In Mark 13:1-13 Jesus talks about the end of the world. This passage has been studied and interpreted for generations, and it helps us to answer the question: are we living in the end times? -- The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Not One StoneJesus predicts the destruction of the temple – which had become the focal point of faith. Surprisingly he’s not sad about it, because he knows that the temple was always meant to be temporary. Mark 13:1-2 (NLT) As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.” Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” This is a big claim. The temple is a huge part of their community and culture. So, not only is the claim of the temple being torn down a big claim, but Jesus specifically states the degree of the damage too.ii) Expositors Bible Commentary: All the buildings on the temple platform, including the temple itself to which the prophecy refers, were utterly destroyed. So completely were they destroyed that no trace of them remains today. Even their exact location on the temple mount is disputed.iii) The siege lasted nearly 5 months, and consisted of fires so hot that glass was melted. The Romans were worked into such a frenzy to destroy the Jews, and retrieve valuable temple artifacts that they pulverized any remnants of the structures. To this day, archaeological evidence shows incredible destruction from this event, to the point that it is difficult to discern where the buildings had been.Euphemism pointing to Jesus, Himself. Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.i) The temple had, inadvertently, become the focus, rather than Jesus. Jesus’ response doesn’t focus on the temple, but looks beyond the temple to Himself. It’s another reminder that pomp and circumstance, as we’ve seen throughout this study, is not what is important to God, but rather, our relationship with Him.ii) Here, Jesus seems indifferent to the coming destruction of the physical building, meanwhile; In Luke 19:41-42, Jesus weeps over the people of Jerusalem failing to see Him for who/what He was.Luke 19:41-44 (NLT) 41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. 43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts...
