Could Jerusalem's destruction in Luke 21.20-24 be that of the destruction of Babylon the Great [BTG] in Rev 17.16? Would Jesus have had in mind BTG in Luke 21, instead of the coming destruction of Jerusalem that he prophesied in Luke 19.41-44?
Those who believe Jerusalem is BTG might see Luke 21.20-24 as referring to the destruction of BTG in Rev 17, 18, and 16.19. Some would see 2 stages of that destruction, being by the 10 horns in which it is burned, and then by God in the 7th bowl, according to Rev 16.19. I could see how one might identify Luke 21.20-24 as BTG, since the prophesy is followed by the cosmic disturbance event and second coming (see Luke 21.25-27) that comes at the end of the Great Tribulation [GT] (see Matthew 24:29-30). If Jesus speaks of the destruction of AD70, then there is a big gap of time between the desolation of Jerusalem and the cosmic disturbances.
But would Jesus have had that far future destruction of BTG in view since he prophesied of Jerusalem's near destruction in Luke 19:41-44? That destruction is foretold in the words of the parable in Matthew 22 about the king's army who destroys and burns the city. There's also the reference to the destruction of the city in Daniel 9.24-26 that fits in the near future time after Christ's first coming. I don't think Jesus had Jerusalem as BTG in view, though if Jerusalem is BTG, I could see how it might seem to be in view. But if Jerusalem is not BTG, it obviously can't be BTG in Luke 21.
It is curious that a near future prophecy of AD70 is immediately followed by a prophecy of the cosmic events that follow the GT. Rev 18.4 does exhort God's people to come out of BTG, and Luke 21.21 does warn to flee Jerusalem, but it also speaks of it as days of vengeance, but wasn't that vengeance back in AD70? But there is a vengeance on BTG as the city that shed the blood of the prophets and apostles and saints, Rev 18.20, 24. Luke 21 also speaks of Jerusalem being trampled by gentiles; this could be AD70 and onward, but it could be referring to the great tribulation period (see Revelation 11:1-3) , and maybe this destruction is at that time, being burned by fire.
The prophecy of Jerusalem in Luke 21 would seem to fit with the destruction of BTG, and the close connection of the cosmic disturbances would support that, though it could be that the connection is that Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles from AD70 onward until the time of the cosmic disturbances at the end of the Great Tribulation. Luke 21 says Jerusalem will be trampled until the "times of the gentiles are fulfilled." That "times of the gentiles" has been identified as the whole time Jerusalem is under the overlordship of gentiles. Yet Ezekiel speaks of the "Day of the Lord" as the "time of the gentiles," 30:3. It could be understood that from AD70 onward, Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by gentiles until the Day of the Lord is fulfilled, which comes in connection with the cosmic disturbances. This makes the connection with such a long gap between the AD70 destruction of Jerusalem and the cosmic events. The Day of the Lord will be the time of the gentiles' distress.
So, would Jesus have had in mind the destruction of BTG in light of his prophecy about Jerusalem being destroyed in Luke 19? Near and far prophecies being together is not all that unusual. Jerusalem being BTG in Luke 21 would probably work if there are 2 stages of BTG's destruction, as some believe; the first stage near the beginning of GT--though it seems the armies of the world are gathered against Jerusalem near the end of the 70th Week (Zechariah 12.3)--yet Zechariah indicates God will protect the city, 12.9.
There are similarities between Luke 21 and the fate of BTG, but there are uncertainties too. Maybe the similarities are intended, making the ability to sort it out difficult until we are very near that time.
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