Jesus Predicts the Temple’s Destruction
Study Scripture: Matthew 24: 1- 8, 12 – 15
Background Scripture: Luke 23 & 24
Lesson 9 July 26, 2025
Key Verse
But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another which will not be torn down”.
Matthew 24:2
INTRODUCTION
Our Lesson today explores to a limited extent the conviction which is central to many in the world and especially in American thought, namely, that God in His government and His providence has an oversight of history and that there will be a final eschatological event to end our present age.
Not all believers, or non- believers for that matter, spend much time about the doctrine of last things otherwise called the doctrine of eschatology, for they believe the study of prophecy is difficult, too many frightening scenarios are involved, and there is too much unproven speculation by people who claim to know the future and great details about it.
But these persuasive people with grand schemes which attracted millions of followers have proven to be so wrong in their prognostications and left many disenchanted. They have been skilled at providing some comfort for weary souls but peace is illusory.
History is littered with many failed schemes of predictions about the future. And as well, the bizarre nature of many theories presented and the desire of these presenters to make fortunes and build great careers abound.
But many continue to be attracted and there is a vast group of believers that are deeply preoccupied with the doctrine of last things or eschatology.
This is a serious matter for the ideas on “last things” plays an important role in shaping public attitudes of a wide range of topics such as and including the Middle East events, the role and behaviour of Israel and Islamist nation, environmental crises, recommended reactions to pandemics, development in computer technology, attitudes in the United States and western countries to Russia and China, as well as many other topics.
All Christian churches have theological speculations about matters of prophecy with many placing these ideas at the center of their beliefs. It is generally believed, says one writer, that God at the beginning of time
“determined a specific, detailed plan for history’s last days, a plan revealed in the Bible with minute particularity, though in symbolic language and veiled images.
They (prophecy afficionades) are committed (sometimes obsessively so) to elucidating these prophetic mysteries and using them to illuminate and explain the course of contemporary history”.
Much can be said about the rather strange and difficult to fathom idea that “ordinary” human beings with their very limited understanding of themselves can persuade anyone with common sense they have much to say about divine intentions.
Those who persuade others will probably admit, though not all, that the ancient prophets who were inspired by the Holy Spirit, did not have a complete, line by line, prophetic insight, but knew their inspirations was limited.
They will say that the prophets saw the mountain peaks of the future but did not see all that came within the peaks.
But despite that many modern believers think they know it all and can confidently call on other believers to accept their particular interpretations and their analysis of current events. They simply ignore their human frailty, the very limited human understanding of divine matters, and their inability to shed their nationalistic, clearly materialistic, and often preference for immoral and their selfish motives, denying what God spoke about in for example the Book of Amos.
Never forget God does require truth in the inward parts and insists in the inspired Books that believers have a tendency to misinterpret things.
The prophet Isaiah lamented, “Who has believed our report”. All the Prophets, including Jeremiah, Ezekiel and others echoes that sad theme, but that makes little difference to our modern “Bible believers”.
But all is not lost for the Messiah, the Son of God, took upon Himself the task of giving us some guidance which if we are wise we will pay attention to.
The context which makes us understand what the Lord Jesus is teaching. This teaching is found in Matthew 22 where the Lord gave Parables to teach what the Kingdom of God is like.
This of course enraged the Sadducees, the Pharisees and the scribes who knew but did not want to accept they would never enter the Kingdom. They questioned Jesus and He answered them wisely as always, taught them, and silenced them.
After pronouncing “Woes” on them, labelling them as blind guides, vipers and hypocrites. In Chapter 23:37-38 the LORD gives us the best possible clue as to the immediate future of Jerusalem and the Temple, and what will be the future of the city of Jerusalem and the nation. He says:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD”.
The fact of declared Judgment stirred up the disciples to learn more about the future.
Jesus did not rebuke them for wanting to peer into the future and we therefore know He wants us to learn and understand some (but not all) aspects of the future.
But note Jesus had already laid out for them the principles of Kingdom living which applied to the present age during which time the seed of the Word of God was being sown.
Those ruling the present age were corrupt and they would reject anyone God sent to them. They would continue to stone the prophets as they had done before.
Their house would be left desolate. The presence of God would depart from the Temple and the nation. God had sent His Son and they rejected the Son of God the Father and like the wicked husbandmen in the Parable would plot to kill the Son so they could seize the inheritance that belonged to him.
The Lord Jesus would give the immediate consequences of the evil thoughts and actions of the leaders of Israel. The nation would be desolate. The Temple would be desolate.
Desolation would last for a long time,
The time of Gentile subjugation would continue until Messiah returned and their reaction to His Return would be the complete opposite to the present rejection.
The change of heart of the nation would come because of some dramatic event.
We will now be instructed simply in an outline of the last age.
