Dear Doves,

 

Thank you Denise and others for indicating your enjoyment of my previous posts.  I REALLY appreciate the positive response!!  On that note, I would like to take the time to further my thoughts on the subject as outlined below.

 

In my inner circle of brothers and sisters, an excellent question was asked of my previous posts as follows:

 

“I really like your most recent post, but how do you explain this passage:

 

2 Thessalonians 2:4, “Who opposeth 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.”

 

Unless the temple is not a physical building, but is in each of us??”

 

While I am not saying a physical temple, even if a temporary structure, could not be erected by the Jews for the Anti-Christ to desecrate, I am simply stating that I do not believe that this is a requirement.

 

Indeed, I strongly believe that we need to continuously view BOTH Old Testament prophecy and New Testament prophecy under current conditions.  More specifically, the condition of the New Testament Age of Grace, and all of its glorious implications (wherein such Age of Grace will end at the Rapture).

 

As many here are aware, it is commonly understood that the New Testament reveals what the Old Testament conceals.  This has never been more true, IMO, than in the above passage as outlined above.  So then, does the New Testament reveal any NEW information not known in the Old Testament as to what exactly is meant in this passage by “the temple of God”?

 

I believe that it most certainly does:

 

1 Corinthians 6:19:  “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

 

I believe that God purposely made this updated definition of the “temple of God” crystal clear.  Now, let us do a quick comparison of the old definition versus the new definition:

 

Old Testament temple of God:  Physical temple in Jerusalem.  Can be destroyed (and was – twice – still not rebuilt).  Physical residence of the Holy of Holies.  Access was only available one day a year by one specified person using a precise ritual.

 

New Testament temple of God:  Physical temple in the hearts of people.  Can never be destroyed, as this “temple” will spiritually end up in either heaven or hell, depending on your choice to either accept or reject Jesus.  Spiritual residence of the Holy of Holies.  Access available 24 hours a day, every single day (PRAISE BE THE LORD!!!).

 

Now, let us expand on this using the light of the Book of Revelation:

 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, according to the Bible, the heart of each person left behind is exactly where the Lord Himself indicated that the False Prophet, using the Anti-Christ as the focus of worship, will attack (see Revelation 13).

 

Indeed, Revelation 13 indicates that taking the Mark of the Beast will specifically mean accepting Satan in your heart, permanently and irrevocably corrupting the temple of God.  Unlike anywhere else in the Bible, the acceptance of the Mark will be an irrevocable decision that will send a person to hell.

 

This seems to specifically explain why the Mark of the Beast will be so dangerous!  This seems to explain why three separate angels will speak to EVERYONE on the planet that taking the Mark will damn them to Hell.  Does it not make sense that it will be because people will have made a decision to elevate Satan “so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God (people’s hearts), shewing himself that he is God”?

 

Surprise, surprise, I will now put this into a mathematical formulaJ:

 

Taking the Mark of the Beast = Satan sitting in the “Temple of God” (your heart) = an irrevocable ticket to Hell

 

When you examine the whole prophecy in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 from a different perspective, using knowledge revealed at the very end as promised by Daniel himself (Progressive Revelation, as Ron Reese refers to it), doesn’t this make a lot of sense?

 

It is sad to see that SOOO many watchers are waiting to see the Temple being rebuilt to even believe that we are at the end.  The above analysis should reveal to them that they seriously need to reevaluate that this rebuilt Temple is a REQUIREMENT.  I reiterate, I am not saying such physical temple CAN’T be rebuilt in Jerusalem, just that it doesn’t HAVE to be rebuilt for the end to come.

 

Not to sound like a broken record, and before any of you write any terse replies, I would like to once again remind everyone that the Lord Himself, NOT ME, said our bodies are the new temple of God!!!  Trust 1 Corinthians 6:19 on this, NOT ME!!

 

Disclaimer:  As per my previous few posts, I again stress that mathematics ALWAYS takes a backseat to the Bible.  Math does not prove the Bible, the Bible proves the Bible.  I stress that this post is only speculation on my part and should NEVER be misinterpreted as a “so sayeth the Lord” prophecy.  Not only that, but I would also like to note that March 22, 2013 is NOT even my favorite GUESS for the Rapture to occur (wherein, in reality, ANY day now could be THE day).  Indeed, my favorite GUESS is actually towards the end of Passover, perhaps on March 31, 2013 as the world turns it’s calendar to April Fool’s Day.  Wouldn’t that be appropriate?

 

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Brothers and sisters, an unprecedented number of watchers are geared up for watching this Passover season.  Are you ready to meet the Lord in the sky?  Repent and believe that grace is by faith alone and can ONLY be attained through Jesus Christ.  Get ready and leave the temptations of this world behind and ready yourself as a Bride.

 

Surely, time is almost up.

 

YbiC, MathMan