As I was reading today in Matthew, I came across the following verse (Matthew 24:20):"And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath." (NKJV) Jesus, is describing what many believe to be the answer to the first question asked of him by his disciples up in verse 3 ("When will these things be..." - "these things" referring back to the temple's destruction in verse 2, "And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." History tells us that in 70 A.D. the Romans sacked Jerusalem, and the temple was torched such that the gold lining the inside walls melted. To get to this gold, looters pried every stone apart, and Christ's prophesy was fulfilled in full - that is, not even one stone was left on another - every single stone was seperated from the others. I believe therefore that this was the fulfillment of that prophesy - and I don't think I am alone in that.My interest in this verse then was sparked this morning because I asked myself, why would the Sabbath make a difference? Wasn't Jesus giving instructions to his disciples (who, one would expect would eventually enter into the new covenant after Christ's resurrection?) We know also that when the Roman army originally surrounded Jerusalem, it was called away briefly, and those who were familiar with Christ's words in Luke 21:20 (Christians) immediately abandoned the city and thereby escaped the carnage to come. It seems to me then that Christ was giving instructions to the new church regarding escaping the wrath that was to come (upon Jerusalem). Why then would Christ suggest that a they pray it didn't fall on a sabbath day? It seemed a contrary thing to me - not that scriptures are contrary - but rather my understanding being that we are no longer required to keep the Sabbath any more than we are required to be circumcized. That was a part of the old covenant - a covenant that is replaced by (as opposed to augmented by) the new covenant.Someone else has likely answered this question to their own satisfaction or to the satisfaction of others, and if this such a satisfactory answer exists on one of the threads I would be pleased to find a link to it. Otherwise, if anyone has any ideas, opinions, or explanations, I am all ears.Dan/\\/\\/\\
