20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
21:20
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
The Roman general Titus besieged Jerusalem in A.D. 68-70. This event occurred 40 years after Jesus spoke these words, when Jerusalem faced “desolation”: it was besieged, the temple was burned, and tens of thousands of people were killed. These events will mirror what will happen in the end times.
However, the event Jesus referred to in this passage is a future situation that has not yet occurred. Daniel referred to this time as “the abomination of desolation” (Da 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). His prophecy of seventy weeks includes 69 weeks of 7 years each and one week of 7 years. The final 7 years are the Tribulation period. The Antichrist will set himself up as god in the middle of the Tribulation, which is the abomination of desolation, which lasts for the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation (Da 9:27; 12:7).
21:21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
This event fulfills Daniel 9:26. Luke earlier spoke of the destruction of Israel just before His return (Lu 17:22-37). Jesus gave that teaching in Matthew 24:15-22 and Mark 13:14-20.
21:22
For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
The Old Testament prophets predicted that God would punish Israel for her sins, which will occur during the future Tribulation (Jer 30:7). This will be a time of God’s ultimate vengeance on earth, also called the Day of the Lord.
21:23
But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
Gentile domination will continue until God destroys Jerusalem or until the end of the times of the Gentiles. The Tribulation will be difficult for those encumbered with limitations.
21:24
And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Some Israelites would die in battle. Others would become captives of other nations and be deported to other countries. This situation will last until the end of “the times of the Gentiles.” Until then, Gentiles would dominate Jerusalem. The times of the Gentiles began when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C. These times will continue until Jesus comes in His Second Coming (Dan 2:34-35, 45; Ro 11:25). The Babylonians took Jerusalem and the nation into captivity in 586 B.C., launching the “times of the Gentiles.”
Jerusalem’s fall in A.D. 70 did not fully fulfill this prophecy. Jerusalem, as the holy city, represented the nation of Israel. Jesus said that the Gentiles will trample Jerusalem underfoot until the conclusion of the times of the Gentiles, which will conclude when Jesus comes in His Second Coming.
Jerusalem will again fall under the domination of Gentiles in the Tribulation (Zech 14:1-2). This event will occur just before Jesus comes the second time.
PRINCIPLE:
Jesus predicts the future for Israel.
APPLICATION:
Zechariah 14:1-2 predicts a Gentile attack on Jerusalem just preceding Jesus’ Second Coming. Acts 3:19 predicts “times of refreshing” will occur when He comes back.
Before the Lord returns, the earth will face a much worse time than anything previously. Natural catastrophes, apostasy, and other unimaginable events will occur. The last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation will be the worst the world has ever faced (Mt 24:21). Demons will unleash an attack on the cause of Christ and His people (Re 9:1-2). These events will culminate in Christ’s Second Coming (Zech 14:4; Mt 25:31-46; Re 1:7). At that time, He will establish a 1,000-year kingdom on earth.
