Post by Les Brewer on Feb 24, 2018 23:13:15 GMT
Our member Mike here as presented a very interesting question. Mike asked -Matthew 24: 19 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! My question here is what will happen to the pregnant women that he warns about?
James from 'GotQuestions' share his answer and here is his take on this....
Thank you for the question. It’s an interesting inquire simply because I’ve never thought about it before now. I’ve always seen the word `woe` to mean that whatever is about to happen would not be good.
Matthew 24 is a prophecy about the end of the world and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. It happened in less than a generation, 40 years. Matthew 24:19 is a direct reference to Jerusalem at the time when the invading Roman army led by Titus (the future Roman Emperor) would invade and massacre the people.
But first, let’s begin by understanding what the Bible means by woe. I know what it means but a quick review never hurts. And then we’ll be ready to discuss what will happen to those who are with child and nursing young. I looked up the Greek meaning of the word “woe” and didn’t derive much of a definition. According to Patheos (a Christian website)…
…the word “woe” in the Greek is “ouai” and is more than just an expression of a feeling. Woe is a judgment...in the Book of Revelation... It means “alas” or almost like “oh no!” When the word woe is used, it is quite possibly signifying impending doom, condemnation and/or the wrath of God so it is never used to only emphasize something in the sentence in which it is used.
The word woe is a warning of impending doom. History records the destruction of Jerusalem, its people and the temple was complete. Men, women, and children died. About this horrible end of Israel ukapologetics.net writes,
Josephus (a personal witness to the events) claims that over 1,100,000 people were killed during the initial siege, of which a majority was Jewish. 97,000 were captured and enslaved, and many fled to areas around the Mediterranean. Titus reportedly refused to accept a wreath of victory, as there is “no merit in vanquishing people forsaken by their own God.” During the siege, there was mass starvation in which cannibalism widely occurred with, it is believed, some mothers even devouring their own children. Later, there were even mass crucifixions to the degree that wood eventually became unavailable.
www.ukapologetics.net/09/AD70.htm
The woe spoken about in Matthew 24:19 is a message of pending doom. Men, women (and pregnant women), and children died by the thousands. I know this is a hard truth to process but fallen humanity has no idea of how much God hates sin, rebellion, and those refusing to change.
God is merciful and willing to forgive but never the unrepentant. Israel rejected the Lamb of God as the only sacrifice available to them. Today is no different in America and around the world. We as a nation (the United States) and the world are acting like Israel did then and choosing to go our own way. What a mistake. Woe unto the inhabitants of the earth.
Is the woe of Matthew 24:19 now being spoken to the United States and the world? Some say no. Some say yes. Others are oblivious to what is going on and living as though all is well. As for me, I would like to think the United States could turn around. There have been great revivals in the past. Maybe another is on the way? Let’s pray it can happen.
I trust this will answer your question. God bless you in your search for truth.
Jim
James from 'GotQuestions' share his answer and here is his take on this....
Thank you for the question. It’s an interesting inquire simply because I’ve never thought about it before now. I’ve always seen the word `woe` to mean that whatever is about to happen would not be good.
Matthew 24 is a prophecy about the end of the world and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. It happened in less than a generation, 40 years. Matthew 24:19 is a direct reference to Jerusalem at the time when the invading Roman army led by Titus (the future Roman Emperor) would invade and massacre the people.
But first, let’s begin by understanding what the Bible means by woe. I know what it means but a quick review never hurts. And then we’ll be ready to discuss what will happen to those who are with child and nursing young. I looked up the Greek meaning of the word “woe” and didn’t derive much of a definition. According to Patheos (a Christian website)…
…the word “woe” in the Greek is “ouai” and is more than just an expression of a feeling. Woe is a judgment...in the Book of Revelation... It means “alas” or almost like “oh no!” When the word woe is used, it is quite possibly signifying impending doom, condemnation and/or the wrath of God so it is never used to only emphasize something in the sentence in which it is used.
The word woe is a warning of impending doom. History records the destruction of Jerusalem, its people and the temple was complete. Men, women, and children died. About this horrible end of Israel ukapologetics.net writes,
Josephus (a personal witness to the events) claims that over 1,100,000 people were killed during the initial siege, of which a majority was Jewish. 97,000 were captured and enslaved, and many fled to areas around the Mediterranean. Titus reportedly refused to accept a wreath of victory, as there is “no merit in vanquishing people forsaken by their own God.” During the siege, there was mass starvation in which cannibalism widely occurred with, it is believed, some mothers even devouring their own children. Later, there were even mass crucifixions to the degree that wood eventually became unavailable.
www.ukapologetics.net/09/AD70.htm
The woe spoken about in Matthew 24:19 is a message of pending doom. Men, women (and pregnant women), and children died by the thousands. I know this is a hard truth to process but fallen humanity has no idea of how much God hates sin, rebellion, and those refusing to change.
God is merciful and willing to forgive but never the unrepentant. Israel rejected the Lamb of God as the only sacrifice available to them. Today is no different in America and around the world. We as a nation (the United States) and the world are acting like Israel did then and choosing to go our own way. What a mistake. Woe unto the inhabitants of the earth.
Is the woe of Matthew 24:19 now being spoken to the United States and the world? Some say no. Some say yes. Others are oblivious to what is going on and living as though all is well. As for me, I would like to think the United States could turn around. There have been great revivals in the past. Maybe another is on the way? Let’s pray it can happen.
I trust this will answer your question. God bless you in your search for truth.
Jim