There would be divine discipline of the nation including,
-the tribulation,
– the destruction of the divinely appointed worship structure,
-signs of the consummation of the age, and
-the sign of the Second Coming of the Messiah
The meanings of those words from Jesus were clear from the verses immediately preceding our Study Text.
It is most important that we remember that our human interpretation of Scripture is often weak and that is so because of the fallibility of our thinking.
Our human nature and its fleshly character keeps intruding into our interpretation of the prophetic Word.
Remember that even the Apostles had difficulty understanding the teaching of Jesus and their reaction to Jesus’ teaching the Prophetic Word was worse.
So we need humility. That need for humility is no excuse for not studying the Prophetic Word.
But we must resist the temptation to add to or subtract from the Prophetic Word.
Sadly, even a cursory study of the facts of modern Christian history and the twists and turns in interpretations of the prophetic word over the past centuries makes one flabbergasted at human disobedience.
The wide variety of interpretations and the often bizarre expositions we hear leaves us quite breathless.
THE TEXT
Verse 1. Jesus now leaves the Temple. The presence of God had departed. Jesus had taught in the Temple and His ministry there was now finished.
The time of national discipline stood at the horizon and foreboding filled the disciples.
They could not internalize and digest the prophecy of God walking away from His appointed House. How could God leave His divinely appointed House where He has established the divinely revealed worship?
After all, God was the One behind the building of this Temple.
So Jesus and the disciples ascended the Mount of Olives and when they reached a place where they could rest and see the Temple, the disciples asked how any disaster of “desolation” could happen to the Temple.
Jesus must have been very preoccupied at this time. Imagine how Jesus must have felt knowing that His nation had rejected Him and they had set themselves on their time-track of dispersion and suffering.
Jesus now began to fit together the prophecy of Daniel including Chapter 9, with those prophecies in the Book of Ezekiel in the famous Ezekiel 37:1-14 Valley of Dry bones, Malachi, Zechariah and the others.
The disciples did not understand the mood Jesus must have been in given the trying time He would now face.
We tend to do the same uncaring things too!
So they came to Him showing Him the building basically implying Jesus’ words about desolation were impossible.
I wonder if we do not behave the same way!
One writer David Guzik tells us about this Temple:
“After the destruction of Solomon’s temple, this temple was originally built by Zerubbabel and Ezra (Ezra 6:15). Herod the Great (who ruled when Jesus was born) greatly expanded and improved it. This temple was the centre of Jewish life for almost a thousand years- so much so, with gold plates could be considered blasphemy to speak anything untoward about it. (Acts6:13)
- Josephus the Jew (Antiquities 15.14) tells us that for eight whole years together he kept 10,000 men to work about it, and that for magnificence and stateliness, it exceeded Solomon’s temple” (Trapp).
- After Herod’s work, the temple was huge; nearly 500 yards or meters long and 400 yards or meters wide. Herod’s plan for rebuilding started in 19 B.C. and was only completed in A. D. 63, taking more than 80 years. The temple was finished only seven years before it was destroyed.
- But the Second Temple wasn’t just big; it was also beautiful. The Jewish historian Josephus said that the temple was covered with gold plates, and when the sun shone on them it was blinding to look it. Where there was no gold, their blocks of marble of such pure white that from a distance strangers thought there was snow on the temple”.
The disciples incredulously asked Jesus whether He saw all these impressive beautiful buildings. How could He make the prediction He had made?
Verse 2. Jesus then simply looked at the buildings and told them the splendour would not save the temple.
The Jews had some early success in their rebellion against Rome but eventually Rome reinforced their army and the war was over. This would lead to Jerusalem and the Temple being levelled.
It was noted that during the rebellion the surviving Jews crowded into the temple feeling it was a secure place, but they were wrong for the Romans managed to level the temple to get the gold in the walls.
Great stones had been hewn from the temple area and had been fitted together. It had been adorned well. The building had taken over many years for its completion and was designed to be a house of prayer for all nations.
It was reported by Josephus that this Temple was so well constructed and was so magnificent that the Roman General tasked to destroy Jerusalem, the nation and the Temple, tried unsuccessfully to set the Temple on fire to destroy it. When fire could not destroy the temple he gave orders for the entire city of Jerusalem and the Temple to be levelled and the massive stones used in construction of the temple to be pushed back into the place from which it had been taken.
Note that Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled literally. Believers in Jesus were warned about the impending disaster and they fled the city. They refused to join in the useless rebellion against Rome and this had the effect of many Jews regarding Christians as traitors against the Jewish faith.
Verse 3. Now that the disciples wanted to explore Jesus’ emphasis on the desolation end of Israel the disciples came to Jesus on the Mount of Olives and asked Him when the predicted destruction would happen.
They also must have thought that the destruction of the city and the temple would mean the age would end for the nation would go into exile as had happened in the time of Solomon. Then it would an appropriate time for Messiah Jesus to return, restore the nation, make the nation prominent, and put them in positions of power at His right hand.
