TEMPLE
DESTRUCTION
FORETOLD
(MARK 13:1-9; LUKE 21:5-9) 1AND
JESUS WENT OUT, AND DEPARTED FROM THE TEMPLE: AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO [HIM] FOR TO SHEW HIM THE BUILDINGS OF THE TEMPLE. 2AND JESUS SAID UNTO THEM, SEE YE {5720} NOT ALL THESE THINGS? VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE SHALL NOT BE LEFT HERE ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER, THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN DOWN. 3AND AS
HE SAT UPON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, THE DISCIPLES CAME UNTO HIM PRIVATELY, SAYING, TELL US, WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE? AND WHAT [SHALL BE] THE SIGN OF THY COMING, AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD? 4AND
JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU.
FALSE CHRISTS 5FOR
MANY SHALL COME IN MY NAME, SAYING, I AM CHRIST; AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY. 6AND YE SHALL HEAR OF WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS: SEE THAT YE BE NOTTROUBLED: FOR ALL [THESE THINGS] MUST COME TO PASS, BUT THE END IS NOT YET. 7FOR NATION SHALL RISE AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM: AND THERE SHALL BE FAMINES, AND PESTILENCES, AND EARTHQUAKES, IN DIVERS PLACES. 8ALL THESE [ARE] THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS. WITNESSING
TO
ALL
NATIONS
(MARK 13:10-13; LUKE 21:10-19) 9THEN
SHALL THEY DELIVER YOU UP TO BE AFFLICTED, AND SHALL KILL YOU: AND YE SHALL BE HATED OF ALL NATIONS FOR MY NAME'S SAKE. 10AND THEN SHALL MANY BE OFFENDED, AND SHALL BETRAY ONE ANOTHER, AND SHALL HATE ONE ANOTHER. 11AND MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE, AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY. 12AND BECAUSEINIQUITY SHALL ABOUND, THE LOVE OF MANY SHALL WAX COLD. 13BUT HE THAT SHALL ENDURE UNTO THE END, THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED. 14AND THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM SHALL BE PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD FOR A WITNESS UNTO ALL NATIONS; AND THEN SHALL THE END COME. THE
ABOMINATION
OF
DESOLATION
(MARK 13:14-23; LUKE 21:20-24) 15WHEN YE
THEREFORE SHALL SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL THE PROPHET, STAND {5625;2476:5761} IN THE HOLY PLACE, (WHOSO READETH, LET HIM UNDERSTAND: ) 16THEN LET THEM WHICH BE IN JUDAEA FLEE INTO THE MOUNTAINS: 17LET HIM WHICH IS ON THE HOUSETOP NOT COME DOWN TO TAKEANY THING OUT OF HIS HOUSE: 18<2532> NEITHER LET HIM WHICH IS IN THE FIELD RETURN BACK TO TAKE HIS CLOTHES. 19AND WOE UNTO THEM THAT ARE WITH CHILD, ANDTO THEM THAT GIVE SUCK IN THOSE DAYS! 20BUT PRAY YE THAT YOUR FLIGHT BE NOT IN THE WINTER, NEITHER ON THE SABBATH DAY: 21FOR THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION,SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE. 22AND EXCEPT THOSE DAYS SHOULD BE SHORTENED, THERE SHOULD NOFLESH BE SAVED: BUT FOR THE ELECT'S SAKE THOSE DAYS SHALL BE SHORTENED. 23THEN IF ANY MAN SHALL SAY UNTO YOU, LO, HERE [IS] CHRIST, OR THERE; BELIEVE [IT] NOT. 24FOR THERE SHALL ARISE FALSE CHRISTS, AND FALSE PROPHETS, AND SHALL SHEW GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS; INSOMUCH THAT, IF [IT WERE] POSSIBLE, THEY SHALL
DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT. 25BEHOLD, I HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE. THE
RETURN
OF
THE
SON
OF
MAN
(MARK 13:24-27; LUKE 21:25-28) 26WHEREFORE
IF THEY SHALL SAY UNTO YOU, BEHOLD, HE IS IN THE DESERT; GO NOT FORTH: BEHOLD, [HE IS] IN THE SECRET CHAMBERS; BELIEVE [IT] NOT. 27FOR AS THE LIGHTNING COMETH OUT OF THE EAST, AND SHINETH EVEN UNTO THE WEST; SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE. 28FOR WHERESOEVER THE CARCASE IS,THERE WILL THE EAGLES BE GATHERED TOGETHER. 29IMMEDIATELY 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: 30AND THEN SHALL APPEAR THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN: AND THEN SHALL ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTHMOURN, AND THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. 31AND HE SHALL SEND HIS ANGELS WITH A GREATSOUND OF A TRUMPET, AND THEY SHALL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF HEAVEN TO THE OTHER. THE
LESSON
OF
THE
FIG
TREE
(MARK 13:28-31; LUKE 21:29-33) 32NOW
LEARN A PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE; WHEN HIS BRANCH IS YET TENDER, AND PUTTETH FORTH LEAVES, YE KNOW THAT SUMMER [IS] NIGH: 33SO LIKEWISE YE, WHENYE SHALL SEE ALL THESE THINGS, KNOW {5720} THAT IT IS NEAR, [EVEN] AT THE DOORS. 34VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS, TILL ALL THESE THINGSBE FULFILLED. 35HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY, BUT MY WORDS SHALL NOT PASS AWAY. BE
READY
AT
ANY
HOUR
(GENESIS 6:1-7; MARK 13:32-37; LUKE 12:35-48) 36BUT OF
THAT DAY AND HOUR KNOWETH NO [MAN], NO, NOT THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN, BUT MY FATHER ONLY. 37BUT AS THE DAYS OF NOE [WERE], SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE. 38FOR AS IN THE DAYS THAT WERE BEFORE THE FLOOD THEY WERE EATING AND DRINKING, MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE, UNTIL THE DAY THAT NOE ENTERED INTO THE ARK, 39AND KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME, AND TOOK THEM ALL AWAY; SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE. 40THENSHALL TWO BE IN THE FIELD; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT. 41TWO [WOMEN SHALL BE] GRINDING AT THE MILL; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT. 42WATCH
