The National Park Service is promising a sight that is out of this world, including Zion
with 33 national parks touting some of the best viewing spots for a ... May 21, 2012 ... the eclipse maximum, leaving what we call a 'ring of fire'.
If I view Earth form the Moon on May 21 2012, it is at RA1630 Antares. One of Antares' translations is Anti-Ares, meaning "Rival of Mars". The ancient inscriptions make much of it in connection with the planet Mars. It is also the Eagle. The best part is the view the Moon has of the Sun on that date May 21 2012@ 10:58am, 58 being the year I was born. Well anyway the Sun's angular size is 31.68' asec. The Number 3168 - LORD JESUS CHRIST. I have not had the time to look at all that happen on my Birthday this year.
Exodus 19:3-5
Oh watch out for 19:5
3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on Eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
See the light yet?
Luke 17:37
And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the Eagles will be gathered together.”


Revelation 5:8 Oh the year I was born, 1958
Worthy Is the Lamb
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures


Psalm 99:1-3
Praise to the Lord for His Holiness
99 The Lord reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
2 The Lord is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name—Done
He is holy.

What troubles me is that someone already knew I would be the Sculptor of that Phoenix
See it is already Done

Psalm 118:21-24
21 I will praise You,
For You have answered me,
And have become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Done, Did you ever notice that this verse states "BODY" is, instead of bodies and they did not ask Yeshua to explain further or say "whose" body???? I had to really research hard on this one. The only body that was in an unknown place was Moses. I am still searching locations from what the bible gives on John the Baptist, Jesus' and Paul's teachings to find out if what I suspect about some erroneous locations we have id'd as today's tourist spots is true or not.

blessed1313 wrote:Done, Did you ever notice that this verse states "BODY" is, instead of bodies and they did not ask Yeshua to explain further or say "whose" body???? I had to really research hard on this one. The only body that was in an unknown place was Moses. I am still searching locations from what the bible gives on John the Baptist, Jesus' and Paul's teachings to find out if what I suspect about some erroneous locations we have id'd as today's tourist spots is true or not.

Where, Lord? - Where, or in what direction, shall these calamities come? The answer implies that it would be where there is the most "guilt and wickedness." Eagles flock where there is prey. So, said he, these armies will flock to the place where there is the most wickedness; and by this their thoughts were directed at once to Jerusalem, the place of eminent wickedness, and the place, therefore, where these calamities might be expected to begin.

And they answered and said unto him, where, Lord?.... That is, either the Pharisees put this question to Christ, who demanded of him when the kingdom of God would come, Luke 17:20 or rather the disciples, to whom Christ more especially directed his discourse, Luke 17:22 who hearing of the distinction that would be made of persons in these dismal times, ask where it should be; not where the persons would be left, but whither the others would be taken, and by whom: and he said unto them,

wheresoever the body is; the carcass of the Jewish nation, as at Jerusalem chiefly, and in whatsoever place:

thither will the eagles be gathered together; the Roman army, whose ensign was the eagle; these will come, seize upon them, and take them and devour them, as they did: the Persic version renders it, "vultures"; See Gill on Matthew 24:28. These words can by no means be understood of sinners fleeing to Christ for eternal life and salvation; nor of the gathering of saints to him, at the last day; for how fitly soever such persons may be compared to "eagles", the word "body", or "carcass", as in Matthew 24:28 and which is so read in some copies here, is not so suitable to Christ; and especially at his glorious appearing; and besides, the words are an answer to a question, where such persons would be, who would be taken and destroyed, when others would be left, or preserved; and manifestly refer to the body, or carcass of the Jewish people at Jerusalem, and other fortified places; where they should think themselves safe, but should not be so, the Roman armies gathering about them, and seizing them as their prey: it is yet a more strange interpretation, which is proposed by a very learned man; that by the "eagle" is meant, Christ; and by "the body", or "carcass", the church in the times of antichrist; and by "gathering" to it, the coming of Christ: for though Christ may be said to bear and carry his people, as the eagle bears and carries its young upon its wings, which he observes from Exodus 19:4 yet not a single eagle, but "eagles", in the plural number, are here mentioned; which shows, that not a single person, as Christ, but many are here intended, even legions of Roman soldiers: nor can the church of Christ be compared to a dead and filthy carcass, in the worst of times, even in the times of antichrist; for however forlorn, distressed, and afflicted her condition is, she is kept alive, and in some measure pure from antichristian pollutions; and is represented by a woman, to whom two wings of a great eagle are given (wherefore she should rather be designed by the eagles) to fly with into the wilderness, where she is preserved and nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, Revelation 12:14. Nor is Christ's coming ever expressed by the gathering of him to his people; but on the other hand, they are always said to be gathered unto him; see 2 Thessalonians 2:1.

