WHEN WILL THE TEMPLE BE DESTROYED AND THE LORD APPEAR?

The Disciples question

- WHEN WOULD THE TEMPLE BE DESTROYED? -

Luke 21 verses 5 to 33 - What is Jesus talking about ?
Luke 21 verses 5 to 33
The subject matters here in Luke chapter 21 verses 5 to 33 and in Luke 17 verses 20 to 37 overlap. Both refer to the siege of Jerusalem and the Lord's 'second coming' but the discussions are different.
In Luke 17 the Pharisees ask the Lord Jesus when would the Kingdom of God come (verse 20). Orthodox Jews earnestly desired the Messiah to appear to rid the nation of the Romans, expecting him to establish the nation as 'the kingdom of God' and be its king for ever.( Luke 24:21, Daniel 7:13,14) Also they were expecting it to happen any time then because of the predictions in Daniel 9:24-26.* These would be widely discussed issues of the day.
* [See these study notes on Daniel]
In Luke 21 it is the Lord's prediction of the devastation of Jerusalem which give rise to the disciples' questions. The Lord had talked about his 'second coming' and the day of judgement (John 5:27-30) so they would have difficulty imagining the temple being destroyed and Jerusalem being devastated before then.
On the one hand, the Pharisees expected a militant Messianic liberator. On the other hand, the disciples were confusing the destruction of Jerusalem with the Lord's 'second coming.' This accounts for the different ways in which the Lord answers their questions and for differences between the two events.
The Lord's response is also recorded in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. [See notes on Matthew chapters 24 and 25.]
Comparing these with Luke's record helps us to understand it better
Chronology:
This sequence of historical events needs to be born in mind whilst studying this subject.
THE MOSAIC ERA

The Lord's ministry began about AD 27 and he was crucified about AD 30. The Mosaic law became defunct when the Lord was crucified (Colossians 2:14). So the Lord gave this teaching during the Mosaic era when the establishment of his kingdom was still in the future.

THE MESSIAH'S ERA

His kingdom began within the lifetime of many of his hearers. It was established on the day of Pentecost - 50 days after his crucifixion. This was the beginning of the present era. The era when the Lord rules over hearts - the era of his kingdom. But those who rejected him couldn't see this.
After the day of Pentecost the new church suffered increasing persecution from the Jews
The destruction of the temple in AD 70, during the siege of Jerusalem, finally brought to an end all remaining vestiges of the Mosaic era
After the devastation of Jerusalem the church was persecuted by the Roman's. They were severely persecuted under the Roman emperors Diocletian and Nero. During the time of persecution those in the church who wanted to gain control over its members kept a low profile to avoid the risk of arrest, torture and execution.
This risk significantly diminished when Constantine declared Christianity to be the official religion of the Roman Empire. The church developed into vying ecclesiastical institutions. So in different regions power greedy members in the churches vied with each other for supremacy. Faithful Christians who dared protest were themselves persecuted and even executed by prelates. From this developed the chaotic conglomeration of politically motivated ecclesiastical hierarchies that is called "Christendom." But there has always been a remnant who clung to the simplicity of the original faith of the apostles.

THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

At the end of this era the Lord Jesus will appear. Then he will judge all the living, and all the dead. He will hand his kingdom over to the Father and the physical universe will be annihilated for good. [There will be a new heavens and a new earth whose occupants will not be physical]. (Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33, 1.Corinthians 15:24,50, 2.Peter 3:7-12)

WHEN WOULD THE TEMPLE BE DESTROYED?
Luke 21 verses 5 to 33
The destruction of the temple and the Lord's appearance.

Verses 5-7
THE DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS
Their questions addresses two distinctly different issues.
The disciples ask the Lord when the temple building would be destroyed and what sign would indicate that this would happen (verse7). From Matthew 24:3 we learn that they also asked what would be the sign of the Lord's coming and of 'the end of the age'.*.
* the AV has "the end of the world" The primary meaning of the word translated 'world' is age, era. [Greek aiwn]. The apostles might have been confusing the consummation of the Mosaic era with the second coming of the Lord.

