Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“We are earnestly seeking the [city] that is to come” (Heb. 13:14).
1. What did Jesus predict would happen to Jerusalem in the first century?
A few days before he died, Jesus gave a prophecy to his disciples. This prophecy was first fulfilled in the first century when Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed. He warned them that one day they would see “Jerusalem surrounded by armies encamped” (Luke 21:20). He told them that when that happened, they were to flee immediately. And Jesus' words were fulfilled when the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem. (Luc. 21:21, 22).
2. What did the apostle Paul say to the Christians of Judea and Jerusalem?
2 When only a few years remained before the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem, the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in that city and throughout Judea a letter with a very important message. Today we know it as the Letter to the Hebrews. In it, he gave them advice to help them prepare for what was coming: the destruction of Jerusalem. If those Christians wanted to survive, they would have to be willing to leave their homes and businesses behind. So, referring to the city of Jerusalem, Paul wrote: “Here we have no lasting city, but we eagerly seek the city that is to come.” (Heb. 13:14).
3. What is the city “that is to come,” and why do we seek it?
3 People may have ridiculed the Christians who decided to flee Jerusalem and the region of Judea, but that decision saved their lives. Today, we are also ridiculed because we don't put our trust in money or in the solutions offered by any human being. Why don't we? Because we know this system is temporary, and we are looking for "the city with true foundations," "the one to come." That city is the Kingdom of God. (Heb. 11:10; Matt. 6:33). In this article, we'll examine some of the advice Paul gave in his letter to the Hebrew Christians. In each case, we'll see how this advice helped them continue to seek "the city that is to come," how it prepared them for the destruction of Jerusalem, and what lessons we can draw from it for our own day.
LET US TRUST THAT JEHOVAH WILL NEVER ABANDON US
4. Why was Jerusalem important to Christians?
4 Jerusalem was important to Christians. Why? Because the first congregation was founded there in the year 33. Furthermore, the governing body was in that city. On the other hand, many Christians had their homes and a large amount of material possessions there. However, Jesus told his followers that they would have to flee from Jerusalem and even from Judea. (Mat. 24:16).
5. What did Paul do to help Christians be prepared?
5 Paul wanted Christians to be prepared to flee Jerusalem. That's why he helped them see the city as Jehovah saw it. He reminded them that the temple, the priesthood, and the sacrifices offered there were no longer sacred to Jehovah. (Heb. 8:13). Most of the city's inhabitants had rejected the Messiah. The temple in Jerusalem was no longer the center of pure worship, and would be destroyed. (Luc. 13:34, 35).
6. Why was Paul's reminder in Hebrews 13:5, 6 so timely?
6 When Paul wrote to the Hebrews, Jerusalem was a prosperous city. A contemporary Roman writer named Pliny called Jerusalem “the most famous city of the East” (Natural History, Book V, translated by Gerónimo de Huerta). Every year, Jews from many places traveled there to celebrate religious festivals, and this generated a lot of income for the city. No doubt, this made some Christians do well financially. Perhaps that is why Paul told them: “Let your conduct be free from the love of money, and be content with the things you have.” And then he quoted Scripture to remind them of a promise Jehovah Himself had made: “I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you” (read Hebrews 13:5, 6; Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 118:6). That reminder was very timely for the Christians in Jerusalem and Judea. Why? Because shortly after receiving that letter, they would have to leave behind their homes, their businesses, and most of their belongings. They would have to start from scratch somewhere else, and that wouldn't be easy.
7. Why should we strengthen our trust in Jehovah from now on?
7 Lesson for our day: Like first-century Christians, we must stay awake and be prepared (Luke 21:34-36). Prepared for what? For the “great tribulation,” which will bring this evil system to an end. (Matt. 24:21) During that period, we may have to leave behind some, or even all, of our belongings, confident that Jehovah will never abandon us. But even now, before the Great Tribulation has begun, we can show how much we trust in Jehovah. Let us ask ourselves: “Do my goals and decisions reflect that I trust not in money, but in God’s promise to take care of me?” (1 Tim. 6:17) As we see, what happened in the first century allows us to draw valuable lessons for the future. Even so, we know that during the Great Tribulation we will have to face situations unprecedented in history. So when that period begins, how will we know exactly what to do?
LET US BE OBEDIENT TO THOSE WHO LEAD US
8. What instruction had Jesus given to his disciples?
8 A few years after Paul sent his letter to the Hebrews, the Roman armies surrounded the city of Jerusalem. Then the Christians knew it was time to flee; Jerusalem would be destroyed (Matt. 24:3; Luke 21:20, 24). But where could they flee? Jesus had only said: “Those who are in Judea, flee to the mountains.” (Luc. 21:21). Now, there were many mountains in the region, so which one did they have to go to?
9. Why might Christians have wondered where to flee? (See also map.)
9 The Christians had many places to flee to: for example, the mountains of Samaria, the mountains of Galilee, Mount Hermon and the mountains of Lebanon, and the mountains beyond the Jordan River. (see map). Some of the cities located in these mountainous areas were apparently very safe. One of them was Gamala, a difficult-to-reach city located high on a very steep mountain. Some Jews thought it was an ideal place to take refuge. But the Romans attacked and destroyed Gamala, and many of its inhabitants died.
ILLUSTRATION
A map marking some of the mountains and cities of first-century Israel. North of Jerusalem are the mountains of Lebanon, Galilee, Samaria, and Gilead, Mount Hermon and Mount Tabor, and also the cities of Gamala, Caesarea, and Pella. South of Jerusalem are the mountains of Judea and Abarim, and the city of Masada. The map also shows the routes followed by the Romans in their military campaigns and the areas lost to the Jews between 67 and 73.
The Christians could have fled to many mountains, but not all of them proved safe. (See paragraph 9.)
