Jerusalem is totally unique, there is no other place like it 00:00:26.49\00:00:31.59 in all the world. 00:00:31.63\00:00:32.96 It's one of the oldest cities in the world and is full of 00:00:32.99\00:00:36.16 tradition, religion, and history. 00:00:36.20\00:00:39.23 The world's greatest concentration of religious sites 00:00:39.27\00:00:42.84 is found right here in the heart of Jerusalem. 00:00:42.87\00:00:46.27 Surrounded by walls, this history packed square kilometer 00:00:46.31\00:00:51.58 is home to holy sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims 00:00:51.61\00:00:56.99 it's the most sacred city in the world and is truly 00:00:57.02\00:01:01.56 breathtaking. 00:01:01.59\00:01:02.92 The western wall in the heart of the Jewish quarter is the 00:01:02.96\00:01:06.83 holiest site in Judaism, the Via Delarosa that marks Jesus' 00:01:06.86\00:01:12.27 pathway to the cross in the church of the Holy Sepulcher. 00:01:12.30\00:01:15.57 is the traditional site where Jesus died, was buried, 00:01:15.60\00:01:20.28 and resurrected, it's the holiest site in Christianity. 00:01:20.31\00:01:24.28 Then the dome of the rock in the Alexa Mosque is said to be 00:01:24.31\00:01:29.08 where Mohammad rose into the heavens and make Jerusalem 00:01:29.12\00:01:33.29 the third holiest place for Muslims. 00:01:33.32\00:01:36.56 All this and much much more is packed into just 00:01:36.59\00:01:41.46 one square kilometer and this most precious, most sacred, 00:01:41.50\00:01:46.50 and most disputed square kilometer in the world 00:01:46.53\00:01:49.60 is surrounded and protected by walls. 00:01:49.64\00:01:52.87 The walls remind us that the city of Jerusalem has been 00:01:52.91\00:01:59.35 surrounded by walls for its defense since ancient times 00:01:59.38\00:02:02.95 but the walls haven't always been able to protect the city. 00:02:02.98\00:02:06.89 During its long history, Jerusalem has been attacked 00:02:06.92\00:02:11.43 52 times... 00:02:11.46\00:02:13.03 The first time Jerusalem was destroyed was by a 00:02:20.70\00:02:23.74 Great Warrior King Nebuchadnezzar 00:02:23.77\00:02:25.81 and his Babylonian army in 586 BC just over 2,600 years ago 00:02:25.84\00:02:32.61 The Babylonians besieged and destroyed the city, 00:02:32.65\00:02:36.08 plundered the temple and carried off many of its 00:02:36.12\00:02:39.65 sacred golden vessels. 00:02:39.69\00:02:41.02 The second and last time Jerusalem was destroyed 00:02:41.06\00:02:44.63 was in 70 AD when the Roman General Titus besieged and 00:02:44.66\00:02:49.33 attacked the city with four legions. 00:02:49.36\00:02:51.50 The Romans totally destroyed the city and the Jewish Temple. 00:02:51.53\00:02:55.84 It was one of the most brutal and catastrophic and devastating 00:02:55.87\00:03:00.81 attacks in history, over a million people perished. 00:03:00.84\00:03:04.65 Rome's destruction of Jerusalem and its temple is one of the 00:03:04.68\00:03:09.02 darkest chapters in history. Not only is it a testament 00:03:09.05\00:03:13.86 of the cruelty and efficiency of the Roman military machine, 00:03:13.89\00:03:17.13 but also a story of lost opportunities and forgotten 00:03:17.16\00:03:21.20 warnings. 00:03:21.23\00:03:22.56 You see, the Bible clearly predicted the catastrophic 00:03:22.60\00:03:27.24 leveling of the city. In fact just before his death 00:03:27.27\00:03:30.97 Jesus made seven specific and chilling predictions 00:03:31.01\00:03:34.54 about the destructions about the destruction of both 00:03:34.58\00:03:37.21 Jerusalem and its temple. 00:03:37.25\00:03:38.98 And those predictions carry a carry a special and relevant 00:03:39.01\00:03:42.95 message for us today. 