Now it will be seen from Matthew's record that they appear to confuse one with the other but the two are distinctly different. Two matters are being considered:

One is the events leading up to the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple (AD 70).
The other is 'the coming of the Son of man' on the day of Judgement.

In Matthew and Mark's records the word "that" (ekeinoV) makes this distinction clear:
But of that day and hour no man knows, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36)
But of that day and hour no man knows, no, not the angels who are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only. Take heed, watch and pray: for you do not know when the time is. (Mark 13:32, 33)

Signs would enable them to predict the destruction of the Temple.
There will not be any means by which we will be able to predict the coming of the the Lord.

Increasing social and political unrest would enable them to anticipate the siege of Jerusalem. The onset of the siege of Jerusalem would alert them to be ready for when they could make their escape. In contrast to this,no one can predict the coming of the Son of man in judgement. For this reason it is emphasised that we must always be ready for the Lord's appearance.
It would then be folly to allow any favourite theological outlook to influence our interpretation so as to make it appear that Luke's account contradicts the Lord's plain statement as recorded in Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32, 33
... of that day and hour no man knows, no, not the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but my Father only.

Any interpretation of Luke's account which contradicts this statements cannot be right.
Verses 8-19
FIRST THERE WOULD BE: FALSE MESSIAHS, REBELLIONS AND PERSECUTION
Before the siege of Jerusalem there would be many disturbing events: false messiahs, battles in various countries, widespread anarchy,* earthquakes, famine and plagues. The disciples to whom he was speaking would be persecuted by the Jewish religious leaders, be betrayed even by their close relatives and killed Everywhere they would be hated.
* Within 18 months the emperors Nero, Galba, Otho and Vitelius were assassinated.

All this would happen before the temple would be destroyed. (Luke 21:8-17. cp. Matthew 24:4-13 and Mark 13:5-13) They were required to remain faithful throughout all those traumatic experiences (Matthew 24:13. Mark 13:13). By their steadfastness they must gain their souls,(Luke 21:19) even though it might result in them being killed,(Luke 21:16) so that, spiritually speaking, not a hair of their head would perish (Luke 21:18).
"You will be betrayed both by parents, and brothers, and kinsfolk, and friends; and they shall cause some of you to be put to death. And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not a hair of your head perish. ^@By your steadfastness you must gain your souls." (Luke 21:16-19) ^@[en th upomonh umwn kthsasqe taV yucaV umwn]

In Matthew 24:14 Mark 13:10 we learn that only when the Gospel had been preached to all nations* would the temple economy be finally terminated.
* Even by the apostles. [Acts 1:2,4,8 "in all the world" "all nations" cp. Colossians 1:23 "every creature"]

The destruction of the temple and the cessation of the sacrifices brought to an end all vestiges of the Mosaic era. Paul, writing to Hebrew Christians a few years before the destruction of the temple, said:
In that he said, A new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31), he has made the first old. Now that which decays and grows old is ready to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:13)

Verses 20-24
THEN WOULD BE THE SIGN THAT IT WAS TIME TO FLEE JERUSALEM AND Judaea
In Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14, one sign in particular is referred to as "the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet."
Daniel mentions three different desolations:
1) That previously caused by Nebuchadnezzar.
"Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of your servant, and his supplications, and cause your face to shine on your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake." (Daniel 9:17)

2) That eventually caused by Antiochus Epiphenese.
Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint who said to that certain saint which spoke, "How long shall the vision be concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?" (Daniel 8:13)
And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Daniel 12:11)

3) The series of desolations which would occur at the time of the Roman siege (from AD 68 to AD 70).
And after sixty two periods of seven Messiah will be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end of it will be with a flood, and to the end of the war desolations are determined. And he will confirm the covenant with many for one period of seven: and in the middle of the period of seven he will cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and he will make it desolate for the overspreading of abominations, even until the consummation, and that determined will be poured on the desolate. (Daniel 9:26-27)

