Matt. 24.
Fleeing to the Mountains.
IN our last we were speaking of an idol that will be set up in the temple at Jerusalem, and which will be worshipped by the unbelieving Jews. The setting up of this idol is the sign which Jesus gives to the believing remnant, by which they may know that very great danger is at hand. God will bring a terrible scourge upon the apostate followers of the antichrist, when they worship the idol set up in the temple. And Jesus in His tender compassion would have His own escape this scourge; so He warns them beforehand. He says: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth let him understand), then let them which be in Judea, flee to the mountains: let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house; neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.”
In this warning Jesus urges them to great haste when they see the idol set up. The setting up of the idol is the signal for them to flee at once. They will not have a moment to spare, but will need to flee with all possible speed, because just at that moment the armies of the north will be ready to surround Jerusalem, and unless they can escape before these armies close in around the city, it will be too late. They will thus be shut in, to pass through the horrors of the siege, along with the wicked who are the objects of God’s judgment. How gracious of the Lord thus to warn them beforehand!
But this is God’s way. He always gives warning before He judges, so that if any hear the warning, they may escape the judgment.
This warning which we have been noticing in connection with Matt. 24 is given to Jews, and will have its application at a future day. But God warns men now to flee from the wrath to come. Fearful will be the judgment of God on all those who heed not His warnings. Have you, my young reader, made your escape? You are not asked, like the Jews, by and by, to flee to the mountains; but you are asked to flee to the shelter of Jesus’ precious blood. And you are warned to flee at once. Tomorrow may be one day too late. Do not wait even another hour, but flee at once, unless you are already sheltered by that precious blood. Happy those who trust in Jesus and His precious blood.
ML 03/20/1904