2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
NKJV
Revelation 13:14-18
14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.
(from New International Version)
A visible mark placed on the forehead or right hand, 666, and you cannot buy or sell without it.
2 Peter 3:3-9
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
(from New International Version)
Daniel 12:4
4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
NKJV
An explosion of knowledge. Horse and carriage until the 1900's, now look at us.
Revelation 13:3-4
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast,
NKJV
Revelation 13:13-14
13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast,
NKJV
Monday, December 20, 2010
What Day?
Matthew 24:36-41
36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
(from New International Version)
Verse 36 is the standard by which to test messages from anyone claiming to know the day Jesus will return. No one knows the day or hour, not Jesus, not the angels, no man, only the Father knows. Any man that says he knows the day is putting himself higher than the angels and Jesus and equal to God. Do Not listen to him. Jesus tells us we will know the season, when the day is getting close, but not the day. People will be running to and fro, not looking for Jesus return. The will even be scoffing about the day. Verse 40 refers to the rapture of the Church. All of the sudden people will disappear off the face of the earth. There will be mass chaos when this happens. Abandoned cars, trucks, trains, and planes. This will provide a worldwide stage for the Anti-Christ to step in and "save" the world and he will attempt to provide peace through force.
Keep one eye on the sky, Jesus is coming soon.
36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
(from New International Version)
Verse 36 is the standard by which to test messages from anyone claiming to know the day Jesus will return. No one knows the day or hour, not Jesus, not the angels, no man, only the Father knows. Any man that says he knows the day is putting himself higher than the angels and Jesus and equal to God. Do Not listen to him. Jesus tells us we will know the season, when the day is getting close, but not the day. People will be running to and fro, not looking for Jesus return. The will even be scoffing about the day. Verse 40 refers to the rapture of the Church. All of the sudden people will disappear off the face of the earth. There will be mass chaos when this happens. Abandoned cars, trucks, trains, and planes. This will provide a worldwide stage for the Anti-Christ to step in and "save" the world and he will attempt to provide peace through force.
Keep one eye on the sky, Jesus is coming soon.
When is this going to happen?
Matthew 24:32-35
32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
(from New International Version)
These are key scriptures into understanding when the last days will be fulfilled. In scripture the fig tree is symbolic of Israel. Starting around 70 A.D. the Children of Israel were taken captive and scattered all over the globe and the Nation of Israel was disbanded. Ezekiel 37 speaks of the return of Israel as a nation and God bringing His children home to Israel. In 1948, the British Prime Minister signed Israel back into a recognized nation. Since that time Jews from all over the world have been returning to Israel. Verse 34 tells us that the generation that sees the all these things come true will not pass away till it is fulfilled. The lifespan of a generation is 40 to 70 years.
When is it going to happen, very soon, very soon.
32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
(from New International Version)
These are key scriptures into understanding when the last days will be fulfilled. In scripture the fig tree is symbolic of Israel. Starting around 70 A.D. the Children of Israel were taken captive and scattered all over the globe and the Nation of Israel was disbanded. Ezekiel 37 speaks of the return of Israel as a nation and God bringing His children home to Israel. In 1948, the British Prime Minister signed Israel back into a recognized nation. Since that time Jews from all over the world have been returning to Israel. Verse 34 tells us that the generation that sees the all these things come true will not pass away till it is fulfilled. The lifespan of a generation is 40 to 70 years.
When is it going to happen, very soon, very soon.
Jesus Return
Matthew 24:29-31
29 "Immediately after the distress of those days
"'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
(from New International Version)
At the end of the Tribulation Period, Jesus will return. He will appear in the sky clothed in glory. The angels will be blowing trumpets that will be heard all over the world. Agiain Jesus tells us how He is going to return. He will not be reborn as a man.
29 "Immediately after the distress of those days
"'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
(from New International Version)
At the end of the Tribulation Period, Jesus will return. He will appear in the sky clothed in glory. The angels will be blowing trumpets that will be heard all over the world. Agiain Jesus tells us how He is going to return. He will not be reborn as a man.
Great Distress and Deceivers
Matthew 24:21-28
21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect-if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
26 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
(from New International Version)
Great distress, widespread trouble or tribulation such as has never been seen before. That's a lot of trouble. The book of Revelation goes into detail about the tribulation that is being referenced here. Disasters such that 1/3 of the earths population is killed. Now this time is limited to seven years. It begins when the Anti-Christ signs a 7 year covenant,or peace treaty, with Israel.
