What does it say?
The disciples, admiring the temple buildings, pointed them out to Jesus; however, he told them that not one stone will be left upon another. While sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked Jesus three questions: When will the temple be destroyed? What will be the sign of your coming? What will be the sign of the end of the age? The first thing that Jesus tells them is to not be mislead by others. Then he tells them that they will be delivered to tribulation, killed and hated by all nations for his name sake. Then he speaks directly to the destruction of the temple saying, when you see the abomination fo desolation (Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) standing in the holy place then flee; however, the tribulation of the last days will go on for a long time and many false Christ and false prophets will arise to deceive many but the sign of Christ’s return will be obvious. All of the tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and glory and all the elect will be gathered from the earth. Tribulation will continue until the Son of Man returns. Only the Father knows the day and the hour of the Son’s return. People will be living everyday life when the Son returns.
What does it mean?
The temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D., but tribulation did not end there, tribulation has continued to this very day. Followers of Christ are killed and hated for Jesus name. False Christ and false prophets still arise to deceive many. Jesus is not going to return through the womb of a young virgin and be born in a stable. He will come on the clouds of the sky with power and glory. His return will be obvious to everyone on the earth. The people of the earth will morn because they will know that judgement day has arrived. When men say that they know the day and hour of Christ’s return do not believe them, because no man knows the day or hour, not even the Son of God knows, only the Father knows the day. Do not live as though everything will continue as it has but live as though Christ is returning at any moment.
What shall I do?
I shall live this day as though Christ is returning at any moment. I shall not listen if someone says that he has come because his return will be obvious to everyone on the earth. I shall not listen to false prophets who predict the day of Christ’s return. I shall not be surprised by persecution. I shall observe all that Christ commanded; therefore, be found so doing by my Lord at his return.
