Evening star., 1928-05-26
Sunday School Lesson

corner stone, holding the place of dig
nifty and power. They realized that
He was speaking of them, but instead
Of repenting their hearts were hard
ened, and, like the wicked husband
men who killed the son. they deter
mined to cruelty the Son Of God
Having defeated them in their plans
to entrap Him, which we considered
last week. Jesus turned and left the
temple for the last time as a wor-
shipper and teacher His closing mes
sage was denunciation of human sin
wickedness and folly that was so ter
rife that It's equal cannot be found
in any other language or literature.
He denounced the Pharisees and Scribes
As hypocriteS. SerpentS and q generation
of vipers. who had not only gathered
up in themselves all the evil of their
fathers but had far exceeded them. so
that the worlds cup Of wickedness and
crime was about to be filled up by their
plans to murder Him. His great heart
was about breaking with sorrow when
He predicted the temples destruction,
telling them that their house was left
TO them desoiate and that they should
see Him no more--that Is, In His ca
pacity as teacher and messiah--until
He should come in His glory" His
disciples we're puzzled by His message,
for they looked upon the preservation
Of the temple TO be essential to their
hopes for Christs success as messiah,
so that they asked Him the meaning
Of His prophecy concerning the de-
struction OF the temple. that was built,
according 10 Josephus. of massive
stones that were so and 10 feet in
fVa vggf@f
and feet In thickness In answer
10 the private request of four. who
asked for more details concerning the
coming events. Jesus delivered the So
called great archaeological discourse. +"
In terms that the apostles could clear
iy understand. but which during the
centuries following have been the sub
ject OF controversy and misunderstand
ing. the Lord predicted the destruction
of the temple and the downfall Of tie
nation. The temple had ceased 10 be
Gods house. Within Its walls He knew
that He would be condemned TO death
In a few days. III God would destroy
any one who defiled His temple. then
they should expect that the wonderful
building would also be destroyed when
IL ceased to fulfil its mission. Its sac
rifices and offerings we're typical OF His
death, so that with His crucifixion the
temple was to be removed, so that the
people would come 10 put their hope
and trust in Him. and not depend upon
the saerihciai shadow OF the Master
The talk about the approaching de-
struction of the temple. which took
place when Jerusalem was oveIfhrown
naturally led 10 the consideration of
the second coming OF Christ and the
worlds end Jesus was vague in His
A - ~
find at least three distinct comings OF
Christ foretold that refer to His COM
ing. To the Jews. TO His church and
to all nations. Although Jerusalem
has been destroyed. Christs second
coming and the final end OF the world
Is still To come. Our Lord did not tell
the exact time when these events
we're to take place, but lie pointed them
out so that Hts followers would be loyal
to Him and be prepared for their COM
ing Every time that there appears
wars. earthquakes. famineS and social
disorders they summon us TO watch.
for we know not the day or hour OF His
coming We must preach His gospel
throughout the world before the end
comes
In all OF our work. we need to re-
member that we are stewards OF our
possessions America IL "A vineyard Of
freedom. ideals. wealth and opportu-
nifty" If we fail TO exercise our posi-
ton among men and nations for the
advancement OF His kingdom We may
expect that the Judge of all mankind
will condemn us. Let us not fail TO
use our opportunities to preach His
gospel To every creature including the
strangers within our gates and the
people who have never heard OF His
gospel of salvation, We cannot present
His message 10 others II we. individual
~, fail 10 live clean and upright life.
ilnspotted by the sins of our own day
and generation We shall all he Judged
for our life and labor, Let us not for
get that Jehovah knoweth the way of
the righteous, but that the way OF the
wicked shall perish