The Lord Jesus was talking about the third one. Daniel predicted how that, after the execution of the Messiah, war and "desolations" would be poured upon "the desolate". The city and the temple would be destroyed by a prince's people. This was done in AD70, by Titus'army, even though he had commanded them to spare the temple. [See these study notes on Daniel]
The words "desolations are determined" indicate that it would be a period of several desolations. These culminated in the destruction of the temple and devastation of Jerusalem and Judaea.
In Mark 13:14 and Matthew 24:15 we learn that the Lord spoke of a specific desolation, taking place where it had no right to be, even in 'the Holy Place'. The Holy Place the first of the two sacred rooms of the temple proper. Josephus records how, to the dismay of many priests, Jewish Zealots took over the temple during the siege and turned it into a fortress. The Zealots set up the command headquarters in the Holy Place, “where it ought not” to be (Mark 13:14).
They were to flee when:
1) the Temple Holy Place was desecrated and
2) the city was surrounded by Roman troops. [Luke 21:20-21. Matt.24:15-18. Mark 13:14-16]

Troops encircling the city would indicate that its devastation was imminent.
The desolation mentioned in Matthew and Mark is the desecration of the Holy Place by the Jewish Zealots. Whereas the desolation referred to in Luke 21:20 is the devastation of the city.
"And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation of it is near. Then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let those who are in the midst of it depart out; and do not let those who are in the countries enter into it." (Luke 21:20-21)

During the siege of AD 70 there was a short break in hostilities. That day, Christians, heeding this advise, took that opportunity to flee Jerusalem. According to the historian Eusebius there was no record of any Christian perishing in the siege.
They were to flee Judaea and go into the mountains
"For it shall come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole country*." [* The Greek word ge, not kosmoV] (Luke 21:35)

The mountains on the east of Jordan have numerous interconnecting caves where numerous folk could hide in safety.
In Matthew 24:23-26 and Mark 13:21-23 they are again warned to ignore false Messiah's because when the Lord does come it will not be in some obscure place but it will occur universally.
The ensuing devastation was God's judgement on the Nation
The horrors that would ensue would exceed anything else in history, either in the past or in the future.^% [Luke 21:22-24. Matt.24:19-22. Mark 13:17-20]
"For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written might be fulfilled." (Luke 21:22)

Pilate had offered to release the Lord Jesus or Barabbas. The rejecting the Lord the crowd said "His blood be on us, and on our children." [Matthew 27:25].
^%For a detailed account of the siege of Jerusalem see William Whiston's translation of Flavious Josephus' Complete, Kregal, Grand Rapids, Michigan: 'The Antiquities of the Jews' book XVIII chapters 5, 9, book XX chapter 8 and 'The Wars of the Jews,' book I The Preface, book IV chapter 9, book V chapters 10, 11, book VI chapters 3 to 9.

Verses 25-26
THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DEVASTATION OF PALESTINE - SPIRITUAL DARKNESS SET IN
From the parallel passages of Matthew 24:29 and Mark 13:24,25 it is evident that Luke 21:25,26 refers to a period of confusion immediately following the devastation of Jerusalem.
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." (Matthew 24:29) ^#
"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken." (Mark 13:24-25) ^#

In Matthew and Mark the word "those" directs the mind back beyond his immediate comments to what he said earlier about the destruction of the temple. This political and religious hierarchical chaos immediately followed the destruction of the temple and the devastation of Jerusalem and Judaea
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring, Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:25,26)

