22 The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
[ 025 ] altar. The shekinah no longer abode between the cherubim in the most holy place; the ark, the mercy-seat, and the tables of the testimony were not to be found therein. No voice sounded from heaven to make known to the inquiring priest the will of Jehovah.
For centuries the Jews had vainly endeavored to show wherein the promise of God given by Haggai, had been fulfilled; yet pride and unbelief blinded their minds to the true meaning of the prophet ' s words. The second temple was not honored with the cloud of Jehovah ' s glory, but with the living presence of One in whom dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily— who was God Himself 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,
28 Matt. 23:38. 29 Mark 13:1.