As I gave a statement today concerning the "parables" contained within the bible, (thank you, Bruce) I also thought of someone recently who had a question about the "temple" that is supposedly to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.

Jesus, Himself, told us that He would destroy "the temple" in three days....but that He, Himself would rebuild it.  HE DID WHAT HE SAID.  The scriptures are loaded with this information....John 2:19-22, Matthew 26:61, Eph.2:19, I Cor.6:19, I Cor.3:16, 2 Cor. 6:16...and on, and on.

WE, believers in the works of Jesus Christ, ARE the "rebuilt Temple" as the "Body of Christ.

But, to get back to the parables and examples in the OT, please read Numbers 20:8-12.  It was the HUGE mistake that Moses made that caused him NOT to enter the Promised Land at that time.  He DID NOT DO what God told him to do.  He STRUCK the rock twice...and by doing this, he completely destroyed the P! ARABLE of Jesus only having to die (be struck) ONCE and for all time for us.  He should have only "spoken" to the rock for water because after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, we now only have to SPEAK (pray) for our "water" from God.

But, since the present subject is the "temple," then are we to look to another "temple" to be rebuilt in Jerusalem?  Jesus has already destroyed that temple and replaced it with the NEW "Temple of God" who is US (His people...believers)?  I think that the repercussions of us encouraging, or hoping for, an actual rebuilt temple in Jerusalem would be equivalent thinking to Moses striking the rock.

We should actually look to the "abomination of desolation" as something other than a natural event of someone (detestable to God) "sitting" in a natural building made with hands.  Perhaps this "abomination" will come within today's "Temple" made without hands (His Church congregation).  It may possib! ly be a horrendous "antichrist" spirit (someone) who will pretend to be "god".....right among us.  This, actually, is the definition of a "false prophet." Maybe this is what we should be looking for.  This "abomination" will be believed.

  But I, for one, despise even the thought of another temple being built in Jerusalem for sacrifices again.  That would be tantamount to spitting in the face of our risen Saviour....again.  That, in itself, is an abominable thought.

YsiC,

Arlene