00:03:42.98\00:03:44.99 Join me here in Jerusalem as we relive the city's 00:03:45.02\00:03:49.29 destruction and investigate the sobering message it carries 00:03:49.32\00:03:54.16 for us today. 00:03:54.20\00:03:55.63 The spectacular Gold Cap Dome of The rock dominates the skyline 00:04:09.11\00:04:14.02 of Old Jerusalem today, it sits proudly on what Muslims call 00:04:14.05\00:04:18.69 Haram al-Charif, "The Nobel Sanctuary", or what Jews call 00:04:18.72\00:04:23.93 Temple Mount, they believe that this was the location of the 00:04:23.96\00:04:28.80 Sacred Jewish Temple. 00:04:28.83\00:04:30.67 It was here on this hilltop that Solomon built 00:04:30.70\00:04:33.94 the first temple in the middle of the 10th century BC. 00:04:33.97\00:04:37.24 And for almost 400 years it was the central Jewish place of 00:04:37.27\00:04:42.21 worship, then in 586 BC, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem 00:04:42.24\00:04:48.98 and the temple and took the Jews captive to Babylon. 00:04:49.02\00:04:52.49 About a half a century later Cyrus the Great, 00:04:52.52\00:04:56.39 king of the Medes and Persians defeated the Babylonian army 00:04:56.42\00:05:00.93 and agreed that the Jews could return to Jerusalem and rebuild 00:05:00.96\00:05:05.70 their temple. At the urging of the Jewish prophets Haggai 00:05:05.73\00:05:09.54 and Zachariah, Zerubbabel began construction of the 00:05:09.57\00:05:13.98 second temple in 521 BC and completed it in 515 BC. 00:05:14.01\00:05:20.08 Then it was subsequently enlarged by the Hasmonean 00:05:20.12\00:05:24.89 Dynasty and then was completely renovated and enlarged further 00:05:24.92\00:05:29.02 by Herod the Great beginning in 20 BC. 00:05:29.06\00:05:32.53 Herod the Great was the greatest builder of the 00:05:32.56\00:05:36.50 ancient world and possibly of all time. 00:05:36.53\00:05:39.33 He built new cities, palaces, fortresses, monuments, 00:05:39.37\00:05:44.01 harbors and aqueducts. 00:05:44.04\00:05:45.67 But the Jewish Temple was the pinnacle of his 00:05:45.71\00:05:49.31 building endeavors. No expense was spared, it was one of the 00:05:49.34\00:05:53.68 greatest buildings found anywhere in the Roman Empire. 00:05:53.72\00:05:57.39 In fact Josephus an ancient Jewish historian who saw 00:05:57.42\00:06:02.12 the building said that it was covered on all sides 00:06:02.16\00:06:05.66 with massive plates of gold. 00:06:05.69\00:06:07.86 The temple was one of the architectural wonders 00:06:07.90\00:06:12.00 of the ancient world and truly was a marvel to behold. 00:06:12.03\00:06:15.77 It was the center of Israel's national and religious life. 00:06:15.80\00:06:19.91 The Jewish people believed that their magnificent temple 00:06:19.94\00:06:23.35 was permanent and would last until the end of time. 00:06:23.38\00:06:27.08 Not only because of its excellent construction 00:06:27.12\00:06:30.15 but also because it was the very Sanctuary of God 00:06:30.19\00:06:33.96 and represented His presence among them and so were virtually 00:06:33.99\00:06:38.76 indestructible. 00:06:38.79\00:06:40.43 Jesus was familiar with the temple and visited there often 00:06:40.46\00:06:44.70 in fact His life from the beginning to end was associated 00:06:44.73\00:06:48.90 with the temple. As an infant His parents took Him to the 00:06:48.94\00:06:53.41 temple to dedicate Him and present Him to the Lord. 00:06:53.44\00:06:56.75 Twelve years later when Mary and Joseph were visiting 00:06:56.78\00:07:00.82 Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, they found Him 00:07:00.85\00:07:04.25 in the temple sitting with the teachers, listening to them 00:07:04.29\00:07:07.86 and asking them questions. 00:07:07.89\00:07:09.72 During His ministry Jesus was frequently in the temple courts 00:07:09.76\00:07:14.26 and in the temple, He healed sick people there 00:07:14.30\00:07:17.00 and spent a lot of time teaching in the temple. 