Destruction of the Temple Predicted
5 As some were talking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,
6 “These things that you see—the days will come when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down.”
Signs of the End of the Age
7 “Teacher,” they asked him, “so when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
8 Then he said, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them.
9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be alarmed. Indeed, it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end won’t come right away.”
10 Then he told them, “Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 There will be violent earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
13 This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.
14 Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time,
15 for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
16 You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will kill some of you.
17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name,
18 but not a hair of your head will be lost.
19 By your endurance, gain [Other mss read endurance, you will gain] your lives."
Commentary
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, 1706 -- www.christianity.com)
"With much curiosity those about Christ ask as to the time when the great desolation should be. He answers with clearness and fulness, as far as was necessary to teach them their duty; for all knowledge is desirable as far as it is in order to practice. Though spiritual judgements are the most common in gospel times, yet God makes use of temporal [earthly] judgments also.
Christ tells them what hard things they should suffer for his name's sake, and encourages them to bear up under their trials, and to go on in their work, notwithstanding the opposition they would meet with. God will stand by you, and own you, and assist you. This was remarkably fulfilled after the pouring out of the Spirit, by whom Christ gave his disciples wisdom and utterance.
Though we may be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot be losers by him, in the end. It is our duty and interest at all times, especially in perilous, trying times, to secure the safety of our own souls. It is by Christian patience we keep possession of our own souls, and keep out all those impressions which would put us out of temper. We may view the prophecy before us much as those Old Testament prophecies, which, together with their great object, embrace, or glance at some nearer object of importance to the church."
No comments:
Post a Comment