Jerusalem and the Temple – Luke 21:20-24

Are these the last days?  Is the Great Tribulation near, and Jesus’ return?  Well it is certainly true that everything is primed for the end events, with Israel in possession of the land, but there is no temple, and the temple plays a major role in the end time events, as does the city of Jerusalem.

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.  (Luke 21:20-24 ESV)

In the great events of the end of the age, Jerusalem must be destroyed and trampled underfoot by Gentiles.  When the times of the Gentiles, which are determined by God, are over, then Jerusalem can be redeemed.  Whoever thinks that God will not allow this to happen to Jerusalem will be tempted to enter the city when the armies come as a place of refuge.  But this would be disastrous for it will fall.  It marks the days of “great distress” and “vengeance” from God on earth.

A destruction of Jerusalem occurred in A.D. 70, but the days of distress did not occur, that is, God did not pour out His wrath on mankind in final judgment, nor did Jesus return.  This means that said destruction was a foretaste of the one to come, which means that the temple must yet again be built, the city be restored and Gentiles be allowed to destroy it.  Daniel 9 predicts this and 2 Thessalonians 2 describes its takeover by the man of lawlessness.  Revelation 6-19 describes the three and a half years of “distress” and God’s judgment poured out on mankind.