THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

THE DESTRUCTION

OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM
CITY CONQUERED BY THE ROMAN ARMIES

 

     After the death of Nero, the seventeen year old son of Herod Agrippa was considered too young to ascend the throne, so Jerusalem fell under direct Roman rulers. This caused animosity and civil war and eventually a riot which killed 20,000 Jews.

     Trouble broke out in Caesarea between the Jews and the Greeks (who tried to insult the Jews). This led to a siege of the Roman garrison Antonia and the assault on Masada. The trouble intensified when two massacres occurred on the same day. The Jews in Jerusalem killed some Roman soldiers and the Greeks massacred 20,000 Jews in Caesarea. This caused all Jews to resort to retaliation and armed conflict. Many Roman soldiers were killed as they tried to maintain order. Judea was now in open rebellion against Rome.

CHRIST’S GLORIOUS RESURRECTION

CHRIST’S GLORIOUS RESURRECTION

AND OUR RESURRECTION

      As we begin the period of the Great Forty Day Fast, we must together joyfully bear our personal crosses, permanently separating ourselves from every sin and transgression and taking our mind from unnecessary worldly thoughts, as we cleanse our souls in the mystery of Confession. With our souls purified, we are enabled to focus our hearts and desires on the glorious Resurrection of Christ. Then ponder our own coming death and resurrection which draws nearer with each passing day. It is certain that every man born on earth, will die and rise in the general resurrection, to either a blessed or unblessed life, which unlike this life, never ends. We cannot choose the day of our death which will come, nor can we choose to die and dissolve into nothing, ending our existence, but the continuous future life is a certainty.

     When we pass through the door of death, and enter the arena of judgment, then "the books will be opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (Rev. 20:12)