I was asked what do I think of a third temple for Israel?
My answer:
“I believe there will be a third temple. That’s because Ezekiel prophesied about it (Eze. 41-42) during the Babylonian Captivity. The first temple had been destroyed (2 Kings 25:8-9). The second temple was built after the Captivity under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:8-11), finished in 516 BC. It was elaborately remodeled, initiated by Herod the Great (died 4 BC) from c. 19 BC to its completion c. AD 60. It was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. Without the temple, Jewish worship couldn’t be strictly conducted according to the Mosaic Law. All they could do and can do was/is improvise. When Jesus mentioned the temple in Matt. 24 and Paul’s reference to it in 2 Thess. 2, they are referring to the 3rd temple. It’s also mentioned in Rev. 11:1-2. A Jewish brother recently told me that temple building material, furniture, and other material are ready to be placed in the third temple. The next step is removing the Dome of the Rock (a very volatile move). Since I’m pretribulational, I believe the rapture will occur between now and the building of the 3rd temple. I believe the building will occur while the Jews will be under a contract (covenant) with the Antichrist (Dan. 9:27). After 3 1/2 years, he will break the covenant, “opposeth (God) and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV). Rev. 13:1-10 gives more details of his activities, and Rev. 13:11-18 explains the work of the false prophet. That’s lots of details. I hope it helps. Not all agree with that view. I respect any disagreements.
Additionally, as I hear about what’s happening in Israel, I believe God is expediting the time to fulfill prophecy. Two very significant trends I believe are signs of the nearness of Christ’s coming: (1) Many Jews and Muslims are coming to Christ and (2) Jews are immigrating to Israel in droves. I might also mention that within the 13 years, God has called to heaven some major teachers of His word – Adrian Rogers, D. James Kennedy, Robert Lightner, Warren Wiersbe, Norman Geisler, RC Sproul, and Billy Graham, and Ravi Zacharias. The diminishing of those critical voices is also significant. Perhaps Rom. 11:26-27 is very near to fulfillment. I hope so. I’m ready to be with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6-8). Blessings!
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