— Matthew chapter 24

A few days prior to being crucified, Jesus told His disciple the Jerusalem temple would be destroyed. This prophesy shocked His disciples. The temple was the house of Yahweh. How could it be destroyed? The destruction of the temple seemed like the end of the world.

So later, privately, they asked Jesus, “Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

— Matthew chapter 23

In the expansive courtyard of the Jerusalem temple, Jesus condemned the temple rulers and religious leaders. He called them hypocrites, blind guides, children of hell, fools, and snakes.

Bible scholars suggest at least three goals propelled Jesus’ provocative teaching and insulting sarcasm.

— Matthew chapter 20

Peter Schmiechen writes in Saving Power that “Jesus gathered disciples, taught, did miracles, created a new covenant, was crucified and raised from the dead. Salvation results from these historic events.

“The crucifixion and resurrection are displays of power which, in and of themselves, are unintelligible. The meaning of neither event is self-evident—demonstrated by the apostles fear and confusion. Both the cross and the resurrection are terrifying and attractive. Both assume God was involved. Atonement theories attempt to make intelligible what was accomplished via the cross and resurrection.”

— Matthew chapter 19

By most every measure Christianity is in decline in America and Europe. Church attendance is down. Cathedrals are being re-purposed into architectural shrines—people come to gawk at what men created instead of worship the Creator.

Sociologists report the decline of Christianity in Europe accelerated after WW1. Comprehending that some 8,500,000 Christians had just been slaughtered by “Christian nations,” Europeans began to question the veracity of Christianity.