Sermon Tone Analysis

Jesus has made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, cleansed the temple and entered into several debates with the religious leadership that he repeatedly won.

Then he praised the poor widow and her offering and passed judgment on the religious leaders.

Now Jesus left the temple never to return.

According to the parallel accounts of and , Jesus along with his small band of disciples has left the temple and were in the process of walking away from the magnificent building complex that the remarks made here in are made.

“Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, (6) "These things which you see--the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."

“Now and Then”

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According to the parallel accounts of and , Jesus along with his small band of disciples has left the temple and were in the process of walking away from the magnificent building complex that the remarks made here in are made.

“Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, (6) "These things which you see--the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."

They admired the temple for is architectural grandeur, and its expensive decorations.

The temple was impressive not only for its beauty but for it size.

The foundation stones were almost the size of box cars (67 ft.

long, 18 ft.

wide, 12 ft.

high).

They admired the temple for is architectural grandeur, and its expensive decorations.

The temple was impressive not only for its beauty but for it size.

The foundation stones were almost the size of box cars (67 ft.

long, 18 ft.

wide, 12 ft.

high).

()

The temple was indeed, both great and glorious, especially to the disciples of Jesus.

The disciples were not from Jerusalem, but were from Galilee.

We would say that they were “country bumpkins.”

They would have seldom been to Jerusalem and thus would have seen the grandeur of the temple as tourists.

The temple was indeed, both great and glorious, especially to the disciples of Jesus.

The disciples were not from Jerusalem, but were from Galilee.

We would say that they were “country bumpkins.”

They would have seldom been to Jerusalem and thus would have seen the grandeur of the temple as tourists.

Today’s text is not an easy one to dissect…it has caused much debate and discussion.

A variety of questions surround these verses and this topic.

In fact, lots of different opinions exist regarding the topic of end times and last things, which is the primary subject of these verses in .

The temple was indeed impressive, covering about one-sixth of the land area of the ancient city of Jerusalem.

The building complex was nearly five hundred yards long and four hundred yards wide.

Today’s text is not an easy one to dissect…it has caused much debate and discussion.

A variety of questions surround these verses and this topic.

In fact, lots of different opinions exist regarding the topic of end times and last things, which is the primary subject of these verses in .

The temple was indeed impressive, covering about one-sixth of the land area of the ancient city of Jerusalem.

The building complex was nearly five hundred yards long and four hundred yards wide.

Jesus’ remarks are especially devastating, since the temple was the heart and soul of Israel’s worship.

And that shouldn’t surprise us – the disciples themselves, who were with Jesus physically, had questions; indicates they were wondering about the end of things, the kingdom, and the temple.

So you’re in good company if you have questions and often feel somewhat confused about the topic of end times and last things.

Jesus’ remarks are especially devastating, since the temple was the heart and soul of Israel’s worship.

In verse seven they voice their concerns...

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But that wasn’t Christ’s desire for his followers then or now.

And it’s not my desire for you, either.

So I’ll make you a guarantee this morning: no confusion from me, okay?

It is not my intention this morning to be so complicated that you leave wondering what’s going to happen.

Instead, I want to make sure you leave with confidence, assurance, and hope – challenged to live differently because you know what is going to happen.

In verse seven they voice their concerns,

The disciple’s question had two parts.

To help make sure this occurs, we’re going to have a Q and A time at the end this morning – so write down your questions, jot down any thoughts; and then in a few minutes we’ll take some of those from the floor and do all we can to bring as much clarity as possible to this issue and this text.

“So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?

And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"

They were of course mistaken for a lengthy period of time would intervene between Jerusalem’s fall and the Second Coming.

But there was a connection between the judgment executed upon the nation and the temple on one hand, and the final judgment at the end of the age.

Granted – you may not agree; you may even find yourself with a different view point.

But at least you’ll leave with clarity, not confusion.

And that’s our goal this morning.

It is clear that the disciple’s interpretation of what Jesus had said about the destruction of the temple were viewed as synonymous of with the end of the world.

They were of course mistaken for a lengthy period of time would intervene between Jerusalem’s fall and the Second Coming.

But there was a connection between the judgment executed upon the nation and the temple on one hand, and the final judgment at the end of the age.

They wanted to know (1) When will all this take place?

(referring to the destruction of the temple) and

The disciple’s question had two parts.

They wanted to know (1) When will all this take place?

(referring to the destruction of the temple) and (2) Will there be any sign ahead of time?

The Lord’s reply comprises what is known as the “Olivet Discourse,” which is the greatest sermon on prophecy ever preached.

So let’s take our Bibles and turn to .

And the first thing I want to do is …

(2) Will there be any sign ahead of time?

The Lord’s reply comprises what is known as the “Olivet Discourse,” which is the greatest sermon on prophecy ever preached.

The disciples like many of us today, were concerned about the wrong things.

They wanted to know information that would be of no real value to them, other than to satisfy their own curiosity.

Jesus was more interested in affecting their conduct rather than satisfying their curiosity.

Jesus, however, knew that if the disciples looked for signs they would be susceptible to deception.

He virtually avoided their question and instead of telling them what they wanted to know he told them what they needed to know, that is how to conduct themselves in the light of the destruction of Jerusalem and the second coming.

1) Divide the text.

The disciples like many of us today, were concerned about the wrong things.

They wanted to know information that would be of no real value to them, other than to satisfy their own curiosity.

Jesus was more interested in affecting their conduct rather than satisfying their curiosity.

Jesus, however, knew that if the disciples looked for signs they would be susceptible to deception.

He virtually avoided their question and instead of telling them what they wanted to know he told them what they needed to know, that is how to conduct themselves in the light of the destruction of Jerusalem and the second coming.

In the midst of all these tumultuous end times events Jesus specifically warns the believer about three very real dangers.

5-24 seem to talking about the end of Jerusalem

As we draw closer to the end of this age…lets consider Jesus instruction to these first century disciples and see how these instructions apply to us also.

First he warns, DON’T BE DECEIVED v. 8

First he warns, DON’T BE DECEIVED v. 8

This was their main question – the temple and Jerusalem?

Jesus said the sign was the surrounding of Jerusalem (v.

20).

There is debate over this, but this is how I see it.

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Josephus says that in the raid on Jerusalem by Tiberius, over 1 million were killed, imprisoned, etc…I think you can make a strong case for verses 5-24 being fulfilled in 70 AD.

As we move into the first decade of the 21st century, even the most casual observer would have to be alarmed at the spiritual direction of our nation and of especially of God’s people with this nation.

Toward the end of the age, Jesus has warned us that there will be an increase in deception and a tremendous potential for people to be deceived.

In verse eight Jesus says, “And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived.

For many will come in My name, saying, "I am He,’ and, "The time has drawn near.’

Therefore do not follow them.”

As we look at the news…we see that the spiritaul condition of this nation and our world…is suffering.