1 Thessalonians 5:2
for you know very well that the day of the Lord
will come like a thief in the night.

It was the Lord's doing to bring my avatar to life on my Birthday May 21 2012

Revelation 3:3
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Exodus 19:5
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
National Treasure

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Isaiah 33:6
Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.
Isaiah 45:3
I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.

Revelation 2:16-18
16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’
The Corrupt Church
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:

Done
Ezekiel 12:27-28
27 “Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be Done ,” says the Lord God.’”

These images have a code know only too God, Myself, and my Wife for we or one.
The Long Count Mayan Calendar System 5125.36 years
1525 Jacopo Pontormo painting containing the Eye of Providence in a triangle

5-25-2008 The Phoenix lander descended on Mars

In yellow are my initials wgb in wingdings and normal wgb which was shown too me as Eye Glasses too see. They put my initials on thier logo hidden right in front of your face as always.
Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Ezekiel 12:2
“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 40:4
And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see.”
Ezekiel 44:5
And the LORD said to me, “Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes and hear with your ears, all that I say to you concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD and all its laws. Mark well who may enter the house and all who go out from the sanctuary.
Luke 2:30
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

Jesus was resurrected three days later on April 6, 33 A.D. on the same day in history the LDS church was established on April 6, 1830. Note the date and location of the Earth as viewed from Mars. Earth is at RA1630 same as Antares RA1630 and my home address 1630


Oriel (Antares) Watcher of the West
The Red Star of Bethlehem by David Millo
"We have seen his star appear in the first rays of dawn...
and lo, the star which they had seen in the east, went on before
them, until it came and stood over where the child was."
This bible narrative from Matthew recounts the actions of ancient
astronomers - Wise Men. The first sentence is a fuller translation
of the original Greek text.
With the first rays of dawn on February 1, 4 BC that star appeared.
It was the vermilion supergiant Antares just emerging from the
Moon's glare in the Bagdad sky. And the quasi-universally named
Antares ("Equivalent of Mars") had an ancient twin nearby - Mars
(Aries). It was the "wandering star" Mars that
the Wise Men followed for about the expected 7 week journey.
Mars had an Arean association to the Babylonians. Iran comes
from the word Aryan. Antares was one of the 4 Royal Stars
of Persia. Aries was the constellation of the Hebrew tribe of Judah -
the tribe of the Messiah, the ruling sign that was giving way to
Pisces about 60 BC. The ruling constellation is crowned by the
spring equinox Sun rising within it's borders. The Sanskrit meaning
of Aryan was "a way of life that aims at the elevation of everyone in
society to a higher level of consciousness." Mangala, the Sanskrit
name for Mars means "the auspicious one".
Auspiciously, Mars' retrograde motion made it appear to stand still
for some 5 days centered on the spring equinox. It was at full
phase quite near Antares. An archaeologist believed early Greek
temples were oriented toward the rising or setting of Antares at the
spring equinox.This vernal equinox is the beginning of the celestial
year - a time of birth.
Antares becomes visible in the southeastern sky about mid-spring
to observers in the northern hemisphere. About the time Mars
reaches it's autumn equinox in May, it's southern polar cap will be
near maximum diameter.
The apostle Paul expounded on the 'UNKNOWN GOD'S" altar to the
Athenians on Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-31). Next Paul went on to Corinth
where there was an Antares aligned temple.
Prophetic writing placed the Messiah's birth in the district of
Bethlehem ("House of Bread") as was King David's (Micah 5:2).
On August 27, 2003, Mars made it's closest approach in 73,000
years and will be the brightest since the 30 AD ministry of Jesus
2,002 bible years earlier.
This 2003 opposition will be 56 million km. away. The 4 BC standstill
averaged about 56 million miles distant. Mars has a flayed skin of
'exactly' 56 million square miles. Antares has a minimum diameter
of some 560 million miles. The Jews gathered 56 years prior to 2003
to form their own homeland.
Mars is the god of war.

