Is Prophecy being fulfilled now? #3

Is it possible that the Temple will be rebuilt in our lifetime? YES! It is not only possible I believe it is probable it will happen in our lifetime. We know from the Bible

#3 The Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem

The first Temple was built by Solomon in 966 B.C. It housed the sacred articles for worship that were in the Tabernacle: the Ark of the Covenant, Table of Showbread, the Menorah, and the Altar of Incense. The Shekinah glory of God filled the Temple. The first Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C. Under the order of Cyrus the Great, the Temple was rebuilt in 516 B.C. It stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem until it was destroyed by Titus Vespasian in 70 A.D. There has not been a Temple in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount since that time.

In order for there to be Temple sacrifices and Temple worship in Jerusalem, there must be a Temple. II Thessalonians 2:4 indicates that the anti-Christ will sit in the Temple during the Tribulation period. The Temple will be rebuilt and function during the end-time seven year tribulation. Matthew 24:15 says, “When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.”

What is preventing the Temple from being rebuilt right now? The Muslim mosque of the Dome of the Rock is built on the Temple Mount. Does it have to be moved in order for the Temple to be rebuilt? No. Robert Mawire holds that the Temple originally stood just north of the Dome of the Rock and the third Temple will be built there. He believes the Dome of the Rock and the Temple will both exist on the Temple Mount with a large wall dividing the two.

If the mosque of the Dome of the Rock does not have to be removed in order for the third Temple to be built then what is preventing it from being built now? The only obstaclepreventing the Third Temple from being built on the Temple Mount is political pressure. Although the Temple Mount was taken by Israeli forces in 1967 during the Six-Day War, Prime Minister Levi Eshkol gave control of access to the Islamic Waqf as a gesture of Peace to the Arab Palestinians.

We know from the Bible that the Temple will be rebuilt. The political conditions in Jerusalem preventing the rebuilding of the Temple can change literally overnight. What will have to happen to change the political conditions? A large percentage of the world needs to approve of the building of the Third Temple. People need to accept the Jews right of access to the Temple Mount. We need to acknowledge that the Jewish Temple stood there as the Bible states

The Temple Mount is referred to as a flashpoint. Emotions concerning this holy place run very deep. People will fight and even die for their religious beliefs. All wars are ultimately about religion. The major religions of the world hold the Temple Mount as a very sacred part of their beliefs. Rebuilding the Temple right now would cause a world war. If the Church across the world would recognize Israel’s right to the Temple Mount (or at least part of it) then the Third Temple can be built. After it is built the Messiah will return.

Many Christians are opposed to the rebuilding of the Temple because we know the anti-Christ will desecrate it and sit in it as God. The fact that this going to happen does not negate the fact it has to be built in order for the Messiah to return. Should we be involved in building the Third Temple? We need to realize that the Temple will not be built by unbelievers. I hear many say that the Jews will build the third Temple. My Bible says Christians are grafted-in Jews (Romans 11); therefore, it is our responsibility to rebuild the Temple. Not only does Peter encourage the Early Church to look forward the return of the Messiah, but also he exhorts them to make it happen quickly (II Peter 3:12). The Greek word translated “hasting” literally means to make it happen soon. If the Church would realize it is our responsibility to rebuild the Temple, we would have enough political clout to allow it to happen. For the first time in almost 2,000 years we have the ability to rebuild the Temple. Let’s not miss this opportunity to do God’s work and pave the way for the return of Christ.


© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016