within the city; and they met with a quicker despatch from the too great abundance they had among the Romans, than they could have done from the famine among the Jews; for when they came first to the Romans, they were puffed up by the famine, and swelled like men in a dropsy; after which they all on the sudden overfilled those bodies that were before empty, and so burst asunder, excepting such only as were skillful enough to restrain their appetites, and by degrees took in their food into bodies unaccustomed thereto.

Yet did another plague seize upon those that were thus preserved; for there was found among the Syrian deserters a certain person who was caught gathering pieces of gold out of the excrements of the Jews' bellies (1); for the deserters used to swallow such pieces of gold, as we told you before, when they came out, and for these did the seditious search them all; for there was a great quantity of gold in the city, insomuch that as much was now sold [in the Roman camp] for twelve Attic [drams], as was sold before for twenty-five.

But when this contrivance was discovered in one instance, the fame of it filled their several camps, that the deserters came to them full of gold. So the multitude of the Arabians, with the Syrians, cut up those that came as supplicants, and searched their bellies. Nor does it seem to me that any misery befell the Jews that was more terrible than this, since in one night's time about two thousand of these deserters were thus dissected. Book V, Chapter XIII, Section 4

Scripture fulfillment. Ezekiel 7:19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries..

How The Jews Were Crucified Before the Walls of the City.

so now Titus's banks were advanced a great way, notwithstanding his soldiers had been very much distressed from the wall. He then sent a party of horsemen, and ordered they should lay ambushes for those that went out into the valleys to gather food.

Some of these were indeed fighting men, who were not contented with what they got by rapine; but the greater part of them were poor people, who were deterred from deserting by the concern they were under for their own relations; for they could not hope to escape away, together with their wives and children, without the knowledge of the seditious; nor could they think of leaving these relations to be slain by the robbers on their account; nay, the severity of the famine made them bold in thus going out; so nothing remained but that, when they were concealed from the robbers, they should be taken by the enemy; and when they were going to be taken, they were forced to defend themselves for fear of being punished; as after they had fought, they thought it too late to make any supplications for mercy; so they were first whipped, and then tormented with all sorts of tortures, before they died, and were then crucified before the wall of the city.

This miserable procedure made Titus greatly to pity them, while they caught every day five hundred Jews; nay, some days they caught more: yet it did not appear to be safe for him to let those that were taken by force go their way, and to set a guard over so many he saw would be to make such as great deal them useless to him.

The main reason why he did not forbid that cruelty was this, that he hoped the Jews might perhaps yield at that sight, out of fear lest they might themselves afterwards be liable to the same cruel treatment. So the soldiers, out of the wrath and hatred they bore the Jews, nailed those they caught, one after one way, and another after another, to the crosses, by way of jest, when their multitude was so great, that room was wanting for the crosses, and crosses wanting for the bodies. Book V, Chapter XI, Section 1

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries.

Cricifixion was a favorite of Rome. This practice against the Jews & Christians was by no means a new invention, nor only specific to the latter Jewish wars as recorded by Josephus. Rome had a special passion for killing that involved as mu...ch torture & pain the victim could bear before finally expiring.

3 B.C. The Celtic Dacians displaced the Scythian from Romania.

The Jews of Jerusalem turned on the Romans killing many of them while Archelaus is in Rome. The Romans in retaliation plundered the temple.

Judas son of the arch-robber Hezekias the bandit plundered Galilee. Some of King Herod’s mercenary army (Gauls and Germans) joined the Zealot bandits. These bandits burnt many royal palaces throughout the country. During this revolt Varus sent troops across the country and crucified 2,000 ringleaders. The Jews of Judaea gathered at Jerusalem and divided into three different camps. The camp of the Zealots attacked the Romans. The Romans won the day and pillaged the treasury of the temple for restitution. This causes more Jews to side with the Zealots. Civil war began to breakout throughout the district of Judaea, Samaria and Galilee. Many would be Kings (seekers of power) attacked both Romans and Jews for anything of value. Anarchy prevailed during this uprising and no single event or person could provide a unified leadership.

