The Apostles and 70 A.D.
What happened?
After Jesus ascended alive into heaven the Apostles were emboldened, because they had seen Jesus die and rise from the dead. They knew He is the Messiah. They knew they could trust Him and God’s Word. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and went forth in power.
They began the work of building a ministry and spreading the Gospel as the Holy Spirit led them.
We can read about it in the Acts of The Apostles.
While they spread the Gospel, Satan raised up persecution upon them. Efforts from the religious leaders and the Roman government to stop this growing faith.
But, the apostles continued on, being beaten and killed for the Gospel’s sake.
Like Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”— John 12:24-26
The persecution of the church pushed the apostles and other believers onward to spread the Gospel more. As the enemy tries to stop them, it just builds and grows. Because, they have seen the truth. They have the Holy Spirit. They are no longer lulled into the lie that the devil feeds those in this world.
God’s Word says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” —Psa. 116:15
Because our death is a witness to those who are lost, as they seek to destroy us and stop us from spreading the Gospel. Our death shows the lost that we trust God, and are convinced of His promises. Our death brings us home to Paradise where we will be forever with Him.
The Father loves to see His children come home.
Death is separation. The Saints never die, we are never separated from the Lord.
We see prophecies of the creation of the Church and the apostles through God’s Word.
First we see the creation of the woman, in Genesis. When God causes Adam to fall into a deep sleep and removed a rib from his side and made a bride for the Man.
Likewise, Jesus died on the cross and He was pierced in the side. Out came blood and water, for the creation of the church. The Bride of Christ, born of the Blood of the Lamb and the baptism in water.
Again, we see Elijah the prophet being taken up alive into heaven, and he leaves his mantle behind to Elisha, who takes up Elijah’s position and does greater things. (1 Kings 19:19, 2 Kings Chapter 2, John 14:12)
Many use this verse of Elijah going alive into heaven as a verse to prove their doctrine of Rapture. But, it is really showing the Lord’s ascension and the Apostles being given His authority and power.
Again, The Apostles felt led to raise up a new Apostle in order to replace Judas.
They wanted to follow the prophecy in God’s Word.
“For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.”—Acts 1:20
The Apostles cast lots and chose Matthias, to fill the position. But, then we hear nothing else from Matthias.
Why?
Because God fulfilled His own prophecy and chose Saul, who became Paul the Apostle as the successor for Judas Iscariot.
As the Apostles and other Saints followed the Holy Spirit the Gospel spread and the Church grew throughout the world.
But, the prophecy of Jesus was growing as time went on.
The Lord had prophesied over the city,
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Matt. 23:37-39)
“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”— (Matt. 24:1-2)
This prophecy from our Lord before His death, tells us the fate of Jerusalem because of their choice to kill Jesus, while choosing Barabbas, the insurrectionist and murderer. The picture of Satan. The Anti-Christ.
In 70 A.D. The Roman General Titus, who would become Emperor, attacked and destroyed Jerusalem. He destroyed the second temple and plowed the city under. Just as Jesus had prophesied.
The city where He was killed. The city that refused to turn back to the Lord, was destroyed. The city who chose the devil, and probably it was this Barabbas who helped stir up the insurrections which eventually led to the destruction of the city.
Which caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to be sent to wander the Earth in what is called the Diaspora.
But, that was not the first prophecy of this event.
Notice how Jesus referred to Himself as “The Son Of Man”
Who is “Man”?
Man is Adam.
Jesus is referring to the story of Cain and Able.
He is calling Himself “Able”.
Able is a picture of Jesus.
Killed by his brethren for envy.
Then, the brother is sent to wander the Earth.
Like Cain.
Who eventually built a city of trade and learning.
Before the days of the Flood, creating a global empire.
And even today it is being built.
To prepare the world for the Anti-Christ to come, following the spirit of antichrist.
While the Apostles and saints follow the Holy Spirit to build God’s Kingdom.
It all moves quickly toward the last days, and the return of our Lord from the sky, in glory.
The battle has raged from the beginning till now, and will end soon.
Cover photo by pexels/Pixabay