Exodus 13:8
And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt.’

See you see it as Mason, I see it as Am Son

Revelation 2:17
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’
Matthew 21:42
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?
Revelation 12:13-15
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the Male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great Eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.

Colossians 2:14-16
14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Ephesians 6:11-13
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having Done all, to stand.

Job 15:22-24
22 He does not believe that he will return from darkness,
For a sword is waiting for him.
23 He wanders about for bread, saying, ‘Where is it?’
He knows that a day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Trouble and anguish make him afraid;
They overpower him, like a king ready for battle.

Ezekiel 33:2
“Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their Watchman,
Matthew 10:34
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
Revelation 1:18
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Leviticus 8:9
And he put the turban on his head. Also on the turban, on its front, he put the golden plate, the holy crown, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Isaiah 33:16
He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.


Genesis 47:15
So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed.”


1 Corinthians 15:40-42
40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.

Done, You certainly made me RESEARCH for a better understanding on these scriptures. Your eagle description for Suetonius' Roman army with biblical meaning of the word in scripture set me on a journey to find out the HISTORY of that time period. Here are my findings:

CHAPTER IV

The Causes of the War

AND

THE SAFETY OF THE CHRISTIANS.


"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: let him which is on the house-top not come down to take anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day." MATT. xxiv. 15-20.

"But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." LUKE xxi. 18-22.



The causes of the war which issued in the destruction of Jerusalem had been accumulating for a long time. The pride of the nation was deeply wounded by the presence in Judea and Jerusalem of a Roman governor, attended with a strong military force. They were restive also under the exaction of taxes levied upon them by the Romans. They doubted whether their submission, and their payment of taxes, was not unlawful for them, and whether the assertion of their independence was not a duty. Hence the question, "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?" The influence of Pilate, who came to Judea as procurator A.D. 26, and continued twelve years, was not calculated to allay their irritation. He was a man of stern temperament, and careless of the peculiar characteristics of the people. By his utter disregard for their religious feelings he gave much offence, and frequently disturbed the repose of the country.

How the causes for revolt were thus intensified, a few facts may illustrate. When he sent troops to winter at Jerusalem, he caused their ensigns, on which were the idolatrous images of the emperor, to be carried into the city. .This no previous governor had allowed, through fear of exasperating the people, who regarded the presence of such idolatrous symbols as an insult to their religion. The ensigns, being covered, were brought in by night. Being discovered the next day, many of the Jews hastened to Caesarea to entreat Pilate to withdraw them. He kept them waiting five days and nights before his palace. On the sixth he sent for them, when he caused them to be surrounded by soldiers, and threatened them with instant death unless they returned home. Throwing themselves upon the ground, and baring their necks, they declared that they would sooner die than that the idolatrous standards should remain in the holy city, contrary to the law. Pilate, astonished at the firmness and determination of their resolution, and fearing the consequences of a revolt, gave an order for the standards to be brought back to Caesarea.

