The Wailing Wall was most likely not a part of the temple complex, which was the context of the scripture. Have you read my post #75? It links to three websites that use the words of Josephus to determine the location of the temple and Fort Anatonia, which leads them to conclude that the Wailing Wall was part of the Fort, or part of the city walls. Anyway, there is some very good information on those sites.
Josephus' writings notwithstanding.... Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple:
and His disciples came to Him for to shew Him the buildings of the temple.
So the subject is not strictly limited to the temple but the whole area.
2 And Jesus said unto them, "See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."
Then right after this, verse 3 And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, "Tell us,
when shall these things be
and what shall be the sign of Thy coming,
and of the end of the world?"
Think for a minute that Christ did not know what the disciples were thinking?
The first warning Christ gave as a 'sign' of His return was verse 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them,
"Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in MY name, saying, 'I am Christian; and shall deceive many.
So we have near two thousand years since Christ gave the warning of what would be the 'signs' of His return. And right in the midst of these events Christ said Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When *his* branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is night:
This parable sets the time-frame of 'this generation' that Christ is addressing.
Deception is the first tribulation and Christ said all but the elect would be deceived.
Matthew 24:21 (quoting Daniel 12:1) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: BUT for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Here is the 'tribulation' verse 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, 'Lo, here is Christ,' or 'there;' believe it NOT.
Why do you insist on reading so much into the text? These are the three passages on this matter, in context:
"And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Mat 24:1-2 KJV)
"And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Mark 13:1-2 KJV)
"And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Luke 21:5-6 KJV)
I don't see anything in those passages other than the temple buildings--the temple complex.
>>>The first warning Christ gave as a 'sign' of His return was verse 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in MY name, saying, 'I am Christian; and shall deceive many.<<<
Why did you misquote verse 5? There were many false Christs and prophets prior to 70 AD.
>>>So we have near two thousand years since Christ gave the warning of what would be the 'signs' of His return. <<<
His return with his angels to gather his elect occurred around 70 AD, exactly when he predicted. All the signs he gave were fulfilled prior to his coming in 70 AD.
>>>And right in the midst of these events Christ said Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When *his* branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is night: This parable sets the time-frame of 'this generation' that Christ is addressing.<<<
Exactly! He warned his disciples that when they began to see those signs, they should prepare for his coming and for the destruction of Jerusalem. For example, they should warn their fellow Christians in Judea to flee to the mountains, etc..
>>>Deception is the first tribulation and Christ said all but the elect would be deceived.<<<
I have no idea what that means.
>>>Matthew 24:21 (quoting Daniel 12:1) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: BUT for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.<<<
The great tribulation occurred prior to, and during 70 AD. Since you mentioned Daniel 12, are you aware that the first resurrection referenced in Daniel 12:1-2 was only for Daniel's people, that is, only for the Israelites? Are you also aware that it was a partial resurrection, in that not all were resurrected, but "many?"
>>>Here is the 'tribulation' verse 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, 'Lo, here is Christ,' or 'there;' believe it NOT.<<<
Think about why might Christ say that. Could it be that he never returns to the earth, not then, nor in the future? Therefore, anyone claiming to be Christ would have to be an imposter. If he had not said that, his disciples may have believed an imposter.
This is Jesus explaining how he will be not be seen anymore after his ascension:
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;" (John 16:7-10 KJV)
Even beloved John, in the Revelation, did not see Christ, but his angel:
"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." (Rev 22:16 KJV)
Philip