“As he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!” Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another—all will be thrown down.” (Mark 13:1–2, CSB)
These two verses mark the beginning of Jesus’ discourse on the end times. The disciple’s observation and Jesus’ response serve as a discussion starter, setting the table. Delving into end-time prophecies can either leave us confused or encourage our faith. Many treat this as a puzzle to be solved. And yet, even now, we don’t know how all the pieces fit together.
So, before we begin, let’s affirm that Christ is returning. Let’s also acknowledge that no one knows the season, month, day, or hour when these will come to pass. We are living in the end times. But whether we are at the end of the end times is yet to be seen. Throughout church history, even from the earliest days, people of faith looked for Jesus’ imminent return.
Returning to Mark 13:1-2. The disciples were in awe at the size and beauty of the Jerusalem Temple. According to ancient historians, it was a marvel. The Temple itself was rebuilt from the ruins of Solomon’s Temple when the exiles returned around 500 years before Christ. That part was modest compared to the earlier building. Around 20 years before Christ, Herod the Great expanded and improved the area surrounding the Temple. The disciples were rightly a bit awestruck at it.
In response, Jesus gives them His first prediction. Not one stone will be left on top of another. That prediction was fulfilled about 40 years later in 70 AD. War erupted between the Romans and the Jews. After a siege by General Titus (not to be confused with the Pastor Titus), the Romans breached the city walls, and fire destroyed the Temple precinct. Except for a portion of an outer retaining wall built by Herod, not one stone was left upon another.
The Temple served as the meeting place for God’s people. From the early nomadic tabernacle through Solomon’s Temple and the 2nd Temple, it was the place where the faithful prayed, worshiped, confessed sin, made sacrifices, heard teaching, and received forgiveness. With Jesus’ death and resurrection, that all changed.
In one sense, the temple, the meeting place, is now in born-again human hearts. In another sense, the temple is being spiritually rebuilt with living stones, every believer joined together. “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:1–5, CSB)
Jesus’ predictions will come to pass. When and how are yet to be seen. It is good to know these things so that we can recognize them as they unfold. But we will not be judged by how well we figured out the prophecy puzzle, but by how we loved God and loved others.
- Essential Worship – A Worship Map - March 4, 2026
- Proverbs – Anxiety - March 2, 2026
- Essential Worship – Sprirt and Truth - February 25, 2026