Verse 4. Jesus brushed that expectation aside and instead focused their attention away from date setting and expectations of personal power. God thinks differently from frail human beings who have sin thought embedded in them.
Accordingly Jesus warned His disciples of the times of trial facing the nation. Consider the prophecy of the ‘Dry bones’ in the Book of Ezekiel 37, and God’s gracious outpouring of His grace at His chosen time.
For disciples, the key danger is deception. Satan thrives on that. He will use any desire and expectation to lead you into destruction. Remember the story of Adam and Eve and how they were tempted and they fell into sin.
Note there are two main errors in the study of prophecy.
One error involves looking over the past, seeing the historical facts of past centuries, trying to find parallels in Scripture especially in the book of Revelation and then lining up what has happened in the past with what is said in the prophetic word. That error was very common in the time of the Reformation as believers sought to interpret events of the past with what the book of Revelations was teaching about.
The difficulty of course is that each succeeding generation has to interpret the prophecies to cover or fit the current events. So each generation will keep on seeing the blowing of Trunpets and vials being poured out ad nauseum.
Then we see the error of the futurists who look around to identify the things happening today with what was said in the prophetic word. This activity is never-ending. So they will see the Antichrist in Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin and others. But they will never see the Antichrist in their own countries’ leadership no matter how bad they are. Others are following Antichrist but not them.
Let us therefore stick to what Jesus is saying. Understand we have in the background the principles of the Kingdom and Kingdom living.
Remember there is a Broad Road and a Narrow Road so if one feels they can make judgments about others ensure those definitions of the Kingdoms fits.
Verses 6-8. Jesus warns the disciples they will hear of wars and rumours of wars on a continuing basis. Those wars are bound to happen. They do not mean the end of the age is close.
Bastian Herre reports millions have died in conflicts since the Cold War most of them in Africa and intrastate conflicts. 3.9 million combatants and civilians died in Africa between 1989 and 2024.
Note this reflects some of the activities of major world powers as they arm groups to control mineral assets in Africa.
The Middle East and Asia had approximately 720,000 and 580 deaths.
Europe and the Americas had the fewest deaths with around 370,000 and 280,000 deaths respectively.
Zack Beauchamp comments that you would not know it from the headlines but today we are living through one of the most peaceful times in human history.
Max Roser from Oxford has a Chart showing the global death rate from wars over the past 600 plus years, and what you see is a pretty consistent amount of wars over the centuries, but with some of the highest highs and lowest lows in the 20th century.
Conflicts and violence are currently on the rise with many conflicts between non-state actors such as political militias, criminal, and international terrorist groups, says one site..The United Nations state there is a new era of conflict and violence.
Lists of famines and pestilences in Bengal, Russia and the Soviet Union, India, Ethiopia, China and other places make disturbing readings for those that want to explore this matter.
The 1919 Spanish influenza pandemic killed 17-100 million between 1918-1920.
The bubonic plague killed between 15-100 million in Europe between 541-549.
HIV/AIDs killed 44 million up to 2025 between 1981-present.
The Black Death bubonic plague in 1346-1353 killed 30-60% of the European population and affected Asia and North Africa.
COVID-19 pandemic only killed 7.1 to 36.5 million worldwide.
With respect to earthquakes the Lists done shows quakes from 7.8 to 9.2 with recently 815 quakes of magnitude 4,0 and over. There are Global earthquake lists for those who want to know more.
It is depressing to report there are other pandemics going on. Earthquakes continue unabated.
Note that Jesus was quite right when He told the disciples these were only the beginning of sorrows.
Remember He told His disciples not to be afraid of these things that would happen.
As Jesus predicted the nation, Jerusalem., and the Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70.
Remember the list of deceivers is long. They are powerful, and there are many. Their propaganda and their brainwashing techniques are a marvel to behold. They have skilful lawyers and lobbyists in government that protect them. Attack them at your peril.
Once people are trapped only God can take them out of that trap. They might be sweet-talking and beautiful but beware. You pray for them for otherwise they have no hope.
We are now in the period of the beginning of sorrows. They are like labour pains before new birth occurs and they will become more frequent as the end of the age draws closer.
So expect the sorrows you see happening. Be careful.
The disciples were then warned to expect tribulation and betrayal.
Lawlessness will abound. The love of many will grow cold.
Note the growth of iniquity and the increasing of false prophets is considered worse than the pestilences.
But pay special attention to the fact that the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached all over the world at the same time as iniquity is increasing. Iniquity will not thwart the spreading of the Gospel even though it might seem that way..
Deception will lead to offence, hate and betrayal.
People will lose their personal relationship to God.
But endurance to the end will meet favour from God. The disciples should keep their hand on the plow and never cease to work.
