Jesus' Prophecy Fulfilled: Fearful Sights And Great Signs In The Sky
Jesus' Prophecy Fulfilled: Fearful Sights And Great Signs In The Sky
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Dive into history to learn about the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about fearful sights and great signs in the sky preceding the AD70 destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem
5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Flavius Josephus' Account Of The Fearful Sights And Great Signs In The Sky
Based on the accounts of the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus in his work The Jewish War (Book VI, Chapter 5), a series of supernatural omens and "fearful signs" appeared in the heavens and in the Temple during the period surrounding the Jewish revolt (AD 66–70). [1]
Josephus describes these as divine warnings that preceded the destruction of Jerusalem, which the people disregarded. [1, 2]
The Sword-Shaped Star and Comet: Josephus records that a star, which resembled a sword, stood over the city and hung over it for a whole year. A comet was also visible, lasting for a year.
Chariots and Armed Battalions: Before sunset, numerous eyewitnesses reportedly saw chariots and armed battalions maneuvering through the clouds over the entire country. These were interpreted as bringing fire and war to Jerusalem and the land of Judah. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Miraculous Signs in the Temple
The Midnight Light: At the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), a "great light" shone around the altar and the holy house at the ninth hour of the night. This light was so intense it appeared to be bright daytime, lasting for half an hour.
The Eastern Gate Opening: The massive eastern gate of the inner court, made of brass and requiring 20 men to close, opened on its own accord at the sixth hour of the night.
The Heifer and Lamb: A cow, led to be sacrificed by the high priest, gave birth to a lamb while in the middle of the Temple court.
Voices in the Temple: Priests reported hearing a "terrible and mighty voice" or a "multitude" of voices at night in the inner court shouting: "Let us go and leave this House". [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Interpretation of the Signs
Josephus believed these signs were dire warnings from God that the city was doomed. However, he noted that many people were misled by "charlatans" and "pretended messengers" who interpreted them as omens of victory or the imminent rise of a new world ruler from Judea. [1, 2]
Josephus regarded. these signs as confirmation that the destruction was destined, largely due to the "pollution" of the Temple by internal sedition,
Readers of the scripture know that these warning signs were fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that there would be "fearful sights and great signs ... from heaven" (Luke 21:11).
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