00:07:17.03\00:07:20.34 Jesus reverenced and respected the temple and protected its 00:07:20.37\00:07:25.07 sanctity, He drove out the merchants and money changers 00:07:25.11\00:07:28.78 who had turned it into a market place, 00:07:28.81\00:07:31.25 but Jesus knew that the temple's days were numbered. 00:07:31.28\00:07:36.32 With prophetic insight He looked into the future 00:07:36.35\00:07:40.16 and saw that Jerusalem and its magnificent temple 00:07:40.19\00:07:43.73 were soon to be destroyed and He wanted His disciples 00:07:43.76\00:07:47.73 and followers to be prepared so soon after His last visit 00:07:47.76\00:07:52.03 to the temple, He shares with His followers what was going to 00:07:52.07\00:07:55.04 happen in the future and specifically, what was 00:07:55.07\00:07:58.57 going to happen to the temple. 00:07:58.61\00:07:59.94 In fact, Jesus gave seven chilling predictions 00:07:59.97\00:08:03.45 about the future of Jerusalem and the temple. 00:08:03.48\00:08:07.48 It all started a few days earlier when He arrived 00:08:07.52\00:08:10.62 in Jerusalem when Jesus came over the crest of the 00:08:10.65\00:08:13.99 Mt. of Olives and looked over the city, He wept over it. 00:08:14.02\00:08:18.56 He looked into the future and down through the pages 00:08:18.59\00:08:21.46 of history and saw the horror and destruction that was 00:08:21.50\00:08:25.53 going to before the city, its temple, and its inhabitants 00:08:25.57\00:08:29.90 in less than 40 years' time. 00:08:29.94\00:08:32.14 Jesus' heart was weighed down with the fate of His 00:08:32.17\00:08:35.71 beloved people, He was concerned about the utter devastation 00:08:35.74\00:08:40.18 of the city He loved and the the people he called His own. 00:08:40.22\00:08:43.82 It broke His heart and He cried out... 00:08:43.85\00:08:46.72 So, there we have the first of Jesus' predictions 00:09:17.22\00:09:21.39 regarding Jerusalem. 00:09:21.42\00:09:23.16 Enemies will 1. Build an embankment A wall) around you, 00:09:23.19\00:09:28.33 2. Surround the city and hem you in. Lay siege to the city. 00:09:29.60\00:09:33.34 3. Destroy the city- not one stone will be left on another 00:09:33.37\00:09:39.44 the city will be leveled. 00:09:39.47\00:09:41.34 Now that's a devastating list of predictions about any city 00:09:41.38\00:09:46.35 but it was unbelievable that it could possibly happen 00:09:46.38\00:09:50.39 to Jerusalem, yet there was even worse to come. 00:09:50.42\00:09:54.52 When Jesus was leaving the temple for the last time, 00:09:54.56\00:09:57.86 the disciples proudly pointed out the magnificent stones 00:09:57.89\00:10:02.33 and buildings and exclaimed... 00:10:02.36\00:10:04.30 Well, Jesus' response could not have been more shocking. 00:10:10.67\00:10:15.14 No doubt that the disciples hearts skipped a beat 00:10:15.18\00:10:29.62 and their breath was taken away by these words of Jesus. 00:10:29.66\00:10:33.16 But there's His next prediction. 00:10:33.19\00:10:36.23 Prediction number 4. 00:10:36.26\00:10:37.90 The temple will be destroyed, Not one stone will be left 00:10:37.93\00:10:43.04 standing on another. 00:10:43.07\00:10:44.57 These predictions are going from bad to worse 00:10:44.61\00:10:48.74 and yet there is still more to come 00:10:48.78\00:10:51.35 Jesus wasn't finished yet. 00:10:51.38\00:10:53.82 He went on to say... 00:10:53.85\00:10:55.88 So, here's the next load of predictions. 00:11:09.36\00:11:12.03 Number 5. The inhabitants of Jerusalem will be killed. 00:11:12.07\00:11:16.91 Number 6. The Jews will be scattered among the nations. 00:11:16.94\00:11:20.71 And finally number 7. Gentiles will inhabit Jerusalem. 