BIBLE PROPHECIES | THE ANCIENT EXILING OF ISRAEL (4)

1. The ancient exiling of Israel

a) Many Jews were forced out of their homeland by the conquering Assyrians about 2700 years ago and by the conquering Babylonians about 2600 years ago. But many later returned. The conquering Romans exiled many Jews about 1900 years ago, leading to a worldwide dispersion of Jews.

b) Bible prophecies are listed below.

2. Bible Prophecies 

a) Jesus prophesied that the Jews would be exiled. 

Luke 21:24 New International Version (NIV) 

24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

3. Written: During the first century 

a) In Luke 21:24, Jesus said that Jerusalem would be trampled upon by foreigners and that the people of Israel would be forced into exile. 

b) About 40 years after Jesus delivered that prophecy, it began to find fulfillment. The Romans destroyed Jerusalem in the year 70, and again in the year 135. 

c) During the first destruction, Josephus, an historian who lived during the first century, claimed that 1.1 million Jews died and that hundreds of thousands were forced out of the country and into exile and slavery. 

d) During the second destruction, Cassius Dio, an historian who lived during the second century, claimed that 580,000 Jews were killed, and that 50 fortified towns and 985 villages were destroyed. 

e) The exiled Jews were taken to countries throughout the Roman Empire and eventually scattered and re-scattered throughout the world. 

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