THEREFORE: FOR YE KNOW NOT WHAT HOUR YOUR LORD DOTH COME. 43BUT KNOW {5720} THIS, THAT IF THE GOODMAN OF THE HOUSE HAD KNOWN IN WHATWATCH THE THIEF WOULD COME, HE WOULD HAVE WATCHED, AND WOULD NOT HAVE SUFFERED HIS HOUSE TO BE BROKEN UP. 44THEREFORE BE YE ALSO READY: FOR IN SUCH AN HOUR AS YE THINK NOT THE SON OF MAN COMETH. 45WHO
THEN IS A FAITHFUL AND WISE SERVANT, WHOM HIS LORD HATH MADE RULER OVER HIS HOUSEHOLD, TO GIVE THEM MEAT IN DUE SEASON? 46BLESSED [IS] THATSERVANT, WHOM HIS LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND SO DOING. 47VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT HE SHALL MAKE HIM RULER OVER ALL HIS GOODS. 48BUT AND IF THATEVIL SERVANT SHALL SAY IN HIS HEART, MY LORD DELAYETH HIS
COMING; 49AND SHALL BEGIN TO SMITE [HIS] FELLOWSERVANTS, AND TO EAT AND DRINK WITH THE DRUNKEN;50THE LORD OF THAT SERVANT SHALL COME IN A DAY WHEN HE LOOKETH NOT FOR [HIM], AND IN AN HOUR THAT HE IS NOT AWARE OF, 51AND SHALL CUT HIM ASUNDER, ANDAPPOINT [HIM] HIS PORTION WITH THE HYPOCRITES: THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH. 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 COMMENTARIES: BARNES • CALVIN • CLARKE • CHRYSOSTOM • DARBY • GILL • GENEVA • GUZIK • JF B • KJV TRANSLATORS' • HENRY'S CONCISE •MATTHEW HENRY • PEOPLE'S NT • SCOFIELD • TSK • VIN CENT • WESLEY
BARNES' NOTES ON THE BIBLE
AND JESUS WENT OUT - HE WAS GOING OVER TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, MATTHEW 24:3. THE BUILDINGS OF THE TEMPLE - THE TEMPLE ITSELF, WITH THE SURROUNDING COURTS, PORCHES, AND OTHER EDIFICES. SEE THE NOTES AT MATTHEW 21:12. MARK SAYS THAT THEY PARTICULARLY POINTED OUT THE "STONES" OF THE TEMPLE, AS WELL AS THE BUILDINGS. "IN THAT TEMPLE," SAYS JOSEPHUS, THE JEWISH HISTORIAN, "WERE SEVERAL STONES WHICH WERE 45 CUBITS IN LENGTH, 5 IN HEIGHT, AND 6 IN BREADTH;" THAT IS, MORE THAN 70 FEET LONG, 10 WIDE, AND 8 HIGH. THESE STONES, OF SUCH ENORMOUS SIZE, WERE PRINCIPALLY USED IN BUILDING THE HIGH WALL ON THE EAST SIDE, FROM THE BASE TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. THEY WERE ALSO, IT IS SAID, BEAUTIFULLY PAINTED WITH VARIEGATED COLORS.
CLARKE'S COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE
AND JESUS WENT OUT, AND DEPARTED FROM, THE TEMPLE - OR, AND JESUS, GOING OUT OF THE TEMPLE, WAS GOING AWAY. THIS IS THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORDS IN SEVERAL EMINENT MANUSCRIPTS, VERSIONS, AND FATHERS; AND IS MUCH CLEARER THAN THAT IN THE COMMON TRANSLATION. THE JEWS SAY THE TEMPLE WAS BUILT OF WHITE AND GREEN-SPOTTED MARBLE. SEE LIGHTFOOT. JOSEPHUS SAYS THE STONES WERE WHITE AND STRONG; FIFTY FEET LONG, TWENTY-FOUR BROAD, AND SIXTEEN THICK. ANTIQ. B. 15. C. XI. SEE MARK 13:1.
GILL'S EXPOSITION OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE
AND JESUS WENT OUT, AND DEPARTED FROM THE TEMPLE,.... HE NOT ONLY WENT OUT OF IT FOR THAT TIME, BUT TOOK HIS FINAL LEAVE OF IT, NEVER TO RETURN MORE TO IT; HAVING FORETOLD ITS DESOLATION, WHICH HE, IN PART, BY SO DOING, IMMEDIATELY FULFILLED: THIS THE DISCIPLES OBSERVING, AND BEING INTENT ON THE OUTWARD SPLENDOUR, AND WORLDLY GRANDEUR OF IT, WERE CONCERNED THAT SO BEAUTIFUL A STRUCTURE SHOULD BE DESERTED; AND ALMOST THOUGHT IT INCREDIBLE, THAT SO STRONG, AND FIRM A BUILDING COULD BE DESTROYED. AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME UNTO HIM: AS HE WENT, AND AS SOON AS HE WAS COME OUT OF THE TEMPLE, AND WHILST IN VIEW OF IT: FOR TO SHOW HIM THE BUILDINGS OF THE TEMPLE; THE WALLS OF IT, AND COURTS ADJOINING TO IT, HOW BEAUTIFUL AND FIRM THEY WERE: WHETHER THIS WAS DONE BY THEM TO RAISE IN HIM ADMIRATION OR COMMISERATION, IN HOPES HE MIGHT CHANGE THE SENTENCE HE HAD PASSED UPON IT, IS NOT EASY TO SAY; OR WHETHER THIS DID NOT EXPRESS THEIR INCREDULITY ABOUT THE DESOLATION OF IT; WHICH CHRIST'S ANSWER, IN THE NEXT VERSE, SEEMS TO IMPLY. MARK SAYS, IT WAS "ONE OF THE DISCIPLES" THAT OBSERVED THESE TO HIM, WHO MIGHT BE ACCOMPANIED WITH THE REST, AND IN THEIR NAME ADDRESS HIM; AND WHO, PROBABLY, MIGHT BE PETER, SINCE HE WAS GENERALLY THEIR MOUTH; AND THAT HE SHOULD SPEAK TO HIM IN THIS MANNER: "MASTER, SEE WHAT MANNER OF STONES, AND WHAT BUILDINGS ARE HERE!" LUKE SAYS, "HOW IT WAS ADORNED WITH GOODLY STONES, AND GIFTS." THE JEWS GIVE VERY GREAT ENCOMIUMS OF THE SECOND TEMPLE, AS REPAIRED BY HEROD; AND IT WAS UNDOUBTEDLY A VERY FINE STRUCTURE. THEY SAY (P), THAT HE BUILT THE HOUSE OF THE SANCTUARY, "AN EXCEEDING BEAUTIFUL BUILDING"; AND THAT HE REPAIRED THE TEMPLE, IN BEAUTY "GREATLY EXCEEDING" THAT OF SOLOMON'S (Q). THEY MOREOVER OBSERVE (R), THAT "HE WHO HAS NOT SEEN THE BUILDING OF HEROD, HAS NEVER SEEN, , "A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING." WITH WHAT IS IT BUILT? SAYS RABBAH, WITH STONES OF GREEN AND WHITE MARBLE. AND THERE ARE OTHERS SAY, THAT IT WAS BUILT WITH STONES OF SPOTTED GREEN AND WHITE MARBLE.'' THESE, VERY LIKELY, WERE THE VERY STONES THE DISCIPLES POINTED TO, AND ADMIRED; AND WERE OF A PRODIGIOUS SIZE, AS WELL AS WORTH. SOME OF THE STONES WERE, AS JOSEPHUS (S) SAYS, "FORTY FIVE CUBITS LONG, FIVE HIGH, AND SIX BROAD.'' OTHERS OF THEM, AS HE ELSEWHERE AFFIRM (T),
