In Josephus, War 6.288-311, the Jewish historian Josephus rebukes the Jews for not understanding or accepting the signs which foretold the destruction of the Temple. Many of the signs he tells of are the same as those mentioned by Jesus: earthquakes, wars, and the such. Some were very different like the heifer who was being led into the Temple to be slaughtered who gave birth to a lamb. Well, that’s just weird. And that is kind of Josephus’ point. They should have known that something so completely bazar and unexpected pointed to something. I’m not saying that this really happened. The works of Josephus are not Scripture and he is known to exaggerate. Hyperbole anyone? But it is interesting that, after the event, this Jewish historian mentions similar portents as those uttered by Jesus before the event. Jesus mentioned what was going to happen. Ah, but when someone or something reaches sacred status, it is difficult to imagine that anything adverse could happen to it. What has become sacred for you?
Let me start by stating that Luke 21:7-11 is most likely not about the second coming of Jesus. That particular explanation of Jesus’ words here, does not fit the context. But people will pick it up and tout it because it has long been accepted as truth. Traditional views die hard. Even when the context is glaringly different. There just may be a lesson here for us. Okay, so, in verse 6 Jesus told them that the Temple which they had been pontificating over would be completely destroyed. In verse 7 an unidentified “they” asked him when these things would happen and what the signs would be. In the context, there is no other “things” than Jesus declaration that the Temple would fall. Now, try to imagine hearing his words as a Jewish person. I have no real frame of reference. But I can imagine that if they accepted that such a thing were possible, that surely God would provide signs. Such a thing may even be only foreseeable as the end of the world. How could it be otherwise? There is some evidence that a little bit later down the road some Jews accused Christians of following a pseudo-messiah who threatened to overthrow the Temple and replace the Jewish leadership. The Qumran community believed that the only way that Judaism could be purified was through a complete upheaval of the current corrupt leadership. Luke may be telling this story to combat that accusation. It seems more likely that Luke is telling this story because Jesus knew that the very thing the Jews thought was central to their religion would be destroyed. God is central. They had forgotten.
In the midst of the chaos that will exist before the destruction, don’t allow a false messiah to lead you astray. These fakes who will claim Christhood, will advocate the violent overthrow of Rome. We know of some of these. Gamaliel mentions a Theudas who led an uprising and, along with his followers, was killed by the Romans and a Judas who met the same fate (Acts 5:36-37). Paul was mistaken for an Egyptian who led several out into the wilderness in Acts 21:38. Don’t follow these men. Don’t be deceived into picking up weapons and challenging the Romans in my name. And don’t be afraid when you hear of wars and rebellions. These things must happen first. The end, or maybe fulfillment, is immediately after. Well, unless immediately means something completely different, this must be about the destruction of the Temple. Nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And is there a time when this is not the case? Those nations and kingdoms seem to always be at each other’s throats. There will be great earthquakes. There will be plagues and famines. In the Greek these two words are very similar in spelling. There will be terrors. And to be honest, this sounds like end of times stuff. Ah, but the Bible often uses such language to speak of the judgment of God. And that pesky ol’ context. Some will argue here that with the words “then he said,” that Jesus is shifting his discourse to the end times. Maybe, but it seems likely that he is still answering their specific question about the destruction of the Temple.
The importance of the Temple to the Jewish people cannot be overemphasized. And maybe that is the problem. The goal of the passage is not to give us permission to jump all over the Jews. The goal of God’s word is to cut into us. What is it that you hold as being sacred? Marriage is sacred, but don’t hold it above God. That would be a mistake; a mistake some have made. Your marriage should not be central. Your job either. Your pets; your vehicles; your possessions; your church. Nothing should be central accept God! You are sacred space because God dwells in you. But you are not central. God is!