Luke 21:20-24--Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

Luke 21:20-24
English Standard Version
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Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 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, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 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. 24 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.

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This is still part of the Olivet Discourse on the end times.  Last time Jesus said to watch out for wars and persecution, but He specifically points to the destruction of Jerusalem.  While many believe this is talking about 70 A.D. when Rome sent its troops into Jerusalem and destroyed much of Jerusalem and didn't leave one stone on top of another with the Temple, I think this is talking about when the kings of the North, South and East all rise up against the people of God in the end times as the world follows the Antichrist and his false prophet who are both controlled by Satan.

The people will run to the mountains and those in the fortified cities are not to trust in their cities for strength, but are to get far, far away as judgment is coming form heaven upon the enemies of God and God's people.  The people of God will probably run to Petra, the mountain fortress of Edom that is to the east of Israel.  This will be the time when the vials or bowls of the wrath of God will be poured out on all who remain.

Jesus says that we are to hope that in that day there are not women who are pregnant or nursing their infants because they will not be able to flee as quickly.  Perhaps there will be people who will know how to read the signs and will decide not to get pregnant at this time due to these warnings.  Who would knowingly want to raise a child in the kingdom of the Antichrist?  No Jew that feared God would want to, but will they understand the times?  It seems they will because they will know when some things happen that it's time to get out of tow--the Bible also warns the Jews about when Antichrist will set up his own image in the Temple of God in Jerusalem and that if they have not done so already, this is the sign to run so that they don't get caught up in the coming judgment.

Jesus will come back in the end to defeat His enemies and save all believing Jews and Gentiles who remain, but many of the people will die by the sword in war (maybe even by God confusing the enemies of Israel to make them kill one another) and the peoples of the earth that are enemies of Israel will not even be safe from one another as Gentiles will take captives--probably as slaves of some sort--and this will be allowed by God as will the destruction of Jerusalem.  God will give rule of Jerusalem to the Gentiles for a time--a period called "the time of the Gentiles--but this time will be temporary for Jerusalem and all the land of Canaan belongs eternally to the Twelve Tribes of Israel and Jerusalem in particular belongs to their King, the Son of David, who we call Jesus, the Christ.  He will rule on the throne of His father David, and His kingdom will be forever.  He will crush all the enemies of God and deliver His people once again as He has done all throughout biblical history.