"WERE TWENTY FIVE CUBITS LONG, EIGHT HIGH, AND TWELVE BROAD.'' AND HE ALSO TELLS US, IN THE SAME PLACE, THAT THERE WERE, "IN THE PORCHES, FOUR ROWS OF PILLARS: THE THICKNESS OF EACH PILLAR WAS AS MUCH AS THREE MEN, WITH THEIR ARMS STRETCHED OUT, AND JOINED TOGETHER, COULD GRASP; THE LENGTH TWENTY SEVEN FEET, AND THE NUMBER OF THEM AN HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO, AND BEAUTIFUL TO A MIRACLE.'' AT THE SIZE OF THOSE STONES, AND THE BEAUTY OF THE WORK, IT IS SAID (U), TITUS WAS ASTONISHED, WHEN HE DESTROYED THE TEMPLE; AT WHICH TIME HIS SOLDIERS PLUNDERED IT, AND TOOK AWAY "THE GIFTS", WITH WHICH IT IS ALSO SAID TO BE ADORNED. THESE WERE RICH AND VALUABLE THINGS WHICH WERE DEDICATED TO IT, AND EITHER LAID UP IN IT, OR HUNG UPON THE WALLS AND PILLARS OF IT, AS IT WAS USUAL IN OTHER TEMPLES (W). THESE MAY, INTEND THE GOLDEN TABLE GIVEN BY POMPEY, AND THE SPOILS WHICH HEROD DEDICATED; AND PARTICULARLY THE GOLDEN VINE, WHICH WAS A GIFT OF HIS (X); BESIDES MULTITUDES OF OTHER VALUABLE THINGS, WHICH WERE GREATLY ENRICHING AND ORNAMENTAL TO IT. NOW THE DISCIPLES SUGGEST, BY OBSERVING THESE, WHAT A PITY IT WAS SUCH A GRAND EDIFICE SHOULD BE DESTROYED; OR HOW UNACCOUNTABLE IT WAS; THAT A PLACE OF SO MUCH STRENGTH, COULD EASILY BE DEMOLISHED. (P) JUCHASIN, FOL. 139. 1.((Q) GANZ TZEMACH DAVID, PAR. 1. FOL. 24. 2.((R) T. BAB. BAVA BATHRA, FOL. 4. 1. & SUCCA, FOL. 51. 2.((S) DE BELLO JUD. L. 5. C. 5. (T) ANTIQ. JUD. L. 15. C. 14. (U) EGESIPPUS, L. 5. C. 43. (W) VID. RYCKIUM DE CAPITOL. ROM. C. 21, &C. (X) JOSEPH. ANTIQ. L. 15.
VINCENT'S WORD STUDIES
WENT OUT AND DEPARTED FROM THE TEMPLE (ἘΞΕΛΘῺΝ ἈΠῸ ΤΟΥ͂ ἹΕΡΟΥ͂ ἘΠΟΡΕΎΕΤΟ) REV., BETTER: WENT OUT FROM THE TEMPLE AND WAS GOING ON HIS WAY. THE TEMPLE, ἹΕΡΟΥ͂, NOT ΝΑΟΥ͂: THE WHOLE OF THE BUILDINGS CONNECTED WITH THE TEMPLE, ALL OF WHICH, INCLUDING THE ΝΑΌΣ, OR SANCTUARY, AND THE PORCHES AND COURTS, CONSTITUTED THE ἹΕΡΌΝ. SEE ON MATTHEW 4:5.
GENEVA STUDY BIBLE
AND JESUS WENT OUT, AND DEPARTED FROM THE TEMPLE: AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM FOR TO SHEW HIM THE BUILDINGS OF THE TEMPLE.
PEOPLE'S NEW TESTAMENT
24:1 THE JUDGMENTS ON THE JEWISH NATION SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 24: THE TEMPLE TO BE UTTERLY DESTROYED. THE QUESTIONS ASKED ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS PREDICTED. FALSE PROPHETS AND CHRISTS. THE SIGN FOR FLIGHT FROM JERUSALEM. THE GREAT TRIBULATION. HOW THE SON OF MAN SHALL COME. THE SUN DARKENED. THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN. THIS GENERATION. THE TIME OF CHRIST'S COMING UNKNOWN. INJUNCTION TO BE ALWAYS IN READINESS. AND JESUS... DEPARTED FROM THE TEMPLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DISCOURSE IN WHICH HE PRONOUNCED THE WOES UPON THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, UPON THE TEMPLE AND JERUSALEM. THIS REMARKABLE CHAPTER IS NOT ONE UPON WHICH COMMENTATORS ARE AGREED, AND THE CONCLUSIONS THAT I HAVE REACHED ON THE POINTS OF DIFFERENCE WILL NOT BE FOUND IDENTICAL WITH THOSE OF ANY OTHER WRITER. I BELIEVE, HOWEVER, THAT THEY WILL BE FOUND HARMONIOUS WITH THE SCRIPTURE. COMPARE MR 13:1-37 LU 21:5-36. HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM TO SHEW HIM THE BUILDINGS OF THE TEMPLE. HE HAD JUST FORESHADOWED ITS DESTRUCTION. WITH THIS IN MIND THEY POINT OUT ITS SPLENDOR, ESPECIALLY THE AMAZING STONES USED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION. COMPARE MR 13:1 LU 21:5. THE TEMPLE HAD BEEN REBUILT IN GREAT SPLENDOR BY HEROD, AND WAS NOT FULLY COMPLETED UNTIL ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AFTER THE SAVIOR'S CRUCIFIXION.
WESLEY'S NOTES
24:1 MARK 13:1; LUKE 21:5.
SCOFIELD REFERENCE NOTES
MARGIN DEPARTED JESUS LEAVES THAT WHICH HE ABANDONS TO JUDGMENT. SEE SCOFIELD NOTE: "MK 8:23" IN LIGHT OF MT 11:21,22 CF., REV 18:4.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
CHAPTER 24 MT 24:1-51. CHRIST'S PROPHECY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, AND WARNINGS SUGGESTED BY IT TO PREPARE FOR HIS SECOND COMING. ( = MR 13:1-37; LU 21:5-36). FOR THE EXPOSITION, SEE ON [1355]MR 13:1-37.
MATTHEW HENRY'S CONCISE COMMENTARY
24:1-3 CHRIST FORETELLS THE UTTER RUIN AND DESTRUCTION COMING UPON THE TEMPLE. A BELIEVING FORESIGHT OF THE DEFACING OF ALL WORLDLY GLORY, WILL HELP TO KEEP US FROM ADMIRING IT, AND OVERVALUING IT. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BODY SOON WILL BE FOOD FOR WORMS, AND THE MOST MAGNIFICENT BUILDING A RUINOUS HEAP. SEE YE NOT ALL THESE THINGS? IT WILL DO US GOOD SO TO SEE THEM AS TO SEE THROUGH THEM, AND SEE TO THE END OF THEM. OUR LORD HAVING GONE WITH HIS DISCIPLES TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, HE SET BEFORE THEM THE ORDER OF THE TIMES CONCERNING THE JEWS, TILL THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM; AND AS TO MEN IN GENERAL TILL THE END OF THE WORLD.
