What trying experience did Christ then foretell?
Answer
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor
ever shall be!' Verse 21.
NOTES - In paragraph 4 of his preface to his "Wars of the Jews," Josephus, referring to the
destruction of Jerusalem, says: "The misfortunes of all men, from the beginning of the world, if they be
compared to these of the Jews, are not so considerable." In this terrible calamity, the prophecy of Moses
recorded in Deut. 28:47-53 was literally fulfilled. He said: "Thou shall eat the fruit of your own body, the
flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, . . . in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith your enemies shall
distress thee." For an account of the fulfillment of this, see Josephus's "Wars of the Jews," book 6, chap. 3,
par. 4.
Following the destruction of Jerusalem came the persecution of the early Christians under the
pagan emperors during the first three centuries of the Christian era, that begun under Diocletian in AD.
303, and continuing for ten years (Rev. 2: 10), being the most bitter and extensive persecution of God's
people the world had yet witnessed. Following this came the still greater and more terrible persecution of
the saints during the long centuries of papal supremacy, foretold in Dan. 7: 25 and Rev. 12: 6. All these
tribulations occurred under either pagan or papal Rome.
To whom did this promised seed refer?
And what besides a mere belief in the truth is necessary?
What did the prophet say His name should be called?
For what are we told to pray at this time?
What is the nature of Gods law?
What test case arose in the time of the apostles over this question?
Why did God give His only begotten Son to the world?
Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle