Rome, Italy: The Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus in Rome (constructed around AD 81) commemorates the Roman victory over the Jews in the Jewish-Roman war in Judea in the first century AD. Both the city of Jerusalem, and its temple were destroyed (in the images, you can see the carvings of the treasures being carried away from the temple, including the menorah). The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple occurred in AD 70. 

An amazing thing to consider is that this same Roman assault and destruction of the temple was actually prophesied in the Book of Daniel over 500 years before it happened. In Daniel we read: 

"And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city [i.e. Jerusalem] and the sanctuary [i.e. the temple]" (Daniel 9:26, NKJV - parenthesis added).

Jesus Christ also spoke of the destruction of the Temple - approx. 40 years in advance - when he said: 

"Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:2, NIV). 

He also predicted the siege against the city of Jerusalem that the Romans carried out, approximately forty years after He uttered these words:

"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city" (v. 20-21). 

One can look upon this arch in Rome, and be reminded of the remarkable precision and accuracy of Biblical prophecy. It is a testament in stone to the divine inspiration of the Bible and its supernatural, prophetic nature. When the Romans constructed this arch, they could not have realized that they were commemorating in stone for all to see an event that was actually predicted by God’s word centuries before it happened. When in Rome, be sure to visit this remarkable archeological site, and contemplate both the solemness of the event, and the absolute wonder of Biblical prophecy.  

According to the Bible, two future Jewish temples will be built. First, a temple will be built in Jerusalem that will ultimately be desecrated by the coming "man of sin" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), who is also referred to as the Antichrist. Secondly, Ezekiel 40-48 reveals that a new glorious temple will be built as part of Jesus Christ's glorious millennial kingdom on this earth that He will establish when He returns. Even so, come Lord Jesus!