10, 11. (a) How was Jehovah able to guide his people? (Hebrews 13:7, 17) b) What was the result for those who obeyed? (See also the image.)
10 So how did the Christians know where to flee? It appears that Jehovah guided Christians through those who led the congregation. Later, the historian Eusebius wrote that, through a “revelation to the notables of that place,” the congregation in Jerusalem “received the command to change its city before the war and to live in another city of Perea (which they call Pella).” (Ecclesiastical History, Vol. 1, translated by George Grayling). Pella seemed an ideal choice. On the one hand, it was not far from Jerusalem, making the journey relatively easy. On the other hand, most of its inhabitants were not Jewish and were not involved in the struggles of Jewish fanatics to free themselves from Roman rule (see map).
11 Paul had written to Christians: “Be obedient [...] to those who lead you” (read Hebrews 13:7, 17). Those who followed that advice fled to those mountains. Because they obeyed, they survived. History confirms that God did not abandon those who were waiting for “the city with true foundations,” the Kingdom of God. (Heb. 11:10).
ILLUSTRATION
A group of first-century Christians travel through a mountainous region with their belongings.
Pela was a close and safe option. (See paragraphs 10 and 11.)
12, 13. How has Jehovah guided his people in especially difficult times?
12 Lesson for our days: Jehovah uses those who lead us to give us specific instructions. There are many accounts in the Bible that show Jehovah used faithful men to guide his people through especially difficult times. (Deut. 31:23; Ps. 77:20) And today we see clearly that Jehovah continues to use those who lead us to guide us.
13 For example, right when the COVID-19 pandemic began, those leading the work gave us the instructions we needed. The elders received guidelines to ensure the brothers were well cared for spiritually. A few months later, we held a regional assembly that was historic, as it was broadcast online, on television, and on the radio in more than 500 languages. Throughout the pandemic, we were spiritually well-nourished, and thanks to that, we remained united. Whatever happens in the future, we can be sure that Jehovah will continue to help those who lead us make wise decisions. Now, besides trusting in Jehovah and obeying his commands, what else do we need to do to be prepared and know how to act during the great tribulation?
LET US SHOW BROTHERLY LOVE AND HOSPITALITY
14. According to Hebrews 13:1-3, what qualities were Christians to display as the destruction of Jerusalem drew near?
14 When the great tribulation begins, we will have to show love to each other like never before. We will need to follow the example of the Christians living in Jerusalem and Judea. They had always shown love to one another (Heb. 10:32-34). But as Jerusalem's destruction drew near, they had to show "brotherly love" and "hospitality" as never before. (Read Hebrews 13:1-3.) And we will have to do the same during the great tribulation.
15. Why did the Hebrew Christians have to show brotherly love and hospitality to each other?
15 When the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem and suddenly withdrew, the Christians took advantage of the opportunity to flee. But they were only able to take a few belongings with them. (Matt. 24:17, 18). As they traveled to the mountains and settled into their new home, they had to rely on each other. Surely there were many “cases of urgent need” that gave Christians the opportunity to show each other genuine brotherly love and hospitality by supporting each other and sharing what they had. (Tito 3:14).
16. How can we show love to our siblings? (See also the image.)
16 Lesson for our days: Love motivates us to help our brothers whenever they need it. Many of Jehovah's servants have been willing to attend to the spiritual and material needs of brothers and sisters who have had to leave their homes because of war or natural disasters. A sister who fled Ukraine because of the war said: “We have felt Jehovah’s guidance and help through the brothers and sisters. It’s incredible how warmly they have welcomed us and how much they have helped us in Ukraine, Hungary, and now in Germany!” When we are hospitable, we become like tools that Jehovah uses to care for his brothers. (Prov. 19:17; 2 Cor. 1:3, 4).
ILLUSTRATION
An elderly couple lovingly welcomes a family of siblings who have had to leave their home. The family is carrying a single suitcase and a few bags.
Christians who have to leave their homes need our help. (See paragraph 16.)
17. Why is it essential that we cultivate brotherly love and hospitality now?
17 It is important that we help each other now, but it will be even more important in the future. (Hab. 3:16-18). That is why Jehovah is teaching us to develop brotherly love and hospitality, qualities that will be essential during the great tribulation.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE?
18. How can we imitate the example of the Hebrew Christians?
18 History confirms that Christians who fled to the mountains managed to escape the destruction of Jerusalem. They abandoned the city, but Jehovah did not abandon them. How can we imitate their example? We don't have all the details of what will happen in the future either. But, like them, we have Jesus' advice to be prepared to act. (Luc. 12:40). We also have the letter Paul wrote to them, which is still just as useful today. Then there's the promise Jehovah himself made that he will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5, 6). So let us continue earnestly seeking the city that will last, the Kingdom of God. If we do, we will enjoy wonderful blessings for all eternity. (Mat. 25:34).
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
Why do we need to strengthen our trust in Jehovah now?
Like the first-century Christians, we must stay awake and be prepared for the “great tribulation,” which will bring an end to this evil system. During that period, we may have to leave behind some, or even all, of our belongings, confident that Jehovah will never abandon us.
Why will obedience be so important during the “great tribulation”?
Paul had written to Christians: “Be obedient [...] to those who lead you.” Jehovah uses those who lead us to give us specific instructions. There are many accounts in the Bible that show Jehovah used faithful men to guide his people through especially difficult times. And today we clearly see that Jehovah continues to use those who lead us to guide us.
Why is it essential that we cultivate brotherly love and hospitality now?
When the great tribulation begins, we will need to show love to one another like never before. It's important for us to help one another now, but it will be even more so in the future. That's why Jehovah is teaching us to develop brotherly love and hospitality, qualities that will be essential during the great tribulation.
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