1 B.C. Emperor Pindi ruled Western China (1 B.C.-6 A.D..)

Kurds have lived in southeastern Turkey since before this time. Rome defeats the Celt-Germanic intrusion in Northern Italy. Judas the Galilean and Pharisee Saddok urged disobedience to Rome and refuse to pay taxes. Varus pursues the various Jewish rebels. Towns that did not join in the anarchy are spared retribution. Varus marched on Jerusalem and the would be Zealots fled the city and the citizens welcomed the troops disclaiming all responsibility for the revolt. Varus sent his men into the countryside to track down the troublemakers. Some prisoners are sent to Rome for judgement. Varus at Jerusalem crucified some 2,000 leaders of the attempted revolution.

The sacrifice called "the Daily Sacrifice" had failed.

The sacrifice called "the Daily Sacrifice" had failed.

AND now Titus gave orders to his soldiers that were with him to dig up the foundations of the tower of Antonia, and make him a ready passage for his army to come up; while he himself had Josephus brought to him, (for he had been informed that on that very day, which was the seventeenth day (5)of Panemus, [Tamuz,] the sacrifice called "the Daily Sacrifice" had failed, and had not been offered to God, for want of men to offer it, and that the people were grievously troubled at it,) and commanded him to say the same things to John that he had said before, that if he had any malicious inclination for fighting, he might come out with as many of his men as he pleased, in order to fight, without the danger of destroying either his city or temple; but that he desired he would not defile the temple, nor thereby offend against God. That he might, if he pleased, offer the sacrifices which were now discontinuned by any of the Jews whom he should pitch upon. The Works of Flavius Josephus War of the Jews Book 6 Chapter 2

Scripture fulfillment. Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Interesting in this bit of history is the fact that a daily sacrifice was being made for Nero, the emperor. the daily sacrifice in the Jerusalem temple was offered twice daily to Caesar. It was instituted by Augustus and was appealed to by the Jews to demonstrate their loyalty to Rome when they refused to allow Caligula to put his statue ...in the temple precincts. "According to Josephus, the revolt, which began at Caesarea in 66, was provoked by Greeks sacrificing birds in front of a local synagogue. The Roman garrison did not intervene and the long-standing Greek and Jewish religious tensions took a downward spiral. In reaction, the son of Kohen Gadol (high priest) Eliezar ben Hanania ceased prayers and sacrifices for the Roman Emperor at the Temple."

When this practice started, we are not told, but it speaks of the friendly relations between Rome and Israel up until the time the daily sacrifice was taken away. All came to pass as prophesied by Daniel. In the midst of the week the sacrifice and oblation would cease. According to history the the daily sacrifice actually cease sometime in July of 70 A.D. which was caused by both famine, and lack of men-power. Any effort to extend the seventieth week of Daniel beyond the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D results in a rejection of Matthew 24.

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries..

The terrible famine within the city of Jerusalem.

WARNING this status gives very graphic in details as recorded in history on the judgement of unbelieving Israel.

Back ground leading up to the terrible famine within the city of Jerusalem. The historical setting around AD 30, Jesus had been arrested and led to Pilate then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands. (John 1:1-3)

Pilate found no fault in Him. When the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God."

Pilate goes back an questions Jesus. But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate says do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Jesus answers "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."

Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you let this Man go, (you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar)." vs. 12. The Jews used the threat of tell Caesar of Pilate let Jesus go. Pilate heard (that threat) and brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

It was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" But the Jews cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar!" (John 1-19) it is interesting to note Jesus said, "But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us.' (Luke 19:14)

This was not the first time Israel rejected God and refuse to let Hin reign over them. Samuel was a good man and king, yet his sons are corrupt. The elders of the tribes come to Samuel and request a king. Their reason is that Samuel is too old and his sons are corrupt ( Samuel 8:3). This displeased both Samuel and the Lord (vs. 6). Samuel had been working hard at leading Israel for a long time and been a good king. Suddenly, the leaders of the tribes come and ask for a king.