During this time there will be false prohpets that are empowered by Satan to do miracles for the purpose of deceiving people. They will convince people that the Anti-Christ is the messiah and massive groups of people will follow him. Verse 27 gives a warning and a description about how Jesus will return so that we will know for sure and not be deceived.
21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect-if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
26 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
(from New International Version)
Great distress, widespread trouble or tribulation such as has never been seen before. That's a lot of trouble. The book of Revelation goes into detail about the tribulation that is being referenced here. Disasters such that 1/3 of the earths population is killed. Now this time is limited to seven years. It begins when the Anti-Christ signs a 7 year covenant,or peace treaty, with Israel.
During this time there will be false prohpets that are empowered by Satan to do miracles for the purpose of deceiving people. They will convince people that the Anti-Christ is the messiah and massive groups of people will follow him. Verse 27 gives a warning and a description about how Jesus will return so that we will know for sure and not be deceived.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Time to Run
Matthew 24:15-20
15 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel-let the reader understand- 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.
(from New International Version)
There is some arguement in different circles about the "abomination that causes desolation". Around 65 A.D. there was a man that set himself up in the temple and made sacrifices to himself. The thought around this, that the prophecy of Daniel has been fulfilled. My arguement with this is if that were the time then Israel would have needed to spend the last 2,000 years in the mountains because circumstances were bad.
Daniel 12:11 references the daily sacrifice and the abomination that causes desolation. The daily sacrifices will end and the abomination sets himself up as God in the temple and stands in the holy of holies.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
NKJV
For these prophecies to take place the temple would have to be rebuilt. Solomon used 250,000 men and seven years to build the temple. No saw or hammer can be used in the temple. There must also be a red heifer without blemish sacrificed before the temple can be built. Information circulates on the internet about the temple stones currently under construction, Israel looking for the red heifer, and that the instruments for the temple have already been built. When it comes time to rebuild the temple I am pretty sure the whole world will know what is going on becuase the Muslim temple, Dome of the Rock, will have to be dealt with and that will be a touchy subject.
An interesting thing to note is Jesus mentioning the fact of "praying that your flight not take place in winter or on the Sabboth". Jesus didn't know what day it would be. Jesus also said that when it is time get out of town quick.
When to run: A man sets himself up in the temple as God and makes sacrifices to himself. When the temple is being rebuilt, start packing and pack light.
15 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel-let the reader understand- 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.
(from New International Version)
There is some arguement in different circles about the "abomination that causes desolation". Around 65 A.D. there was a man that set himself up in the temple and made sacrifices to himself. The thought around this, that the prophecy of Daniel has been fulfilled. My arguement with this is if that were the time then Israel would have needed to spend the last 2,000 years in the mountains because circumstances were bad.
Daniel 12:11 references the daily sacrifice and the abomination that causes desolation. The daily sacrifices will end and the abomination sets himself up as God in the temple and stands in the holy of holies.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
NKJV
For these prophecies to take place the temple would have to be rebuilt. Solomon used 250,000 men and seven years to build the temple. No saw or hammer can be used in the temple. There must also be a red heifer without blemish sacrificed before the temple can be built. Information circulates on the internet about the temple stones currently under construction, Israel looking for the red heifer, and that the instruments for the temple have already been built. When it comes time to rebuild the temple I am pretty sure the whole world will know what is going on becuase the Muslim temple, Dome of the Rock, will have to be dealt with and that will be a touchy subject.
An interesting thing to note is Jesus mentioning the fact of "praying that your flight not take place in winter or on the Sabboth". Jesus didn't know what day it would be. Jesus also said that when it is time get out of town quick.
When to run: A man sets himself up in the temple as God and makes sacrifices to himself. When the temple is being rebuilt, start packing and pack light.
Persecution and the Gospel
Matthew 24:9-14
9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
(from New International Version)
These are some distressing verses. Being put to death, hated and betrayed because we follow Jesus. When I was in India there were three young school age girls that were beheaded because they were Christians. Christians in China are thrown in jail. France prohibits talking about Jesus. In Sudan, whole villages were killed because they would not deny their faith in Jesus. During the Roman Empire the roads would be lined with Christians hanging on crosses. Jesus said, "men will hate you because of me" Luke 21:17.
