Notes from DanBro

Hey all,

Ok. I’m going to let you off the hook!

Why was the second temple and Jerusalem destroyed in 70 AD?

You all should have been able to find this, but you probably thought it was a trick question. It’s not. I have to admit, however, that as many times as I have read and studied Luke chapters 19-21 and the account of the triumphal entry I completely missed this!

In today’s atmosphere of scoffers and nay sayers we sometimes think that we (prophecy guys) are the only ones that get it. Why doesn’t everyone see the signs of the times and look up knowing that Jesus’ return is eminent? Well, take heart as we exegete Luke 19 you might be surprised to find that we’re not the first generation to be clueless in the face of staggering evidence!

First we have to revisit Daniel chapter 9. Gabriel gives Daniel the most incredible prophecy in the Bible. Daniel is given the very day that the Mashiyach Nagid (Messiah the King) will be declared and killed (cut off). Just as the Magi knew when to come and search for the “one born to be King of the Jews” at Jesus’ birth the Jews should have known exactly the “day” their Messiah would be revealed. But are we being too hard on them? Daniel’s dream of 70 weeks was interpreted by the angel Gabriel himself saying; “From the issuing of the decree ^[f] to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed (Mashiyach) One, ^[g] the ruler(Nagid), comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. ²⁶ After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed (Mashiyach) One will be cut off (killed) and will have nothing (Daniel 9:25-26). Gabriel had zero tolerance for error. The time stated between the “from” to the “until” is exactly 173,880 days which brings us to, Nisan 10 AD 32. This was April 6, 32 or Palm Sunday as we have come to call it. This was also the very day that the Passover lambs were required by law to be brought out for inspection.

Now let’s go back to Luke 19. Up until this time Jesus had not allowed anyone to declare him to be the Messiah or King of the Jews. But on this day he actually arranged it in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, sending his disciples after a donkey. Now the text; ³⁷When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
³⁸"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"^[b]
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:37-38). The crowed began to do exactly as Gabriel had predicted on the very he day he had predicted. They began to sing out (Psalm 118:22-27):

²² The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

²³ the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

²⁴ This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

²⁵ O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you. ^[a]

²⁷ The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up ^[b] to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Are you beginning to see a pattern here? This was a very special day, a day they should have been waiting and watching for! But why was the Temple destroyed? Let’s look further into the text:

⁴¹As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it ⁴²and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. ⁴³The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. ⁴⁴They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (Luke 19:41-44) This must be the saddest “because” in the Bible. Why was the second temple and the city destroyed in 70 AD? Because…they did not recognize or know the time of Messiah’s coming! What a tragedy. What an indictment! Jesus held the Jews accountable for knowing prophecy. And the religious leaders in verse 39 instead of pleading with Jesus to rebuke the crowed should have been joyously welcoming their Messiah!

So, what is the lesson for us today? Should we listen to the scoffers and shut up about the soon return of Christ or should we shout it even the louder as we “see” the day approaching? (Hebrews 10:25)

I’m also going to have Jen put this up on the blog so it will be handy if you want to review it. Questions or comments? Let me know.

Keep Looking Up!