00:11:20.74\00:11:26.21 It certainly was a chilling list of predictions, 00:11:26.25\00:11:29.52 they were just too terrible to contemplate 00:11:29.55\00:11:32.65 could they ever really happen? 00:11:32.69\00:11:34.96 Well, here's the record of history. 00:11:34.99\00:11:38.16 Here's what happened. 00:11:38.19\00:11:39.89 The Romans had been occupying Judea since 63 BC 00:11:39.93\00:11:44.97 tensions between the Romans and the Jews 00:11:45.00\00:11:48.24 had been growing and came to a head when Emperor Nero 00:11:48.27\00:11:52.07 appointed Governor Florus planned at the Jewish temple 00:11:52.11\00:11:55.88 treasury is 66 AD. 00:11:55.91\00:11:58.71 After Florus plundered the temple, Jewish forces 00:11:58.75\00:12:02.95 defeated the Roman Garrison Station in Jerusalem 00:12:02.98\00:12:06.09 and then defeated a larger force sent in from Syria. 00:12:06.12\00:12:09.99 Well, this infuriated the Romans and Nero asked his 00:12:10.03\00:12:15.46 decorated General Vespasian and his son Titus 00:12:15.50\00:12:19.30 to subdue the Jews and bring law and order to the country. 00:12:19.33\00:12:24.24 Under the leadership of Vespasian and with an 80,000 00:12:24.27\00:12:28.38 strong army, the Romans quickly conquered Galilee 00:12:28.41\00:12:31.81 and then set their sights on the stronghold Jerusalem. 00:12:31.85\00:12:35.78 By 70 AD Vespasian had returned to Rome to become emperor 00:12:35.82\00:12:41.62 leaving his son Titus to lead the army against Jerusalem. 00:12:41.66\00:12:45.59 With four legions under his command Titus quickly 00:12:45.63\00:12:49.76 took control, he posted his 10th legion right here 00:12:49.80\00:12:54.50 on the Mt. of Olives directly east of and overlooking 00:12:54.54\00:12:57.74 The Temple Mount. 00:12:57.77\00:12:59.11 The 12th and 15th legions were stationed on Mt. Scopus 00:12:59.14\00:13:03.51 further to the east and commanding all ways to Jerusalem 00:13:03.55\00:13:08.25 from east to north, the 5th legion was held in reserve. 00:13:08.28\00:13:12.35 Now Titus was a master military technician and had developed 00:13:12.39\00:13:17.46 good methods of breaking into walled cities 00:13:17.49\00:13:19.96 and conquering his enemies, so, rather than launching 00:13:20.00\00:13:24.10 a full frontal attack straight off, he decided to 00:13:24.13\00:13:27.94 first, implement a vigorous siege against Jerusalem 00:13:27.97\00:13:31.81 and its citizens. 00:13:31.84\00:13:33.61 First, they built a seven-meter siege wall or embankment 00:13:33.64\00:13:39.15 right around the city. It prevented anyone from 00:13:39.18\00:13:42.48 entering or leaving, no food and water supplies were allowed 00:13:42.52\00:13:47.39 into the city, Jerusalem was sealed off 00:13:47.42\00:13:50.83 there was no escape. 00:13:50.86\00:13:52.53 Then Titus ensured that the city was completely 00:13:52.56\00:13:56.60 surrounded and encircled by his soldiers and auxiliaries. 00:13:56.63\00:14:00.17 With his four legions strategically placed 00:14:00.20\00:14:03.27 all roads and thoroughfares into Jerusalem were secured 00:14:03.30\00:14:07.54 and blocked by well-guarded checkpoints, 00:14:07.58\00:14:10.31 Jerusalem's inhabitants were hemmed in on every side 00:14:10.35\00:14:14.65 Soon the city was gripped in an ever-tightening death siege 00:14:14.68\00:14:19.19 but there was worse to come. 00:14:19.22\00:14:21.52 With the city secured and completely sealed off 00:14:21.56\00:14:24.49 the deadly heavy artillery and weaponry was assembled 00:14:24.53\00:14:28.60 the plan was to strike terror into the defenders 00:14:28.63\00:14:34.37 into bullying, intimidate, batter, and starve 00:14:34.40\00:14:38.21 the inhabitants into submission and surrender. 