MATTHEW HENRY'S WHOLE BIBLE COMMENTARY
CHAPTER 24
CHRIST'S PREACHING WAS MOSTLY PRACTICAL; BUT, IN THIS CHAPTER, WE HAVE A PROPHETICAL DISCOURSE, A PREDICTION OF THINGS TO COME; SUCH HOWEVER AS HAD A PRACTICAL TENDENCY, AND WAS INTENDED, NOT TO GRATIFY THE CURIOSITY OF HIS DISCIPLES, BUT TO GUIDE THEIR CONSCIENCES AND CONVERSATIONS, AND IT IS THEREFORE CONCLUDED WITH A PRACTICAL APPLICATION. THE CHURCH HAS ALWAYS HAD PARTICULAR PROPHECIES, BESIDES GENERAL PROMISES, BOTH FOR DIRECTION AND FOR ENCOURAGEMENT TO BELIEVERS; BUT IT IS OBSERVABLE, CHRIST PREACHED THIS PROPHETICAL SERMON IN THE CLOSE OF HIS MINISTRY, AS THE APOCALYPSE IS THE LAST BOOK OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND THE PROPHETICAL BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT ARE PLACED LAST, TO INTIMATE TO US, THAT WE MUST BE WELL GROUNDED IN PLAIN TRUTHS AND DUTIES, AND THOSE MUST FIRST BE WELL DIGESTED, BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THOSE THINGS THAT ARE DARK AND DIFFICULT; MANY RUN THEMSELVES INTO CONFUSION BY BEGINNING THEIR BIBLE AT THE
WRONG END. NOW, IN THIS CHAPTER, WE HAVE, I. THE OCCASION OF THIS DISCOURSE (V. 1-3). II. THE DISCOURSE ITSELF, IN WHICH WE HAVE, 1. THE PROPHECY OF DIVERS EVENTS, ESPECIALLY REFERRING TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, AND THE UTTER RUIN OF THE JEWISH CHURCH AND NATION, WHICH WERE NOT HASTENING ON, AND WERE COMPLETED ABOUT FORTY YEARS AFTER; THE PREFACES TO THAT DESTRUCTION, THE CONCOMITANTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF IT; YET LOOKING FURTHER, TO CHRIST'S COMING AT THE END OF TIME, AND THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL THINGS, OF WHICH THAT WAS A TYPE AND FIGURE (V. 4-31). 2. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS PROPHECY FOR THE AWAKENING AND QUICKENING OF HIS DISCIPLES TO PREPARE FOR THESE GREAT AND AWFUL THINGS (V. 32-51). VERSES 1-3
HERE IS, I. CHRIST'S QUITTING THE TEMPLE, AND HIS PUBLIC WORK THERE. HE HAD SAID, IN THE CLOSE OF THE FOREGOING CHAPTER, YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT UNTO YOU DESOLATE; AND HERE HE MADE HIS WORDS GOOD; HE WENT OUT, AND DEPARTED FROM THE TEMPLE. THE MANNER OF EXPRESSION IS OBSERVABLE; HE NOT ONLY WENT OUT OF THE TEMPLE, BUT DEPARTED FROM IT, TOOK HIS FINAL FAREWELL OF IT; HE DEPARTED FROM IT, NEVER TO RETURN TO IT ANY MORE; AND THEN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS A PREDICTION OF ITS RUIN. NOTE, THAT HOUSE IS LEFT DESOLATE INDEED, WHICH CHRIST LEAVES. WOE UNTO THEM WHEN I DEPART, HOS. 9:12; JER. 6:8. IT WAS NOW TIME TO GROAN OUT THEIR ICHABOD, THE GLORY IS DEPARTED, THEIR DEFENCE IS DEPARTED. THREE DAYS AFTER THIS, THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE WAS RENT; WHEN CHRIST LEFT IT, ALL BECAME COMMON AND UNCLEAN; BUT CHRIST DEPARTED NOT TILL THEY DROVE HIM AWAY; DID NOT REJECT THEM, TILL THEY FIRST REJECTED HIM. II. HIS PRIVATE DISCOURSE WITH HIS DISCIPLES; HE LEFT THE TEMPLE, BUT HE DID NOT LEAVE THE TWELVE, WHO WERE THE SEED OF THE GOSPEL CHURCH, WHICH THE CASTING OFF OF THE JEWS WAS THE ENRICHING OF. WHEN HE LEFT THE TEMPLE, HIS DISCIPLES LEFT IT TOO, AND CAME TO HIM. NOTE, IT IS GOOD BEING WHERE CHRIST IS, AND LEAVING THAT WHICH HE LEAVES. THEY CAME TO HIM, TO BE INSTRUCTED IN PRIVATE, WHEN HIS PUBLIC PREACHING WAS OVER; FOR THE SECRET OF THE LORD IS WITH THEM THAT FEAR HIM. HE HAD SPOKEN OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE JEWISH CHURCH TO THE MULTITUDE IN PARABLES, WHICH HERE, AS USUAL, HE EXPLAINS TO HIS DISCIPLES. OBSERVE, 1. HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM, TO SHOW HIM THE BUILDINGS OF THE TEMPLE, IT WAS A STATELY AND BEAUTIFUL STRUCTURE, ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD; NO COST WAS SPARED, NO ART LEFT UNTRIED, TO MAKE IT SUMPTUOUS. THOUGH IT CAME SHORT OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE, AND ITS BEGINNING WAS SMALL, YET ITS LATTER END DID GREATLY INCREASE. IT WAS RICHLY FURNISHED WITH GIFTS AND OFFERINGS, TO WHICH THERE WERE CONTINUAL ADDITIONS MADE. THEY SHOWED CHRIST THESE THINGS, AND DESIRED HIM TO
TAKE NOTICE OF THEM, EITHER, (1.) AS BEING GREATLY PLEASED WITH THEM THEMSELVES, AND EXPECTING HE SHOULD BE SO TOO. THEY HAD LIVED MOSTLY IN GALILEE, AT A DISTANCE FROM THE TEMPLE, HAD SELDOM SEEN IT, AND THEREFORE WERE THE MORE STRUCK WITH ADMIRATION AT IT, AND THOUGHT HE SHOULD ADMIRE AS MUCH AS THEY DID ALL THIS GLORY (GEN. 31:1); AND THEY WOULD HAVE HIM DIVERT HIMSELF (AFTER HIS PREACHING, AND FROM HIS SORROW WHICH THEY SAW HIM PERHAPS ALMOST OVERWHELMED WITH) WITH LOOKING ABOUT HIM. NOTE, EVEN GOOD MEN ARE APT TO BE TOO MUCH ENAMOURED WITH OUTWARD POMP AND GAIETY, AND TO OVERVALUE IT, EVEN IN THE THINGS OF GOD; WHEREAS WE SHOULD BE, AS CHRIST WAS, DEAD TO IT, AND LOOK UPON IT WITH CONTEMPT. THE TEMPLE WAS INDEED GLORIOUS, BUT, [1.] ITS GLORY WAS SULLIED AND STAINED WITH THE SIN OF THE PRIESTS AND PEOPLE; THAT WICKED DOCTRINE OF THE PHARISEES, WHICH PREFERRED THE GOLD BEFORE THE