God’s “Third” Temple
Those who are interested in prophecy have always speculated on when the Third Temple will be built. There is speculation that the original temple site is located near the “Dome of the Rock” – The Muslim shrine in Jerusalem. See below the description from the Internet:
The most famous Islamic site in Jerusalem is the Dome of the Rock. An impressive and beautiful edifice, the Dome of the Rock can be seen from all over Jerusalem. It is the crowning glory of the Haram es-Sharif (“Noble Sanctuary), or Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock is not a mosque, but a Muslim shrine. Like the Ka’ba in Mecca, it is built over a sacred stone. This stone is believed to be the place from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven during his Night Journey to heaven.
The Dome of the Rock is the oldest Islamic monument that stands today and certainly one of the most beautiful. It also boasts the oldest surviving mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca) in the world.
The Temple Mount Faithful is an organization whose primary goal is to build the third temple in the holy city. They have well thought out objectives – these can easily be viewed on the Internet. Many of the items used in “temple worship” have already been created and are waiting for the right set of circumstances to develop to allow for progression of their plans.
There are scriptures that indicate that this rebuilding of the temple will be accomplished.
2 Thessalonians 2:2-6 New King James Version (NKJV) Not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
Verse 6 (above) is an interesting scripture – “And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.” This scripture actually works in very well with the purpose of this note. I am sure there have been teachings on this subject, although I cannot personally recall having read any of them which fit with what I am proposing in this document.
My thought is that the above-mentioned temple is actually a “Fourth Temple” in God’s plan for the ages. I do believe that this fourth temple will be built in Jerusalem and that this may occur very soon, but only after a series of events that will facilitate God’s plan being put into place. What is restraining the revealing of the true antichrist spoken of in God’s word? I believe that it may very well be the removal of the actual “Third Temple of God.” I would like to use scripture references to support my thoughts as I present the scenario. So, here goes….,
1 Corinthians 3:16: Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s Temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst.
1Corinthians 3:17: If anyone destroys God’s Temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s Temple is sacred and you together are that temple.
Colossians 1:18: And he the head of this body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from along the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Ephesians 2:21: In Him the whole “building” is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
The relationship between Colossians 1:18 and Ephesians 2:21 is thought-provoking. Christ, in the form of the Holy Spirit resides in each believer’s body. Jesus promised: John 16:7: Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
The Church (born again believers) receives its direction and power by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus/God is virtually orchestrating the church’s commission to go into the world and to share the gospel. Each believer has been given “gifts” from God to accomplish this goal, i.e. pastor, teacher, encourager, prophet, etc….
In addition, God has always had His Angel Army in place to carry out His plans and to lend support to the Holy Spirit and born-again believers in the great commission.
“The Church” has been effective in carrying Christ’s message to the world, sometimes overcoming insurmountable odds. Since God’s plan included using his saints to carry out his mission and because of our weaknesses and sin nature, “His Grace” has provided for the frailties of the human heart. Truly His Grace has been sufficient for us as believers so His Plan may be accomplished.
Jesus Christ is the head of the church. His death and subsequent resurrection from the dead has made the way for God’s plan of the ages to be fulfilled. As believers, we are made acceptable in God’s sight by believing in what Jesus did that day on the cross – making a way for sinful man to again find fellowship with God. Jesus literally conquered death by his resurrection. By believing in him, we too will conquer death and live again with him in heaven someday.
2 Timothy 1:8-11 New King James Version (NKJV) 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.Romans 6:23 New King James Version (NKJV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
Romans 8:2 New King James Version (NKJV) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
2 Corinthians 4:8-11New King James Version (NKJV)
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
One day soon, “The Church” – “God’s Temple” – will be called home. The conclusion of God’s plan for the ages will be underway.
Revelation 6:9-11New King James Version (NKJV) Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs
9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
Jesus conquered death and the Helper that he sent has facilitated the great commission – to share the gospel with the world. Jesus is the head of the church and the body of believers is God’s Temple.
I now reference a scripture from Jeremiah which is speaking to the end-time Babylon in my opinion. This scripture directly relates I believe to what is occurring to God’s Temple – The Church.
Jeremiah 50:28New King James Version (NKJV)
28 The voice of those who flee and escape from the land of Babylon declares in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God, the vengeance of His temple.The scriptures which have been quoted above reflect that God’s Temple has been persecuted and killed throughout the church age. The martyrs waiting at the throne of God in heaven are evidence that although they died in service to the Lord, their souls will reside with God in heaven. I personally believe that the vengeance of the Lord referred to in Jeremiah 50:28 refers to the physical death of the saints (His Temple) throughout the ages for the sake of God’s glory and His Kingdom.
Isaiah 59:20-21New King James Version (NKJV)
20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,”
says the Lord.21 “As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.”
In summary, I believe that God’s Temple (the third temple) is actually Christ with His saints – The Church. I also believe that this is the temple that God is taking vengeance for referenced in Jeremiah’s scriptures. After the rapture of the church, the remaining prophecies and events which the Old Testament prophets and our brother John in Revelation wrote about will then take place. The events that occur will lead many Jewish people back to their God-intended homeland in Israel as it is clear that they are refugees from Babylon, which God is going to deal with.
In my opinion, Jeremiah 50 and 51 refer to the end-time Babylon, as does Isaiah 46 and 47. Of course, there is also the reference to mystery Babylon in Book of Revelation. Please note that Isaiah 48 focuses on Israel and seems to refer to God again using them as his means to reach the world to evangelize with the truth of God’s grace from heaven.
I hope this has not been too cumbersome to read through..... My thought, of course, is that the 9th of Av which is the anniversary of when the previous two temples were destroyed might be a hopeful time to speculate on The Third Temple, i.e. The Church being removed.... This would be my prayer and I know the prayer of many of the saints who view the Five Doves Web page.
My prayer would be that many, many people will be reached for Christ and that they will find the peace of God in his eternal dwelling place. May all things be done to His glory….. He is Almighty God and so full of compassion for mankind, that no one should perish.