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The Perfect Storm Is Coming!

War, Economic Collapse and Moral Decay – Is America Headed for Armageddon?

“A storm is coming, relentless in its fury.
Thinking men and women have their attention
fixed upon the events taking place about us.

They are watching the relations that exist
among the nations. They observe the intensity
taking possession of every earthly element,
and recognize that something great and
decisive is about to take place

-that the world is on the verge
of a stupendous crisis.”

-E.G. White, Author.

 

Jerusalem –

“Where the End Begins and the World Ends”

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem: “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee around, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19: 42-44.

From the crest of Olivet, Jesus looked over Jerusalem. Fair and peaceful was the scene spread out before Him. It was the Passover season, and from all lands, the children of Jacob had gathered there to celebrate the great national festival. In the midst of gardens and vineyards rose the terraced hills, the stately palaces, and massive bulwarks of Israel’s capital. The daughter of Zion seemed in her pride to say, “I sit a queen, and shall see no sorrow;” as lovely then, and considering herself as secure in Heaven’s favor, as when, ages before, the royal minstrel sang, “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion,” “the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2.

In full view were the magnificent buildings of the temple. “The perfection of beauty” it stood the pride of the Jewish nation. Psalm 50:2. What child of Israel could gaze upon the scene without a thrill of joy and admiration! However, other thoughts stirred the mind of Jesus. “When He came near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.” Luke 19:41.

Amid the universal rejoicing of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, while palm branches waved, while glad hosannas and happy voices declared Him king, the world’s redeemer was overwhelmed with a sudden and mysterious sorrow.  He, the Son of God, the Promised One of Israel, whose power had conquered death, and called its captives from the grave, was in tears, not of ordinary grief, but of intense, irrepressible agony.

His tears were not for Himself, though He knew the path He must take. Before Him lay Gethsemane, the scene of His approaching agony. Not far distant was Calvary, the place of crucifixion. Yet, it was not the contemplation of these scenes that cast the shadow upon Him. He wept for the doomed thousands of Jerusalem – because of the blindness and impenitence of those favored people whom He came to bless and to save.

The history of more than a thousand years of God’s special favor and guardian care, manifested to the chosen people, was open to the eye of Jesus. There was Mount Moriah, where Isaac, the son of promise, an unresisting victim, had been bound to the altar – emblem of the offering of the Son of God. Genesis 22:9. There, the covenant of blessing, the glorious Messianic promise, had been confirmed to Abraham, father of the faithful. Genesis 22: 16-18. There the daily blood of slain lambs had been offered, pointing forward to the Lamb of God. There, God had revealed His presence in the cloud of glory above the mercy seat. Jerusalem had been honored of God above all the earth. The Lord had “chosen Zion,” He had “desired it for His habitation.” Psalm 132:13.

Had Israel as a nation preserved her allegiance to Heaven, Jerusalem would have stood forever, the elect of God. Jeremiah 17: 21-25. However, the history of that favored people was a record of backsliding and rebellion.

Even though Israel had “mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets” 2 chronicles 36: 15,16, God had still manifested Himself to them, as “the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” Exodus 34:6.

When the entreaty and rebuke had failed, God sent to them the best gift of Heaven, pouring out all Heaven in one priceless Gift – the Son of God Himself was sent to plead with the impenitent city. For three years, the Lord of light and glory had gone in and out among His people. “He went about doing good,” “healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” Acts 10:38.

Waves of mercy, beaten back by stubborn hearts, yet returned in a stronger tide of pitying, inexpressible love.

Prophets had wept over the apostasy of Israel, and the terrible desolations by which their sins were visited. Jeremiah wished that his eyes were a fountain of tears, that he might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of his people, for the Lord’s flock that was carried away captive. Jeremiah 9:1; 13:17. What, then, was the grief of Him whose prophetic glance took in, not years, but ages! Looking down the ages, He saw the covenant people scattered in every land. In the temporal retribution about to fall upon Jerusalem, Christ saw that cup of wrath that at the final judgment she must drink. Divine pity mourned: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered they children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37.

