Matthew, Chapter 24

- י י ל -

Jesus Looks at the Temple From Atop the Mount of Olives and Predicts the End of the World

3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.(Matthew 24:3-14)

Jesus leaves the Temple and goes up the Mount of Olives. His Apostles ask him when the Temple will be destroyed and Jesus lists the many signs and calamities that are destined to occur beforehand: wars, power struggles, earthquakes, famine, hatred, debauchery, etc. Those who adhere zealously to their beliefs will live to see the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. It is never too late to embrace the true faith, but those who reject it will perish. And, indeed, those who resisted during the siege of Jerusalem witnessed its destruction and were massacred by the Romans. The Temple was destroyed and has not since been rebuilt. True believers must move past the tragedies and rebuild Jerusalem in their hearts—a spiritual Jerusalem, ethical and righteous.

Nobility is adopting and practicing good traits, enabling us to rise to the highest levels of humanity.