What Was, What Is and What Is Yet To Be

As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” [Matthew 24.1-2]

One thing we know (or, at least think we know) for sure is this: We remain somewhere within the timeline of the events Jesus described in Matthew 24.1-35, Mark 13.1-31, and Luke 21.5-33.

Jesus' discourse in today's OYCB reading all started because the disciples made a remark about the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus essentially kicked off the conversation by responding, "It's all coming down!" And, as history records, the Temple was indeed destroyed a relatively short period of time afterwards (A.D. 70).

Within the setting of this same conversation, Jesus also describes what can only be His return to earth (which, most Christians today believe has not taken place):

And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [Matthew 24.30]

So, based on the destruction of Jerusalem and the 2nd Coming, it would seem we are indeed somewhere between the two.

Let's dig a little deeper... Moving backwards from Matthew 24.30, Jesus spoke of another sign which, to the best of our knowledge, has not taken place yet that occurs just before His return:

“Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. [Matthew 24.29]

Although there seem to be increasingly more "unusual" weather patterns and cloud formations, the sun and moon have both retained their full light. Whether or not stars are falling from the sky seems indeterminate because we have had meteorites for as long as I can remember. However, we are more aware (simply because of advanced science?) today of asteroids than at any time in history. Suffice it to say however, the sun and moon, as previously mentioned, remain intact. As imminent as Jesus return seems, we should pay particular attention at this point to the sun and moon.

Here is something worthy of consideration:

“Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones. [Matthew 24.16-22]

Here, Jesus seems to be indicating that this "flight" is in conjunction with an important occurrence in the "Holy Place." Jesus warned it would be the worst of times. In fact, and this is worth paying attention to, Jesus spoke of this time of "greater anguish" as something that passes, never to occur again with such intensity. Has it already come and gone?

Another point to ponder (important enough that the writer made a sidenote to anyone reading it), is this:

“The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) [Matthew 24.15]

Has this taken place already? The "Holy Place" is distinctly referring to a part of the Temple. Is this the Temple that was destroyed in A.D. 70 or a Temple that is not yet built (as of 10/27/2024)? Is it not intriguing that at this point the writer says, "Reader, pay attention!"?

So, it is at this same point, we better be paying attention! It is important because if Daniel's prophecy is yet to come, a Temple must necessarily be built, including reinstatement of daily sacrifices that will go on for 3-1/2 years before they are stopped (Daniel 12.11). In this case, we won't see Jesus return until at least the Temple is rebuilt and sacrifices carry on for 3-1/2 years at which point they will be stopped and the abomination of desolation is placed in the Holy Place.

If, however, Daniel's prophecy was about the Temple destroyed in A.D. 70, then we should be "looking up" right now! First at the sun and moon, which have not yet darkened, but will be the final sign that Jesus is returning.

Father, I can only depend on You to reveal what was, what is and what is yet to be. May I be found prudent and attentive!