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Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-8
Mark 13 records the Lord's warnings alluding to the fall of the temple and the signs of the final judgment. That's why it's also called the 'Apocalypse'. The content of this text can also be found in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. At the time of Jesus, the temple in Jerusalem was twice the size of the first temple of Solomon. The site of the temple occupied one-sixth of the total area of Jerusalem and was decorated with all kinds of beautiful materials, including gold. At that time, the single foundation stone used in the construction was 7.3 m long and 1.2 m high, and some of the stones used weighed more than 1 ton. Construction of the temple began during the reign of Herod the Great, before the birth of Jesus, and was still ongoing. The offerings were made by Jews around the world, and so much came that the rulers kept adding branches to the golden vines that represented the temple's splendid glory. It was sacred to Herod's allies as well as his enemies.
When Jesus leaves such a temple, one of his disciples is that stone, the building, how majestic and worth seeing? Jesus said that none of the stones would sit in their proper place and that they would all fall down (Mark 13:1-2). Then, he warns of disasters and prophesies about the last days of the world. As Jesus prophesied, the Jerusalem Temple was captured and destroyed by the Roman army led by the Roman general Titus in AD 70.
1. The end of mankind
The story of the end of mankind has been constantly talked about since the ancient Mayan civilization. Blancher's Michelle Nostradamus' "The Last Days of Humanity" and the recently screened "Haeundae" movie remind us of the disaster, and the recently released German film director Roland Emmerich's "2012" ” is a movie depicting the end of mankind, Bernard Malamud's 「God's Grace」 - Human arrogance and the end of humanity... Every time disaster strikes in human history, people fear that it is not the end. has been spoken of in movies, in works of art, or in deceptive prophets.
In the last days, Jesus pays attention to the delusions of people and there will be riots, earthquakes, wars, and famines, but this is only the beginning of suffering, and tells us not to be afraid. In fact, throughout human history, disasters, wars, and famines are happening all over the place. Everyone has a personal end and a cosmic end. The personal end can be predicted to some extent due to disease or the like, but no one knows the exact time. The Bible says there are signs of the cosmic end. But then, of course, no one can predict.
2. The Fall of the Temple
Jesus, who prophesied the collapse of the temple to the disciples who were amazed at the magnificent building of the temple, said that disaster would begin at that time. What is the relationship between the destruction of the temple and the disaster? After liberation, the Korean church also condemned each other for the problem of shrine worship, and war broke out in 1950 when divisions of denominations began.
The temple is where God is. Jacob's experience is Bethel. In Genesis 28:10 and below, Jacob left his father's house and fled to the place of his maternal uncle and fell asleep. Receiving the word of God's promise in a dream, he confirms that the uncomfortable and unfamiliar place he slept on a stone is Bethel because God appears there. The tabernacle of the Old Testament is where God meets His people. The temple is the place where God has chosen to place His name and received His worship. After Solomon built the temple, when he held the dedication service, the temple was filled with the glory of the Lord. A cloud full of blindness symbolized the presence of the Lord (1 Kings 8:10,11). When Solomon finished the dedication prayer, God's answer was, "I will put my name there forever, and my eyes and my heart will always be there" (1 Kings 9:3).
What is the true temple? It is where God dwells.
In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, it is written that we ourselves are the temple of God. It means that God must be in us. If we see any signs of our appearance as God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:17), will it collapse?
Before prophesying the destruction of the temple in Mark 13, the Lord who entered Jerusalem in Mark 11 went into the temple courtyard and drove out the merchants (changers, dove sellers) and said, “My house is a house of prayer.” “You are a house of prayer. I have made a den of ' Then he purifies the temple. It can be seen that the goods of the merchants shown here are usually those that are needed for burnt offerings. In a way, it may be for the convenience of people. It may be to help their worship.
The Lord does not want us to be merchants.
In human relationships, things are constantly buying and selling. Of course, the act of buying and selling in our daily life of working diligently and paying a fair price is natural for our lives. However, you should be wary of the dangers of being a merchant in a relationship with someone with whom you have spiritual fellowship. When I give something to someone, I count it and don't expect to get it back. Or, do not calculate and keep in your heart the things you have worked hard and dedicated to in the church. The same goes for family relationships. The moment I have a feeling of loss and the thought that I should be compensated for my hard work, I feel sad and sometimes hurt. Our hearts are broken. In order not to do that, an act of love that does not expect anything in return is necessary. So, in Mark 12, the first commandment is “Love of God and of neighbor. "I don't think that's what you said.
Incessant quarrels and wars due to disputes over legitimacy that take place in the trap of historical relativism...
When the confession that I am a sinner begins, the fallen temple will be rebuilt.
Jesus Christ says that God's temple can be demolished and rebuilt in three days. Those who meet the resurrected Jesus Christ will be able to rebuild the destroyed temple. When the temple is rebuilt, disasters will no longer be disasters. There will be famines and famines, but there will be plenty, and there will be peace even when wars break out.
Because there is a living God in you and me, I want the strong temple to be built up. I hope that the beautiful temple will be rebuilt through the love of Jesus. I pray that the Holy Spirit of comfort will make it a peaceful temple.
An age or an individual, each stand independently recognized before God
- Leopard von Ranke