4. THE LAST SIGN, AND THE TIME FOR FLIGHT Mark 13:14-20 (Matthew 24:15-22; Luke 21:20-24) 14 But when ye see the abomination of desolation--Luke (Luke 21:20) explains this by adding, "When ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand." The armies must have been the Roman armies which finally besieged and destroyed Jerusalem. Doubtless they are called "the abomination of desolation" because, being heathen armies, they were an abomination to the Jews, and because they brought desolation on the country. Matthew (Matthew 24:15) says: "When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet." This destruction was a matter of Old Testament prophecy. standing where he ought not--Matthew (Matthew 24:15) says: "In the holy place." Jerusalem is "the holy place." 'The devil taketh him into the holy city." (Matthew 4:5.) All Jerusalem was esteemed holy. It means when you see the Roman armies standing in "the holy city," or encamped around it, or the Roman ensigns or standards in the temple, you may know that the desolation is at hand. (let him that readeth understand),--Evidently meaning the reading of the prophecy of Daniel for the New Testament was not then written. (Daniel 9:27.) then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:-- [This was spoken of all disciples or Christians. When the armies closed in around the city, then those in Judea should flee to the mountains--the mountains of Judea, which the invading armies did not occupy, and in whose caves and recesses they could escape. Jerusalem is said to have been partially surrounded in 66, but was closely invested by Vespasian in 68. Those who were in the city departed out of it, escaped from it; and those being in the surrounding countries, who frequently came to Jerusalem to the feasts, were warned to stay away. When the destruction came, those within the city would perish with it; so the warning to escape out of it, and to keep out.] In times of imminent peril and danger, it is not only lawful, but our duty, to seek our own preservation by all good and honest means;and if God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape;otherwise we do not trust God. 15 and let him that is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house:--In that country the roofs of houses were flat, and often used for sleeping. The meaning is the Christian, who is on the housetop when the calamity came, should flee without taking time to go down into the house and gather up clothing for the flight. 16 and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak.--His outer garment which men usually laid aside when working. 17 But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!--An exclamation of pity, with reference to women thus burdened. Their sufferings would be greatly increased, and their flight far more difficult. [They were not in a condition to flee to avoid the vengeance. This does not indicate such would be destroyed. But they were in a pitiable condition, since they could not flee from the impending wrath. The wrath hanging over the people was terrible, and the distress was great.] 18 And pray ye that it be not in the winter.--Because the streams were then impassable torrents from the heavy rains and the weather cold and wet, hard on homeless people. To be driven then from home, and forced to make an abode in caverns, would be a double calamity. He taught them to depend upon and trust in God by teaching them to pray God would be with them. The destruction was coming. It could not be prevented. Yet it was proper and right to pray for a mitigation of the circumstances that it might be as mild as possible, 19 For those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never shall be.--The word "tribulation" means calamity, or suffering. The calamity would be far greater than any preceding, or that would ever follow it. It would be the greatest in the history of the entire world. 20 And except the Lord had shortened the days,--Had God not shortened the siege. no flesh would have been saved;--All the Jewish nation would have been destroyed, hut for the shortening of the siege. but for the elect's sake, whom he chose,--His disciples--the church. (1 Peter 1:1-2; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:4.) he shortened the days.--God shortened the siege. It is related by Josephus that Titus at first resolved to reduce the city by famine. He therefore built a wall around it, to keep any provisions from being carried in, and any of the people from going out. The Jews, however, drew up their army near the walls, engaged in battle, and the Romans pursued them, provoked by their attempts, and broke into the city. The affairs of Rome also at that time demanded the presence of Titus there; and contrary to his original intention, he pressed the siege, and took the city by storm, thus shortening the time that would have been occupied in reducing it by famine. This was for the benefit of the "elect." So the designs of wicked men, intended by them for the destruction of the temple of God, are intended by God for the good of his chosen people.