John 14:1-3 "I will com again" - post-trib, pre-mill, full Rapture, visible

[keras]

Paul says all the church puts on immortality,

Yes; but not until the Book of Life is opened. Revelation 20:11-15

 

[Jamdoc]

Yes; but not until the Book of Life is opened. Revelation 20:11-15

The resurrection takes place before the wrath of God which is before the white throne of judgement, before the Millennium even, and that's the latest time you could really claim it to happen but I'd argue it happens even earlier because the wrath of God is the bowls at the very least, and I'd argue the trumpets too.
Revelation 6:17
compare with Isaiah 26:19-21
resurrection happens before the indignation, and 6:17 says the wrath is come. Revelation 14:14-20 also show Jesus on the clouds harvesting the world, the first harvest is not put through the wrath of God, the second harvest is.
The resurrection/rapture/catching up/harpazo and parousia of Jesus consistently happens before the wrath of God.
Pretrib and Post Trib just do not correctly identify what the wrath of God is and conflate it with tribulation.
But Revelation 6:17 identifies the events after the 6th seal as the wrath of the lamb (which is God), and Revelation 15:1 clearly identifies the 7 bowls as the wrath of God.
For post trib their problem is not calling the trumpets and bowls the wrath of God, calling them "Tribulation" and then saying the wrath of God is only on the very last day of the 70th week. The bible clearly identifies those 2 things as the wrath.
Pretrib has the problem of calling the whole 70th week the wrath of God and making it equated with the "7 Year Tribulation", which btw is a complete boneheaded non biblical term. Somehow they think the wrath of God includes martyring his own faithful at the 5th seal... and.. none of the seals until the 6th mention the wrath of God.

again Isaiah 26:19-21, resurrection precedes wrath
Daniel 12:1-3, the resurrection happens after the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31 also backs this up)
BOTH OF THESE ARE TRUE.
Wrath is declared at Revelation 6:17, and again at Revelation 14:19 (which is why I believe they are 2 pictures of the same event), and is reinforced in Revelation 15:1 to show that the bowls are God's wrath.
Reconcile the scripture and realize that for both of these to be true, and take the bible to mean what it says when it shows what is the wrath of God, that the resurrection must take place after the Great Tribulation, but before the Wrath of God, and that the Wrath of God and Tribulation are NOT synonyms, they are different things.

 

[keras]

The resurrection/rapture/catching up/harpazo and parousia of Jesus consistently happens before the wrath of God.

Not what I read in the prophesies.
The resurrection of the GT martyrs happens when Jesus Returns. Rev 20:4
The 'harparzo' of 1 Thess 4:17, also happens at the Return.
A transportation of His people from where they are then; to where He will be, in Jerusalem.

that the Wrath of God and Tribulation are NOT synonyms, they are different things.

I agree. The fiery wrath of the Lord is the next prophesied event. It will set the scene for all the rest, incl the 3 1/2 year Great Tribulation.

 

[Jamdoc]

Not what I read in the prophesies.
The resurrection of the GT martyrs happens when Jesus Returns. Rev 20:4
The 'harparzo' of 1 Thess 4:17, also happens at the Return.
A transportation of His people from where they are then; to where He will be, in Jerusalem.

I agree. The fiery wrath of the Lord is the next prophesied event. It will set the scene for all the rest, incl the 3 1/2 year Great Tribulation.

Isaiah 26:19-21
You have a conflicting scripture.

 

[keras]

Isaiah 26:19-21
You have a conflicting scripture.

Isaiah 26:19 is a prophecy about the GWT Judgment, after the Millennium. Revelation 20:11-15
Isaiah 26:20-21 is a warning to us today, to take shelter during the forthcoming Lord's Day of fiery wrath. Revelation 6:12-17

They are not consecutive, remember that prophecy is a little here, a little there. Only in Revelation, are we given a sequence of events.

 

[Jamdoc]

Isaiah 26:19 is a prophecy about the GWT Judgment, after the Millennium. Revelation 20:11-15
Isaiah 26:20-21 is a warning to us today, to take shelter during the forthcoming Lord's Day of fiery wrath. Revelation 6:12-17

They are not consecutive, remember that prophecy is a little here, a little there. Only in Revelation, are we given a sequence of events.

There is no basis to chop up the scripture like that.
That's eisegesis.

it also ignores Matthew 24 which gives the sign of the sun and moon darkening which happen at the 6th seal. That is the beginning of the second coming of Jesus.....
before the day of wrath is declared.
It also ignores Revelation 14, where Jesus is on the clouds harvesting the world
... before the wrath of God.
That is 3 witnesses, that also fit with 1 Thessalonians 5:9.

