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The Event Which Irrevocably Split Judaism and Christianity
The birth of a separate religion
The Jewish revolt against Rome began in 66 CE two years after the final completion of the temple in Jerusalem. The Jews of Palestine were tired of chaffing under the yoke of Roman rule and the divided society that Rome had facilitated in Jersusalem. After years of thinking about the idea and flirting with a full-scale uprising, the Jews decided to revolt. The armed resistance caught Rome off guard and they were quickly pushed out of Jerusalem.
The Jews moved to rapidly fortify the Holy City and fortify the hilly areas around the city to secure it from the Roman counterattack. At first, the strategy appeared to be working. The Jews held out for years against an anemic Roman response. But Rome would not be denied forever.
It is against this backdrop of war, uncertainty, and fear that the split between Jewish Christians and Palestinian Jews took shape and it would change the world forever.
The Tides Begin To Turn
After years of frustrating setbacks, Rome was ready to push their final offensive with the goal of retaking Jersusalem — by any means necessary. In 69 CE, led by future Roman emperor Titus, Rome's armies began to advance through Judea with alarming speed. Titus showed no mercy and razed many villages to the ground and caused a massive wave of refugees to spill through the land.
It was at this time that the Christians in Jersusalem began to worry. Jesus had spoken to them about these grave times. Their lord had prophesized these very events.
Jesus’s words were recorded. He said:
When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the…