Why was this such a big deal, you might ask. First, the Israelites were using the failure of certain men as an excuse for rejecting the system of government God had ordained. God had established a minimal government over Israel with His own person as the sovereignty behind it. What the Israelites should have asked for was someone else to judge Israel. What they said, in effect, was, the government God has set up does not work.

The real motive of the people the comes out in this passage. (vs. 5). "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

God has spoken through Samuel the prophet to tell the people of Israel that a king is going to be expensive - both financially and in terms of lost freedom. 1Samuel 8:10-17 There will come a time, God says in vs. 18, when you will "cry out for relief from the king." But then it will be too late.

The LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 1 Samuel 8:7.

With this back ground of Israel in mind lest go back to the trial of Jesus but this time we will continue from the book of Luke. Jesus has just been given over to be crucified. There were women mourning his impending death. Jesus turning unto them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke 23:28), In Luke 21:23 Jesus says, "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).

What do Jesus mean by these above verses? God speaking through the prophet.

Jeremiah foretells of the coming result of a direct judgment of God upon unbelieving Israel. Lamentations 4 6-11 The punishment of the iniquity of the (daughter of my people) Is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, Which was overthrown in a moment, (With no hand to help her)! Her Nazirites were brighter than snow And whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than rubies, Like sapphire in their appearance. Now their appearance is blacker than soot; (They go unrecognized in the streets); Their (skin clings to their bones), It has become as dry as wood. Those slain by the sword are better off Than (those who die of hunger); For these pine away, Stricken for lack of the fruits of the field. The hands of the compassionate (women Have cooked their own children); They (became food for them) In the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Notice the consequence was going to be the punishment of the iniquity of the (daughters of God’s people) and there was going to be cannibalism! vs. 11

The prophet Ezekiel. Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgment among you and all of you who remain I will scatter to all the winds. (Ezekiel 5:10)

The historical fulfilment. One women who had lost everything but her baby to blood-thirsty Jews, then killed her baby son, “and then roasted him, and ate the one half of him, and kept the other half by her concealed.” When the seditious men smelled “the horrid scent of this food, they threatened her, that they would cut her throat immediately if she did not show then what food she had gotten ready. She replied, that she had saved a very fine portion of it for them and uncovered what was left of her son. She said this is my own son and he was killed by my own doing. Come eat of this food; I have eaten of it myself. The men left, trembling and frightened and the all the city came under distress when they heard about it. (Josephus pp. 443-444.) Of course, we know that hundreds of thousands died from starvation during Titus’ final siege of Jerusalem.

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries.

Now trapped inside the city of Jerusalem.

Now trapped inside the city of Jerusalem the people of Israel destroyed their own food supply that would have been sufficient for a siege of Roman for many years.

Fighting broke out inside the city between the warring factions of Jews. The innocent were killed. Nothing was done for the wounded. And Dead bodies lay unburied. The madness in side the city of Jerusalem was so great they set houses on fire that were full of corn, and all other provisions. They polluted their own drinking water.

And now there were three treacherous factions in the city, the one parted from the other. Eleazar and his party, that kept the sacred first-fruits, came against John in their cups. Those that were with John plundered the populace, and went out with zeal against Simon.

This Simon had his supply of provisions from the city, in opposition to the seditious. When, therefore, John was assaulted on both sides, he made his men turn about, throwing his darts upon those citizens that came up against him, from the cloisters he had in his possession, while he opposed those that attacked him from the temple by engines of war; and if at any time he was freed from those that were above him, which happened frequently, from their being drunk and tired, he sallied out with a great number upon Simon and his party; and this he did always in such parts of the city as he could come at, till (he set on fire those houses that were full of corn, and of all provisions).* The same thing was done by Simon, when, upon the others' retreat, he attacked the city also; as if they had, on purpose done it to serve the Romans, (by destroying what the city had laid up against the Siege), and by thus cutting off the nerves of their own power.

