When we were last together in our study of Daniel's 70-week vision, we began to dissect Daniel 9:27 - and one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away: and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolations; and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation...Septuagint translation.
In blog #18 of this series I listed the four objectives that were accomplished in the 70th week of the vision according to the historian Josephus. Also I explained who fulfilled the first objective, although we will have more information about Commander Titus as we continue our study. The second objective to be fulfilled in Daniel 9:27 is: in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away.
After Commander Titus was unsuccessful with the covenant he offered to the religious leaders, before the war became irreversible Titus personally talked with one of the leaders of the insurrection, John Matthias. Titus offered his covenant to him, confirming that he had no desire to defile or pollute their sanctuary because he respected their religious practices, and did not want to harm them.
Commander Titus confirmed his covenant with John Matthias that no Roman would go near, nor offer any affront to their temple, but would endeavor to preserve their holy house. John Matthias and his party would not accept the covenant offered by Titus. Blinded by religious pride, seduced by false prophecies, these Jews chose to embrace the promises of the false prophets, who assured them they would be supernaturally delivered by God -- not by a covenant with Rome.
Yet Commander Titus tried one more desperate action. Because of their new kinship, Titus sent Flavius Josephus, a Jewish Priest, to the Jewish leaders to beseech them to surrender. But the religious leaders in Jerusalem saw him, though a countryman, as a turncoat, so they would not entertain his pleas to stop the rebellion. Nonetheless, desperation provoked Josephus to continue his entreaty.
Outside the walls of Jerusalem, through tears of anguish, Josephus cried, "And who is there that does not know what the writings of the ancient prophets contain in them, and particularly that oracle which is now going to be fulfilled upon this miserable city? The ancient prophets foretold that this city should be then taken, when somebody shall begin the slaughter of his countrymen! It is God, therefore, it is God himself who is bringing on the fire to purge this city and temple by means of the Roman's, and is going to pluck up this city which is full of your pollutions."
Josephus had the correct interpretation of prophecy, because it was being fulfilled as he spoke. Prophecy is understand in its fulfillment. The false prophets, priests, and scribes inside the walls, stubbornly clung to their misinterpretations of prophecy . Not being persuaded by the truth spoken by the ancient prophets whom Josephus referenced, and despite that fact that the people of Jerusalem were already starving as the punishment of God apprehended them, they continued to resist common sense.
Commandeer Titus was left with no choice but to proceed with the battle. He was sent to do a job, so he summoned 6,000 of his select horsemen to finish the war started by his father - General Vespasian. Titus and his men came close to the city to observe the strength of the fortifications that had been place by his father over two years ago. This would help him plan his strategy to end the war in victory for Rome.
It was too late to stop the war, but God in one final act of mercy caused Commander Titus and his men to do a strange thing. After they had surrounded the city for a brief period of time, suddenly, and with no apparent reason, Titus and his troops withdrew to their camp at the Mount of Olives, six furlongs (3/4 mile) from Jerusalem.
This act of Titus gave a little extra time for those who had fallen victim to the lies of the false prophets, to rethink their decision and possibly flee for their lives. Jesus said...let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her...Luke 21:21.
What did Commander Titus do next? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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