On another occasion a great tumult arose when Pilate made a demand upon the sacred treasury of the temple to meet the expenses of an aqueduct to Jerusalem from a fountain twenty miles off. Many of the Jews were then killed by disguised soldiers, who were sent by him among the crowd with daggers and bludgeons concealed under their garments.

When he undertook the consecration of golden bucklers to Tiberius, in the palace of Herod, the Jews were shocked and alarmed. Headed by their magistrates, and accompanied by the four sons of Herod, they entreated him not to persist in a matter so contrary to their law. He was neither influenced by their entreaties, nor by the threats of complaining of him to the emperor.

A quick succession of unjust, tyrannical governors, who aimed at enriching themselves by all practicable means, greatly vexed the people, until it brought them to the very verge of despair. The cruel oppressions and the shameless rapacity of Gessius Florus, the procurator of Judea, kindled into a general blaze the fire which had long been smouldering. He was appointed by Nero, and was unquestionably the worst Roman governor the Jews ever had. "There were no means at which he scrupled in order to fill his coffers." The robbers committed their depredations with impunity, so long as they gave him a portion. Thus life and property became so insecure that multitudes emigrated to foreign countries. In the year A.D. 66, an edict from the emperor was received at Caesarea, by which the Greek and Syrian inhabitants were placed in the first rank of citizens above the Jews, who had hitherto enjoyed that privilege. This was followed by gross insults from Greeks and Syrians upon the religion of the Jews, producing commotions which were only quelled by the Roman arms. The Jews withdrew their sacred books from the synagogue, and carried them to Narbata, two miles from Caesarea. When several of the principal Jews came to lay their grievances before him, he threw them into prison. This violent act produced a great sensation throughout Judea, and particularly in Jerusalem. At the same time he demanded seventeen talents from the treasury of the temple. This raised a tumult in the city, and strong denunciations were uttered against the governor. Gessius Florus came in person to enforce his demand, and required that all who had spoken against him should be delivered to him. He would listen to no explanations, and in revenge gave his soldiers permission to plunder the upper market, which was on Mount Zion. They further pillaged many private houses, and slew their inhabitants. Many of the best citizens were scourged and crucified. Next Florus attempted to enter the temple with his soldiers. This the people resisted with such bravery that the Romans were compelled to retire into the royal castle for safety. Having thus kindled the flame of rebellion he withdrew, sending information of the state of affairs to his superior Cestius Gallus, the prefect of Syria.

The war, which lasted five years, began A.D. 66, at Masada, a fortress near the Dead Sea, where a party of Jewish warriors surprised the Roman garrison, and put all the soldiers to the sword. Following this up, the leaders of the nation at Jerusalem openly threw off their allegiance, the priests refused to offer up the usual sacrifices for the prosperity of the emperor, and the popular party slew the Roman garrison. This produced a general insurrection. The Jews on the one side, and the Romans and Syrians on the other, in every town attacked each other with the greatest fury. The Jews mustered in great numbers, pillaging and devastatiqg the towns chiefly occupied by the Syrians on both sides of the Jordan. The Syrians in revenge massacred the Jews whenever they fell into their hands. Thus the whole country streamed with blood. When Cestius Gallus, the prefect of Syria, heard of this general revolt, he marched with a strong army into Judea. He hastened towards Jerusalem, and surrounding the city, laid siege to it.

We must here glance for a moment at one circumstance which points out the time for the fulfilment of the prophecy of Daniel, uttered more than 500 years before. "After threescore and two weeks," says the prophet, "shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined."1 Of this Christ says, "'vVhen ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let him that readeth understand)."2 "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed


