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The Rejection of Jesus and Destruction of the Temple.-- In the first century BC the Roman Empire took control of the territory where the Jewish nation resided. The Jews had long awaited a Messiah, but now, as they lived and suffered humiliation under Roman domination, the appearance of the promised deliverer seemed especially urgent. The Hebrew Scriptures assured them that the Messiah would lead God's people to victory, that He would establish a Kingdom, and that He would be its ruler (Matt. 2:3-6; John 12:12-13). When Christ appeared He came as a shepherd to gather His flock and lead them into the Kingdom of God. To His followers, Jesus was Lord (i.e., sovereign ruler, Acts 10:36), He did bring a sword (the word of God, Matt. 10:34; Eph. 6:17; 2 Cor. 10:3-5) to defeat the enemy (i.e., sin) and He did establish a kingdom (the Kingdom of God, John 18:36; Luke 17:20-1).
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