00:14:38.24\00:14:41.14 The siege along with the display of brute force 00:14:41.18\00:14:45.71 had the desired effect on Jerusalem's inhabitants 00:14:45.75\00:14:48.58 locked up inside the city walls. 00:14:48.62\00:14:50.75 Mayhem and chaos broke loose as starvation threatened 00:14:50.79\00:14:55.82 the trapped in inhabitants 00:14:55.86\00:14:57.23 Soon the situation inside the city became desperate 00:14:57.26\00:15:01.80 hunger became so intense that the citizens became 00:15:01.83\00:15:06.47 insane with starvation resorting to murdering one another 00:15:06.50\00:15:11.01 over food, the scene was one of utter destruction. 00:15:11.04\00:15:15.28 Thousands died of starvation an accompanying illness 00:15:15.31\00:15:19.61 it was one of the starkest examples of human suffering 00:15:19.65\00:15:24.12 during war-time in history. 00:15:24.15\00:15:26.02 With the defenders and inhabitants of Jerusalem 00:15:26.05\00:15:29.36 weakened and starving Titus unleashed his vast and deadly 00:15:29.39\00:15:34.20 array of weaponry and fire- power on the city. 00:15:34.23\00:15:38.17 The huge wooden catapults bombarded the city with rocks 00:15:38.20\00:15:42.64 smashing everything they hit and causing panic among 00:15:42.67\00:15:46.47 the people. The sieged towers were rolled up to the 00:15:46.51\00:15:50.15 city walls, they filled with soldiers and the towers were 00:15:50.18\00:15:53.92 tall enough to allow archers directly into the city itself. 00:15:53.95\00:15:58.85 They also had different levels with platforms that 00:15:58.89\00:16:02.46 allowed soldiers to climb onto the walls and access to the 00:16:02.49\00:16:06.76 city. Along with siege towers, the Romans dragged their 00:16:06.80\00:16:10.67 battering rams into place, they were used to pound and 00:16:10.70\00:16:14.60 destroy the city walls and gates causing them to crumble 00:16:14.64\00:16:18.64 and collapse. When the walls were breached, it opened the way 00:16:18.67\00:16:23.51 for the soldiers to advance first using their ladders 00:16:23.55\00:16:27.25 then on foot, they clamored through the openings 00:16:27.28\00:16:30.22 and poured into the city. 00:16:30.25\00:16:32.29 Soon mounted troops and their accompanied foot soldiers 00:16:32.32\00:16:36.19 stormed through the streets and their alleyways 00:16:36.22\00:16:38.69 they attacked and pillaged and killed without mercy 00:16:38.73\00:16:42.96 no one was spared, men, women, and children 00:16:43.00\00:16:47.54 were put to the sword, those trying to flee were brutally 00:16:47.57\00:16:52.34 cut down, it was absolute carnage. 00:16:52.37\00:16:56.31 The historian Josephus who was an eyewitness to the event 00:16:56.34\00:17:00.92 claimed that over a million people were killed in the 00:17:00.95\00:17:05.09 attack, no buildings were spared either. 00:17:05.12\00:17:07.66 When Titus gave the soldiers their final instructions 00:17:07.69\00:17:11.39 he specified that the temple was not to be harmed. 00:17:11.43\00:17:15.56 He gave strict instructions that it was not to be burnt 00:17:15.60\00:17:19.57 or destroyed. The building was just too valuable 00:17:19.60\00:17:23.04 to be carelessly torched in a skirmish, 00:17:23.07\00:17:25.44 besides, he had his eye on the temple treasure. 00:17:25.47\00:17:29.61 He'd heard all about the gold in and on the building 00:17:29.64\00:17:33.62 and the valuable temple furnishings and he wanted them. 00:17:33.65\00:17:37.95 But many Jews and Zealots had taken refuge in the temple 00:17:37.99\00:17:41.76 and as the soldiers tried to enter they were ambushed 00:17:41.82\00:17:45.99 and one of them seriously wounded. 00:17:46.03\00:17:48.40 The soldiers retaliated and soon fierce hand to hand 00:17:48.43\00:17:52.43 combat had broken out on the temple's steps. 