Just a question about this subject, specifically about Christ’s words at Luke 21:20-22: "Furthermore when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies… then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains..." When the 1st century fulfillment took place people could literally see these events happening and literally flee out of Jerusalem to safety. Where will those in today’s congregation flee to? Will this be captivity to Babylon on a voluntary basis for the other sheep? Will the anointed escape?
This is an important question. Unfortunately, the question cannot even be properly framed within the Watchtower Society’s current understanding of the scripture in question. The reason being, according to the Watchtower’s interpretation the destruction of Jerusalem in the first century foreshadows the future fiery destruction of Babylon the Great – Christendom in particular. But if that were true, why would Jesus counsel his followers to take timely action to flee when Jerusalem was surrounded by enemies? Jehovah’s Witnesses are not part of Christendom, are they? And besides, Jehovah’s Witnesses have supposedly already heeded the command to “Get out of her my people.”
The only sensible interpretation, indeed, the only scripturally supported interpretation, is that Jesus intended “Jerusalem” to symbolize Jehovah’s earthly organization. This view has been discussed in a number of articles on e-watchman, the most recent being the essay entitled: What is the Holy Place and the Great Tribulation?
So, from the standpoint of “Jerusalem” symbolizing Jehovah’s earthly organization how are we to understand Jesus’ instructions to flee to safety when the holy place faces desolation? The Hebrew Scriptures shed some light on that question. Take the 91st Psalm as an example. It opens by saying: "Anyone dwelling in the secret place of the Most High will procure himself lodging under the very shadow of the Almighty One. I will say to Jehovah: 'You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God, in whom I will trust.'"
The Psalm goes on to enumerate various calamities that befall the world, including pestilence and adversities from war. These, of course, are the very things that Christ said would occur as an immediate prelude to the desolation of the holy place during the great tribulation.
The Watchtower has commented on the 91st Psalm a few times and applied it in some sort of bizarre symbolic way. One example that comes to mind, the thousands who “fall at your very side” due to the stalking pestilence are supposedly the masses who succumb to the spiritual plague of evolution.
The Society’s interpretation, though, is nonsensical in view of the fact that the various calamities that are described in the 91st Psalm are said to be “retribution upon the wicked.” Is the theory of evolution God’s punishment upon the world? Of course not.
But the point is, the place to which Christians will flee when the modern holy place is destroyed will be “the secret place of the Most High.” Such a place is a spiritual sanctuary and not a literal place. Likely, entry into Jehovah’s secret refuge at that time will involve recognizing and supporting the then-revealed sons of God. (See the essay The Revelation of Christ and the Two Witnesses.
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Thursday, January 25, 2007
When the early Christians saw signs of Jerusalem's impending destruction, they took note of Jesus' prophecy concerning its desolation by a threatening "disgusting thing." (Matthew 24:15) They fled to the mountains, thus escaping the catastrophic end of the long established Jewish system of things. Since this prophecy is twofold, the larger fulfillment having been scheduled to occur in the time of the end, it becomes even more urgent for us living in these last days “to pay more than the usual attention to the things” written in the Scriptures “that we may not drift away.” –Luke 21:36; Hebrews 2:1.
The human race now stands at the threshold of the great tribulation, the likes of which will never occur again. (Matthew 24:21) As a manual for survival, the Bible contains vital information for the preservation of life into God’s new system of things. We would do well to examine its content daily and take heed of what it says, particularly in terms of our relationship with God and our neighbor. Then we will have reason not to be terrified, but hopeful that our salvation is getting near. –2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Mark 12:29-32; 37:7; Zephaniah 2:3; 2 Peter 3:11-13.
Reasonably the sanctification of God’s name and the vindication of his sovereignty are more important than our immediate salvation. (Matthew 10:39) Many faithful ones throughout history have maintained their integrity to God, even in the face of death and overwhelming persecution; Satan being the prime instigator of such atrocities. (John 8:44) This enmity between the seed of the woman and that of the serpent will catapult into a time of great distress, culminating at the battle of Armageddon; then Satan’s incarceration and finally his eventual destruction. (Genesis 3:14-15; Daniel 12:1; Revelation 20:1-3, 10) As God’s “Chief Agent of life,” Jesus will gain the victory over the Devil as assured by his resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. –Acts 3:15; 1 John 3:8; Ephesians 1:20.
It is interesting to note that since Jehovah built a life-preserving mechanism in humans, we can be certain that he is not going to leave those desiring to serve him in the lurch with no way out. (Ecclesiastes 3:11; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12) Moreover, “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” –Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21.
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