(On Chariots in the Clouds)
"Soon after the feast of the passover, in various parts of the country, before the setting sun, chariots and armed men were seen in the air, passing round about Jerusalem, which was very alarming to behold.  At the subsequent feast of Pentecost, while the priests were going, by night, into the inner temple to perform their customary ministrations, they first felt, as they said, a shaking, accompanied by an indistinct murmuring, and afterwards voices of a multitude, saying, in a distinct and earnest manner, "Let us go hence." (The Wandering Soul, p. 412-413)

(On Jerusalem the Harlot)
"And because this city was the cause of the shedding of the innocent blood, she was suddenly visited with judgments -- as sudden as the coming of lightning. (The destruction of Jerusalem was sudden.  In a very short time, not less than eleven hundred thousand perished.  See Josephus, de Bell, Ind. lib. 6, c. 9, § 3. - trans." (p. 401)

"How could God be merciful towards such a city?  A city that would not reform, but accumulated sin upon sin until they had filled their cup of iniquity.  W.S. Thus I hear that all things conspired to the destruction of Jerusalem." (p. 410)

"O! how these surpass all other calamities that ever befell Jerusalem.  S.C. Are you speaking of Jerusalem?  Yes, that ever befell all the world besides ; for the greatest sins that ever were committed were perpetrated here, in this city." (p. 444)

"In order that God might show that he was determined utterly to destroy Jerusalem; and to that end, he gave them several signs, to warn each one in the city of the coming destruction." (p. 411)

(On Matthew 24:4-5)
"Josephus informs us, that there were many who pretended to be inspired, and deceived many people; leading out numbers into deserts, that they would there show them signs of liberty - meaning redemption from the Roman yoke, which things the Jews expected the Messiah would do for them.  Josephus, de Bell, lib. 2, c. xiii.,§ 4,5." (p. 409)

"Josephus informs us that an Egyptian false prophet led 30,000 into the desert, who were almost entirely cut off by Felix, the Roman procurator.  And that in the reign of Claudius, "the land was overrun with magicians, seducers, and imposters, who drew the people after them in multitudes into solitudes and deserts, to see the signs and miracles, which they promised to show by the power of God.  Josephus, Antiq. lib. 20, c. viii., § 6 (p. 409)

(On the Rebuilding of the Temple)
"But had they no hopes that the city and the temple would be rebuilt, and raised to their former glory, as was the case when they returned from the Babylonian captivity?  S.C. They expected, I know not what kind of a Messiah, who should re-establish to their kingdom  ; but in this they were deceived ; for there were still some who undertook to redeem them from the yoke of the Gentiles, but they were all deceived, as I told you before.  The prophecy of Daniel remains too true ; for it was predicted by him, that this destruction should last till the end of the world, and that Jesus is the true and only Messiah, whom they rejected.  He also plainly told them their house should be left desolate ; for God will not establish such a kingdom ; his kingdom is a heavenly one, which shall endure through all eternity, into which all the believers shall once enter."

 

 

Originally Published in Dutch in 1634

The Wandering Soul OR, DIALOGUES BETWEEN THE WANDERING SOUL AND ADAM, NOAH, AND SIMON CLEOPHAS COMPRISING A HISTORY OF THE WORLD, SACRED AND PROFANE, FROM THE CREATION UNTIL THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM FROM WHICH MAY BE SEEN HOW ONE MONARCHY AND KINGDOM SUCCEEDED ANOTHER.  HOW THIS HAD ITS RISE, AND THAT WAS DISSOLVED; AND AN EXTENSIVE DETAIL OF THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM