The First Apology

Listen to what was said by the Spirit of prophecy about the land of the Jews being laid waste. The words spoken are from the perspective of the people amazed at what has happened. They are: “Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. The house of our sanctuary has become a curse, and the glory our ancestors blessed is burned with fire, and all its glorious things are laid waste; and You hold back at these things, and have been silent, and have humbled us greatly.” And you are convinced that Jerusalem has been laid waste as predicted. Regarding its desolation and that no one should be permitted to live there, there was a prophecy by Isaiah: “Their land is desolate, their enemies consume it before them, and none of them shall live there.” And you know very well that it is guarded by you so no one lives there, and that death is decreed against any Jew caught entering it.