Art Above

Two more amazing ceilings in Rome

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Leslee Simler

Is that the papal crest? I wonder at all the overhead art… is it to help us as we look up in prayer or song? Pius IX, the longest reigning pope

Jerry and Lisa

Sorry, but we are wondering if the Messiah would have such a view of such things?

As Yeshua was going out of the Temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What stones and what buildings!” Yeshua said to him, “You see these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left upon another. Every one will be torn down!” [Mar 13:1-2]

And while some were talking about the Temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and offerings, Yeshua said, “As for these things you are looking at, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another. Every one will be torn down!” [Luk 21:5-6]

Wasn’t He essentially saying, at least in part, “Don’t be amazed at such things”? Could it be idolatrous to do so, unless one is amazed at how misdirected people would be to devote such money, time, talent, and strength toward such things? Not trying to be judgemental or condemning of the people, or you for that matter, but trying to be discerning in a prophetic sense. Maybe YHWH was not even all that jazzed about the temple David conceived and Solomon built. He instructed the building of the tabernacle, but did He instruct “Solomon’s temple” to be built. Has He instructed the Jews to build the temple they are planning to build via the plans of the Temple Institute? He may have not judged or condemned David and Solomon for it because maybe He knew the intent of their hearts was for His esteem. Nevertheless, the temple has passed away, unlike His word which will not pass away, and we are now His temple.

If the Messiah was not reproving them for their amazement in such things, He seems at least to have been taking the opportunity to bring it all into greater perspective to those things which were yet to come and to warn them:

And they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, so when will these things happen? What will be the sign that these things are about to take place?” And He said, “Watch out that you are not led astray! For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He’ and ‘The time is near!’ Do not follow them. And when you hear of wars and chaos, do not be terrorized. For these things need to happen first, but the end will not come at once.” [Luk 21:7-9]