Accordingly, it so came to pass, that all the places that were about the temple were burnt down, and were become an intermediate desert space, ready for fighting on both sides; and that almost (all the corn was burnt, which would have been sufficient for a siege of many years). So they were taken by the means of famine, which it was impossible they should have been, unless they had thus prepared the way for it by this procedure. Josephus Book V, Chapter I, Section 4 (Entire)

This destruction of such a vast quantity of corn and other provisions, as was sufficient for many years, was the direct occasion of that terrible famine, which consumed incredible numbers of Jews in Jerusalem during its siege.

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries..

The historian known as Flavius Josephus.

The historian known as Flavius Josephus was a Jewish priest and Pharisee, and was put in command of the national resistance in Galilee at the age of thirty, at the time of the great Jewish revolt against Rome (66-70 CE).

Josephus describes the A.D. 66-70 war in great detail, especially in his The Wars of the Jews. I will high light some of the important details but I will not go over them all because it will take to long.

Nero picked Titus Flavius Vespasian to put Israel back under Roman tribute and control. Josephus, with his last 24 men, hid in a cave and carried out a suicide pact. All but two of the men, Josephus and a companion participated and these two soon surrendered to the Romans.

Josephus managed to get the Romans to spare his life and he became a historian for the Romans of the war with Jerusalem. Although Josephus is not an inspired writer, his history can be trusted as being fairly accurate. The reason his information is so valuable is because he was NOT a Christian and had no axe to grind and was an eyewitness to the Great Tribulation.

Josephus the historian describes the A.D. 66-70 war in great detail, especially in his The Wars of the Jews. There events are important for our study. Other historian such as Titus and --also cover the wars. These historians are helpful to full in the history were the News Testament writers end.

Vespasian, in the spring of A.D. 67, advanced against a Jewish rebels. They had 60.000 soldiers. Gadara was the first target. They took it. He came into it and slew all the youth, the Romans having no mercy on any age whatsoever; and this was done our of the hatred they bore the nation” (Josephus, p 236).

Jotapata was next, the Japaha were 15, 000 Jews were destroyed and 2,130 made captives. It took longer to take Jotapata. Then Mt Gerizzim (the Samaritans had assembled their). 11, 600 were slain. Taricheae was next. 6,500 were slain, while 5,000 killed themselves by throwing themselves over precipices. Then there was the small city of Gischala. There they slew 6.000 women and children when many of the men fled and went to Jerusalem. Titus pitched camp at Scopus neat Jerusalem. The siege began April 14,70 ‘A.D.

The Romans tortured those who ventured out of the city to escape the tortures of the Jewish zealots inside”...they were first whipped, and then tormented with all sorts of tortures before they died, and were then crucified before the wall of the city. Every day five hundred Jews were caught some days more.... So the soldiers out of the wrath and hatred they bore the Jews, nailed those that caught; one after one way, and another after another, to the crosses, by way of Jest; when their multitude was so great, that room was wanting for the crosses, and crosses wanting for the bodies” (Josephus p.410)

When others deserted the city they swallowed gold pieces for their later use, but “the Arabians, with the Syrians, cut up those that came as supplicants, and searched their bellies. Nor does it seem to me that any misery befell the Jews that was more terrible that this, since in one night’s time about two thousand of these deserters were thus dissected.’ (Josephus, p. 417)

As time went on, the miseries of the Jews grew worse, and finally the Romans made an assault on the tower of Antonia (Josephus, p.420) This assault was made on July 17, 70 A.D.. The Romans once again urged the zealots to surrender so that their religious laws and sacrifices could continue, and ones again were ignored. At Caesarea, in honor of his brother Domitian’s birthday Titus punished many of the captive Jews making a total of those who died fighting the beast and who were burned to be over 2,500. The same thing was done at Berytus, in honor of his father’s birthday (Josephus, p 477)

All this occurred in Jesus’ contemporaries..