The tears Christ shed upon Olivet as He stood overlooking the chosen city were not for Jerusalem alone. In the fate of Jerusalem He beheld the destruction of the world. The Son of the infinite God bowed down with anguish! The scene filled all heaven with wonder. Two days before the Passover, when Christ had departed from the temple for the last time, after denouncing the hypocrisy of the Jewish rulers, He went again with His disciples to the Mount of Olives, and seated Himself with them upon a grassy slope overlooking the city. Once more, He beheld the temple in its dazzling splendor, a diadem of beauty crowning the sacred mount.

Looking down to the last generation, Jesus saw that the world would once again be involved in a deception similar to that which would soon result in the destruction of Jerusalem.

A thousand years before, the Psalmist had magnified God’s favor to Israel in making her holy house His dwelling place: “In Salem also His tabernacle, and His dwelling place in Zion.” Psalm 76:2. The first temple had been erected during the most prosperous period of Israel’s history. Vast stores of treasure for the purpose had been collected by King David, and the plans for its construction were made by divine inspiration. 1 Chronicles 28: 12, 19. Solomon, the wisest of Israel’s monarchs, had completed the work. This temple was a magnificent building, yet the Lord had declared by the prophet Haggai, concerning the second temple, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former.” “I will shake all nations, and the Desire of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2: 9.

After the destruction of the first temple by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, a people who had returned from a life-long captivity rebuilt it about five hundred years before the birth of Christ.  There were still among them aged men who had seen the glory of Solomon’s temple, and who wept at the foundation of the new building, that it must be so inferior to the former.

The second temple had not equaled the first in magnificence; nor was it hallowed by those visible tokens of the divine presence that had belonged to the first temple. There was no manifestation of supernatural power to mark its dedication. No cloud of glory was seen to fill the newly erected sanctuary. No fire from Heaven descended to consume the sacrifice upon its altar.

The second temple was not honored with the cloud of God’s glory, but with the presence of One in whom dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily – who was God Himself manifest in the flesh. The “Desire of all nations” had indeed come to His temple when the Man of Nazareth taught and healed in the sacred courts. Only with the presence of Christ, did the second temple exceed the first in glory.

Wealth, labor, and architectural skill were freely expended to enhance its splendors Herod the Great had lavished upon it Roman wealth and Jewish treasure. Even Caesar had enriched it with gifts. Massive blocks of while marble, forwarded from Rome for this purpose, formed a part of its structure; and to these the disciples called the attention of their Master, saying, “See what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” Mark 13:1.

To these words, Jesus made the solemn and startling reply, “Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2. The disciples were filled with awe and wonder at Christ’s prediction of the destruction of the temple.

With the overthrow of Jerusalem the disciples associated the events of Christ’s personal coming in temporal glory to take His promised throne. The Lord had told them He would come the second time. Hence, at the mention of judgments upon Jerusalem, their minds reverted to that coming, and they were gathered about the Savior upon the Mount of Olives, they asked: “when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matthew 24:3.

The future was mercifully veiled from the disciples. Had they at that time fully comprehended the Redeemer’s sufferings, death, and the destruction of their city and temple, they would have been overwhelmed with horror.

Christ gave them an outline of the prominent events to take place before the close of time. His words were not then fully understood; but their meaning was to be unfolded, as His people should need the instruction given. The prophecy that He had uttered was twofold in it’s meaning: while foreshadowing the destruction of Jerusalem, it also prefigured the terrors of the last great day.

 

Signs & Wonders

Judgments upon the city and the nation were delayed. Astonishing was the long-suffering of God toward the rejecters of His grace. There were still many among the Jews who were ignorant of the character and the work of Christ. Through the preaching of the apostles and their associates, God would yet cause light to shine upon them. They would be permitted to see how prophecy had been fulfilled in the birth and life of Christ.

However, the long-suffering of God toward Jerusalem only confirmed the people of that day in stubborn impenitence. In their hatred and cruelty toward the disciples of Jesus, they rejected Heaven’s last offer of mercy. When at last they had reached the limit of divine forbearance, God withdrew His Spirit and protection from them.

The Savior’s fearful words, “Your house is left unto you desolate,” would not meet awful fulfillment. Matthew 23:38.