00:17:52.47\00:17:55.24 In the chaos of the assault, a soldier who has single-lighted 00:17:55.27\00:18:00.84 torch into the temple and immediately the 00:18:00.88\00:18:03.85 cedar-lined beams around the Holy Place went up in flames. 00:18:03.88\00:18:08.05 Infuriated with the resistance and guerilla warfare of the 00:18:08.08\00:18:12.35 Jewish Zealots, the Roman soldiers began to hold more 00:18:12.39\00:18:16.29 firebrands into the temple. 00:18:16.32\00:18:18.26 They also attacked and slaughtered as many Zealots, 00:18:18.29\00:18:22.10 Jews, and priests as they could when they tried to escape 00:18:22.13\00:18:25.47 the burning temple. Horrified Titus rushed forward 00:18:25.50\00:18:29.87 to try to contain the situation but it was too late. 00:18:29.90\00:18:34.28 He manages to salvage the golden menorah and some of the other 00:18:34.31\00:18:38.45 of the temple furniture and treasure to take back to Rome. 00:18:38.48\00:18:41.98 But nothing could be done to save the temple, 00:18:42.02\00:18:45.12 it went up in flames. 00:18:45.15\00:18:47.56 The intense flames of the temple fire melted the gold and silver 00:18:47.59\00:18:52.56 and it ran down between the rocks and into the cracks 00:18:52.59\00:18:56.23 and crevices of the stones. 00:18:56.26\00:18:58.27 Titus wanted that gold and silver and so he ordered 00:18:58.30\00:19:02.34 his soldiers to totally dismantle what was left 00:19:02.37\00:19:05.67 of the temple stone by stone to extract the gold and silver 00:19:05.71\00:19:10.91 and so quite literally not one stone was left standing 00:19:10.95\00:19:15.55 upon another. The temple itself was totally destroyed 00:19:15.58\00:19:20.26 along with the rest of the city. 00:19:20.29\00:19:22.52 When you visit Temple Mount today there' Herodian Street 00:19:22.56\00:19:27.66 with shops alongside of it dating from 70 AD 00:19:27.70\00:19:31.57 that's been unearthed by archeologists along the 00:19:31.60\00:19:34.97 southern end of the western wall. 00:19:35.00\00:19:36.91 The street itself is buckled from the weight of the piles 00:19:36.94\00:19:40.81 of huge stones which still lie where they fell 00:19:40.84\00:19:44.31 when the Roman soldiers threw them down from Temple Mount 00:19:44.35\00:19:48.02 in 70 AD. 00:19:48.05\00:19:49.65 The fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD was a defining moment for 00:19:49.68\00:19:55.26 the Jewish nation, over one million Jews were killed 00:19:55.29\00:19:58.96 and nearly 100,000 were taken captive and sold into slavery. 00:19:58.99\00:20:03.63 Jerusalem and its temple were burned to the ground 00:20:03.67\00:20:07.80 and raised to their foundations. 00:20:07.84\00:20:09.90 With no capital city, no national leadership 00:20:09.94\00:20:13.98 and no religious center, huge numbers of Jews left Judea 00:20:14.01\00:20:18.65 to make a home elsewhere, this diaspora or dispersion 00:20:18.68\00:20:24.02 out of their ancestral homeland saw Jews scattered to the 00:20:24.05\00:20:28.26 four corners of the world, they were stateless 00:20:28.29\00:20:31.93 and forced to live in other countries. 00:20:31.96\00:20:34.33 And this was exacerbated even further following the defeat 00:20:34.36\00:20:38.63 of the Jewish Zealot Bakfaba's rebellion by Emperor Haydn 00:20:38.67\00:20:43.51 65 years later in 135 AD when Jews were forbidden to even 00:20:43.54\00:20:50.15 enter Jerusalem and so as a result Jerusalem was occupied 00:20:50.18\00:20:55.35 by non-Jews, Gentiles, for centuries. 