And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
Matthew 24:1
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
Mark 13:1
Moments before Jesus leaves the Temple for the last time, He states the following:
Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Matthew 23:38
When Jesus left the Temple, He would never return to it. God the Son just stated that God has left the Temple and will never return.
What a dreadful thought!
The moment Jesus left, the Jewish Nation state began its decline. Within that generation, Titus would surround and siege Jerusalem. He would eventually breach the walls and lay waste the entire city, including the Temple. Jerusalem as the center of the true worship of the only true God would cease.
The first Temple (of Solomon) was destroyed when the Babylonians took Israel captive. Zerubbabel and Ezra rebuilt the Temple when they returned from captivity, but the people who were alive to see the first Temple were dismayed (Ezra 3:12) that the glory of the new building was no match for “the half that was not told” about the first Temple (1st Kings 10:6).
However, Haggai tells us that this new Temple would actually be greater.
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
Haggai 2:9
Why would this smaller, less visibly glorious Temple be greater? Because God, Himself, in Jesus Christ would walk, teach, and heal in this new Temple. The presence of Jesus is what made the Temple great!
When Jesus is present, there is glory. When He leaves, the glory departs with Him.
The glory of God can still be be found today. Jesus said that His kingdom is a spiritual one so we should not be looking for a visible kingdom now or later during time. Christ’s kingdom has come. It is now and is experienced in His worship in the local church.
Consider the following as the Lord’s Day (Sunday) approaches:
- Each local assembly is glorious because Jesus is there!
- Jesus has promised to be with His church until His return.
- It is good to be where Jesus is.
- Church is where you need to be!
Lowrance Ministries 