Jeremiah 4:20
Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
Destruction upon destruction is cried, calamity following upon calamity in repeated ruin. The blow is not single but successive, destruction heaped on destruction until nothing stands secure. The whole land is spoiled, laid waste in sudden, complete and widespread devastation. That spoiling is universal and overwhelming, coming without delay and leaving the land desolate in an instant. Tents spoiled and curtains ruined in a moment picture homes and their coverings destroyed in an instant, showing how sudden and how thorough the calamity is.
The verse depicts the desolations of the closing scenes of earth's history, when war brings this repeated calamity and sudden devastation upon the land. It applies to the coming time of trouble, to the scenes of war and destruction expected before the second coming of Christ. It describes the devastation of the day of the Lord and the day of God connected with the close of probation, when sudden judgment lays waste upon the wicked. It thus portrays a fearful judgment ahead and urges awakening and preparation for that day.