 

[keras]

There is no basis to chop up the scripture like that.

There is good reason to separate the fulfilment of those two prophesies.
If we don't, it creates a Biblical anomaly.
V 19 says the dead will rise, as we know from Rev 20:11-15
V20-21 tells us to hide from the Lord's fiery wrath.

How can they be related?

Your inability to see how the moon effects are quite different between the Day of fiery wrath and the Return, leads you into a wrong idea of the end times events.

 

[Jamdoc]

There is good reason to separate the fulfilment of those two prophesies.
If we don't, it creates a Biblical anomaly.
V 19 says the dead will rise, as we know from Rev 20:11-15
V20-21 tells us to hide from the Lord's fiery wrath.

How can they be related?

Your inability to see how the moon effects are quite different between the Day of fiery wrath and the Return, leads you into a wrong idea of the end times events.

Luke 21:28 tells us the exact opposite of hiding.
Really man, it's the unbelievers that will be hiding in bunkers.
not believers.
The hiding won't be done on earth.
Do you really think that some caves or bunkers are going to protect anyone from the wrath of God?
There are 2 resurrections.
the Resurrection of those in Christ happens before the wrath of God.
the Resurrection of everyone else happens after the Millennium.
Revelation 20 outright says there are 2 resurrections, and 1 is 1000 years before the other.
Isaiah 26 is only an anomaly if you forget that there are 2 resurrections and think there is only 1, just before the GWT.

 

[Timtofly]

Luke 21:28 tells us the exact opposite of hiding.
Really man, it's the unbelievers that will be hiding in bunkers.
not believers.
The hiding won't be done on earth.
Do you really think that some caves or bunkers are going to protect anyone from the wrath of God?
There are 2 resurrections.
the Resurrection of those in Christ happens before the wrath of God.
the Resurrection of everyone else happens after the Millennium.
Revelation 20 outright says there are 2 resurrections, and 1 is 1000 years before the other.
Isaiah 26 is only an anomaly if you forget that there are 2 resurrections and think there is only 1, just before the GWT.

There was a last day resurrection at the Cross. It was physical.

Resurrection of the NT believer is ongoing as part of the Cross and being in the body of Christ. It is physical into Paradise. Those alive, have never prevented that resurrection.

That resurrection stops at the Second Coming, which is the 6th Seal. The next resurrection is the harvest the tribulation itself. The firstfruits of this resurrection are the 144k sealed and always with Christ during the tribulation. They are the army that is with Christ when He defeats Satan at the battle of Armageddon. Revelation 20:4 is a resurrection that only covers the months from the 6th Seal to the end of the 7th Trumpet. This resurrection is not the Second Coming resurrection. It is only those souls harvested by the angels themselves who come to earth at the 6th Seal.

No where in the text of Revelation 19 or 20 does it claim those living on earth are caught up and changed in mid air and glorified as the body of Christ. No one on earth at the end of the 1000 years is changed as Paul describes in his accounts of the Second Coming. The Second Coming can only happen at the 6th Seal. The Second Coming event does not happen at the GWT.

John never calls heaven and earth passing away leaving only the Lord God sitting on a throne, a resurrection. He points out the dead are standing before the GWT, because Death and sheol are emptied, and both are cast into the Lake of Fire. The earth and sea are passed away so the dead in them have no other place, but standing before the GWT. This is not a time and space event. This is between realities, where only the throne and the Lake of Fire exist with all of the dead from the prior reality standing before the GWT. No place is found for them, because Death and sheol are defeated and in the Lake of Fire with Satan, the FP, and the beast. The church and those alive from the Millennium are not dead, and are not among the dead standing at the GWT.

This means the Lake of Fire, Death, and sheol have all been present for those 1000 years. Right now only sheol is here. The 4th Seal introduces Death. Since this final harvest is about Fire and baptism by fire, the 6th Seal may introduce the Lake of Fire. We do know at Armageddon, the FP and beast are cast into the Lake of Fire as if it was already present.

Those alive on earth at the end of the Millennium immediately enter the new earth. The living are not suspended between reality at the GWT.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

This is not just a 1000 year escape the second death ability. This means these people living and born during the 1000 years, unless sent to Death by the iron rod of Christ, or consumed by fire, because they foolishly listened to Satan at the very end, all those living have had a part in the first resurrection, and skip standing with the dead suspended between current reality and the NHNE. Those alive will simply see the old earth pass away, and the new earth form around them. Those on earth, all will see the New Jerusalem descend from heaven. Those in the New Jerusalem will watch as they descend down upon the earth.