TEMPLE THAT SANCTIFIED IT, WAS ENOUGH TO DEFACE THE BEAUTY OF ALL THE ORNAMENTS OF THE TEMPLE. [2.] ITS GLORY WAS ECLIPSED AND OUTDONE BY THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN IT, WHO WAS THE GLORY OF THIS LATTER HOUSE (HAG. 2:9), SO THAT THE BUILDINGS HAD NO GLORY, IN COMPARISON WITH THAT GLORY WHICH EXCELLED. OR, (2.) AS GRIEVING THAT THIS HOUSE SHOULD BE LEFT DESOLATE; THEY SHOWED HIM THE BUILDINGS, AS IF THEY WOULD MOVE HIM TO REVERSE THE SENTENCE; "LORD, LET NOT THIS HOLY AND BEAUTIFUL HOUSE, WHERE OUR FATHERS PRAISED THEE, BE MADE A DESOLATION." THEY FORGOT HOW MANY PROVIDENCES, CONCERNING SOLOMON'S TEMPLE, HAD MANIFESTED HOW LITTLE GOD CARED FOR THAT OUTWARD GLORY WHICH THEY HAD SO MUCH ADMIRED, WHEN THE PEOPLE WERE WICKED, 2 CHR. 7:21. THIS HOUSE, WHICH IS HIGH, SIN WILL BRING LOW. CHRIST HAD LATELY LOOKED UPON THE PRECIOUS SOULS, AND WEPT FOR THEM, LU. 19:41. THE DISCIPLES LOOK UPON THE POMPOUS BUILDINGS, AND ARE READY TO WEEP FOR THEM. IN THIS, AS IN OTHER THINGS, HIS THOUGHTS ARE NOT LIKE OURS. IT WAS WEAKNESS, AND MEANNESS OF SPIRIT, IN THE DISCIPLES, TO BE SO FOND OF FINE BUILDINGS; IT WAS A CHILDISH THING. ANIMO MAGNO NIHIL MAGNUM-TO A GREAT MIND NOTHING IS GREAT. SENECA. 2. CHRIST, HEREUPON, FORETELS THE UTTER RUIN AND DESTRUCTION THAT WERE COMING UPON THIS PLACE, V. 2. NOTE, A BELIEVING FORESIGHT OF THE DEFACING OF ALL WORLDLY GLORY WILL HELP TO TAKE US OFF FROM ADMIRING IT, AND OVERVALUING IT. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BODY WILL BE SHORTLY WORMS' MEAT, AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BUILDING A RUINOUS HEAP. AND SHALL WE THEN SET OUR EYES UPON THAT WHICH SO SOON IS NOT, AND LOOK UPON THAT WITH SO MUCH ADMIRATION WHICH ERE LONG WE SHALL CERTAINLY LOOK UPON WITH SO MUCH CONTEMPT? SEE YE NOT ALL THESE THINGS? THEY WOULD HAVE CHRIST LOOK UPON THEM, AND BE AS MUCH IN LOVE WITH THEM AS THEY WERE; HE WOULD HAVE THEM LOOK UPON THEM, AND BE AS DEAD TO THEM AS HE WAS. THERE IS SUCH A SIGHT OF THESE THINGS AS WILL DO US GOOD; SO TO SEE THEM AS TO SEE THROUGH THEM AND SEE TO
THE END OF THEM. CHRIST, INSTEAD OF REVERSING THE DECREE, RATIFIES IT; VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE SHALL NOT BE LEFT ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER. (1.) HE SPEAKS OF IT AS A CERTAIN RUIN; "I SAY UNTO YOU. I, THAT KNOW WHAT I SAY, AND KNOW HOW TO MAKE GOOD WHAT I SAY; TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, IT SHALL BE SO; I, THE AMEN, THE TRUE WITNESS, SAY IT TO YOU." ALL JUDGMENT BEING COMMITTED TO THE SON, THE THREATENINGS, AS WELL AS THE PROMISES, ARE ALL YEA, AND AMEN, IN HIM. HEB. 6:17, 18. (2.) HE SPEAKS OF IT AS AN UTTER RUIN. THE TEMPLE SHALL NOT ONLY BE STRIPPED, AND PLUNDERED, AND DEFACED, BUT UTTERLY DEMOLISHED AND LAID WASTE; NOT ONE STONE SHALL BE LEFT UPON ANOTHER. NOTICE IS TAKEN, IN THE BUILDING OF THE SECOND TEMPLE, OF THE LAYING OF ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER (HAG. 2:15); AND HERE, IN THE RUIN, OF NOT LEAVING ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER. HISTORY TELLS US, THAT THIS WAS FULFILLED IN THE LATTER; FOR THOUGH TITUS, WHEN HE TOOK THE CITY, DID ALL HE COULD TO PRESERVE THE TEMPLE, YET HE COULD NOT RESTRAIN THE ENRAGED SOLDIERS FROM DESTROYING IT UTTERLY; AND IT WAS DONE TO THAT DEGREE, THAT TURNUS RUFUS PLOUGHED UP THE GROUND ON WHICH IT HAD STOOD: THUS THAT SCRIPTURE WAS FULFILLED (MIC. 3:12), ZION SHALL, FOR YOUR SAKE, BE PLOUGHED AS A FIELD. AND AFTERWARD, IN JULIAN THE APOSTATE'S TIME, WHEN THE JEWS WERE ENCOURAGED BY HIM TO REBUILD THEIR TEMPLE, IN OPPOSITION TO THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, WHAT REMAINED OF THE RUINS WAS QUITE PULLED DOWN, TO LEVEL THE GROUND FOR A NEW FOUNDATION; BUT THE ATTEMPT WAS DEFEATED BY THE MIRACULOUS ERUPTION OF FIRE OUT OF THE GROUND, WHICH DESTROYED THE FOUNDATION THEY LAID, AND FRIGHTENED AWAY THE BUILDERS. NOW THIS PREDICTION OF THE FINAL AND IRREPARABLE RUIN OF THE TEMPLE INCLUDES A PREDICTION OF THE PERIOD OF THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD AND THE CEREMONIAL LAW. 3. THE DISCIPLES, NOT DISPUTING EITHER THE TRUTH OR THE EQUITY OF THIS SENTENCE, NOR DOUBTING OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF IT, ENQUIRE MORE PARTICULARLY OF THE TIME WHEN IT SHOULD COME TO PASS, AND THE SIGNS OF ITS APPROACH, V. 3. OBSERVE, (1.) WHERE THEY MADE THIS ENQUIRY; PRIVATELY, AS HE SAT UPON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES; PROBABLY, HE WAS RETURNING TO BETHANY, AND THERE SAT DOWN BY THE WAY, TO REST HIM; THE MOUNT OF OLIVES DIRECTLY FACED THE TEMPLE, AND FROM THENCE HE MIGHT HAVE A FULL PROSPECT OF IT AT SOME DISTANCE; THERE HE SAT AS A JUDGE UPON THE BENCH, THE TEMPLE AND CITY BEING BEFORE HIM AS AT THE BAR, AND THUS HE PASSED SENTENCE ON THEM. WE READ (EZE. 11:23) OF THE REMOVING OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD FROM THE TEMPLE TO THE MOUNTAIN; SO CHRIST, THE GREAT SHECHINAH, HERE REMOVES TO THIS MOUNTAIN.