1 Dan. ix. 26.

2 Mark xiii. 14.

with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh."1 The "abomination of desolation" is a Hebrew expression, signifying "abominable, or hateful destroyer." Where Daniel uses the word abominations, Christ adds the word "desolation," because it was to make Jerusalem utterly desolate. As Luke in this connection speaks of the compassing of Jerusalem with armies, I think it clear that, by the abomination of desolation, the Saviour meant to designate the Roman armies. These were composed of soldiers who were idolaters. They carried in front of their legions ensigns or standards upon which were painted the images of eagles and of their emperors. These, Suetonius informs us, the Romans worshipped; whilst Tacitus calls them "the gods of war." Chrysostom says, "that every idol and every image of a man was by the Jews called an abomination." An illustration is mentioned by Josephus: that "when Vitellius, the governor of Syria, was conducting his army through Judea, against Aretas, the king of the Arabians, the principal Jews, on account of their strong abhorrence of the ensigns of the soldiers, on which were eagles and the images of the emperors, earnestly entreated him to lead his army some other way, and that he greatly obliged them by complying with their request." In corroboration of the fact that the Romans worshipped these standards, Josephus adds, "that after the city was taken, the Romans brought their ensigns into the temple, and placed them opposite


1 Luke xxi. 20.

the eastern gate, and sacrificed to them in that place." The Roman armies are properly called the abomination of desolation, as desolation marked their advances through all the provinces and nations they had subdued, and as by them the holy city, and its more holy temple, were to be utterly destroyed.

The besieging of Jerusalem by these armies is called the "standing where it ought not," and "standing in the holy place." The entire city, and all the land for several furlongs around it, was regarded as holy. The Saviour here particularly refers to the surrounding of the city by the armies of Cestius Gallus. They soon obtained full possession of Bezetha, or the new city, and were favourably situated for aggressive movements. Thus it would seem that the Christians, equaIIy with the Jews, were shut up in the city to certain destruction. This, which was the beginning of the days of vengeance, still was to be the signal for the safety of the Christians. They were admonished "to possess their souls in patience," -"not to be troubled or terrified," -"for all these things must first come to pass." They were assured that "not a hair of their head should perish," and that this besieging was the evidence that their deliverance was near. To human vision this was the time of their extremity, but it was the time of God's opportunity. Connected with this siege by Cestius Gallus, we shall have occasion to consider the remarkable providence which demonstrates how certainly God will overrule events so as to accomplish His purposes of mercy toward those who love and trust Him. Josephus states that if Cestius Gallus had assaulted the upper city (Zion), he could easily have taken it, and ended the war; but he adds, "For the wickedness of the people God suffered not the war to end at that time." For some reason which historians have not explained, Cestius Gallus, instead of following up his victory by a resolute advance, withdrew his troops from the city to their encampment. This strange movement emboldened the Jews; and being animated with the wildest enthusiasm and the intensest hatred, they seized their weapons, and rushed out with such impetuosity and numbers that they compelled the Romans to give way, and betake themselves to flight.

For three days they pursued the retreating army with great slaughter; they got possession of many engines of war, and large supplies. This enabled them to prolong the defence of the city. Agrippa, at the request of Cestius Gallus, sent ambassadors to entreat them to lay down their arms, promising forgiveness for all the past. Elated by their recent success, they rejected with scorn these overtures; they seized the ambassadors, slew one, and wounded the other. Such conduct was in opposition to the earnest counsel of the more respectable citizens, who formed a very powerful body. They clearly saw that such conduct would exasperate the emperor, and bring against them the whole Roman power. They were not mistaken. The Roman armies, in larger force, soon came, and unrelentingly went on with their work of conquest and ruin.

Flight of the Christians.- Those who forget that God holds in His hands the heart of kings and rulers, and through their instrumentality works out His own designs, are at a loss to account for the retreat of Cestius Gallus, the Roman general. But those who recognize God as the moral governor will understand this strange retreat when the city was ready to surrender. Such will remember that, more than thirty years before, Christ had said to His disciples, " When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains."

Before or during the siege the Christians could not safely flee. Had they attempted it they would have been destroyed, either by the Jews within the city or by the Romans without. The only way of escape was for the general to raise the siege. This was done. The armed Jews in great numbers rushed out, and pursued the retreating army. It was during this time, when the gates were thrown open, that the Christians found their only opportunity for leaving the city and fleeing to a place of safety.