00:20:55.38\00:20:59.35 Now, as we've relived the horrifying historical events 00:20:59.39\00:21:04.36 associated with the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD 00:21:04.39\00:21:08.50 we notice that they perfectly match the chilling predictions 00:21:08.53\00:21:13.27 that Jesus made. 00:21:13.30\00:21:15.14 Jesus' seven predictions came true even to the smallest 00:21:15.17\00:21:21.01 detail. Now there was one group of Jews who escaped the terror 00:21:21.04\00:21:25.38 informer of the Roman Siege, you see Jesus gave both 00:21:25.41\00:21:29.72 predictions and warnings, He said... 00:21:29.75\00:21:33.12 Now this refers to the Roman standards burying the insignia 00:21:47.60\00:21:53.01 of both the empire and the Imperial Cult 00:21:53.04\00:21:56.18 a false system of religion being planted in the area 00:21:56.21\00:22:00.38 the Jews considered to be Holy Ground. 00:22:00.42\00:22:02.82 This referred in particular to the sacred temple 00:22:02.85\00:22:06.09 but also covered Jerusalem and extended several meters 00:22:06.12\00:22:10.49 beyond the city walls. 00:22:10.53\00:22:12.03 Jesus warned His followers that when they saw this happen 00:22:12.06\00:22:16.20 they were to prepare to leave the city because of its 00:22:16.23\00:22:20.60 destruction will be imminent and the Jewish Christians took 00:22:20.64\00:22:25.84 Jesus' words very seriously. 00:22:25.87\00:22:27.31 As the storm clouds gathered and when the Roman armies 00:22:27.34\00:22:31.31 besieged Jerusalem in 67 AD before Titus arrived 00:22:31.35\00:22:35.98 the followers of Jesus were ready, Jesus' warning indicated 00:22:36.02\00:22:40.86 that when the time came to leave they should do so 00:22:40.89\00:22:44.16 without delay and that's exactly what they did. 00:22:44.19\00:22:47.76 During a temporary respite when the Romans unexpectedly 00:22:47.80\00:22:52.17 raged their siege of Jerusalem all the Christians fled 00:22:52.20\00:22:56.64 and it is said that none of them lost their lives. 00:22:56.67\00:23:00.91 They listened to Jesus, they took His word seriously 00:23:00.94\00:23:04.85 and they survived. 00:23:04.88\00:23:06.82 Now there is a powerful message there for us today 00:23:06.85\00:23:10.89 living in the 21st century because just as surely 00:23:10.92\00:23:15.76 and as accurately as Jesus predicted the fall of Jerusalem 00:23:15.79\00:23:20.30 He also foretold His second coming and what will take place 00:23:20.33\00:23:24.73 just before He returns so that His followers can prepare 00:23:24.77\00:23:29.04 and be ready. 00:23:29.07\00:23:30.41 Do you remember the disciples question when Jesus told them 00:23:30.44\00:23:34.98 that the Jerusalem temple would be destroyed? 00:23:35.01\00:23:37.78 The very thought of the destruction of Jerusalem 00:23:37.81\00:23:41.05 and the temple was so shocking and distressing to the disciples 00:23:41.08\00:23:45.49 that they automatically assumed that these events 00:23:45.52\00:23:48.56 must be connected to the end of the world. 00:23:48.59\00:23:51.79 And so as soon as they could they asked Jesus 00:23:51.83\00:23:55.76 for clarification. 00:23:55.80\00:23:57.13 Just as Jesus provided seven predictions about the 00:24:03.77\00:24:07.68 fall of Jerusalem, so He also provided seven predictions 00:24:07.71\00:24:12.15 about His coming and the end of the world. 00:24:12.18\00:24:15.35 The first is a microcosm of the second. 00:24:15.38\00:24:18.55 The destruction of Jerusalem doubled as a description 00:24:18.59\00:24:24.39 of the state of the world immediately prior 00:24:24.43\00:24:27.33 to Jesus' second coming. 00:24:27.36\00:24:29.10 Jesus gave seven signs about the world we live in today, 00:24:29.13\00:24:33.87 they're outlined in Matthew chapter 24, Mark chapter 14, 00:24:33.90\00:24:39.24 and Luke chapter 21, here they are. 00:24:39.27\00:24:42.84 1. False Christs and false prophets, 00:24:42.88\00:24:46.61 Jesus said that there would be deception and confusion 00:24:46.65\00:24:50.69 in the religious world. 