(2.) WHAT THE ENQUIRY ITSELF WAS; WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE; AND WHAT SHALL BE THE SIGN OF THY COMING, AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD? HERE ARE THREE QUESTIONS. [1.] SOME THINK, THESE QUESTIONS DO ALL POINT AT ONE AND THE SAME THING-THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE, AND THE PERIOD OF THE JEWISH CHURCH AND NATION, WHICH CHRIST HAD HIMSELF SPOKEN OF AS HIS COMING (CH. 16:28), AND WHICH WOULD BE THE CONSUMMATION OF THE AGE (FOR SO IT MAY BE READ), THE FINISHING OF THAT DISPENSATION. OR, THEY THOUGHT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE MUST NEEDS BE THE END OF THE WORLD. IF THAT HOUSE BE LAID WASTE, THE WORLD CANNOT STAND; FOR THE RABBIN USED TO SAY THAT THE HOUSE OF THE SANCTUARY WAS ONE OF THE SEVEN THINGS FOR THE SAKE OF WHICH THE WORLD WAS MADE; AND THEY THINK, IF SO, THE WORLD WILL NOT SURVIVE THE TEMPLE. [2.] OTHERS THINK THEIR QUESTION, WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE? REFERS TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, AND THE OTHER TWO TO THE END OF THE WORLD; OR CHRIST'S COMING MAY REFER TO HIS SETTING UP HIS GOSPEL KINGDOM, AND THE END OF THE WORLD TO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. I RATHER INCLINE TO THINK THAT THEIR QUESTION LOOKED NO FURTHER THAN THE EVENT CHRIST NOW FORETOLD; BUT IT APPEARS BY OTHER PASSAGES, THAT THEY HAD VERY CONFUSED THOUGHTS OF FUTURE EVENTS; SO THAT PERHAPS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PUT ANY CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION UPON THIS QUESTION OF THEIRS. BUT CHRIST, IN HIS ANSWER, THOUGH HE DOES NOT EXPRESSLY RECTIFY THE MISTAKES OF HIS DISCIPLES (THAT MUST BE DONE BY THE POURING OUT OF THE SPIRIT), YET LOOKS FURTHER THAN THEIR QUESTION, AND INSTRUCTS HIS CHURCH, NOT ONLY CONCERNING THE GREAT EVENTS OF THAT AGE, THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, BUT CONCERNING HIS SECOND COMING AT THE END OF TIME, WHICH HERE HE INSENSIBLY SLIDES INTO A DISCOURSE OF, AND OF THAT IT IS PLAIN HE SPEAKS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER, WHICH IS A CONTINUATION OF THIS SERMON. BIBLE COMMENTER
THE OLD TESTAMENT THE TRUE PROPHET HEARS FROM GOD THROUGH DREAMS: NUM 12:6 AND HE SAID, HEAR NOW MY WORDS: IF THERE BE A PROPHET AMONG YOU, I THE LORD WILL MAKE MYSELF KNOWN UNTO HIM IN A VISION, AND WILL SPEAK UNTO HIM IN A DREAM. THE TRUE PROPHET PREACHES REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S LAW
JER 23:21 I HAVE NOT SENT THESE PROPHETS, YET THEY RAN: I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO THEM, YET THEY PROPHESIED. JER 23:22 BUT IF THEY HAD STOOD IN MY COUNSEL, AND HAD CAUSED MY PEOPLE TO HEAR MY WORDS, THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE TURNED THEM FROM THEIR EVIL WAY, AND FROM THE EVIL OF THEIR DOINGS. JER 26:4 AND THOU SHALT SAY UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH THE LORD; IF YE WILL NOT HEARKEN TO ME, TO WALK IN MY LAW, WHICH I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU, JER 26:5 TO HEARKEN TO THE WORDS OF MY SERVANTS THE PROPHETS, WHOM I SENT UNTO YOU, BOTH RISING UP EARLY, AND SENDING THEM, BUT YE HAVE NOT HEARKENED; JER 26:6 THEN WILL I MAKE THIS HOUSE LIKE SHILOH, AND WILL MAKE THIS CITY A CURSE TO ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH. JER 35:15 I HAVE SENT ALSO UNTO YOU ALL MY SERVANTS THE PROPHETS, RISING UP EARLY AND SENDING THEM, SAYING, RETURN YE NOW EVERY MAN FROM HIS EVIL WAY, AND AMEND YOUR DOINGS, AND GO NOT AFTER OTHER GODS TO SERVE THEM, AND YE SHALL DWELL IN THE LAND WHICH I HAVE GIVEN TO YOU AND TO YOUR FATHERS: BUT YE HAVE NOT INCLINED YOUR EAR, NOR HEARKENED UNTO ME. ISA 8:20 TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY: IF THEY SPEAK NOT ACCORDING TO THIS WORD, IT IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO LIGHT IN THEM. DEFINING THE FALSE PROPHET AND THEIR FATE: DEU 18:20 BUT THE PROPHET, WHICH SHALL PRESUME TO SPEAK A WORD IN MY NAME, WHICH I HAVE NOT COMMANDED HIM TO SPEAK, OR THAT SHALL SPEAK IN THE NAME OF OTHER GODS, EVEN THAT PROPHET SHALL DIE. DEU 18:21 AND IF THOU SAY IN THINE HEART, HOW SHALL WE KNOW THE WORD WHICH THE LORD HATH NOT SPOKEN?
