Jesus Foretells the Destruction of the Temple
Today we learn from the words of Yeshua in Matthew 24:1-2, about the Destruction of the Temple. Find out how this applies to your life today and how to prepare for your future.
Let’s see if we can’t break this down so that it’s easier to understand how it affects your life today.
Let’s begin in Matthew 24:1-2
Jesus Foretells the Destruction of the Temple
As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
Now this literal temple was destroyed by Titus when he attacked Jerusalem. Jesus wasn’t the first to prophesy about the temple,
In Micah 3:12, It was prophesied that Jerusalem would be plowed as a field. When Jesus prophesied about the temple falling, no one knew but Him at the time, that it would be His last time to go to the temple. He didn’t leave because He wanted to, they made Him leave. When He left from teaching there that day, the glory left the temple with Him.
In Hosea 9:12 God says, woe to them when I depart from them.
Three days after He left the temple that day, the veil of the temple that separated God and man was torn from top to bottom when he was crucified.
Comforting words to His followers, Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always to the end of the age.”
When Jesus left the temple, His disciples left with Him. As the disciples did, we should go also where Jesus goes. When the presence of the Lord is not in the temple, it is unclean and common. Our bodies are also called temples.
What is the “church”? What is the Temple?
It says in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Jesus asks, “do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”
1 Corinthians 12:13,”by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.”
Scripture references direct us to the revelation that the “church” is Jesus’ followers. It is NOT a building.
Ephesians 2 is a metaphor for a building. The scripture doesn’t mean that Jesus is a physical rock, it’s a metaphor. He is not saying create a church building, He is talking about building us up in our relationship with Him. Jesus is not a building, nor are we.
“Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:20-22
He’s talking about His people, His followers are His temple.
Matthew 18:20 says, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Here Jesus is saying that He is going to build our faith upon the faith and testimony that Peter has in our Messiah. He has personally taught Peter and trusts Him to go and feed His sheep with His truth. John 21.
Jesus says in Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Consider here that He may be referring to small groups gathering. In the gospels, they met in homes and Jesus taught those who had joined Him. Today the terminology is, Home Church. The attendees were typically the lost, or His new followers. They didn’t go to church or temple every week to be taught, Jesus taught them in homes or on mountain sides, or fields. He rarely went to the temple to teach, and when He did, it was not to the lost, it was to the Jewish leaders that were supposed to know the truth already.
Jesus states clearly that all believers are to go out into the world and spread the gospel, the Good News to the lost. How is that supposed to happen if the only time we give Him is once a week on Sunday mornings in a church building? Have you been taught to, and become comfortable waiting for the lost to come to your church building to be saved? Scripture doesn’t support that process. This is a good time to stop pray and ask the Father what He wants you to do at this juncture in your life.
Mark 16:15 – Jesus tells us, “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'”
It’s common knowledge the lost are outside the church buildings. Are there lost Christians in the church building also? Yes. If we are following the Jesus and obeying His commands and doing what He tells us to do in His word, there would be no lost inside or outside. It is Jesus heart that no one should perish. 2 Peter 3: “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” Be ready.
Recall when King David wanted to build God a temple building to house the Ark of God? It had always been housed in a tent, since the time of Moses and the Israelites in Exodus. God became angry with King David, saying, “Did I ever ask for you to build me a house?” 2 Samuel 7:5
God is telling us here, that it’s NOT about the building. He created us to be the church, His Temple, so that He can live in us, and He can direct us to those He wants us to share the Good News with and to allow His light to shine through us too.
So glorify God in your body.
The body of Christ is not a group in a building. The disciples didn’t understand how such a beautiful building could be destroyed. Jesus was telling them that if God is not part of something, It will be destroyed in the end. Whether it be a building or a body. This applies to us today as well. God must be first in our life. Things don’t matter. Jobs don’t matter. Money doesn’t matter. Success doesn’t matter.
So let’s dig a little deeper…
As Jesus neared the end of His ministry, He began to speak more openly about His impending death. He also started to talk more about the destruction of the temple. In Luke 21:5-6, we read His warning to the disciples: “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.”
Although this prophecy must have come as a shock to those who heard it, Jesus didn’t leave His followers without hope. In the very next verses, He goes on to say that even though the physical temple would be destroyed, those who put their trust in Him would never be let down or destroyed (Luke 21:16-19).