00:24:50.72\00:24:52.55 2. Wars and rumors of wars. 00:24:52.59\00:24:55.86 Jesus said that there would be an increase in military 00:24:55.89\00:24:59.69 activity and tensions and conflict between nations. 00:25:00.80\00:25:03.70 3. Earthquakes, famines, and pestilences. 00:25:03.73\00:25:08.10 Jesus said there would be an increase in the frequency 00:25:08.14\00:25:11.97 and intensity of naturally disasters and pestilences. 00:25:12.01\00:25:16.04 which is another word for pandemics, plagues, and disease. 00:25:16.08\00:25:20.65 4. Persecution. Jesus said His followers would be victimized, 00:25:20.68\00:25:27.16 discriminated against and mistreated. 00:25:27.19\00:25:30.39 5. Apostasy. Jesus said many would defect and turn away 00:25:30.43\00:25:36.43 from following Him and abandon their faith. 00:25:36.46\00:25:39.37 6. World Evangelism. Jesus said the Good News, the Gospel 00:25:39.40\00:25:45.84 will go to all the world. 00:25:45.87\00:25:47.51 And finally number 7. 00:25:47.54\00:25:49.94 The Abomination of Desolation. 00:25:49.98\00:25:52.48 Jesus said a Roman-based power will become prominent and 00:25:52.51\00:25:57.59 promote false religion and in particular a false gospel. 00:25:57.62\00:26:03.39 So, there they are, seven signs, seven things that are going to 00:26:03.43\00:26:08.70 happen that will tell us that Jesus is coming soon. 00:26:08.73\00:26:13.44 When we look at the world we live in today 00:26:13.47\00:26:15.80 one thing is clear, the signs that Jesus has laid out for us 00:26:15.84\00:26:20.14 signaling the nearness of His coming are being fulfilled 00:26:20.18\00:26:24.18 before our eyes. 00:26:24.21\00:26:25.55 We live in exciting times, the spiraling chaos we see around us 00:26:25.58\00:26:31.12 points forward to the most glorious event the world has 00:26:31.15\00:26:35.26 ever seen, Jesus is coming soon. 00:26:35.29\00:26:39.03 The question is, are we ready to meet Him. 00:26:39.06\00:26:44.13 If you would like to know more about the second coming of Jesus 00:26:44.17\00:26:48.64 and how you can make sure you are ready to meet Him, 00:26:48.67\00:26:51.91 then, I'd like to recommend the free gift we have 00:26:51.94\00:26:55.11 for all our Incredible Journey viewers today. 00:26:55.14\00:26:58.81 It's the booklet Signs of His Return, 00:26:58.85\00:27:02.95 this booklet is our gift to you and is absolutely free 00:27:02.98\00:27:06.99 I guarantee there are no costs or obligations whatsoever. 00:27:07.02\00:27:11.49 So, make the most of this wonderful opportunity 00:27:11.53\00:27:14.86 to receive your free gift today. 00:27:14.90\00:27:18.00 Phone or text 0436.333.555 in Australia or 020.422.2042 00:27:18.03\00:27:28.74 in New Zealand, or 770.800.0266 in the United States, 00:27:28.78\00:27:35.68 or visit our website tij.tv, or simply scan the QR Code 00:27:35.72\00:27:41.76 on your screen and we'll send you today's free offer 00:27:41.79\00:27:44.93 totally free of charge and with no obligation. 00:27:44.96\00:27:48.16 You can also write to us at the addresses on your screen 00:27:48.20\00:27:51.87 or email us at info@tij.tv. Don't delay call or text us now. 00:27:51.90\00:27:59.41 Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for providing us 00:27:59.44\00:28:03.95 with information and evidence that Jesus is coming soon. 00:28:03.98\00:28:07.92 We want to take this information seriously and ensure that 00:28:07.95\00:28:11.82 we are ready to meet Jesus when He comes. 00:28:11.85\00:28:14.56 Please bless us and our families and grant us all a place 00:28:14.59\00:28:19.16 in your kingdom, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:28:19.19\00:28:23.16 Amen! 00:28:23.20\00:28:24.53