DEU 18:22 WHEN A PROPHET SPEAKETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, IF THE THING FOLLOW NOT, NOR COME TO PASS, THAT IS THE THING WHICH THE LORD HATH NOT SPOKEN, BUT THE PROPHET HATH SPOKEN IT PRESUMPTUOUSLY: THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID OF HIM. JER 23:14 I HAVE SEEN ALSO IN THE PROPHETS OF JERUSALEM AN HORRIBLE THING: THEY COMMIT ADULTERY, AND WALK IN LIES: THEY STRENGTHEN ALSO THE HANDS OF EVILDOERS, THAT NONE DOTH RETURN FROM HIS WICKEDNESS: THEY ARE ALL OF THEM UNTO ME AS SODOM, AND THE INHABITANTS THEREOF AS GOMORRAH. THE MOTIVATION OF THE FALSE PROPHET IS MONEY: MICAH 3:9 [NIV] HEAR THIS, YOU LEADERS OF THE HOUSE OF JACOB, YOU RULERS OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, WHO DESPISE JUSTICE AND DISTORT ALL THAT IS RIGHT; MICAH 3:10 [NIV] WHO BUILD ZION WITH BLOODSHED, AND JERUSALEM WITH WICKEDNESS. MICAH 3:11 [NIV] HER LEADERS JUDGE FOR A BRIBE, HER PRIESTS TEACH FOR A PRICE, AND HER PROPHETS TELL FORTUNES FOR MONEY. YET THEY LEAN UPON THE LORD AND SAY, "IS NOT THE LORD AMONG US? NO DISASTER WILL COME UPON US." MICAH 3:12 [NIV] THEREFORE BECAUSE OF YOU, ZION WILL BE PLOWED LIKE A FIELD, JERUSALEM WILL BECOME A HEAP OF RUBBLE, THE TEMPLE HILL A MOUND OVERGROWN WITH THICKETS. JER 6:13 FOR FROM THE LEAST OF THEM EVEN UNTO THE GREATEST OF THEM EVERY ONE IS GIVEN TO COVETOUSNESS; AND FROM THE PROPHET EVEN UNTO THE PRIEST EVERY ONE DEALETH FALSELY. JER 6:14 THEY HAVE HEALED ALSO THE HURT OF THE DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE SLIGHTLY, SAYING, PEACE, PEACE; WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE. JER 6:15 WERE THEY ASHAMED WHEN THEY HAD COMMITTED ABOMINATION? NAY, THEY WERE NOT AT ALL ASHAMED, NEITHER COULD THEY BLUSH:
THEREFORE THEY SHALL FALL AMONG THEM THAT FALL: AT THE TIME THAT I VISIT THEM THEY SHALL BE CAST DOWN, SAITH THE LORD. EZEK 22:25 THERE IS A CONSPIRACY OF HER PROPHETS IN THE MIDST THEREOF, LIKE A ROARING LION RAVENING THE PREY; THEY HAVE DEVOURED SOULS; THEY HAVE TAKEN THE TREASURE AND PRECIOUS THINGS; THEY HAVE MADE HER MANY WIDOWS IN THE MIDST THEREOF. EZEK 22:26 HER PRIESTS HAVE VIOLATED MY LAW, AND HAVE PROFANED MINE HOLY THINGS: THEY HAVE PUT NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOLY AND PROFANE, NEITHER HAVE THEY SHOWED DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE UNCLEAN AND THE CLEAN, AND HAVE HID THEIR EYES FROM MY SABBATHS, AND I AM PROFANED AMONG THEM. EZEK 22:27 HER PRINCES IN THE MIDST THEREOF ARE LIKE WOLVES RAVENING THE PREY, TO SHED BLOOD, AND TO DESTROY SOULS, TO GET DISHONEST GAIN. EZEK 22:28 AND HER PROPHETS HAVE DAUBED THEM WITH UNTEMPERED MORTAR, SEEING VANITY, AND DIVINING LIES UNTO THEM, SAYING, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD, WHEN THE LORD HATH NOT SPOKEN. MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY PREFER FALSE PROPHETS: ISA 30:9 THAT THIS IS A REBELLIOUS PEOPLE, LYING CHILDREN, CHILDREN THAT WILL NOT HEAR THE LAW OF THE LORD: ISA 30:10 WHICH SAY TO THE SEERS, SEE NOT; AND TO THE PROPHETS, PROPHESY NOT UNTO US RIGHT THINGS, SPEAK UNTO US SMOOTH THINGS, PROPHESY DECEITS: ISA 30:11 GET YOU OUT OF THE WAY, TURN ASIDE OUT OF THE PATH, CAUSE THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL TO CEASE FROM BEFORE US. ISA 30:12 WHEREFORE THUS SAITH THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, BECAUSE YE DESPISE THIS WORD, AND TRUST IN OPPRESSION AND PERVERSENESS, AND STAY THEREON: ISA 30:13 THEREFORE THIS INIQUITY SHALL BE TO YOU AS A BREACH READY TO FALL, SWELLING OUT IN A HIGH WALL, WHOSE BREAKING COMETH SUDDENLY AT AN
INSTANT. ISA 30:14 AND HE SHALL BREAK IT AS THE BREAKING OF THE POTTERS' VESSEL THAT IS BROKEN IN PIECES; HE SHALL NOT SPARE: SO THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE FOUND IN THE BURSTING OF IT A SHERD TO TAKE FIRE FROM THE HEARTH, OR TO TAKE WATER WITHAL OUT OF THE PIT. JER 5:31 THE PROPHETS PROPHESY LIES, THE PRIESTS RULE BY THEIR OWN AUTHORITY, AND MY PEOPLE LOVE IT THIS WAY. BUT WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE END? THE FATE OF FALSE PROPHETS AND THOSE WHO FOLLOW THEM: JER 14:14 THEN THE LORD SAID UNTO ME, THE PROPHETS PROPHESY LIES IN MY NAME: I SENT THEM NOT, NEITHER HAVE I COMMANDED THEM, NEITHER SPAKE UNTO THEM: THEY PROPHESY UNTO YOU A FALSE VISION AND DIVINATION, AND A THING OF NOUGHT, AND THE DECEIT OF THEIR HEART. JER 14:15 THEREFORE THUS SAITH THE LORD CONCERNING THE PROPHETS THAT PROPHESY IN MY NAME, AND I SENT THEM NOT, YET THEY SAY, SWORD AND FAMINE SHALL NOT BE IN THIS LAND; BY SWORD AND FAMINE SHALL THOSE PROPHETS BE CONSUMED. JER 14:16 AND THE PEOPLE TO WHOM THEY PROPHESY SHALL BE CAST OUT IN THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM BECAUSE OF THE FAMINE AND THE SWORD; AND THEY SHALL HAVE NONE TO BURY THEM, THEM, THEIR WIVES, NOR THEIR SONS, NOR THEIR DAUGHTERS: FOR I WILL POUR THEIR WICKEDNESS UPON THEM. THE PROPHECIES OF FALSE PROPHETS DO NOT ALWAYS FAIL: DEU 13:1 IF A PROPHET, OR ONE WHO FORETELLS BY DREAMS, APPEARS AMONG YOU AND ANNOUNCES TO YOU A MIRACULOUS SIGN OR WONDER, DEU 13:2 AND IF THE SIGN OR WONDER OF WHICH HE HAS SPOKEN TAKES PLACE, AND HE SAYS, "LET US FOLLOW OTHER GODS" (GODS YOU HAVE NOT KNOWN) "AND LET US WORSHIP THEM,"
DEU 13:3 YOU MUST NOT LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF THAT PROPHET OR DREAMER. THE LORD YOUR GOD IS TESTING YOU TO FIND OUT WHETHER YOU LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL. DEU 13:4 IT IS THE LORD YOUR GOD YOU MUST FOLLOW, AND HIM YOU MUST REVERE. KEEP HIS COMMANDS AND OBEY HIM; SERVE HIM AND HOLD FAST TO HIM. DEU 13:5 THAT PROPHET OR DREAMER MUST BE PUT TO DEATH, BECAUSE HE PREACHED REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT OF EGYPT AND REDEEMED YOU FROM THE LAND OF SLAVERY; HE HAS TRIED TO TURN YOU FROM THE WAY THE LORD YOUR GOD COMMANDED YOU TO FOLLOW. YOU MUST PURGE THE EVIL FROM AMONG YOU.
