Matthew 24

Signs of Christ’s Return

1 Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to Him to call His attention to the [magnificent and massive] *24:1 The massive size and polished surfaces of the fitted stones that formed the temple structure created a magnificent sight (cf Luke 21:5). The refurbishing of the temple was begun by Herod the Great in 20 b.c. and was completed in a.d. 64 by Herod Agrippa II. The rabbis had a saying: "Whoever has not seen the temple of Herod has never seen a beautiful building" (as quoted from the Talmud). They also said that Herod built it of yellow, white, and perhaps blue marble; and that he intended to cover it with gold, but the rabbis advised him not to because it was beautiful just as it was, looking like the waves of the sea.buildings of the temple. [Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36] 2 And He said to them, "Do you see all these things? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, not one stone here will be left on another, which will not be torn down."