Those in the Lake of Fire will still be in the Lake of Fire as their new reality.

 

[keras]

Do you really think that some caves or bunkers are going to protect anyone from the wrath of God?

Yes I do.
When it is known what the Lord will use to carry out His fiery wrath, then keeping under cover, in caves or in u/g bunkers, for that literal 24 hour period, will enable the survival of most people.
Many will die, but there will be enough to form a World Government and for the holy people of God to go to and live in all of the holy Land.
All as described from Revelation 6:12 to Revelation 19:11

 

[Jamdoc]

Yes I do.
When it is known what the Lord will use to carry out His fiery wrath, then keeping under cover, in caves or in u/g bunkers, for that literal 24 hour period, will enable the survival of most people.
Many will die, but there will be enough to form a World Government and for the holy people of God to go to and live in all of the holy Land.
All as described from Revelation 6:12 to Revelation 19:11

Well then you're not following Jesus' instructions if you're gonna be one of the people asking the rocks to fall on you and hide you from Him who sits on the throne.

 

[keras]

Well then you're not following Jesus' instructions if you're gonna be one of the people asking the rocks to fall on you and hide you from Him who sits on the throne.

We are told to pray for the Lord's protection: Zephaniah 2:3, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Peter 2:9, Zechariah 9:15-16
For although we will walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, we should fear no harm, for He is with us......

 

[BobRyan]

Not to say I think we should build a temple, I don't think it's our place, because that is the Old Covenant system.

It is the OT form of worship but in Heb 10:4-11 we see that God "takes away the first to establish the second" at the cross.

will build the temple and try to return to Old Covenant sacrifices. We shouldn't apply those sacrifices to us, even if they are consecrated to God,

That part is true - because in Heb 10:4-12 God says HE took that away.

Never the less, if Jews do begin daily sacrifices according to the Old Covenant law, they are still consecrated to the Lord and when they are taken away, it is an act against God.

If they take an action against the Word of God - and then are stopped from doing it - that is not 'an ac against God' -- rebellion is not "of God".

In Exodus the Jews decided to enter Canaan after that door had been closed because of rebellion -that decision did not end well. They could not argue "well you told us BEFORE to enter Canaan so now we are going to do it" - that did not work with God.

 

[Jamdoc]

It is the OT form of worship but in Heb 10:4-11 we see that God "takes away the first to establish the second" at the cross.



That part is true - because in Heb 10:4-12 God says HE took that away.



If they take an action against the Word of God - and then are stopped from doing it - that is not 'an ac against God' -- rebellion is not "of God".

In Exodus the Jews decided to enter Canaan after that door had been closed because of rebellion -that decision did not end well. They could not argue "well you told us BEFORE to enter Canaan so now we are going to do it" - that did not work with God.

Did you watch the Joel Richardson video that gave an explanation regarding this?
I find it convincing. You can't desecrate something that was already considered rebellion and blasphemy. The abomination of desolation involves the ending of daily sacrifices, it wouldn't be an abomination if it was a good thing that those sacrifices were ended.

 

[BobRyan]

You can't desecrate something that was already considered rebellion and blasphemy.

Agreed.

The abomination of desolation involves the ending of daily sacrifices, it wouldn't be an abomination if it was a good thing that those sacrifices were ended.

agreed.

It points to a time during that 2300 year timeline in Dan 8 - when there would be no valid sanctuary on Earth - it refers to the taking away of the daily service work of Christ in heaven as our high priest - where various entities on Earth would be introducing some sort of substitute directing people away from Christ as their high priest in heaven.

But "this thread" is about the texts in the OP ==> that indicate Matt 24 is a rapture text for the second coming as is John 14:1-3 and 2 Thess 1:6-10 and 2 Thess 2:1-7

= I will "come again" -- the rapture event
John 14:1-3 - “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

=========================
Christ's full description: Matt 24 rapture-event
Matt 24:
3 ..what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

post-trib Rapture - every eye sees it
Matt 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Same Matt 24 rapture-event described by Paul
1 Thess 4:13-18
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.



