You make simple things complicated sometimes. I feel sorry for you when you do that. Nothing you're saying changes the fact that the context of what spawned the Olivet Discourse is Jesus saying that the physical temple buildings standing at that time would be destroyed. He didn't just say that for nothing and there's no reason to think that He would not answer a question about that by giving an answer that related specifically to those temple buildings. He said that people in Judea would need to flee to the mountains when they saw something to indicate that Jesus's prophecy about the temple buildings being destroyed was about to happen. He was not concerned about the temple itself, He was concerned about His people not being caught up in the wrath and destruction going on in that area, so that's why He said they needed to flee from there.
OK have it your simple way then.
Your simple way: Jesus answered them about the temple that they asked about:
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Luke 21:
.. But before all these,
they shall lay their hands on those who worship at the temple in Jerusalem, and persecute the Jews, delivering them up to the Romans, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers
for the sake of the temple in Jerusalem.
And it shall turn to the Jews for a testimony. Tell the Jews therefore to settle it in their hearts, not to meditate before what they shall answer:
For from the temple in Jerusalem will they be given a mouth and wisdom, which all their adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
And
they that worship at the temple in Jerusalem shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of them shall they cause to be put to death.
And
they shall be hated of all men for the sake of the temple in Jerusalem. But there shall not an hair of their head perish,
because in their patience possess those who worship at the temple in Jerusalem their souls.
And tell
those who worship at the temple in Jerusalem that when THEY shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then THEY are to know that the desolation thereof is nigh, so then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
For these be the days of vengeance
upon those who do not worship at the temple in Jerusalem, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land,
and wrath upon the people because of those who do not worship at the temple in Jerusalem. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
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Have it your simple way: Jesus was not answering them by telling them about the tribulation and persecution that
the living stones of the New Testament Temple were to endure. He was answering their question about the temple in Jerusalem; and
in Matthew 24:15-21 and Luke 21:20-24 Jesus was not answering them by telling them about the tribulation and persecution that the living stones of the New Testament Temple were to endure.
He was answering their question about the temple in Jerusalem:
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Matthew 24
All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver
those who worship at the temple in Jerusalem up to be afflicted, and shall kill them: and THEY shall be hated of all nations for the sake of the temple in Jerusalem. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel
of the eternal endurance of the temple in Jerusalem and
news of its coming destruction shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let
the Jews which be in Judea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But
the Jews who worship at the temple in Jerusalem should pray that THEIR flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation
for the Jews who worship at the temple in Jerusalem, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved:
but for the sake of the Jews who worship at the temple in Jerusalem, those days shall be shortened.
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Have it your simple way:
In Matthew 24:15-21 and Luke 21:20-24 Jesus was not answering them by telling them about the tribulation and persecution that the living stones of the New Testament Temple were to endure. He was answering their question about the temple in Jerusalem.
