Escape from Tribulation: Jerusalem as Type
We must all through tribulation enter the kingdom // God is faithful, will with the temptation also make a way to escape

Luke 21:20-24, "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." (ESV)

In this passage Jesus seems to say two things which contradict. He says, "when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies," then "let those who are inside the city depart". It would seem impossible to flee from the city if one waits until they see the city has become surrounded by armies. But Jesus evidences prophetic foreknowledge of a particular chain of events which would only become clear later. In 67 AD, the land of Israel was under siege by Roman forces under Vespasian. Vespasian's troops were laying waste to the country driving the refugees toward Jerusalem which was to become the kill spot. Events in Rome prevented this. Vespasian withdrew, and for more than two years the Jews were able to regroup. James was martyred slightly before or during this period. Tradition tells us the Jewish-Christians took heed to Christ's warning and removed to Pella. In 70 AD, Vespasian was Emperor and the Roman forces returned under Titus. Jerusalem was destroyed.

If I had been there listening to Jesus teaching and he opened the subject for discussion and questions, it would not have been a stupid question if I asked, "Jesus, when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies, how can people flee from the city?" Jesus would not have been wrong if he replied, "Your heavenly Father will provide the way."

Luke 21:34-36, "Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." (ESV)

In this passage Jesus seems to say two things which contradict. He says, if the time of consummation comes upon you unexpectedly "the day [will] come upon you like a trap", and he says "it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth" and he says stay awake in order to "have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place". It would seem impossible to escape all these things if it will come upon all who dwell on earth. Jesus is again evidencing prophetic foreknowledge of a particular chain of events which will become clear later.

If I had been there listening to Jesus teaching and he opened the subject for discussion and questions, it would not have been a stupid question if I asked, "Jesus, if the Great Tribulation will come upon all who dwell upon the earth, how can my staying awake enable my escape?" Jesus would not have been wrong if he replied, "Your heavenly Father will provide the way."

I Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."