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t not the time of thy visitation。〃
Christ came to save Jerusalem with her children； but Pharisaical pride； hypocrisy； jealousy； and malice had prevented Him from accomplishing His purpose。 Jesus knew the terrible retribution which would be visited upon the doomed city。 He saw Jerusalem encompassed with armies； the besieged inhabitants driven to starvation and death； mothers feeding upon the dead bodies of their own children； and both parents and children snatching the last morsel of food from one another； natural affection being destroyed by the gnawing pangs of hunger。 He saw that the stubbornness of the Jews； as evinced in their rejection of His salvation； would also lead them to refuse submission to the invading armies。 He beheld Calvary； on which He was to be lifted up； set with crosses as thickly as forest trees。 He saw the wretched inhabitants suffering torture on the rack and by crucifixion； the beautiful palaces destroyed； the temple in ruins； and of its massive walls not one stone left upon another； while the city was plowed like a field。 Well might the Saviour weep in agony in view of that fearful scene。
Jerusalem had been the child of His care； and as a tender father mourns over a wayward son； so Jesus wept over the beloved city。 How
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can I give thee up？ How can I see thee devoted to destruction？ Must I let thee go to fill up the cup of thine iniquity？ One soul is of such value that； in comparison with it； worlds sink into insignificance； but here was a whole nation to be lost。 When the fast westering sun should pass from sight in the heavens； Jerusalem's day of grace would be ended。 While the procession was halting on the brow of Olivet； it was not yet too late for Jerusalem to repent。 The angel of mercy was then folding her wings to step down from the golden throne to give place to justice and swift…coming judgment。 But Christ's great heart of love still pleaded for Jerusalem； that had scorned His mercies； despised His warnings； and was about to imbrue her hands in His blood。 If Jerusalem would but repent； it was not yet too late。 While the last rays of the setting sun were lingering on temple； tower； and pinnacle； would not some good angel lead her to the Saviour's love； and avert her doom？ Beautiful and unholy city； that had stoned the prophets； that had rejected the Son of God； that was locking herself by her impenitence in fetters of bondage；her day of mercy was almost spent！
Yet again the Spirit of God speaks to Jerusalem。 Before the day is done； another testimony is borne to Christ。 The voice of witness is lifted up； responding to the call from a prophetic past。 If Jerusalem will hear the call； if she will receive the Saviour who is entering her gates； she may yet be saved。
Reports have reached the rulers in Jerusalem that Jesus is approaching the city with a great concourse of people。 But they have no welcome for the Son of God。 In fear they go out to meet Him； hoping to disperse the throng。 As the procession is about to descend the Mount of Olives； it is intercepted by the rulers。 They inquire the cause of the tumultuous rejoicing。 As they question； 〃Who is this？〃 the disciples； filled with the spirit of inspiration； answer this question。 In eloquent strains they repeat the prophecies concerning Christ：
Adam will tell you； It is the seed of the woman that shall bruise the serpent's head。
Ask Abraham； he will tell you； It is 〃Melchizedek King of Salem；〃 King of Peace。 Gen。 14：18。
Jacob will tell you； He is Shiloh of the tribe of Judah。
Isaiah will tell you； 〃Immanuel；〃 〃Wonderful； Counselor； The mighty God； The everlasting Father； The Prince of Peace。〃 Isa。 7：14； 9：6。
Jeremiah will tell you； The Branch of David； 〃the Lord our Righteousness。〃 Jer。 23：6。
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Daniel will tell you； He is the Messiah。
Hosea will tell you； He is 〃the Lord God of hosts； the Lord is His memorial。〃 Hosea 12：5。
John the Baptist will tell you； He is 〃the Lamb of God； which taketh away the sin of the world。〃 John 1：29。
The great Jehovah has proclaimed from His throne； 〃This is My beloved Son。〃 Matt。 3：17。
We； His disciples； declare； This is Jesus； the Messiah； the Prince of life； the Redeemer of the world。
And the prince of the powers of darkness acknowledges Him； saying； 〃I know Thee who Thou art； the Holy One of God。〃 Mark 1：24。
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Chapter 64
A Doomed People
The triumphal ride of Christ into Jerusalem was the dim foreshadowing of His coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory； amid the triumph of angels and the rejoicing of the saints。 Then will be fulfilled the words of Christ to the priests and Pharisees： 〃Ye shall not see Me henceforth； till ye shall say； Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord。〃 Matt。 23：39。 In prophetic vision Zechariah was shown that day of final triumph； and he beheld also the doom of those who at the first advent had rejected Christ： 〃They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced； and they shall mourn for Him； as one mourneth for his only son； and shall be in bitterness for Him； as one that is in bitterness for his first…born。〃 Zech。 12：10。 This scene Christ foresaw when He beheld the city and wept over it。 In the temporal ruin of Jerusalem He saw the final destruction of that people who were guilty of the blood of the Son of God。
The disciples saw the hatred of the Jews to Christ； but they did not yet see to what it would lead。 They did not yet understand the true condition of Israel； nor comprehend the retribution that was to fall upon Jerusalem。 This Christ opened to them by a significant object lesson。
The last appeal to Jerusalem had been in vain。 The priests and rulers had heard the prophetic voice of the past echoed by the multitude； in answer to the question； 〃Who is this？〃 but they did not accept it as
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the voice of Inspiration。 In anger and amazement they tried to silence the people。 There were Roman officers in the throng； and to them His enemies denounced Jesus as the leader of a rebellion。 They represented that He was about to take possession of the temple； and reign as king in Jerusalem。
But the calm voice of Jesus hushed for a moment the clamorous throng as He again declared that He had not come to establish a temporal rule； He should soon ascend to His Father； and His accusers would see Him no more until He should come again in glory。 Then； too late for their salvation； they would acknowledge Him。 These words Jesus spoke with sadness and with singular power。 The Roman officers were silenced and subdued。 Their hearts； though strangers to divine influence； were moved as they had never been moved before。 In the calm； solemn face of Jesus they read love； benevolence； and quiet dignity。 They were stirred by a sympathy they could not understand。 Instead of arresting Jesus； they were more inclined to pay Him homage。 Turning upon the priests and rulers； they charged them with creating the disturbance。 These leaders； chagrined and defeated； turned to the people with their complaints； and disp