LESSON IX.—SABBATH, DECEMBER 2, 1899
DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE PREDICTED.
Mount of Olives, A.D. 31. 1 "AND as He went forth out of the temple, one of His disciples saith unto Him, Master, behold, what manner of stones 2 and what manner of buildings! And Jesus said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left here 3 one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down. "And as He sat on the Mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately." 3 "And as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things 4 be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end 5 of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. For many shall come in 6 My name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many 7 astray. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled; for these things must needs come to 8 pass; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be 9 famines and earthquakes in divers places. But all these 10 things are the beginning of travail. Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you; and ye shall be 11 hated of all the nations for My name's sake. And then shall 12 many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall 13 hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise, and 14 shall lead many astray. And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come. 15 "When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, 16 which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the 17 holy place (let him that readeth understand), then let them 18 that are in Judea flee unto the mountains; let him that is on 19 the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in 20 his house; and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a Sabbath." NOTE.—The texts inclosed in marks of parentheses, while not essential to the lesson study, will be found to throw much light upon the lesson, and are suggested for those who wish to study further. - Upon departing from the temple to what did the disciples call the Saviour's attention? Mark 13:1. (Luke 21:5.)
- What prediction did Jesus make in reply to these observations? Verse 2.
- To what place did they go? Which of the disciples questioned Jesus concerning His prediction? Verse 3. (Luke 21:7.)
- What was involved in the questions asked? Matt. 24:3. Note 1.
- Of how much importance did Jesus consider these questions? Verse 4. (Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8; 2 Thess. 2:3.)
- Why was this caution necessary? Verse 5. See note 2.
- What further caution did He give them relative to His second coming? Verse 6.
- What events did He mention as marking the beginning of sorrows? Verses 7, 8. (2 Chron. 15:6; Luke 21:11.)
- What would be the experience of Christians during that period? Verses 9, 10.
- What did Jesus say of false prophets? Verse 11. (Matt. 7:15-20.)
- What was to be the effect upon God's people of all this iniquity? Verse 12.
- What precious promise is given to the faithful? Verse 13.
- Before the end of the age, what must surely take place? Why is it necessary? Verse 14. (Acts 1:8.)
- Having traced events in a general way to the end, with what does Jesus begin to specify the events to reach to His coming? Verse 15. (Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20; Dan. 9:27.)
- What were Christians to do when this sign appeared? Verse 16.
- How much haste were they to manifest in their movements when the time was indicated? Verses 17, 18.
- Between the time of the Saviour's prediction and the occurrence of the events predicted, over what two points were the disciples constantly to pray? Verse 20.
Side Lights.—"Desire of Ages," chapter 69. 1. Tell us.—Three questions were asked, involving the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem, which the disciples believed would stand until the end of all things, the sign of Christ's second coming, and the end of the age. Christ took up first in His answer the end of the world, or Gospel age, and treated that in a general way. He then spoke of the destruction of the temple as the beginning of a series of events which are to terminate in His coming. 2. I am Christ.—That is, men would proclaim themselves the Anointed, and by certain signs and wonders lead many to accept their statements for truth. See Matt. 24:24. This has ever been a favorite method employed by Satan to mislead honest souls.