elf manifest in the flesh. The "Desire of all nations" had indeed
come to His temple when the Man of Nazareth taught and healed in the
sacred courts. In the presence of Christ, and in this only, did the second
temple exceed the first in glory. But Israel had put from her the
proffered Gift of heaven. With the humble Teacher who had that day passed
out from its golden gate, the glory had forever departed from the temple.
Already were the Saviour's words fulfilled, "Your house is left unto you
desolate."(28)

The disciples had been filled with awe and wonder at Christ's prediction
of the overthrow of the temple, and they desired to understand more fully
the meaning of His words. Wealth, labor, and architectural skill had for
more than forty years been freely expended to enhance its splendors. Herod
the Great had lavished upon it both Roman wealth and Jewish treasure, and
even the emperor of the world had enriched it with his gifts. Massive
blocks of white marble, of almost fabulous size, forwarded from Rome for
this purpose, formed a part of its structure; and to these the disciples
had called the attention of their Master, saying, "See what manner of
stones and what buildings are here!"(29)

To these words, Jesus made the solemn and startling reply, "Verily I say
unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall
not be thrown down."(30)

With the overthrow of Jerusalem the disciples associated the events of
Christ's personal coming in temporal glory to take the throne of universal
empire, to punish the impenitent Jews, and to break from off the nation
the Roman yoke. The Lord had told them that He would come the second time.
Hence at the mention of judgments upon Jerusalem, their minds reverted to
that coming; and as they were gathered about the Saviour upon the Mount of
Olives, they asked, "When shall these things be? and what shall be the
sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?"(31)

The future was mercifully veiled from the disciples. Had they at that time
fully comprehended the two awful facts,--the Redeemer's sufferings and
death, and the destruction of their city and temple,--they would have been
overwhelmed with horror. Christ presented before them an outline of the
prominent events to take place before the close of time. His words were
not then fully understood; but their meaning was to be unfolded as His
people should need the instruction therein given. The prophecy which He
u