Judaeans Flee into the Mountains - Matthew 24:16

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:)”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus says, “let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains” where we read:

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

The verse reads, “Then let them which be in Judaea ...” Matthew began with the word, “then” which means “at that time and moment” “let them” which means “allow and permit the people” “which be” or “who inhabit, exist, live and dwell” “in Judaea” which refers to “within Palestine or the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea and Idumaea whose name means he shall be praised”. Matthew shared how Jesus began to charge all the people who living within the area of “Judaea” at the time the “abomination of desolation” occurs.

The verse continues, “... flee into the mountains:” Matthew continued with Jesus' word, “flee” or “seek safety by flight, vanish and run away” “into the mountains” which means “into the liftings above the plains”. Matthew shared how Jesus instructed everyone who lives in “Judaea” to “run away and vanish” into the surrounding “mountains” when the “abomination of desolation” occurs.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we discover a great warning to the people who dwell in “Judaea” when “Daniel the prophet's” words concerning the “idolatrous desolation” arrives. There will be an “idol” placed within the “holy of holies” of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, and that which is “abominable” before God will cause great “desolation” upon the earth. Those within the area of Judaea are instructed to “run and take flight” into the “mountains” around them because great troubles are going to begin. God's desire is to “save” people from these horrific events, and only those who reject His Son Jesus the Messiah as their personal “Savior and Lord” shall go through them. Those who are wise will “believe and trust” in Jesus and be spared these things as they “take flight” into the saving arms of Almighty God.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus warns, “Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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