“And the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.... And for the over‐spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” Margin, “desolator.” Dan. 9:26, 27. [Illustration] Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Here is a clear prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies. Our Lord referred to the book of Daniel, and taught his disciples to read and understand it; and when they should see take place what was there predicted, they must make their escape. It would seem to be impracticable to flee from a city after it was encompassed with armies; but our Saviour did not speak at random. Josephus tells us that Cestius, the Roman general who first led the attack upon Jerusalem, became dismayed at the apparent forces and strength of the city, and after having surrounded the city raised the siege. The historian says: “He retired from the city, without any reason in the world.”—_“__Wars,__”__ book ii, chap. xix._ And in the first words of the succeeding chapter he further states: “After this calamity had befallen Cestius, many of the most eminent Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it was going to sink.” Dr. A. Clarke, commenting on verse 16, says:— “This counsel was remembered and wisely followed by the Christians afterwards. Eusebius and Epiphanius say, that at this juncture, after Cestius Gallus had raised the siege, all who believed in Christ left Jerusalem and fled to Pella, and other places beyond Jordan.” The flight of the Christians of Judea to the mountains would be attended with difficulties. And their subsequent condition would be that of hardship and suffering. The Lord knew this, and gave them the instructions and warnings necessary. The statement of verse 19 was given to save them from the sorrows of unnecessary woe. That was a time of trouble.