And destruction of all the wicked
2 Thess 1: 6 For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified among His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed


=====================================
Wicked armies slain - and "The rest were killed" -- at this Matt 24, 1Thess 4 rapture event.
Rev 19
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great feast of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slaves, and small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse, and against His army.
20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire, which burns with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

=========================================
So that means: Persecution of the saints ends at the Rev 19 coming of Christ - when He raptures the saints and destroys the wicked.

Dan 7:24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will humble three kings. 25 And he will speak against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. 26 But the court will convene for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the empires will serve and obey Him.’

 

[Jamdoc]

Agreed.



agreed.

It points to a time during that 2300 year timeline in Dan 8 - when there would be no valid sanctuary on Earth - it refers to the taking away of the daily service work of Christ in heaven as our high priest - where various entities on Earth would be introducing some sort of substitute directing people away from Christ as their high priest in heaven.

But "this thread" is about the texts in the OP ==> that indicate Matt 24 is a rapture text for the second coming as is John 14:1-3 and 2 Thess 1:6-10 and 2 Thess 2:1-7

The abomination of desolation is a future event THE prophetic event that Jesus told us to watch for and gave instructions for.
so no it's not referring to something that took place in the past, not when Jesus referred to it as a future event and would shortly precede His second coming.
so you have a future time when there will be a temple and sacrifices, that are interrupted by the abomination of desolation.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

The abomination of desolation is a future event THE prophetic event that Jesus told us to watch for and gave instructions for.
so no it's not referring to something that took place in the past, not when Jesus referred to it as a future event and would shortly precede His second coming.
so you have a future time when there will be a temple and sacrifices, that are interrupted by the abomination of desolation.

Are you forgetting that Jesus prophesied that the temple standing at that time would be destroyed?

Luke 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

I understand that the Matthew 24 account shows that they asked more than one question, but they did ask when the temple would be destroyed. Do you think He didn't answer their question? Is it just a coincidence that the following passage describes something that happened around 70 AD?

Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

This passage is the same event as written about here:

Matthew 24:15 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 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Since Luke was writing to Gentiles who would not have been familiar with Daniel's prophecies, he spelled things out more than Matthew or Mark did (see Mark 13). Which means that Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, signaling its soon desolation, is directly related to the fulfillment of the abomination of desolation that you think is not yet fulfilled. Jerusalem was surrounded by the Romans armies before 70 AD and was attacked in 70 AD with the temple buildings being destroyed with no stone left upon another just as Jesus prophesied. Why can't you just accept that instead of insisting that it will happen at some future temple?

Interpreting this passage this way does not mean you have to interpret all of the Olivet Discourse as being fulfilled. But, most people seem to think that it either all was fulfilled in the past or all will be fulfilled in the future. Neither is true.

 

[Jamdoc]

Are you forgetting that Jesus prophesied that the temple standing at that time would be destroyed?

Luke 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

I understand that the Matthew 24 account shows that they asked more than one question, but they did ask when the temple would be destroyed. Do you think He didn't answer their question? Is it just a coincidence that the following passage describes something that happened around 70 AD?

Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

This passage is the same event as written about here:

Matthew 24:15 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 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Since Luke was writing to Gentiles who would not have been familiar with Daniel's prophecies, he spelled things out more than Matthew or Mark did (see Mark 13). Which means that Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, signaling its soon desolation, is directly related to the fulfillment of the abomination of desolation that you think is not yet fulfilled. Jerusalem was surrounded by the Romans armies before 70 AD and was attacked in 70 AD with the temple buildings being destroyed with no stone left upon another just as Jesus prophesied. Why can't you just accept that instead of insisting that it will happen at some future temple?

Interpreting this passage this way does not mean you have to interpret all of the Olivet Discourse as being fulfilled. But, most people seem to think that it either all was fulfilled in the past or all will be fulfilled in the future. Neither is true.

I believe it can be dual fulfillment but I believe that there will be a future temple where the abomination of desolation will take place. The 70AD destruction was a type fulfillment in the same way Antiochus Epiphanes IV was a type fulfillment of the antichrist (which is why many preterists claim that Daniel was referring to him, discounting that Jesus was treating it as a future event which says no, Antiochus Epiphanes was not the primary fulfillment of Daniel's prophecies)

 

[Guojing]

I believe it can be dual fulfillment but I believe that there will be a future temple where the abomination of desolation will take place. The 70AD destruction was a type fulfillment in the same way Antiochus Epiphanes IV was a type fulfillment of the antichrist (which is why many preterists claim that Daniel was referring to him, discounting that Jesus was treating it as a future event which says no, Antiochus Epiphanes was not the primary fulfillment of Daniel's prophecies)

Yes, the temple will be rebuilt during the 1st half of the 7 year tribulation, which is coming in the future.

