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Even though these verses (16-18) are usually interpreted as foretelling the Jewish Wars, it should be kept in mind that the Jewish Wars did not represent a crisis for Christianity. The future would bring many catastrophes of greater destructiveness to Christians - at the hands of Rome, Barbarians and even those who, rather than opposing Christianity, claimed to espouse it. (90:1) Taking Refuge in God's Word-- Christ tells His followers to flee to the 'mountains': The mountains may symbolize the loftiness and firm stronghold of the Word of God. In the Old Testament the Law comes down from the 'mountain' (Exod. 19), Noah's ark (90:2) This instruction is particularly significant with regard to relations between Christianity and Islam. Christians perceived Islam as a threat not because of Muhammad's teachings, of which they knew almost nothing, but because of the imperial and worldly ambitions of those who corrupted His Faith. Had they investigated the Qur'an for themselves and the 'testimony' (Rev. 11:7) of the two witnesses, they could have made it to the safety of 'the mountains' (Matt. 24:16). (90:3) The instruction not to attempt to save anything from one's house (v.17) or go back to retrieve one's clothes (v. 18) may be symbolic of the outer trappings of religion. That is, the 'house' and 'clothes' symbolize the outer forms, the laws adopted from Roman practice, the rituals and the doctrinal controversies that Christianity took upon itself. All of these things must be left behind. Verse 17 further expresses the steadfastness required for following the religious life.
(90:4)
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