tes, "then know
that the desolation thereof is nigh." This was a specific sign that none
could misunderstand. Daniel the prophet had foreseen the desolation and
abominations thereof, which comprized the forcible cessation of temple
rites, and the desecration of Israel's shrine by pagan conquerors.[1153]

The realization of Daniel's prophetic vision was to be heralded by the
encompassing of Jerusalem by armies. Then all who would escape should
make haste; from Judea they should flee to the mountains; he who was on
the housetop would have no time to take his goods, but should hasten
down by the outer steps and flee; he who was in the field would better
leave without first returning to his house even for his clothes.
Terrible, indeed, would that day be for women hampered by the conditions
incident to approaching maternity, or the responsibility of caring for
their suckling babes. All would do well to pray that their flight be not
forced upon them in winter time; nor on the Sabbath, lest regard for the
restrictions as to Sabbath-day travel, or the usual closing of the city
gates on that day, should diminish the chances of escape. The
tribulations of the time then foreshadowed would prove to be
unprecedented in horror and would never be paralleled in all their awful
details in Israel's history; but in mercy God had decreed that the
dreadful period should be shortened for the sake of the elect believers,
otherwise no flesh of Israel would be saved alive. Multitudes were to
fall by the sword; other hosts were to be led away captive, and so be
scattered amongst all nations; and Jerusalem, the pride and boast of
degenerate Israel, should be "trodden down of the Gentiles, until the
times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." In every frightful detail was the
Lord's prediction brought to pass, as history avouches.[1154]

After the passing of those terrible times, and thence onward for a
period of unspecified duration, Satan would deceive the world through
false doctrines, spread by evil men masquerading as ministers of God,
who would continue to cry "Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there"; but
against all such the Twelve were put on their guard, and through them
and other teachers, whom they would call and ordain, would the world be
warned. Deceiving prophets, emissaries of the devil, would be active,
some alluring people into the deserts, and impelling them to hermit
lives of pernicious asceticism, others insisting that Christ could b