^# Figurative language similar to Luke 21:25-26 is used of spiritual and political confusion in the Hebrew Scriptures. [Isaiah 2:19,21, 13:10-13, 24:23, 34:4, 60:19-20, Ezekiel 32:7-8 and Joel 2:28-32, 3:15]
Verse 27
THIS POLITICO-SPIRITUAL DARKNESS WILL NOT END UNTIL THE LORD APPEARS.
The Apostle Paul wrote of a man of sin causing chaos in the temple of God - i.e. in the church. The man of sin is seen at work in such as Diotrephes [3.John 9]. This personified evil, this agent of Satan was already at work in Paul's time [2.Thessalonians 2:7] The desire for supremacy in power hungry members of the church produced political hierarchies, causing darkness and chaos. This was restrained by the persecution but came into its own under the Emperor Constantine. The perpetrator of darkness will be destroyed by the brightness of the Lord's light at his appearing.[2.Thessalonians 2:1-8]
The Lord will appear instantaneously, everywhere on the last day. Then the wicked will mourn and the faithful will be taken to be with the Lord for eternity.[Luke 21:27. Matthew 24:30-31. Mark 13:26-27. Reference "wail" "see" "clouds" Matthew 26:64. John 5:27-29. Acts 1:9, 11. 1.Corinthians 15:52. 2.Thessalonians 1:7-10. 2.Peter 3:7, 10, 12. Revelation 1:7]
Verses 28-33
HOWEVER THE IMMEDIATE CONCERN FOR THEM WAS TO BE READY TO FLEE
In Luke 21:28 the Lord reverts to matters preceding the devastation of Jerusalem talking of things that would all occur within their generation.
"Verily I say to you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." (Luke 21:32)

All the predictions leading up to and including the destruction of the temple would be fulfilled within the lifetime of people listening to the Lord Jesus. They have nothing to do with “end times”.
Note: The phrase “this generation” occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Every one is where the Lord is referring to the generation of people to whom he was talking. Whereas the phrase “that generation” is used when referring to folk of a different time (Hebrews 3:10).

The Lord's arrest, trial and crucifixion, were (paradoxically) indicators that the kingdom of God was imminent.
John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ had persistently preached the imminent establishment of the Kingdom of God. Within a few days his disciples would be thrown into disarray by the trauma of the Lord's arrest and crucifixion. This would caused them to seriously question if and when the kingdom of God would begin. [Matthew 26:31. Luke 24:21. Acts 1:3-6] So the Lord is advising them in advance that these crisis actually confirm the imminence of the kingdom.
"However, these things are beginning to come to pass, be alert, and lift up your heads; for your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28,29) [dioti eggizei h apolutrwsiV umwn Luke 21:29]

He uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate that they needed to understand that the onset of these events indicated the kingdom of God was about to be established.
"So likewise you, when you see these things coming to pass, know that the kingdom of God is near." (Luke 21:31)

The crucifixion paved the way for redemption and the inauguration of His kingdom. So - paradoxically, during these crisis they were to "lift up their heads".
"This generation"
All the predictions leading up to and including the destruction of the Temple would be fulfilled within the lifetime of people listening to the Lord Jesus. [Luke 21:32]
Dreadful and devastating as the events would be they would not stop the Lord's words* continuing to reach out to all mankind. *[logoi. Luke 21:33]
They were not to let their vigilance lapse because the the whole country would be ensnared by the devastating armies of Rome. (Luke 21:35)
If the people of that time needed to be vigilant for what could be predicted, how much should we be vigilant and ready for what cannot be predicted - that is be ready for the Lord's appearance.
Matthew 25
WE MUST ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR THE LORD'S SUDDEN APPEARANCE
Matthew 25 continues with three parables illustrating the need to always be prepared for the Lord's appearing. The first one emphasises that we cannot know when he will come.
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man comes." (Matthew 25:13)

Mark has this additional warning
"For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch therefore: for you do not know when the master of the house comes, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say to you I say to all, Watch." (Mark 13:34-37)

The Lord Jesus says, 'I am definitely coming suddenly.'
Can we with confidence and with joy say: 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus.' ? (Revelation 22:20)