Because of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. I live in a small town in the country. I went to a big city not long ago and there were security guards at a McDonalds. I wondered what I was getting into. The people I met were unhappy and wondered why. It boiled down to sin. People drove like they were the only people on the road and didn't mind letting others know if they were inconvenienced in any way. If people are that upset about the driving what will it be like when wickedness is rampant. But, when people are not being nice or even trying to kill us we will still need to stand strong in our faith. Do not fear what man can do to you but fear God who holds your eternal soul in His hands.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
(from New International Version)
The Gospel being preached to every corner of the Earth. I have heard of a list of people groups that have not heard the Gospel. There is a group of people that are focusing on reaching each of these groups. By every group hearing the Gospel it means there are no excuses when we all are in heaven at the Great White Throne Judgement. The list is getting shorter and Jesus said when it is done the end will come.
Birth Pains
Matthew 24:4-8
4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
(from New International Version)
Jesus issues a warning, "Watch out that no one deceives you." Deceptions big and small seem to be prevalent today. More stuff brings happiness. A new house and kids will fix our marriage. Money will fix my problems. God loves everybody and won't send anybody to hell. We all worship the same God and all religions are the same. Even in religious circles today there are people claiming to be the "Christ". I could go into great detail on this but it all really boils down to this, there is one Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus told us how he would return, in glory riding on the clouds and coming from the east. I will go into more detail on this later. I heard another Pastor discussing this issue and he mentioned that since 1900 there has been 1100 people claiming to be the christ. Now I can't confirm or deny those figures but I can look at our own time in history and list a few that have led people astray. David Koresh, Charles Manson, Adolf Hitler, Marshall Applewhite, and Jim Jones just to name a few.
This is why it is so important for Christians to be IN the word themselves and not just listening to a guy standing in a pulpit or stage. A red flag should go up anytime a person tells you, "This is what the scripture says, but it really means this" or "I am the Christ". Look at the content, examine the context, and consider the culture when determining the meaning of scripture and most of all ask God for wisdom and understanding. God's word, the Bible, is truth and the Holy Spirit gives understanding when we ask. When Jesus comes back he won't have to tell us who He is.
Wars and rumors of wars. This is one that doesn't take a whole lot of explanation. Today we have troops fighting in Afganistan and Iraq. Political unrest with North and South Korea. Not long ago China and Taiwan were having problems. The cold war with Russia seems to be heating up again. Iran building nuclear weapons and wanting to blow up Israel. But don't worry, these things must take place.
Famines and earthquakes in various places. We expect to hear about earthquakes in California. There were two earthquakes in Oklahoma that registered over 5.0 in 2010. Haiti and Afganistan pulverized by earthquakes. Peru had an earthquake that shook the whole world. The volcano under Yellowstone Park is heating up and the ground swelling. A significant point to see here is the reference to birth pains. When my wife was in labor it started out with a mere tightening of the abdomen. After a time it was constant intense pain. The "natural" disasters will happen with more frequency and more intensity as the day of Jesus return gets closer. World hunger is at a higher point currently than any other time in history. According to World Hunger.org 925 million people will go to bed hungry tonight. And these are just the beginnings of the birth pains! It is scary to contemplate where we are headed. Jesus said don't worry. God is in control and God loves us. If we will use Godly wisdom we can be ready.
4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
(from New International Version)
Jesus issues a warning, "Watch out that no one deceives you." Deceptions big and small seem to be prevalent today. More stuff brings happiness. A new house and kids will fix our marriage. Money will fix my problems. God loves everybody and won't send anybody to hell. We all worship the same God and all religions are the same. Even in religious circles today there are people claiming to be the "Christ". I could go into great detail on this but it all really boils down to this, there is one Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus told us how he would return, in glory riding on the clouds and coming from the east. I will go into more detail on this later. I heard another Pastor discussing this issue and he mentioned that since 1900 there has been 1100 people claiming to be the christ. Now I can't confirm or deny those figures but I can look at our own time in history and list a few that have led people astray. David Koresh, Charles Manson, Adolf Hitler, Marshall Applewhite, and Jim Jones just to name a few.
