Matthew 24 - 25

Introduction: The Temple

Matthew 24:1-2

Intro: In our study it is important to place these two chapters, (24-25) in context in
order to understand what is happening in our passage. He presents himself as their
Messiah in chapter 21 and goes into the temple, (V12) and cast out the money
changers. Afterwards he departs from the temple and returns to it the following
day! Jesus is in the temple having a discussion with the religious leaders in Matthew
21-23, as chapter 23 opens he tells those spectators listening and his disciples to
recognize the authority of the leaders because they sit in Moses seat, but their
practice should not be followed because they were hypocrites. Jesus then
pronounces 7 or 8 “Woes” upon the Scribes and Pharisees for their hypocritical
lives. He uses extremely firm language toward them such as: hypocrites, serpents,
generation of vipers, blind guides, fools and so forth. In V37 He weeps over
Jerusalem for their open rejection of Him stating “he would have gathered them
together as a hen doth her chickens but they would not!” In V38 He declares their
house would be left desolate and departs to go to the Mount of Olives. It is here in
this place in those circumstances that he begins to teach His disciples Matthew 24-
25. Let’s examine the scripture and see what we can learn!

1. The Disciples Focus: V1 --- The buildings of the Temple

Why is the Temple so important to them? It was the national, judicial, social
and religious center of the Jewish people. It was where they offered sacrifice
for their sin. It was here where sin was atoned for until the next year. It was
where they saw the glory of God and experienced His presence. Everything
seemed to revolve around the temple. In Exodus when the Tabernacle was
complete all of Israel was encamped around the Tabernacle, (Numbers 2) it
was the center of everything! Temple #1 --- In 2 Chronicles 6:1-12 Solomon
after years of preparation by his father David builds the first temple or what
is better known as Solomon’s Temple and dedicates it unto the Lord. The
remainder of that chapter records Solomon’s dedication prayer. It was
destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians. Temple #2 --- When the Jews
returned from their Babylonian exile in 538 BC, they tried to rebuild the
temple, this is recorded in Ezra 3:12. The difficulties in the tasks were so
many that it was not finished until 515 BC, under the urging of Haggai and
Zechariah. Herod came along in around 20 – 19 BC and renovated the
modest structure into a greater and more elaborate temple. This version of
the temple is considered the 2nd temple or what is known as Herod’s Temple.
It was destroyed in 70 A.D, (this is what Jesus was telling them would
happen) when Jerusalem fell to the Romans.
2. The Masters Focus: V2 --- The future of Israel

Why all this discussion about the temple? Temple #3 --- The Scripture
speaks of what most scholars believe to be a 3rd temple that will be built
sometime just prior to or at the beginning of the tribulation period. Why is
this important? Israel will reinstate their sacrifices during the tribulation.
Jesus forewarns them in V2 that the current temple which was Herod’s
Temple will be utterly destroyed that was fulfilled in 70 A.D. It is into this
context the passage we are studying falls. Daniel 9:27 says: And he shall
confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week
he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the
overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the
consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 says: 1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of

our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by
word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except
there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition;
4
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself
that he is God.

Both passages point to the fact that there must be a temple for the antichrist
to enter and defile during or around the middle of the tribulation period. The
disciples follow Jesus’ comments regarding the destruction of Herod’s
Temple with 2 or 3 questions regarding this time frame. Matthew 24-25
records the answer Jesus gave to his disciples regarding that time period and
what will take place during that time.

Conclusion: The problem we face with this 3rd temple being built is the
location of it. Many today believe it should be built upon the same site as the
previous two. That location is occupied present day by an Islamic Shrine
called “The Dome of the Rock”. Prophecy is literally unfolding before our
eyes.