THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
How long will we witness those who escape and hear the sound of trumpets? What is the purpose of the trumpets that announce war and conflict, yet never touch us? He provides the answer: the entire earth lies in desolation. It is accurately stated: it is desolate or ‘in distress’; striving in every conceivable way to reveal to them that this struggle is ignited by the will of God—this is what it truly means: to endure hardship. Indeed, they have been overtaken not through warfare but by an unexpected arrival, suddenly and out of nowhere. He turns them into spectators and listeners, evoking fear through both senses. The prophet foresaw this, so that the Jews would not. Jeremiah lamented deeply in his heart for their safety; to this end, he frequently dispatched messengers.