Is Prophecy Being Fulfilled Now? # 6
What does the Bible say about the involvement of the Temple Treasures in the end times? Will they be recovered? Will they be involved in the end time events?
The Bible does address these questions.
Amos 9:14 And I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and live in them.”
Most versions translate the Hebrew words for fortunes as exiled people or captivity in Amos 9. This Hebrew phrase is a very specific phrase used over 15 times in the Hebrew Bible. The King James Version consistently translates it as bring again the captivity or turn away their captivity. The word captivity leaves the exact meaning of the verse vague.
It could refer to the people who were in captivity or possibly the spoils of war that were captured. The KJV translation of Zephaniah 2:7 translates this same Hebrew phrase with the connotation of enslavement of people. The English Standard version consistently translates this phrase as restoring their fortunes, even in Zephaniah 2:7. Other translations often render this phrase as restoring their fortunes.
I believe the Hebrew word refers to a fortune. When it refers to the fortune of Israel it is referring to the Temple Treasures. Will the Temple Treasures be found in the end times? I understand passages such as Amos 9:14; Hosea 6:11; and Zephaniah 3:19-20 to refer to the finding of the Temple Treasures.
The Temple Treasures will be found and restored to God’s people.
How will the finding of the Temple Treasures play a role in the end time events?
I have found that most people have little interest in archaeology or the Holy sites in Israel but it seems everyone loves recovered treasures; especially when they have great significance and power. When the Temple treasures are discovered and revealed, the world will stop and notice. This will be an opportunity for the greatest evangelistic effort in history!
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016
The Bible does address these questions.
Amos 9:14 And I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and live in them.”
Most versions translate the Hebrew words for fortunes as exiled people or captivity in Amos 9. This Hebrew phrase is a very specific phrase used over 15 times in the Hebrew Bible. The King James Version consistently translates it as bring again the captivity or turn away their captivity. The word captivity leaves the exact meaning of the verse vague.
It could refer to the people who were in captivity or possibly the spoils of war that were captured. The KJV translation of Zephaniah 2:7 translates this same Hebrew phrase with the connotation of enslavement of people. The English Standard version consistently translates this phrase as restoring their fortunes, even in Zephaniah 2:7. Other translations often render this phrase as restoring their fortunes.
I believe the Hebrew word refers to a fortune. When it refers to the fortune of Israel it is referring to the Temple Treasures. Will the Temple Treasures be found in the end times? I understand passages such as Amos 9:14; Hosea 6:11; and Zephaniah 3:19-20 to refer to the finding of the Temple Treasures.
The Temple Treasures will be found and restored to God’s people.
How will the finding of the Temple Treasures play a role in the end time events?
- The Temple Treasures will validate Israel’s history. When the Temple treasures are found everyone in the world will have to make a decision. Did the stories in the Bible really happen? Did the Patriarchs inhabit the land of Israel many years ago? Is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob real? Each person will have to either accept God or reject Him in light of the overwhelming evidence.
- The Temple Treasures will validate Israel’s claim to the Temple mount. Did Israel once have a Temple standing on the platform in Jerusalem? The existence of the Temple Treasures will prove to the world that the Temple did in fact exist. It will pave the way for Israel to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
- It will build a basis for the restoration of Temple worship. Many of the sacred articles for Temple worship will be recovered. The most significant of all is the High Priest’s breastplate. The breastplate of the High Priest not only gave him the ability to stand in the presence of God, it allowed him to communicate directly to God.
The Urim and Thummin were two stones on the breastplate of the High Priest. The High Priest could ask God a question and He would answer through those two stones. The original breastplate will be the most valuable artifact of the Temple Treasures because it will allow the High Priest to communicate directly with God.
I have found that most people have little interest in archaeology or the Holy sites in Israel but it seems everyone loves recovered treasures; especially when they have great significance and power. When the Temple treasures are discovered and revealed, the world will stop and notice. This will be an opportunity for the greatest evangelistic effort in history!
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016