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Will the Jews build a temple in Jerusalem before Jesus Christ returns?

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Will the Jews build a temple in Jerusalem before Jesus Christ returns?

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Bible prophecy shows that before Christ returns, sacrifices will begin again in a holy place (and that a world-dominating religious authority will stop them). Christ prophesied that "the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, [would be] standing in the holy place" (Matthew 24:15). He was referring to Daniel 11:31, which said: "Then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation."

It's possible that religious Jews will rebuild the temple. But, surprisingly, offering sacrifices doesn't necessarily require the presence of a temple. See, for example, what the Jews did under the leadership of Ezra (Ezra 3:1-3). They simply set up an altar and began to offer sacrifices on it.

The apostle Paul did refer to "the man of sin," an actual person who claims to be God in the flesh sitting in the "temple of God" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4). If "temple of God" is to be taken literally here, then this would imply the temple will be rebuilt.

Where God does not provide full details, we simply have to wait to see what will happen. It's important to constantly watch how world events unfold in the context of Bible prophecy. This is what we strive to do in The Good News and World News and Prophecy.

Comments

  • Sawyer

    I agree that Jesus referred to his body as his temple to rebuild it in 3 days not to a brick and motar building. In Rev 11 there is the measuring of the temple and the court and refers to those worshipping within so this would be an geographic area, within of which is the "holy city". In this case the occupants of the holy city would be the returning saints. The temple of God is yet another usage which refers to the abodes (dwelling places) where members of the Kingdom of God dwell. In that "temple" they have no separate building designated as a temple because the entire structure is a "temple", which is also described in Revelation. Thus those who are waiting for a temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem will never see HIM, as Jesus said the Kingdom of God would not come back to that middle east "Jerusalem" but would be to a new geographic area, which I have a great deal of evidence was the western United States, with the One referred to as The Father and the One who was in the flesh named Jesus, as the Two Witnesses returning in the early 1970's seen by the world as TI and DO (the Rev 14 Song) in "son of man" form again seen by the world as Heaven's Gate.

  • dusty
    Re: 2 Thes 2:4b, i.e. “…so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Some do interpret this verse to mean the Beast sits in a restored temple in Jerusalem or in a spiritual temple as head of the Church. However, to fulfill this prophecy, he won’t require a temple, restored, spiritual, or otherwise to rule from. This becomes clear when 2 Thes. 2:4b is properly punctuated and a word added that the Received Text allows. If a comma is placed after “he sits” and the word “sits” is placed after “as God”, then the verse exhibits the proper emphasis. The emphasis should not be that the Antichrist "sits in the temple of God", but rather that he "sits, as God (sits) in the temple of God". It is from His temple in heaven that God rules the universe from His throne. When the emphasis is correctly placed on how the Antichrist portrays his authority, rather than his physical location, it is clear Paul is stating that the son of perdition enthrones himself as supreme ruler. This verse has absolutely nothing to do with a physical or a spiritual temple. Therefore the verse should be rendered thus: “… he [the beast] sits [in his office or where ever], as God [sits] in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
  • SWB

    Please note, everything I am saying here is in the spirit of a non confrontational debate.

    While I can admit, that the ideas you put forth may or may not have been intended by Paul in the original Greek, I must ask, why are you so certain of the interpretations you put forth here? Seeing as the original text has no punctuation, other than blank space at the end of sentences; and, seeing how markedly different are the 'meanings', that your (or, whoever taught you) subtle changes in emphasis have "rendered" to the traditional understanding of those passages.

    I would submit, that the emphasis inferred by placing punctuation from one language, into another where there is none, is particularly assumptive. Doing that, from modern English to ancient Greek is bound to be rife with error.

    I would submit, that the traditional understanding is more likely, just because the message was meant to be understood in the original language, and since the "emphasis" which are dependant on your understanding of English, after inserting English punctuation; rather than, the way God intended it to be read by the native reader of Greek in that day, without the benefit of punctuation.
    SWB

  • Skip Miller

    Hello Stephen,

    Only Dusty will be able to tell you why he was so certain of his interpretation! However, it did give me something to think about. 2 Thessalonians 2 is one of the most discussed (and argued about!) sections concerning end time prophecy. I have my own opinion about one or two thoughts included there and if you ask about them I would be happy to discuss them.
    I guess we will have to wait on Dusty.

  • Juma
    ..... Interesting and thought-provoking question.. I have heard a minister say that the Prayers and fastings are spiritual sacrifices to God.. And since Gods people are His temple today, I believe this scripture is talking about His people.. Look around the world at our Israelite nations and even in His Laedocean churches today .the Daily prayers to God has most certainly "Almost ceased....
  • Sabrina Peabody
    HonestEde, Yes the temple is our bodies, however Christ is going to come again to this earth and before He does, the Bible gives some distinct events that will happen preceding that. One is the abomination of desolation which is mentioned above and the taking away of the sacrifices. Some think in order for the sacrifices to be taken away, they will need to be reinstituted in Jerusalem. Once this happens, we know they will then be taken away, and then at that point we know Christ will be returning to this earth soon.
  • HonestEde
    The prophesy that was fullfilled before Jesus rose from the dead is one thing. After that read 1 Cor 13 : 8-10.I believe this sums it up.The answer then is no new temple.The Temple of God is our bodys.1 Cor 6:19-20.:
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