The Statue of Liberty, the Great Wall of China, and the Eiffel Tower. All of these epic monuments represent national pride that is known across the world. If you were to visit any of these sights, you would be surrounded by tourists trying to capture a smiling selfie with the structure. In modern Jerusalem, there is a tourist attraction with a completely different kind of crowd. There are no happy selfies, no smiling visitors, and no gift shops. It’s called the Wailing Wall, because of the national pain it represents. This tiny stack of shattered stones is what’s left of the mammoth temple in ancient Jerusalem. (Yes, the same one that Jesus visited.)
Solomon’s Temple was the ultimate monument for the Jewish people. It didn’t just represent political pride — it encompassed their religion, history, and destiny. It was a sign to the world that the Jewish people were strong despite all their struggles. They survived multiple seizes, Egyptian slavery, and hundreds of setbacks. The temple was a reminder of their resilience. It was like the Statue of Liberty times one hundred.
The disciples are marveling at the structure, saying, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” (13:1) Jesus sighed and replied, “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Jesus was prophesying the Roman destruction of Jerusalem — which happened about forty years after this conversation. Soldiers on horseback stormed the city and set the building on fire. When people tried to put out the blaze, they were captured or killed. Rome didn’t want anyone to think that God was greater than Caesar, so they torched the Temple.
Jesus pointed out that this destruction echoed an even greater one. “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains” (13:8). Like a mother screaming in childbirth, the world will experience extreme agony and terror. There will be natural catastrophes like fires and floods. Some unhinged madman may press the red button and send rockets across the ocean. Families will turn against each other, nations will rise up against each other, and all of humanity will cry out in horror.
Yes, it’s an unsettling message. However, just like birth pains lead to a baby, this catastrophe will lead to victory. Jesus will come back and make things right. Yes, things will get bad, but then they will get better. Revelation 21 teaches that King Jesus will look at the universe and proclaim, “I am making everything new!” (Rev 21:5).
It’s easy to approach the apocalyptic passages like Mark, Daniel, and Revelation like scenes from a horror movie. We imagine fires, explosions, wars, and zombies. Sure, it will be scary at the beginning, but glorious at the end. Jesus will be victorious. Jesus will will in the end. Jesus will make all things new. It will get bad, but then it will get better.
It’s not horror — it’s hope.