The advice "in patience possess ye your souls," evidently denotes that the Christians were to watch for and seize upon the crisis the moment it should arrive. Also that their flight was to be with great suddenness, and with such haste as to forsake all worldly property. We notice the three specific items in this advice.

(I) All in Judea were to flee to the mountains - Judea was the southern portion of Palestine, including the tribes of Judah, Simeon, Dan, and Benjamin. Jerusalem was a little north of the centre of this territory. This whole region, as well as Jerusalem, would feel the scourge of this war, and all its inhabitants be exposed to its fearful ravages. The mountains to which they were to flee are those of Perea, a mountainous region on the east side of the river Jordan, and considerably north of Jerusalem. This whole territory, including a part of Galilee, was under the government of Agrippa the Younger. As these countries remained obedient to the Roman power, and took no part in the rebellion, they were consequently not disturbed by the war. This, in itself, was a sufficient reason why the Christians should flee thither. In the midst of these mountains were deep secluded ravines and extensive caves, which would be places of refuge should persecution or other troubles invade this region.

What but Omniscience could thirty years ahead foretell, with such minute accuracy, the scenes of the war, and that the mountainous country would be at peace, whilst all around should be terribly convulsed, and that rapine should rage with horrors unparalleled? What but the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God would have preserved these mountains in peace, as a covert from the tempest and a shelter from the storm? Who but God would have thus placed His saints on high, and made their defence the munition of rocks?

(2) Their flight 'Was to be too sudden to admit of any delay, and hasty to permit the carrying anything away with them.- "Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes!"1 Great emphasis is given to this advice when we remember that "the Jewish houses were flat-roofed, and commonly had two stairs, one within and the other without the house, by which they went up to the roof." Thus a continued terrace was formed from one end of the city to the other, and terminating at the gates. Dr. Shaw, in his Travels in the East, says, "The top of the house, which is always flat, is covered with strong plaster; upon these terraces several offices of the family are performed, such as the drying of linen and flax, - the preparing of figs and raisins, - where likewise they enjoy the cool refreshing breeze of the evening, converse with each other, and offer up their devotions. . . . One may pass along the tops of the houses from one end of the city to the other without coming down into the street." The counsel is that if any Christian should be on the housetop when the signal for flight should be given, he must speed his way with all possible dispatch. He must not tarry long enough to go down into the house to take any article, even the most necessary. And if any are in the fields, they must instantly leave the plough in the furrrow, and take the nearest way to the mountains; they must not go back to take with them the outer garments laid aside when they commenced their work. But every man, just as he was, no matter


1 Matt. xxiv. 17, 18.

where found, or in what business employed, must flee for his life, and consider himself fortunate if he can only escape; for the days of vengeance had come. In this advice there was great wisdom as well as mercy. They were to seize upon the time when the Roman army was retreating, and when the multitudes of the armed Jews, with their desperate leaders, were passing out of the city in hot and eager pursuit. To leave the city at this period would be easy, and would excite no suspicion. If they collected their valuable effects they would draw upon them the attention of the robbers, who would fall upon them. Besides, if thus burdened, it would have so retarded their flight as to prevent their escape before the return of the Jews and the closing of the gates; for then the fierce ravages of war and pestilence and famine would commence.

(3) They were to pray that their flight might not be either in the winter, or on the Sabbath.-" But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day."1 Since the doom of Jerusalem was decreed and proclaimed, its preservation was no longer a proper subject of prayer. Thus saith the Lord, " Pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to Me: for I wiII not hear thee."2 "Pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto Me for their trouble."3 Yea, "though Moses and Samuel stood before Me,


1 Matt. xxiv. 20.

2 (missing footnote)

3 Jer. xi. 14.

yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth.. . . Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity."1 How terrible is the condition of that people when an intercessor may not stand up between God and them!- when the voice of pleading and the incense of prayer is forbidden, and they are left to the retributions of incensed justice!

