Jesus did not paint a pretty picture as He was standing in the Jerusalem temple.
  Jesus did give the people warning of what was to come.
  Even today the nations surrounding Israel are unfriendly toward that tiny country.
  God is the God Who calls this Jewish nation His chosen people.  They are the “apple of His eye.”  Just because they are His people does not mean they are “getting away” with unbelief.  They will be judged for unbelief in Messiah, God’s Anointed One, Jesus Christ.

  What did Jesus say?
(NASB) Luke 21:20-24 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near.
21 ‘Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city;
22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.
23 ‘Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people;
24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” 

  It is a matter of history that this occurred about forty years later when the Romans came and destroyed the temple taking the people captive.  Some commentators believe that some of the captives were taken to Rome and used to build edifices such as the Roman coliseum.  It happened once in history and the times of the Gentiles are still in force today. 

  Was Jesus speaking only about that time in 70 AD?   Remember prophecy, many times, has a “near” fulfillment and a further fulfillment.  In the time still future to us is the Great Tribulation as many of the Old Testament prophets foretold as well as the Book of Revelation in the New Testament.  This prophecy of Jesus will be fulfilled in the Great Tribulation.  The Book of Revelation is filled with God’s coming wrath against all who reject Him and refute His words of truth.   

  What can give us courage, encouragement and perseverance in this knowledge?  God is the ultimate Victor.  Take refuge in Jesus, God’s Son, by believing in Him.
  Psalm 2 gives the view point of God as He considers the nations plotting and conspiring against Him and against His Anointed One (the Lord Jesus Christ). 
  He will laugh at them.  Laugh?  Yes, laugh!  For the Holy God has set His King on His holy hill of Zion (Jerusalem).   Those kings and judges are warned to worship the Lord with reverence! 

(NASB) Psalm 2:12 “Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”