This is why it is so important for Christians to be IN the word themselves and not just listening to a guy standing in a pulpit or stage. A red flag should go up anytime a person tells you, "This is what the scripture says, but it really means this" or "I am the Christ". Look at the content, examine the context, and consider the culture when determining the meaning of scripture and most of all ask God for wisdom and understanding. God's word, the Bible, is truth and the Holy Spirit gives understanding when we ask. When Jesus comes back he won't have to tell us who He is.
Wars and rumors of wars. This is one that doesn't take a whole lot of explanation. Today we have troops fighting in Afganistan and Iraq. Political unrest with North and South Korea. Not long ago China and Taiwan were having problems. The cold war with Russia seems to be heating up again. Iran building nuclear weapons and wanting to blow up Israel. But don't worry, these things must take place.
Famines and earthquakes in various places. We expect to hear about earthquakes in California. There were two earthquakes in Oklahoma that registered over 5.0 in 2010. Haiti and Afganistan pulverized by earthquakes. Peru had an earthquake that shook the whole world. The volcano under Yellowstone Park is heating up and the ground swelling. A significant point to see here is the reference to birth pains. When my wife was in labor it started out with a mere tightening of the abdomen. After a time it was constant intense pain. The "natural" disasters will happen with more frequency and more intensity as the day of Jesus return gets closer. World hunger is at a higher point currently than any other time in history. According to World Hunger.org 925 million people will go to bed hungry tonight. And these are just the beginnings of the birth pains! It is scary to contemplate where we are headed. Jesus said don't worry. God is in control and God loves us. If we will use Godly wisdom we can be ready.
Questions
Matthew 24:1-3
24:1 And Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple.
2 But he answered and said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what (shall be) the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
ASV
Picture in your mind Jesus and his disciples coming out of the temple. The disciples look around and begin to brag to Jesus about the magnificence of the temple. Jesus turns to them and responds in a way they were not expecting. He tells them these buildings would be torn down. This was a huge magnificent structure that took years to construct. Tearing it down would be a major undertaking. As the disciples were walking to the Mount of Olives there minds were churning with the thought of the destruction of the temple. How would it happen? When is it going to happen? We will know before it is going to happen? When they get to the Mount and get settled in they just couldn't wait. They asked Jesus when was it going to happen, what would be the signs of His return and the end of the world. In the remaining verses of Matthew 24 Jesus answers their questions.
If you would like to see an artist layout of Herod's Temple check this page:
http://www.bible-history.com/jewishtemple/JEWISH_TEMPLEHerods_Temple_Illustration.htm
The tearing down of the temple actually happened around 70 A.D. Tiberius sent Roman troops to Jerusalem to loot the temple and put down a rebellion. In the process the temple caught fire and the gold melted down between the stones. In order to get the gold out, the temple had to be removed stone-by-stone. Fulfilling what Jesus foretold some thirty years earlier. All that is left of the temple and still stands today is the west wall and is called the Wailing Wall.
24:1 And Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple.
2 But he answered and said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what (shall be) the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
ASV
Picture in your mind Jesus and his disciples coming out of the temple. The disciples look around and begin to brag to Jesus about the magnificence of the temple. Jesus turns to them and responds in a way they were not expecting. He tells them these buildings would be torn down. This was a huge magnificent structure that took years to construct. Tearing it down would be a major undertaking. As the disciples were walking to the Mount of Olives there minds were churning with the thought of the destruction of the temple. How would it happen? When is it going to happen? We will know before it is going to happen? When they get to the Mount and get settled in they just couldn't wait. They asked Jesus when was it going to happen, what would be the signs of His return and the end of the world. In the remaining verses of Matthew 24 Jesus answers their questions.
If you would like to see an artist layout of Herod's Temple check this page:
http://www.bible-history.com/jewishtemple/JEWISH_TEMPLEHerods_Temple_Illustration.htm
The tearing down of the temple actually happened around 70 A.D. Tiberius sent Roman troops to Jerusalem to loot the temple and put down a rebellion. In the process the temple caught fire and the gold melted down between the stones. In order to get the gold out, the temple had to be removed stone-by-stone. Fulfilling what Jesus foretold some thirty years earlier. All that is left of the temple and still stands today is the west wall and is called the Wailing Wall.
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