Trouble in the Middle East
Jerusalem and Coming Destruction
White House Church of Christ
Auditorium Class
August 23, 2026
Date Taught:
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Main Scripture:
Matthew 24
Teacher:
Jeff Smith
*** Lesson Series ***
This is Lesson #16 of a Lesson Series called Trouble in the Middle East.
For information about Trouble in the Middle East and the other lessons, click here.
Or, click to the Previous Lesson (#15) in the series or the Next Lesson (#17) in the series.
Class Notes
Jerusalem
Jerusalem, a Jebusite city which became the city of David. Three temples, all three desecrated and destroyed. The third temple destroyed, never to be rebuilt again.
Jerusalem, where David was promised his house, his kingdom, and his throne would be established forever. Acts 2 explains this is reference to Christ crucified, and risen and being declared “both Lord and Christ.”
Jerusalem,
Where the kingdom came with “power” as the Spirit was poured out.
The Gospel of Christ preached including:
- “forgiveness of sins”
- “the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Why talk about a temple destroyed?
Jesus did, Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21.
New Testament Commentary, Hebrews 8:6-13
“But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. vs7For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another….. vs13By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”
After AD 70, a people who were looking for Messiah, stopped looking. The Temple destroyed sees the end of the Jewish Priesthood and animal sacrifice.
Matthew 24, The Setting!
Matthew 23:33-39, “…all these things will come upon this generation...See, your house is left unto you desolate.”
Prophetic foreshadowing:
Two events discussed simultaneously.
Like mountain views, they appear close together, but are not.
Each event has similarities, but are very different.
To present, the Temple’s destruction and the 2nd coming of Christ are at least over 2000 years apart.
Herod’s Temple, the one standing:
The 3rd Temple of the Jews.
It was begun just prior to the birth of Christ.
Renovations continued in Jesus’ day.
Courtyards sprawled far beyond the actual footprint of the Temple.
There, early Christians assembled and the Apostles ministered in the name of Jesus.
Matthew 24
Vs. 1,2, “not one stone left upon the other.”
Vs. 3, Two questions:
When will these things happen?
What will be the sign of your coming?
Vs. 4-8, Signs before the coming destruction.
Vs. 32-35, like the fig tree.
Vs. 36-39, No signs before the Second return of Christ.
Vs. 9-14, Many trials coming to you. (Tribulation)
Vs. 15-26, The destruction, “Abomination of Desolation.”
Vs. 27-31, The Second coming of Christ.
Revelation 1:7
I Thessalonians 4:16-18