Before Jerusalem Fell

250 BEFORE JERUSALEM FELL
anarchy and demoniacal fanaticism. “5 5
So here we have in Revelation a time period of five months that
is of demonic character. The striking applicability of Revelation 9 to
the five month siege of Jerusalem by Titus is surely confirmatory of
the identi$ing of the Revelational prophecies with the events of the
Jewish War. That being the case, this passage serves also as a
subsidiary demonstration of the pre-A.D. 70 date of Revelation.
Revelation 11:2
This verse has been dealt with rather extensively previously,
nevertheless, we will now address the time-frame element contained
within it. The verse reads: “And leave out the court which is outside
the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations;
and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months.”
Here stands a specifically defined era during which the “holy city”
(i.e., Jerusalem, the historical capital and geographical center of
Israel) will be down-trodden. This periodic statement is followed up
by its equivalent in the next verse, which speaks of 1260 days (42
months x 30 days each = 1260 days). If, indeed, the pre-A.D. 70
date is correct, then this time-frame must somehow comport with the
Jewish War.
Now a most interesting historical fact throws light upon this
passage, if we hold the pre-A.D. 70 date. And that fact is that it took
almost exactly forty-two months for Rome to get into a position to
destroy the Temple in the Jewish War of A.D. 67-70. Now it is true
that the Jewish Revolt, at least from the Jewish side, actually began
with a series of events caused by the overbearing and careless Roman
procurator Gessius Florus from May through November in the year
66. 56
Because of the procurator’s mismanagement, Neapolitanus, a
Roman military tribune, was sent from Antioch by Cestius Gallus,
the Roman governor of Syria, to urge restraint upon the Jews. 57
The
effort was in vain, for by November, Cestius Gallus had to march
55. B. W. Henderson, 2% Lt~e and Pritipate of thz Empswr Nero (London: Methuen,
1903), p. 374.
56. Including scattered riots, the cessation of sacrifices for the emperor, and sporadic
warfare. See Reicke, Nao Testarrwnt Era, pp. 254K. Bruce, Histmy, pp. 378K. Henderson,
Lzfi and Prin@ak, pp. 368ff. W. H. C. Frend, The Rire of Christiaai~ (Philadelphia:
Fortress, 1984)> pp. 12~.
57. Josephus, Wars 2:14-17.