On this day (7/15/2014), the 17th of Tammuz (on the Jewish Calendar):

 

Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar's Army) broke through the Temple walls, stopping the Temple sacrifices (587 BC)!

 

The Roman armies (under Titus) stopped the Temple sacrifices, exactly on the same day (70 AD)!

 

These events led to the destruction of both Temples, on the 9th of Av, the same year!

 

Consequently, this began a 21-day period of mourning, to this day, from the 17th of Tammuz to the 9th of Av!

 

As I write this, Hamas has launched a campaign of death for the Palestinians by coaxing them to act as "human shields" as Israel defends itself, by taking out rocket launchers and its infrastructure and inadvertantly killing and wounding civilians!  Will more tradgedy strike the Jews on this date or 21 days from now on the 9th of Av?  Only God knows!  Be in prayer for the peace of Jerusalem!

 

For more on the Temple: