THESE next verses have received different interpretations. Some think they refer exclusively to the time of the sacking of Jerusalem in AD 70. Others believe these verses exclusively refer to the short time immediately before the return of Christ. Others, and I am one of them, believe that both the events of AD 70, and the period just before Christ's return, are mentioned here. Apparently the account written by Josephus, the Jewish historian in first century AD, records the events of the AD 70 period, and his record fits Christ's prophecy here very closely, and so there really can be no doubt that Jesus had in mind the awful end to the special relationship with God enjoyed by the Jewish nation up to this point occurring in AD 70. However as we continue reading these verses to the end, there must be a further terrible period of history being spoken of. This fits in with the continual teaching of the Bible that states that just before the return of Christ there will be a severe time of suffering and persecution for the church of God. Examples of this teaching can be found both in the last chapter of Daniel, Zechariah and in Revelation.

It seems to me that Jesus had the events in AD 70 in mind when he gives instructions for his disciples to flee from Jerusalem as soon as they hear of the desecration of the temple mentioned in verse 15. To remain in the city would have meant being unable to escape after the siege commences, and so we can understand the urgency to leave which Jesus presses on his disciples. Jesus warns them to leave before it was impossible to do so, and such was the danger, that they should not delay in any way whatsoever, but be ready to leave their possessions and to leave without goodbyes.

Jesus also lays stress on the terrible distress of this fall of Jerusalem. Again apparently to read the history of the time written by Josephus bears out Christ's prophecy that the suffering would be so appalling that it has never been surpassed since, not even in the 20th Century. No doubt an equal time of suffering will occur just before Christ's return. This is suggested because Jesus speaks of the time being shortened for the sake of the elect. Jesus tells us that the days will be short to avoid his chosen disciples, his believing people, having to suffer too much. Such is God's care and love to those he has chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and redeemed by the blood of Christ.

The fact that these verses lead up to the promise of Christ's return, we have to also see this prophecy finding its complete fulfillment at the end of the world, just prior to Christ's return. For this reason we can expect a time of great trial for the true church of God prior to Christ's return, and such a period is taught in Scripture.

Jesus speaks of this time of suffering in order that his people may be prepared. Jesus did not want his true church to suffer the awful judgement of God coming on the Jewish nation and upon Jerusalem, when God used the Romans as his tools for this judgement. This is why Jesus lays such stress on escaping from Jerusalem as quickly possible. We learn here that the believer must not hold on to earthly things too much. For Christ's sake we must be ready to leave them all behind.

To summarize what we have considered concerning these verses so far. Firstly Jesus has the judgement God will cause to fall on the Jewish nation, which culminated in the Romans destroying Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70 in mind. This seems to be the main emphasis up to verse 21, after this the main emphasis seems to form around the events leading up to, and immediately prior, to the end of the world and the return of Christ. However having said this, we must also emphasize that the events up to verse 21 would also appear to have reference to the end of the world. The fact is that the judgement of God that fell on the Jewish nation in AD 70, which ended the Old Testament period, pictures also the coming of Christ at the end of the world to judge the living and the dead.

The fact is that until the end comes and Christ returns there is no way we can exactly interpret these prophetic utterances of Christ. Their purpose is that God's people may be fore-warned of the end, and so be prepared for it.

Having looked at these verses in their historical setting, there are several lesson we can learn from them. The first and foremost lesson is the fact that the world does not get better as history goes on, but rather evil grows worse, and engulfs the world, and that when evil has become full the judgement of God will fall on the earth. This does not mean that the world should be given up. It is right to strive for betterment, and to negotiate for peace diligently. The world authorities must and should work together to avoid the destruction of our planet by negotiating goals to avoid destructive climate change, and other such global scenarios. What Jesus is warning his people is to face the fact that things will grow worse as the future progresses, and we need to be prepared for this.