Verse 15. The abomination of desolation Daniel warned about will be a main warning signal. Abomination is a particularly offensive word in Scripture and so it brings certain judgment from God. When it is seen in the Holy Place it will be a time of horror for desolation will occur.
This abomination will almost certainly be an idolatrous attack on the true worship of God.
This event is hardly the desecration of the Jewish temple by the Roman armies in A.D. 70 for the prophet Daniel links this event to the times of the end.
So this reference by Jesus has to be something to happen in the future.
The Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 supports Daniel in this.
The Apostle John in Revelation 13 refers to the setting up of an image of Antichrist in the Holy Place and a call for worldwide worship of that image.
Iniquity will now reach its zenith, its highest point.
This seems to indicate there will in future be the setting up of a restored temple in the land of Israel.
Daniels links this event to the setting up of a covenant between the nation of Israel and the Antichrist, the man of sin.
This will be an incredible event for Israel to covenant with such a man means they must feel themselves on the verge of disaster they cannot solve.
It the prophecy of Ezekiel about the resuscitation of the Dry Bones of Israel is to be accepted something extraordinary would have to be happening on the world stage to make the nation of Israel feel they have no choice but to trust a man of sin that the prophet warns about.
Note however no details are given about the specific happenings on the world stage. We simply do not know. But it is incredible that a restored nation of Israel that wants to resume worship of God with its sacrifices and earthy priesthood will entertain such a covenant.
We are tempted to speculate about the future, but that is dangerous and forbidden territory. We only know the outlines of history. It is best for us to restrict ourselves to what has been revealed.
If we do not we will begin to follow the deception of the cults. They are expert at deception.
Verses 16-22. The pointed warning is clearly for Israel. They are warned to flee. They must look for the revelation of the man of sin described in Daniel and in the Book of Revelation.
We assume from the words of Jesus that this abomination is future.
When the abomination occurs Israel who has resumed temple worship is to flee and not attempt to go home to get possessions. They are to pray their flight is not on the Sabbath for then they would be inclined to follow rules of action that they think might offend God by fleeing more than their manmade rules allow.
Women with children will be in a desperate position for they cannot run easily if pregnant.
God will have to intervene to shorten those days to save those in Israel that have make mistakes in not trusting who they should have trusted and now once again in trusting one who they should not trust.
Verse 23. Again the warning is not to believe anyone who says the Christ is there and yet they cannot see Him. His coming should be seen by all.
The tribulation will be so great however that people will seek for any source of information that is comforting.
Remember though that those who believe in God, both Jew and Gentile, will not be able to buy or sell or sustain themselves for they will have to take the mark of the beast to be allowed to do that. Believing Gentiles as well as Jews will suffer during this period.
Verse 24. In this time of calamity there will be false Christs and people will see them do signs and wonders proving they are legit and they are from God the Father
Their posture will be so convincing and their proofs of their legitimacy with God so persuasive that if it were possible the very elect held firmly by God would be fooled.
That is powerful iniquity from Satan. This is his last move to deceive.
CONCLUSION
Of course the speculations about what Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets have been predicting come up against the notion that only Israel will be stuck in the mud.
The warning that all the world will worship the man of sin is conveniently ignored.
If that were so everyone on earth would be in trouble.
The birth pangs will be everywhere and increasing in intensity while betrayal and cold love for God is apparent.
Obviously the pressure point will be around Israel.
But some like to teach in what is called dispensational doctrine that somehow those outside of Israel will be so acceptable to God despite the statements in verses 10 through 12, they will be taken away from this time of Jacob’s trouble. They will be raptured to heaven after a secret and unseen coming of Christ to take them away.
This doctrine though very popular has faced many challenges but it is very popular. It is held by many churches and professing believers whose actions and lifestyle raises doubts about their “faith” and adherence to the prophetic instructions. But they will swear they are right with God.
Given our human frailties it might be best to simply be careful of those who like to throw the people of Israel under the bus. They are not the only ones who seemed to have turned away from the prophets. So, “Who had believed our report”?
“Who is believing the Kingdom principles taught by our Lord?
Are they the only ones who will be trapped by iniquity?
Will some in the whole world who worship the beast, trapped in iniquity, be given a free pass?
We have to leave those decisions in the hands of the Lord God. Let us stick to what we know. Let us avoid those on the Broad Road and not listen to their doctrines.
It really is not always difficult to ascertain some of those on the Broad Road who claim to be on the Narrow Road.
It is safest to let God decide what He wills to do. He is wise and perfect in His ways. He knows who He wants to escape tribulation and He knows who He wants to go through tribulation. His purposes are unknowable to all of us outside of heaven.
We must always pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for the prophets, Jesus and the Apostles have told us of dreadful days to come for the remnant of God with the remnant consisting of both Jew and Gentiles.
So let us keep praying for the will of ?God to be done.