Just a few thoughts on the Olivet Discourse …..
Luke: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies … “
Matthew (parallel passage on Olivet Discourse):
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place …”
Back to Luke:
“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***.
[not some, not a little bit, but EVERYTHING that had been written, including ALL writings of the prophet Daniel that Jesus had just quoted from]
the prophet Daniel:
“he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the ***shattering of the POWER of the HOLY PEOPLE comes to an END*** ALL these things would be finished.
[not some, not a little bit, but EVERYTHING]
Also Daniel:
“Seventy-sevens are decreed about ***your people and your holy city***, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to ***seal both vision and prophet*** and to anoint a most holy ***place***.
[it was time to end the physical temple and let the spiritual one flourish, for “know you not that your body is the temple of the holy spirit” and “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is! ‘ or ‘There! ‘ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”]
So … WHEN was Jerusalem surrounded by armies, and WHEN did the shattering of the power of the holy people happen … and WHEN was the temple destroyed – the one He was looking at when He said the stones would be thrown down?
Does your answer happen to harmonize with these other statements of Jesus by chance? It just might …
Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Mark 9:1
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
Matthew 24:34
Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
John 21:20-22
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”