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This is the 4th Study in a recent series that I've titled the Millennial Study, I'd invite you to study the first three as this blog builds on the work we've already done.
I am proposing four new ideas in this study:
- The Traditional location of the Temple is incorrect.
- There will be two more temples - The Tribulation Temple and the Millennial Temple.
- The Millennial Temple will descend from Heaven at the end of the Tribulation
- Jesus builds the Millennial Temple (Zechariah 6:12-14)
This is sometimes referred to as the first temple, built by King David's son Solomon. Erected around 986 BC, it stood for about 400 years and was destroyed by the Babylonians as punishment for Israel's disobedience to the Lord. (For more facts see The First Temple article)
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| Scale Model of Solomon's Temple (based on the dimensions in Kings) |
Often referred to as the second temple, this was built by King Herod the Great. Built with permission from Rome, the temple was supposed to help pacify the Jews and make them easier to rule. This is the temple that was in operation during Jesus time. It is of note, that while God allowed the business of the Temple to move forward, He did not occupy this temple, nor did it contain the Ark of the Covenant with the mercy seat. Tradition holds that it was located on what today is called the Temple Mount, recent archaeological evidence, a reexamination of Scripture, and eye witness accounts from the first through the third century writing suggest that tradition is in error. Before we continue, please watch the video below on this ground breaking discovery:
The implications of Robert Cornuke's recent discoveries are mind boggling and a perfect revelation for our time. The Holy Spirit within me quickened to this video and a light bulb popped on when Cornuke points to Jesus Prophecy that no stone will be left standing, (Luke 21:6, Matthew 24:2 and Mark 13:1-2) why have we as Christians thought that was to come? Why have we not taken the Word of the Lord literally? I believe it is because that was closed to us, like much of what is pouring out on the Body of Christ in these times.
Consider the irony of the Jews praying at a Roman wall instead of the Temple wall - God's chosen people, so blinded, are worshiping at a wall built by the spirit of Anti-Christ to dominate and control them. For it is clear in prophetic scriptures that the city of the seven hills is Rome and will be home to the False Prophet during the Tribulation. Perhaps this discovery will pave the way for the next Temple, not to be built beside the Dome of the Rock but either in Shiloh (where Ezekiel describes the Millennial Temple) or in the site they have uncovered in the Old City. I cannot say, but it is absolutely clear in Scripture, that there is another temple coming.
The Church Age Temple:
From the destruction of Herod's Temple in 70 AD, there has been no functioning temple on Earth for the Jews to offer sacrifice but is it fair to say that there has been no temple and that there is not temple here on Earth? Consider 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, would it be fair say, in light of this passage that to assert there is no temple on the Earth now is incorrect? I think I could make a good argument that we are the temple, the indwelt believer is the temple, where the Lord lives on Earth during this time, throw in 1 Corinthians 3:16 as a supporting Scripture and I think it's a valid point.
The Tribulation Temple:
Right now, as we speak, the Temple Institute is working and planning for the next Temple. The miraculous delivery at the hands of God in the Ezekiel 38-39 war will draw all of the Jews home to Israel and ignite within them the essential reestablishment of Temple worship (Ezekiel 39: 21-22). Isaiah 49:22-23 outline the nations that will assist. Remember, at first Israel will not know that the Anti-Christ is their enemy, he will come as a man of peace and they will accept him as a great ruler. It is the signing of the treaty with the Anti-Christ that establishes a treaty and allows for the rebuilding on the Temple that triggers the beginning of Daniel's 70th week (Daniel 9:24-27).
At the midway point in the seven year treaty, Anti-Christ will enter the temple (2 Thes. 2:4) that he has helped the Jews rebuild and will commit such an atrocity that it is called the Abomination of Desolation (Matt. 24:15), declare himself God, and kick off the Great Tribulation. Scriptural references: Daniel 11:31 (the first occurrence during the Maccabees Revolt), Daniel 9:27, Daniel 12:11, Rev. 13:14-15.
The Destruction of the Tribulation Temple:
In the second part of this series on the Millennium, we looked at Jerusalem and the logic behind the assertion that Jerusalem as it exists today will be largely destroyed by the Mount of Olives Earthquake. If you have not already done so, please refer to Two Jerusalems.
For this, portion of discussion, let's just rely on common sense and what we know about the Lord. Do we honestly believe that during the Millennium that the Lord will take up residence in a temple that was built through a rebellious nation of Israel, approved by the Antichrist, and desecrated by Satan? Again, God can do anything but this does not seem to jive with what we know about Him. After he returns, he enters into Jerusalem victorious and sets up his throne in the Temple, it makes sense that this temple has been created in Heaven and is part of the new Holy City we watch descend in Rev 21:1-3.
The Millennial Temple:
As we've learned in previous study, there is no Temple in New Jerusalem but it is clear that there is one in the Holy City on Earth. Jesus builds this temple, look at Zechariah 6:12"Then say to him, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD. 13"Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices."'…
The latter part of Ezekiel, regarding the Temple have always been a source of confusion for the church. Many Bible teachers completely dismiss this writing as gibberish. Why would there ever be a working Temple when Jesus was the sacrifice for all time? Scripture is clear on that point (Hebrews 10:12), but the closer we get to the end of the age, the clearer the future becomes. God does not deal in falsehoods and would not have given Ezekiel such detailed revelations had they not been for a future purposes. For there will indeed be Millennial temple, a working temple, where a new form of Old Testament worship will again be practiced for the Jews in Jerusalem and throughout the Earth. (We touched on this in How God Speaks Through the Ages.) We'll look at Millennial Salvation in depth later.
Conclusion:
I hope you have enjoyed this exciting subject, it is truly an exciting time to be a believer and a follower of prophetic events!
(Homage to Bible Teacher Jack Kelley at Gracethrufaith, whose writing and insight have taught me so much.)