See! He was teaching them not to rely on the temple building. He was trying to teach them to focus on Him only, their relationship with Him, and to keep themselves from sin by obeying His commands; keep their body – their temple pure. What a comfort it is for us to know that even though everything around us may change or be destroyed, Jesus remains our sure foundation! We can trust Him completely and know that He will never let us down. Let’s stand firm on His promises today!
He loves His disciples
Jesus showed care for His disciples when He began to foretell the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. As He described the coming upheaval of an event which had played a central role in Jewish life for many centuries, Jesus knew that His words served as an incredible warning but also an assurance of hope. He reminded them of God’s great power and ultimate sovereignty over all people, even when faced with trials or difficulties. His message provided strength and consolation through Scripture, guiding us towards looking up in faith rather than despairing over what is beyond our understanding. May we find comfort knowing that regardless of what lies around the corner, our loving Lord will certainly be with us every step of the way!
Disciples are asked to have faith
Jesus’ disciples looked on with confusion and uncertainty, unsure of His plan. Jesus paused for a moment, His eyes glimmering with the warmth of understanding and assurance. He smiled knowingly before turning to them with words of reassurance, saying “Do not be afraid, it will become clear in time”. Jesus offered his disciples the comfort that all will be revealed when the time is right and truth can finally be seen. Until then, they are asked to have faith. The Lord’s wisdom is greater than any man can comprehend, so although knowledge may seem out of reach at times, Jesus told His disciples that faith would bring forth understanding – in its own season.
Jesus explains that He needs us to have faith also
In His time here on earth, Jesus reminded us that there was nothing that couldn’t be moved if our faith was strong. We often let worry and doubt take over our lives, but Jesus explains that no matter how uncertain and chaotic the situation may appear in front of us, we must have faith and trust in Him. He tells us not one stone will be left unturned when it comes to performing miracles. Through prayer and belief, all expectations can be exceeded and dreams can become a reality. No request is too great or insignificant for God – simply put your worries to rest and focus your thoughts on the power of the Lord’s grace. Let go of any anxieties you have, though the future may feel clouded with uncertainty – step forward with strength knowing that God is by your side each step of the way!
The disciples express their sadness at the thought of such destruction
The disciples, although sad at the thought of destruction, can find comfort in the words of Jesus when He said “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
We must all turn to Him when we feel fearful and overwhelmed by world events; His promises are ones that cannot be broken. Let us embrace the hope that Jesus sheds on our lives and cling to His promise of strength in times of weakness. For those who keep their trust in Him and remain faithful to Him, they shall continue to serve as a firm foundation no matter what sorrow comes upon them.
Jesus comforts them by saying that He will rebuild the temple in three days
After hearing Jesus’ incredible promise to restore the temple within three days, they were confused at first. It wouldn’t be until He was raised from the dead on the 3rd day would they understand His meaning. The disciples were overwhelmed with joy and gratitude once they saw the truth.
Drawing on His understanding of scripture, Jesus was able to comfort them in their confusion and sadness through this reminder that all things are possible with God. Jesus helped the disciples realize that even in a moment of tragedy, hope still remains. With just a few words, Jesus reminded them that they were never alone – God is always present and working miracles on our behalf – if we just believe and have faith. In this tender moment between Jesus and the disciples, we are reminded of the divine power of love and grace that comes from God alone. Let us be inspired by this miraculous moment to continually seek Him in times of difficulty and pain as He comforts us in countless ways every day.
The disciples are amazed at His power and understand that He is speaking of His resurrection
The power of Jesus was captivating and incredible to His disciples. Everyone encountered by the Messiah witnessed the passion in His teachings and wonders of His power through healing. He was teaching of a hope that was incomparable to any other joy – eternal life with Him. So even when times get rough, take comfort that what seemed like an impossibility is actually very much attainable through Him who has all power – Jesus.
To summarize, in these verses, Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple. Those who hearts are hungry for truth see and hear what He is saying and telling them to do. In His mercy He also warns us what to expect in the end times and to be prepared. Until that time, He says to go into the world and spread the Good News to the lost. This story should give us hope and it suggests that we should trust the Father in all circumstances, turn back to Him, repent, and study the whole Bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation’s last word.
In fact, everything but our relationship with Him will wither away in the end.
Tune in next time as we learn about the Signs of the End of the Age
God bless you