“All that you see here—the days will come when
there will not be left a stone upon another stone
that will not be thrown down.”
LUKE 21:6
This is a powerful and prophetic statement attributed to Jesus. It serves as a reminder of impermanence and the transient nature of all things. It encourages reflection on deeper spiritual truths and the need to focus on eternal values beyond the material world.
While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” (Luke 21:5-11)
In this context, Jesus is referring to the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The Second Temple, also known as Herod’s Temple, held immense significance for the Jewish people. It served as the central place of Jewish worship. It was where Jews gathered for communal prayers, rituals, and sacrifices. The temple symbolized their connection to God and their shared faith. The Second Temple replaced Solomon’s Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE. Its construction marked a period of renewed hope for the Jewish people after their exile. It represented continuity with their ancient past and the restoration of their religious practices. Tragically, in 70 CE, during the First Jewish–Roman War, the Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman army led by Titus. This event fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy. The destruction left a profound impact on Jewish history and theology.
Daniel interprets a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar, revealing a sequence of empires (symbolized by different metals) that would rise and fall. The final kingdom, represented by a stone cut without hands, would destroy all preceding kingdoms and stand forever. A divine kingdom established by God—a kingdom that transcends earthly powers and lasts forever. This kingdom is often associated with the Messiah’s reign and the ultimate victory of good over evil.
Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar: “In your vision, O king, you saw a statue, very large and exceedingly bright, terrifying in appearance as it stood before you. The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs bronze, the legs iron, its feet partly iron and partly tile. While you looked at the statue, a stone which was hewn from a mountain without a hand being put to it, struck its iron and tile feet, breaking them in pieces. The iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold all crumbled at once, fine as the chaff on the threshing floor in summer, and the wind blew them away without leaving a trace. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. “This was the dream; the interpretation we shall also give in the king’s presence. You, O king, are the king of kings; to you the God of heaven has given dominion and strength, power and glory; men, wild beasts, and birds of the air, wherever they may dwell, he has handed over to you, making you ruler over them all; you are the head of gold. Another kingdom shall take your place, inferior to yours, then a third kingdom, of bronze, which shall rule over the whole earth. There shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron; it shall break in pieces and subdue all these others, just as iron breaks in pieces and crushes everything else. The feet and toes you saw, partly of potter’s tile and partly of iron, mean that it shall be a divided kingdom, but yet have some of the hardness of iron. As you saw the iron mixed with clay tile, and the toes partly iron and partly tile, the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. The iron mixed with clay tile means that they shall seal their alliances by intermarriage, but they shall not stay united, any more than iron mixes with clay. In the lifetime of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever. That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain without a hand being put to it, which broke in pieces the tile, iron, bronze, silver, and gold. The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future; this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure.” (Daniel 2:31-45)
For believers, this prophecy offers hope and assurance that God’s sovereign plan will ultimately prevail. Despite the turmoil of human history, God’s eternal kingdom remains unshakable. In Christian theology, this is often connected to the coming of Jesus Christ—the Messiah—who inaugurates God’s eternal kingdom. It points to a future where justice, peace, and righteousness will prevail.
“Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.” (Daniel 3:57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
Bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever! These words echo through time, resounding from the psalms of old to the whispers of the wind. The sun dances across the sky, and the moon keeps its faithful watch. The oceans roar, and the sparrows find their nests. Each blade of grass, each soaring eagle, each newborn child—all bear witness to the divine artistry. All creation joins in a symphony of praise, exalting the One who formed the galaxies, painted the dawn, and breathed life into every living thing. Let the mountains lift their ancient heads, the rivers sing their liquid melodies, and the stars twinkle in celestial harmony. For the Creator’s handiwork is woven into every atom, every leaf, every heartbeat.
So let us join the chorus, you and I, lifting our voices like petals toward the sun. Let our gratitude be the fragrance that rises, our awe the melody that swells. For in this vast cosmic tapestry, we are but stardust, yet beloved. And as the universe spins, as galaxies collide and constellations form, may our souls find their true north: the eternal, unchanging Source of all beauty and wonder. Bless the Lord, O works of creation! Praise and exalt Him above all forever!
Pericope:
VI: The Teaching Ministry in Jerusalem
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE FORETOLD / THE SIGNS OF THE END
Luke 21:5-6/7-11
I: Daniel and the Kings of Babylon
THE KING'S DREAM
Daniel 2:31-45
I: Daniel and the Kings of Babylon
THE FIERY FURNACE
Daniel 3:57-61
Reflection Source:
Microsoft Bing