[Note: In A.D. 66, a bitter Jewish revolt against the authority of Rome summoned Roman legions, led by Cestius. Three and a half years later, a second siege, under Titus, would seal Jerusalem’s fate.  In A.D. 70, her walls were breached and the city with its magnificent Temple was destroyed. More than a million souls perished.]

Jesus had declared to His listening disciples the judgments that were to fall upon apostate Israel, and especially the retributive vengeance that would come upon them. His predictions concerning the destruction of Jerusalem would soon be fulfilled. As that time approached, signs and wonders appeared, foreboding disaster and doom.

In the middle of the night, an unnatural light shone over the temple and the altar. In the clouds at sunset were pictured chariots and men of war gathering for battle. Priests ministering by night in the sanctuary were terrified by mysterious sounds; the earth trembled, and a multitude of voices were heard crying, “Let us depart hence.” The great eastern gate, which was so heavy that it could hardly be shut by a score of men, and which was secured by immense bars if iron fastened deep in the pavement of solid stone, opened at midnight, without visible agency. – H.H. Milman, The History of the Jews, book 13.

Signs of the End-times

Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives…the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” And Jesus answered…Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.   For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24: 1-8.

For seven years, a man had gone up and down the streets of Jerusalem, declaring the woes that were to come upon the city.  By day and night he chanted the wild dirge: “A voice for the east! A voice form the west! A voice form the four winds! A voice against Jerusalem and against the temple! A voice against the bridegrooms and the brides! A voice against the whole people!” –H.H. Milman, The History of the Jews, book 13.  This strange soul was imprisoned and scourged; but no complaint escaped his lips. He answered only, “Woe to Jerusalem! Woe, woe to the inhabitants thereof!” His warning cries were not to cease until he was slain in the siege he had foretold.

Unmistakable signs would precede the awful climax. Though delayed, the dreaded hour would come suddenly and swiftly.

Christ had given His disciples warning, and all who believed His words watched for the promised sign. “When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, “ said Jesus, “then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out.” Luke 21: 20,21.

After the Romans under Cestius have surrounded the city, they unexpectedly abandoned the siege when everyone seemed favorable for an immediate attack. The besieged inhabitants were on the point of surrender, when the Roman general withdrew his forces, without the least apparent reason. However, God’s merciful providence was directing events for the good of the faithful ones. The promised sign had been given to the waiting Christians, and now an opportunity was afforded for all who would obey the Savior’s warning. Events were so overruled that neither Jews nor Romans would hinder the flight of the Christians. Upon the retreat of Cestius, the Jews pursued his retiring army, and while both forces were fully engaged, Christians throughout the land were able to make their escape unmolested.

It was with great difficulty that the Romans succeeded in making their retreat. The Jews escaped almost without loss, and with their spoils returned in triumph to Jerusalem. Yet, this apparent success brought them only evil. It inspired them with that spirit of stubborn resistance to the Romans that in time returned unutterable woe upon their doomed city.

Terrible were the calamities that fell upon Jerusalem three and half years later when the siege was resumed by Roman forces, this time led by General Titus. Countless thousands of Jews were assembled within its walls. Their stores of provision had been destroyed through the jealously and revenge of contending factions, and now all the horrors of starvation were experienced. So fierce were the pangs of hunger that men gnawed their leather belts and sandals and even the covering of their shields. Great numbers of the people would steal out at night to gather wild plants growing outside the city walls. Many were seized and put to death with cruel torture, and often those who returned in safety were robbed of what they had gleaned at so great peril.

Satanic spirits aroused the fiercest and most debased passions of the people. Among the highest and the lowest classes alike, there was suspicion, envy, hatred, strife, rebellion and murder. There was no safety anywhere. Friends and kindred betrayed one another. Parents slew their children and children their parents. The rulers of the people had no power to rule themselves. Uncontrolled passions made them tyrants.

Thousands perished from famine and pestilence. Natural affection seemed to have been destroyed. Husbands robbed their wives, and wives their husbands. Children would be seen snatching food from the mouths of their aged parents.

The question of the prophet, “Can a woman forget her sucking child?” (Isaiah 49:15) received the answer within the walls of that doomed city: “the hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children; they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.” Lamentations 4:10.

 

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