"Your Deliverance Is Getting Near"!

"Stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near." -LUKE 21:28.

IMAGINE that you are a Christian living in Jerusalem in 66 C.E. A lot is has been happening around you. First, the Roman procurator Florus seized 17 talents from the sacred temple treasury.  Immediately, Jews rose in revolt, slaughtering the Roman forces in Jerusalem and asserting their independence from Rome, but Rome reacted swiftly.  Within three months 30,000 troops appeared on the scene, led by the Roman governor of Syria, Cestius Gallus. The soldiers quickly entered the suburbs of Jerusalem, and the Jewish rebels retreated to the safety of the temple fortress. Next, the Roman soldier started  to undermine the outer wall of the temple area!  Panic is spreading throughout the city. How do you feel as you see all of this happening?

No doubt you remember the words of Jesus as recorded by the Gospel writer Luke:  "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near." (Luke 21:20) However, you may wonder,  'How can I obey the instructions given along with that warning?' Jesus also said:  "Then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains, let those in the midst of her leave, and let in the countryside not enter into her." (Luke 21:21)  How can you possibly leave Jerusalem with so many troops surrounding  it?  Then, an amazing thing happens. Right before your very eyes, the Roman troops start to retreat!  As foretold, their attack is being "cut short."  (Matthew 24:22)  Now you have the opportunity to obey Jesus' instructions. Immediately you flee to the mountains across the Jordan River, along with the other faithful Christians in the city  and its surroundings.  Then, in 70 C.E., a new Roman army heads for Jerusalem and destroys the city. But your life is spared because you obeyed Jesus' instructions. 

Soon, very soon, each of us will face a similar situation. Jesus not only warned Christians about the destruction of Jerusalem but also used those first-century events  to parallel what will occur when the "great tribulation" suddenly breaks out.  (Matthew 24:3, 21, 29)  In fact, the good news is that "a great crowd" of people will survive this worldwide catastrophe.  (Read Revelation 7:9, 13, 14) What does the Bible say about these upcoming events?  we should be keenly interested in the answer, for our very salvation is involved. Let us now examine in detail how these future events will affect us personally.  

Next time: "Your Deliverance Is Near"! - THE BEGINNING OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015