Chapter 4: Not One Stone

As Jesus left the Temple that afternoon, his disciples pointed to the buildings around them — the massive stones, the gleaming colonnades, the courts that had stood for generations.

JESUS“Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another. Every one will be thrown down.”— Matthew 24:2

Four disciples came to him privately on the mountain. When would this happen, they asked, and what would be the sign of his coming?

Jesus told them plainly. There would be wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes. False messiahs would appear and lead many astray. His followers would be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, hated by all nations because of him.

JESUS“But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.”— Matthew 24:13-14

He described a coming desolation and warned them not to be deceived by anyone who claimed the Messiah had appeared in secret. When the Son of Man came it would be like lightning that flashes from east to west and fills the entire sky.

JESUS“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”— Matthew 24:30-31

No one knew the day or the hour — not the angels, not even the Son, but only the Father.

JESUS“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”— Matthew 24:42

The city lay below them in the late afternoon light. He rose from the mountain and went to Bethany.