Destruction of Jerusalem
21
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 Jehovah’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 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
[25]
gate, the glory had forever departed from the temple. Already were
the Saviour’s words fulfilled, “Your house is left unto you desolate.”
[
Matthew 23:38
.]
The disciples had been filled with awe and wonder at Christ’s pre-
diction of the overthrow of the temple, and they desired to understand
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, say-
ing, “See what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” [
Mark
13:1
.]
To these words, Jesus made the solemn and startling 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 them that he
would come the second time. Hence at the mention of judgments
upon Jerusalem, their minds reverted to that coming, and as they were
gathered about the Saviour upon the Mount of Olives, they asked,
“When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming,
and of the end of the world?” [
Matthew 24:3
.]