But it was proper for those who were to escape to plead for every mitigating circumstance. Hence that their flight might not be in the winter. Then the hardness of the season, the badness of the roads, the shortness of the days, the severity of the atmosphere, the scarcity of provisions, and the scantiness of clothing would greatly aggravate the miseries of their flight. The winter would cause great suffering to all, but especially to the aged, to the women, and the children. How continued would be their sufferings, if, after reaching the mountains, they should be compelled in their impoverished condition to dwell in the caverns and dens of the earth, as their only refuge from the rude blasts of winter.

Neither on the Sabbath day. - If this refers to the Jewish Sabbath, how wise and merciful the petition. For such was the adherence of the Jews to its mere outward observance, whilst they violated its hallowed spirit, that if the Christians should flee on that day they would arouse the fierce jealousy of the Jews,


1 Jer. xv. r, 2.

and involve themselves in serious delays, if not positive sufferings. If the Christian Sabbath was also included, which I think was the case, then here too there is mercy and wisdom in the prayer. Christ would not, if practicable, have its peace and sanctity disturbed even by such a work of necessity. Besides, many would linger in doubt, - many would fly doubting. Every way it would harass and perplex the conscientious, and that too at a time of such peculiar peril.

Here we must recall the fact that, when Cestius Gallus, the Roman general, had actually taken Bezetha, the new town, he precipitately withdrew his army. It will be well to notice here a few of the facts. When the new town was taken, the principal men were persuaded by Ananus to open the gates to him -they actually invited him into the city, to settle the terms of the surrender. "But," says Josephus, "he overlooked this offer, partly out of his anger at the Jews, and partly because he did not thoroughly believe they were in earnest. Thus, when he had the city in his power, and could have ended the war in a single day, without any assignable reason, he suddenly raised the siege, and commenced a rapid retreat, in which a great portion of his army was slain, and large supplies of provisions and munitions of war fell into the hands of the Jews." The gates of the city were opened, whilst the pursuit was continued for three days. Then the gates were again closed, and the most zealous and active preparations made for defence. Thus, in this most remarkable manner, three days were granted to the Christians in which to flee to the mountains. These were not wintry days. This defeat, says Josephus, took place on the 8th day of the month Marchesvan, which corresponds with the latter part of our September and the early part of October. This was a lovely season of the year. The harvest of corn, and the gathering of grapes, pomegranates, and other fruits was completed. Thus available provisions were abundant.

That their flight was not on the Sabbath may be fairly gathered from the narrative of the historian; for he tells us that during the same siege, only a few days before the retreat of Cestius Gallus, "the Jews left the feast, and betook themselves to their arms without any consideration of the rest of the seventh day, although the Sabbath was the day for which they had the greatest regard." He notices this one occasion as peculiar. But when the defeat of Cestius Gallus is recorded as occurring on the 8th of Marchesvan, not the slightest intimation is given that it was on the Sabbath. The evidence, I think, is clear that their prayer, as advised by their Lord, was heard and answered, and that their flight was neither in the winter nor on the Sabbath.

That they actually fled in haste is evident. Josephus says, "And now it was that a horrible fear seized upon the seditious, insomuch that many of them ran out of the city as though it were to be taken immediately." Again," Many of the most eminent of the Jews swam away from the city as from a ship when it was going to sink." What language can be more expressive of haste? Still again he tells us, that when Titus was drawing his forces towards Jerusalem, "a great multitude fled from Jericho into the mountainous country for security." Jericho lay north and east from Jerusalem, and was directly in the way from the city to the mountains in Perea. It may be that many Christians who had fled from Jerusalem took up a temporary lodgment in Jericho, but on the approach of the army under Titus they fled directly to the mountains. The historian Eusebius says,' "The people of the church in Jerusalem being ordered by an oracle given to the faithful in that place, by revelation left the city, and dwelt in a city of Perea, the name of which is Pella." Epiphanius says that the Christians in Jerusalem were admonished of its destruction by an angel. It was during this critical interval of three days that the Christians made their escape. Bishop Newton remarks, "We do not read anywhere that so much as one of them perished in the destruction of Jerusalem. Certainly not when Christ promised, "Not a hair of your head shall perish." "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies."1 Well then hath the psalmist said, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ... He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou


