Coming Doom of Jerusalem: Luke 21:5-6
“5) And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said, “6) 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.”” Luke 21:5-6
The disciples were impressed with the beauty and craftsmanship of the temple. Its stones were massive. Its decorations were beautiful. It was less majestic than the first temple, but still impressive. It stood out as the eye piece of the Jerusalem landscape.
That was the problem. Many people worshipped the temple rather than the God of the temple.
The conversation of the disciples was interrupted by the words of Jesus; “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.” Could the temple and Jerusalem really undergo a destruction of that magnitude? The thought sounded preposterous!
But this was not the first time Jesus prophesied this destruction. In Luke 19:43-44, he had foretold the siege of Rome against Jerusalem in more vivid terms. It also included the destruction of the temple.
Matthew also captured this conversation with the disciples in Matthew 24:1-2. It marked the beginning of a long teaching about the end times that encompassed all of Matthew 24-25.
And so it happened in 70 AD. Rome invaded Jerusalem and the physical temple was torn down. But this marked the beginning of a new era talked about at length by Paul, Peter and the book of Hebrews.
The Old system of the Law and the Temple were being replaced by the New system of grace, faith and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ and the gospel was the new focal point. It was intended for all mankind and not merely the Jewish people.
Take a moment and study Ephesians 2:11-22 and 1 Peter 2:4-10. During the past 2,000 years Jesus has been at work building His Church. (See Matthew 16:16-20)
We are again living in amazing times. We are at the end of one epoch and the dawn of another. (See Acts 1:6-8) We are looking for the 2nd return of the Messiah to set up His Millennium kingdom as talked about in Revelation 20:1-10.
I am not expecting the end of the world at this time. I am prophetically looking for the end of one epoch and the beginning of another when Jesus rules for 1,000 years on earth.
This brings us back to Luke 21 and Matthew 24-25. Jesus spoke with two prophetic lenses in focus. He was talking about both the coming destruction of Jerusalem and His eventual return to set up His earthly kingdom.
Technically, according to Revelation 20:7-15, Satan will be released after the millennial kingdom, the Great White Throne Judgement will happen and judgement will be passed. This will open the lake of fire for the devil, his angels and the wicked and will usher in the New Heavens and the New Earth. (See also 2 Peter 3:3-13)
Why do I labor these prophetic points? Confusion and hysteria is sweeping through the church and the world thinking that the world is doomed and the apocalyptic end is coming now. They do not see the prophetic time table through clear biblical lenses.
Yes, there will be a time of suffering and tribulation, but it will usher in the return of the Messiah to set up His earthly kingdom. Care must be taken to see the whole picture through biblical lenses. Indeed, these are exciting days!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“5) And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said, “6) 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.”” Luke 21:5-6
The disciples were impressed with the beauty and craftsmanship of the temple. Its stones were massive. Its decorations were beautiful. It was less majestic than the first temple, but still impressive. It stood out as the eye piece of the Jerusalem landscape.
That was the problem. Many people worshipped the temple rather than the God of the temple.
The conversation of the disciples was interrupted by the words of Jesus; “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.” Could the temple and Jerusalem really undergo a destruction of that magnitude? The thought sounded preposterous!
But this was not the first time Jesus prophesied this destruction. In Luke 19:43-44, he had foretold the siege of Rome against Jerusalem in more vivid terms. It also included the destruction of the temple.
Matthew also captured this conversation with the disciples in Matthew 24:1-2. It marked the beginning of a long teaching about the end times that encompassed all of Matthew 24-25.
And so it happened in 70 AD. Rome invaded Jerusalem and the physical temple was torn down. But this marked the beginning of a new era talked about at length by Paul, Peter and the book of Hebrews.
The Old system of the Law and the Temple were being replaced by the New system of grace, faith and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ and the gospel was the new focal point. It was intended for all mankind and not merely the Jewish people.
Take a moment and study Ephesians 2:11-22 and 1 Peter 2:4-10. During the past 2,000 years Jesus has been at work building His Church. (See Matthew 16:16-20)
We are again living in amazing times. We are at the end of one epoch and the dawn of another. (See Acts 1:6-8) We are looking for the 2nd return of the Messiah to set up His Millennium kingdom as talked about in Revelation 20:1-10.
I am not expecting the end of the world at this time. I am prophetically looking for the end of one epoch and the beginning of another when Jesus rules for 1,000 years on earth.
This brings us back to Luke 21 and Matthew 24-25. Jesus spoke with two prophetic lenses in focus. He was talking about both the coming destruction of Jerusalem and His eventual return to set up His earthly kingdom.
Technically, according to Revelation 20:7-15, Satan will be released after the millennial kingdom, the Great White Throne Judgement will happen and judgement will be passed. This will open the lake of fire for the devil, his angels and the wicked and will usher in the New Heavens and the New Earth. (See also 2 Peter 3:3-13)
Why do I labor these prophetic points? Confusion and hysteria is sweeping through the church and the world thinking that the world is doomed and the apocalyptic end is coming now. They do not see the prophetic time table through clear biblical lenses.
Yes, there will be a time of suffering and tribulation, but it will usher in the return of the Messiah to set up His earthly kingdom. Care must be taken to see the whole picture through biblical lenses. Indeed, these are exciting days!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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