With only days until Jesus' death, He taught His trainee apostles about the future.  It was an important lesson which the church would need.  In the dark days of persecution, they must not run to the Temple for sanctuary, but run away from it - to the Lord who would send them to the right place (Mark 13:14-18).  The magnificent temple was largely completed in 4 BC but was still under construction in Jesus' day, and was only completed in AD 64.  It was an architectural wonder, a matter of pride for all Jews (who paid for it), as well as Herod.  

The back-story is: after the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, and the return of a remnant from exile, Zerubbabel started to rebuild the temple in 535 BC.  It was completed in 515 BC under Nehemiah's leadership (Nehemiah 12:47).  However, it was not a replica of Solomon's Temple, being 90 feet shorter and not beautiful - more like a fortress.  So, Herod, who wanted to build favour with the Jews and leave a legacy of his power through buildings, restored the temple and extended it.  It was a massive reconstruction project.  At best, buildings for worship are the product of divine instruction and personal sacrifice; but at worst, they become the objects of worship wrapped in mixed motives and self-interest (Jeremiah 7:11; Matthew 21:13).  Such was Herod's Temple.

Jesus, who knew the future, said that all the revered buildings would be razed to the ground.  And that is what happened only 6 years after the scaffolding was taken down, when the future Emperor Titus levelled the Temple Mount and surrounding city in AD 70.  As Jesus predicted, not even one stone would be left in situ. Having rejected God's sacrificial Lamb, there was no longer any point in offering sacrifices. Christless religion, in a temple that was intended to point towards Him, was futile (Luke 19:41-44).

However splendid the architecture, if a building which is made for the worship of God becomes the object of worship, God is disobeyed - inciting His punishment to subsequent generations (Exodus 20:4-6). His intention is frustrated, and the building is redundant to His purposes.  Like any landlord of redundant property, He is entitled to dispose of it as He wishes.  Beautiful buildings are not wrong; but if they are idolised, they and their worshippers are worthy of a dreadful end.  The true church is the people who honour Jesus as their Head (Colossians 1:18).  The buildings they meet in cannot be more special than Him.  That thought should help us to distinguish between ministry tools (such as buildings) and ministry itself; between beautiful stones and a Beautiful Saviour.  At a personal level, the church building is not our ultimate refuge, Jesus is.  He has not called us to put our faith in the church or its structures but in Himself.  Religion will let you down, but the Lord Jesus Christ has come to lift you up.  Let Him do so; and then ask Him to help you use the tools He gives you wisely to His glory.