1 Psa. xxv.. 10.

shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day. . . . Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, Thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee. . . . For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."1 And the apostle has said, "AIl things work together for good to them that love God." Blessed Jesus! how tender! how faithful is Thine heart! Whom Thou lovest Thou lovest always, and as the apple of Thine eye; and though earth and hell should combine their rage, and earth and heaven pass away, none shall be able to pluck them out of Thine hand. They are safe, absolutely and for ever,-and only they.

The safety of those who put their confidence in God is beautifully illustrated in all the circumstances attending the flight of the Christians from Jerusalem. Their Lord told them not to be terrified or troubled by all the strange and desolating events which should awaken alarm, and which threatened the certain destruction of the city. They must possess their souls in patience, and not prematurely attempt to escape the terrors of that day; no, not when they saw the Roman armies encamped around the city; no, not when the work of desolation had begun, and they saw the new city a heap of ruins, because He would keep them, and at the proper time make the way plain


1 Psa. xci. I-II.

and safe for their escape. Such was the confidence which the Christians reposed in this word of their Lord that they strictly obeyed His directions. We have seen how Cestius Gallus besieged the city, and had it in his power; but that, at an unexpected moment, and without any assignable reason, he raised the siege, and precipitately fled. Then the Jews threw open the gates and rushed out, and for three days victoriously pursued. It was at this critical, this wholly unexpected opportunity of only three days that the Christians fled without danger either from the Romans or the Jews. Immediately on the return of the Jews the gates were closed. The sentinel was there at every gate holding his ceaseless, jealous vigils. Thus a way of escape was made for the Christians. Flushed by their success, the Jews were emboldened in their determined resistance, and were shut in to the famine, the pestilence, and the sword,-to sufferings the most fearful and to deaths most strange and terrible.

Who can thoughtfully ponder the prediction and its fulfilment, and not feel that the hand of God was in them, and that God does govern in all the affairs of men; a protection and a reward to all who serve, and a ruin to all those who follow their own hearts?

Even now I seem to hear the kind whispers of His love saying, "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain."1 Methinks I can now hear the swelling shouts of joyful gratitude bursting from the Christian bands as they again come forth from their hiding-places, singing, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. . . . The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge."2

But three days were given to the Christians to secure their safety by flight. Can there be any doubt that, if after all the instruction and admonition they had received, they had hesitated, doubted, lingered, and thus consumed the three days, that they too would have been shut in, and made to partake, as the reward of their unbelief, of the miseries and plagues which befel the unbelieving Jews? God had forewarned them' and provided the way of escape. Can anyone doubt that, if they had lingered in order to secure some worldly interest, to finish some plan or work, or to secure treasures, that they would have miserably and foolishly lost their lives? True faith works promptly, -works with energy, and is ready for any sacrifices. Is it not plain that unless the Christians, and such of the Jews as may have accompanied them, had made the matter of their escape the one present and absorbing interest, to which every


1 Isa. xxvi. 20, 21.

2 Psa, xlvi. 1-3, 7.

other interest must instantly give way, that they could not have been saved from the impending ruin? And what does all this teach impenitent men, whose dangers are a thousandfold more terrible and threatening than those which gathered in massive clouds of blackness over Jerusalem? How many days has any man in which to escape? Who can fix the number? How many hours in which to escape? Who can certainly number them? Why do men linger? What plan, what work, what treasure-making detains them? What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Taken From Chapter 4 in book:

THE JUDGMENT OF JERUSALEM

Predicted in Scripture, Fulfilled in History

By William Patton
(Written in 1876)