THE NEW TESTAMENT WONDERFUL WORKS ARE DONE BY FALSE PROPHETS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: MAT 7:15 BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS, WHICH COME TO YOU IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENING WOLVES. MAT 7:16 YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS. DO MEN GATHER GRAPES OF THORNS, OR FIGS OF THISTLES? MAT 7:17 EVEN SO EVERY GOOD TREE BRINGETH FORTH GOOD FRUIT; BUT A CORRUPT TREE BRINGETH FORTH EVIL FRUIT. MAT 7:18 A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT. MAT 7:19 EVERY TREE THAT BRINGETH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN, AND CAST INTO THE FIRE. MAT 7:20 WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM. MAT 7:21 NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME, LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN. MAT 7:22 MANY WILL SAY TO ME IN THAT DAY, LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN THY NAME? AND IN
THY NAME HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS? AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS? MAT 7:23 AND THEN WILL I PROFESS UNTO THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY [LAWLESSNESS]. FALSE PROPHETS WILL BE NUMEROUS, AND VERY SUCCESSFUL: MAT 24:11 AND MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE, AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY. MAT 24:12 AND BECAUSE INIQUITY [LAWLESSNESS] SHALL ABOUND, THE LOVE OF MANY SHALL WAX COLD. 2 PET 2:1 [NIV] BUT THERE WERE ALSO FALSE PROPHETS AMONG THE PEOPLE, JUST AS THERE WILL BE FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU. THEY WILL SECRETLY INTRODUCE DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, EVEN DENYING THE SOVEREIGN LORD WHO BOUGHT THEM--BRINGING SWIFT DESTRUCTION ON THEMSELVES. 2 PET 2:2 [NIV] MANY WILL FOLLOW THEIR SHAMEFUL WAYS AND WILL BRING THE WAY OF TRUTH INTO DISREPUTE. 2 PET 2:3 [NIV] IN THEIR GREED THESE TEACHERS WILL EXPLOIT YOU WITH STORIES THEY HAVE MADE UP. THEIR CONDEMNATION HAS LONG BEEN HANGING OVER THEM, AND THEIR DESTRUCTION HAS NOT BEEN SLEEPING. 1 JOHN 4:1 BELOVED, BELIEVE NOT EVERY SPIRIT, BUT TRY THE SPIRITS WHETHER THEY ARE OF GOD: BECAUSE MANY FALSE PROPHETS ARE GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD. MANY PREFER THE FALSE PROPHET: 2 TIM 4:2 [NIV] PREACH THE WORD; BE PREPARED IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON; CORRECT, REBUKE AND ENCOURAGE--WITH GREAT PATIENCE AND CAREFUL INSTRUCTION. 2 TIM 4:3 FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN MEN WILL NOT PUT UP WITH SOUND DOCTRINE. INSTEAD, TO SUIT THEIR OWN DESIRES, THEY WILL GATHER AROUND THEM
A GREAT NUMBER OF TEACHERS TO SAY WHAT THEIR ITCHING EARS WANT TO HEAR. 2 TIM 4:4 THEY WILL TURN THEIR EARS AWAY FROM THE TRUTH AND TURN ASIDE TO MYTHS. TRUE PROPHETS ARE ALWAYS IN HARMONY WITH OTHER PROPHETS OF GOD AND SCRIPTURE: 1 COR 14:32 AND THE SPIRITS OF THE PROPHETS ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROPHETS. 1 COR 14:37 IF ANY MAN THINK HIMSELF TO BE A PROPHET, OR SPIRITUAL, LET HIM ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE THINGS THAT I WRITE UNTO YOU ARE THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD. FALSE PROPHETS WORK IMPRESSIVE MIRACLES THAT DECEIVE: MAT 24:24 FOR THERE SHALL ARISE FALSE CHRISTS, AND FALSE PROPHETS, AND SHALL SHOW GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS; INSOMUCH THAT, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THEY SHALL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT. MARK 13:22 FOR FALSE CHRISTS AND FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE, AND SHALL SHOW SIGNS AND WONDERS, TO SEDUCE, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, EVEN THE ELECT. REV 13:11 AND I BEHELD ANOTHER BEAST COMING UP OUT OF THE EARTH; AND HE HAD TWO HORNS LIKE A LAMB, AND HE SPAKE AS A DRAGON. REV 13:12 AND HE EXERCISETH ALL THE POWER OF THE FIRST BEAST BEFORE HIM, AND CAUSETH THE EARTH AND THEM WHICH DWELL THEREIN TO WORSHIP THE FIRST BEAST, WHOSE DEADLY WOUND WAS HEALED. REV 13:13 AND HE DOETH GREAT WONDERS, SO THAT HE MAKETH FIRE COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN ON THE EARTH IN THE SIGHT OF MEN, REV 13:14 AND DECEIVETH THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH BY THE MEANS OF THOSE MIRACLES WHICH HE HAD POWER TO DO IN THE SIGHT OF THE BEAST; SAYING TO THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH, THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE AN IMAGE TO THE BEAST, WHICH HAD
THE WOUND BY A SWORD, AND DID LIVE. REV 16:13 AND I SAW THREE UNCLEAN SPIRITS LIKE FROGS COME OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE DRAGON, AND OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE BEAST, AND OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE FALSE PROPHET. REV 16:14 FOR THEY ARE THE SPIRITS OF DEVILS, WORKING MIRACLES, WHICH GO FORTH UNTO THE KINGS OF THE EARTH AND OF THE WHOLE WORLD, TO GATHER THEM TO THE BATTLE OF THAT GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY. REV 19:20 AND THE BEAST WAS TAKEN, AND WITH HIM THE FALSE PROPHET THAT WROUGHT MIRACLES BEFORE HIM, WITH WHICH HE DECEIVED THEM THAT HAD RECEIVED THE MARK OF THE BEAST, AND THEM THAT WORSHIPPED HIS IMAGE. THESE BOTH WERE CAST ALIVE INTO A LAKE OF FIRE BURNING WITH BRIMSTONE.