The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 19

The European Union in Prophecy
had retired to his tent at night, the Jews, sallying from the temple, attacked the
soldiers without. In the struggle, a firebrand was flung by a soldier through an
opening in the porch, and immediately the cedar-lined chambers about the holy house
were in a blaze. Titus rushed to the place, followed by his generals and legionaries,
and commanded the soldiers to quench the flames. His words were unheeded. In their
fury the soldiers hurled blazing brands into the chambers adjoining the temple, and
then with their swords they slaughtered in great numbers those who had found
shelter there. Blood flowed down the temple steps like water. Thousands upon
thousands of Jews perished. Above the sound of battle, voices were heard shouting:
"Ichabod!"--the glory is departed.
"Titus found it impossible to check the rage of the soldiery; he entered with his
officers, and surveyed the interior of the sacred edifice. The splendor filled them with
wonder; and as the flames had not yet penetrated to the holy place, he made a last
effort to save it, and springing forth, again exhorted the soldiers to stay the progress
of the conflagration. The centurion Liberalis endeavoured to force obedience with his
staff of office; but even respect for the emperor gave way to the furious animosity
against the Jews, to the fierce excitement of battle, and to the insatiable hope of
plunder. The soldiers saw everything around them radiant with gold, which shone
dazzlingly in the wild light of the flames; they supposed that incalculable treasures
were laid up in the sanctuary. A soldier, unperceived, thrust a lighted torch between
the hinges of the door: the whole building was in flames in an instant. The blinding
smoke and fire forced the officers to retreat, and the noble edifice was left to its fate.
"It was an appalling spectacle to the Roman--what was it to the Jew? The whole
summit of the hill which commanded the city, blazed like a volcano. One after another
the buildings fell in, with a tremendous crash, and were swallowed up in the fiery
abyss. The roofs of cedar were like sheets of flame; the gilded pinnacles shone like
spikes of red light; the gate towers sent up tall columns of flame and smoke. The
neighboring hills were lighted up; and dark groups of people were seen watching in
horrible anxiety the progress of the destruction: the walls and heights of the upper
city were crowded with faces, some pale with the agony of despair, others scowling
unavailing vengeance. The shouts of the Roman soldiery as t