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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
descended to consume the sacrifice upon its altar. The shekinah
no longer abode between the cherubim in the most holy place; the
ark, the mercy-seat, and the tables of the testimony were not to be
found therein. No voice sounded from Heaven to make known to
the inquiring priest the will of Jehovah.
For centuries the Jews had vainly endeavored to show wherein
the promise of God, given by Haggai, had been fulfilled; yet pride
and unbelief blinded their minds to the true meaning of the prophet’s
words. The second temple was not honored with the cloud of Jeho-
vah’s glory, but with the living presence of One in whom dwelt the
fullness of the Godhead bodily,—who was God himself manifest in
the flesh. The “Desire of all nations” had indeed come to his temple
[25]
when the Man of Nazareth taught and healed in the sacred courts.
In the presence of Christ, and in this only, did the second temple
exceed the first in glory. But Israel had put from her the proffered
gift of Heaven. With the humble Teacher who had that day passed
out from its golden gate, the glory had forever departed from the
temple. Already were fulfilled the Saviour’s words, “Your house is
left unto you desolate.” [
Matthew 23:38
.]
The disciples had been filled with awe and wonder at Christ’s
prediction of the overthrow of the temple, and they desired to un-
derstand more fully the meaning of his words. Wealth, labor, and
architectural skill had for more than forty years been freely expended
to enhance its splendors. Herod the Great had lavished upon it both
Roman wealth and Jewish treasure, and even the emperor of the
world had enriched it with his gifts. Massive blocks of white marble,
of almost fabulous size, forwarded from Rome for this purpose,
formed a part of its structure; and to these the disciples had called
the attention of their Master, saying, “See what manner of stones
and what buildings are here!” [
Mark 13:1
.]
To these words, Jesus made the solemn and starting reply, “Verily
I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another,
that shall not be thrown down.” [
Matthew 24:2
.]
With the overthrow of Jerusalem the disciples associated the
events of Christ’s personal coming in temporal glory to take the
throne of universal empire, to punish the impenitent Jews, and to
break from off the nation the Roman yoke. The Lord had told
[26]
them that he would come the second time. Hence at the mention of