 

[jgr]

Yes, the temple will be rebuilt during the 1st half of the 7 year tribulation, which is coming in the future.

A preview of what to expect.

Sozomen (ca. A.D.375-447)
"Ecclesiastical History"
Book V, Chapter XXII

Though the emperor [Julian the Apostate] hated and oppressed the Christians, he manifested benevolence and humanity towards the Jews. He wrote to the Jewish patriarchs and leaders, as well as to the people, requesting them to pray for him, and for the prosperity of the empire. In taking this step he was not actuated, I am convinced, by any respect for their religion; for he was aware that it is, so to speak, the mother of the Christian religion, and he knew that both religions rest upon the authority of the patriarchs and the prophets; but he thought to grieve the Christians by favoring the Jews, who are their most inveterate enemies. But perhaps he also calculated upon persuading the Jews to embrace paganism and sacrifices; for they were only acquainted with the mere letter of Scripture, and could not, like the Christians and a few of the wisest among the Hebrews, discern the hidden meaning.

Events proved that this was his real motive; for he sent for some of the chiefs of the race and exhorted them to return to the observance of the laws of Moses and the customs of their fathers. On their replying that because the temple in Jerusalem was overturned, it was neither lawful nor ancestral to do this in another place than the metropolis out of which they had been cast, he gave them public money, commanded them to rebuild the temple, and to practice the cult similar to that of their ancestors, by sacrificing after the ancient way. The Jews entered upon the undertaking, without reflecting that, according to the prediction of the holy prophets, it could not be accomplished. They sought for the most skillful artisans, collected materials, cleared the ground, and entered so earnestly upon the task, that even the women carried heaps of earth, and brought their necklaces and other female ornaments towards defraying the expense. The emperor, the other pagans, and all the Jews, regarded every other undertaking as secondary in importance to this. Although the pagans were not well-disposed towards the Jews, yet they assisted them in this enterprise, because they reckoned upon its ultimate success, and hoped by this means to falsify the prophecies of Christ. Besides this motive, the Jews themselves were impelled by the consideration that the time had arrived for rebuilding their temple. When they had removed the ruins of the former building, they dug up the ground and cleared away its foundation; it is said that on the following day when they were about to lay the first foundation, a great earthquake occurred, and by the violent agitation of the earth, stones were thrown up from the depths, by which those of the Jews who were engaged in the work were wounded, as likewise those who were merely looking on. The houses and public porticos, near the site of the temple, in which they had diverted themselves, were suddenly thrown down; many were caught thereby, some perished immediately, others were found half dead and mutilated of hands or legs, others were injured in other parts of the body. When God caused the earthquake to cease, the workmen who survived again returned to their task, partly because such was the edict of the emperor, and partly because they were themselves interested in the undertaking. Men often, in endeavoring to gratify their own passions, seek what is injurious to them, reject what would be truly advantageous, and are deluded-by the idea that nothing is really useful except what is agreeable to them. When once led astray by this error, they are no longer able to act in a manner conducive to their own interests, or to take warning by the calamities which are visited upon them.

The Jews, I believe, were just in this state; for, instead of regarding this unexpected earthquake as a manifest indication that God was opposed to the re-erection of their temple, they proceeded to recommence the work. But all parties relate, that they had scarcely returned to the undertaking, when fire burst suddenly from the foundations of the temple, and consumed several of the workmen.

This fact is fearlessly stated, and believed by all; the only discrepancy in the narrative is that some maintain that flame burst from the interior of the temple, as the workmen were striving to force an entrance, while others say that the fire proceeded directly from the earth. In whichever way the phenomenon might have occurred, it is equally wonderful. A more tangible and still more extraordinary prodigy ensued; suddenly the sign of the cross appeared spontaneously on the garments of the persons engaged in the undertaking. These crosses were disposed like stars, and appeared the work of art. Many were hence led to confess that Christ is God, and that the rebuilding of the temple was not pleasing to Him; others presented themselves in the church, were initiated, and besought Christ, with hymns and supplications, to pardon their transgression. If any one does not feel disposed to believe my narrative, let him go and be convinced by those who heard the facts I have related from the eyewitnesses of them, for they are still alive. Let him inquire, also, of the Jews and pagans who left the work in an incomplete state, or who, to speak more accurately, were able to commence it.