The background to this text is a whole lot of historical material.
It did not take someone with “supernatural predictive abilities” to anticipate that the Jews would get trounced by any war with Rome.
The makings of a war had been growing for quite some time. Practically anyone and everyone could have predicted it.
The Jews “truly did” suffer under the Roman yoke and from time to time there were rumblings of dissent.
Sometimes, there was even an outright revolt.
When old King Herod died in 4BCE there were uprisings “all around the country.”
Roman legions had to be brought in from Syria to quell the revolt. The troops were not happy to go into Judea.
When Quirinius instituted his tax/census again there was resistance. More resistance – always the resistance.
We know that the Jewish/Roman War lasted from 66-70. The final holdout was at Masada until the year 73.
A lot of people saw war coming on the horizon. Jesus was no different.
The rebellions were widespread.
The Jews were divided between those who advocated for accommodation with the Romans and those who thought if they could “just hold out a little longer,” that God himself – would intervene and “smite” the offenders.
The more “fanatical defenders” gained the upper hand in the city.
Jerusalem actually put up a rather stout defense and lasted much longer than anyone would have suspected. The Romans had a hard time subjugating the city. When they ultimately did, it was not a very pretty sight. Everything that could be destroyed – was destroyed. Blood ran thick into the streets.
The roar of the flames streaming far and wide mingled with the groans of the falling victims. The cries on the hills were mingled with those of the city.
The few hold outs that were left were emaciated and tongue-tied from starvation…and these witnessed the final destruction of the Temple.
The sufferings of the survivors were beyond belief.
No doubt there were self-appointed “messiahs” floating around the holy city. The air itself – seemed to be thick with religious fanaticism and was fertile ground for the emergence of messianic figures.
Some at the time, even saw signs in the heavens above. Apparently there was a comet that appeared – and some said “the star looked like or resembled a sword”…as it crossed the nights’ sky.
For the fanatics, the defense of Jerusalem was “a holy war.” It all sounds a little bit too familiar, even today.
Apparently not a lot changes over time.
By the time of Luke’s writing – all these things have already taken place.
And of course, the Jews blamed the Christians and the early Christians blamed the Jews for the fall of the city. Everyone was passing the buck and laying guilt and blame where they could!
Knowing these things would surely take place – Jesus cautioned people to “live by God” and not by fear.
Stand your ground.
Do not volunteer information. Do not admit anything either. And do not back away. Hang in there, trust God and have endurance. Be smart.
Jesus knew that all structures no matter how grand and how glorious, will one day decay and collapse or they will ultimately be destroyed. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing is permanent. Only God and his kingdom!
Even this place is “impermanent” and any wealth that we hold is fleeting.
This is a good life-lesson.
Everything in this world as we know it to be, will pass away. It will be gone. Permanence is not permanence anymore, (if it ever was!)
There will certainly be calamities in this life.
There will be inevitable conflict.
Things will go awry. Do not be surprised by the unexpected! It will come. It will happen. Reversals happen.
As for you – live your life. Trust in God. Believe in God. Have faith in God. Do not be lead astray by anyone. God is with you in this life…and in the next…no matter what happens, no matter what occurs.
God will give to us, whatever wisdom we will need…when we need it. Trust in him.
Salvation comes from the Lord. And, it is by God that we will be saved!
Therefore remain faithful!