192. Discourse on the Mount of Olives: Prophecy Concerning the Fate of Jerusalem. Mt. 24:15–22; Mk. 13:14–20; Lk. 21:20–24

‘So when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Dan. 9:27), standing in the holy place where it ought not to be, – let the reader understand, – then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. And whoever is on the roof must not come down to take what is in the house; and whoever is in the field must not turn back to get a garment. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.’

‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has drawn near. Then let those in the city depart from it; and let those in the country not enter it. For these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. For there will be then great tribulation – such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the world – from the beginning of creation that God created – until now, and will not be. For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And if the Lord had not shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the sake of the elect whom He chose, He has shortened those days – and they have been shortened.’

(To the prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus joined the prophecy concerning the end of the world and His second, glorious coming)