I think that what you (JoeBob) say in your post above should certainly be at least considered as possibly what really is. Based upon Josephus’ historical writings, in addition to what history tells us about the absolute destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, this was all a HUGE series of events lasting years. Life-changing for the entirety of the ancient Israelites. Certainly big enough that it would have been mentioned by the historical writers of the New Testament if any of it had happened prior to those historical documents having been written.
I think that it can be argued persuasively that all of the books of the New Testament…in addition to nearly all of the events that they describe (including the Revelation)…happened before 70 AD ~ before the Temple and Jerusalem was completely destroyed.
Well, a lot events with the temple and all that are foretold in Daniel which was hundreds of years before the New Testament. Then of course, Jesus foretold some of the events and specifically mentioned “the Abomination of Desolation.” Which, of course, a lot of people think referenced the Anti-Christ.
I think he well could have been referring to Vespasion and Titus. The emperor was referred to as “The Son of God”. That is specifically “anti-Christ” and most definitely an abomination. As for desolation I am reminded of the account of a barbarian who said of the Romans, “They make a desert and call it peace.” The Romans were desolation incarnate to many ancient peoples. The destroyed Carthage and literally salted the earth. They destroyed countless peoples. Brutality like theirs was common in the ancient world. What was uncommon was their efficiency and thoroughness.
