The Temple in Bible prophecy
The Holy Temple plays a crucial role in Jewish tradition and is an important player in prophecies concerning the end times. I will try to list the prophecies and give my take on when and how these prophesies may be fulfilled.
The first temple and the second temple are both built and destroyed. Already many Third Temple vessels and artefacts are being prepared for the animal sacrifices. This is important for Jews. Not necessarily important for Christians, because Christians believe that Jesus’ spirit lives in the believer’s heart. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Bible passages
Ezekiel (622 − 570 BC). See Ezekiel 40–48. In the twenty-fifth year of Israel’s captivity in Babylon, Ezekiel describes an enormous new temple (chapters 40–42), a temple that dwarfs all other temples previously built. The glory of God returns (chapter 43), sacrifices are resumed (chapters 44–46), and the land is restored the people of Israel (47–48).
Jeremiah (650 − 570 BC). Jeremiah 33:17-18 describes “a man sitting on the throne of David”, which must be Jesus, priests burning offerings and present sacrifices during the millennial kingdom.
Isaiah (8th – 7th century BC). Isaiah 56:6-8 prophesies that “burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”. He does not speak about a temple, but about the house of God. Because is speaks of a house for all nations, it cannot be the first or second temple, and it must be a later temple.
Zechariah (writings 520–518 BC). Zechariah 14:16 prophesies “'Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.' He says this right after he announced that Jesus will set foot on the Mount of Olives, so in the millennial kingdom. In verse 21 he speaks about bringing sacrifices.
John, de apostle (c. 6 – c. 100 AD). In Revelation 21:10 he prophesies “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.“ For ‘Coming down’ the word καταβαίνω (katabaino) is used in the original Greek. That word is used 81 times in the New Testament. In no case the ‘coming down’ means ‘remain floating’. So, I think the New Jerusalem will really come on the earth. However, preacher John MacArthur calls the New Jerusalem a heavenly city. But I only see in the Bible ‘Heavenly Jerusalem’ mentioned in Hebrews 12:22. That verse does not refer to the New Jerusalem, but to Mount Zion. So, for me the New Jerusalem will be on the earth, maybe the new, or renewed, earth. And in verse 22 the apostle John prophesies about that city “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” So, no temple anymore.
The first temple (c. 950 – 587 BC)
The first temple was built by Solomon (990 – 931 BC). The destruction of the first temple was executed by the Babylonians in 587 BC.
The second temple (516 BC - 70 AD), also called Herod’s temple
Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of the second temple (Mark 13:2) was fulfilled by act of the Romans in 70 AD.
Will the next temple be built, and re-institution of sacrifices happen during the tribulation?
Sure, the Antichrist will allow to build a new temple after he signs a 7-year covenant with Israel. But after being in world-power for 3.5 years he will desecrate the next/third temple (Matthew 24:15).
Will the next temple be built, and re-institution of sacrifices happen during the Millennial Kingdom?
Most premillennial scholars agree that the purpose of animal sacrifice during the millennial kingdom is memorial in nature. As the Lord’s Supper is a reminder of the death of Christ to the Church today, animal sacrifices will be a reminder during the millennial kingdom. To those born during the millennial kingdom, animal sacrifices will again be an object lesson. During that future time, righteousness and holiness will prevail, but those with earthly bodies will still have a sin nature, and there will be a need to teach about how offensive sin is to a holy and righteous God. Animal sacrifices will serve that purpose, "but in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year" (Hebrews 10:3).
Conclusion
A new or third temple will come. Not for born-again Jesus-believing Christians. Not for atonement, because Jesus has once and for all cleansed all believers with His blood. It is hard to believe that Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords reigning the Millennium Kingdom, will endorse building a new temple and allowing re-instatement of animal sacrifices, just as a memorial of Jewish traditions. But if the Bible tells me, I believe He will.
Ed van Ouwerkerk, April 15 2020
The first temple and the second temple are both built and destroyed. Already many Third Temple vessels and artefacts are being prepared for the animal sacrifices. This is important for Jews. Not necessarily important for Christians, because Christians believe that Jesus’ spirit lives in the believer’s heart. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Bible passages
Ezekiel (622 − 570 BC). See Ezekiel 40–48. In the twenty-fifth year of Israel’s captivity in Babylon, Ezekiel describes an enormous new temple (chapters 40–42), a temple that dwarfs all other temples previously built. The glory of God returns (chapter 43), sacrifices are resumed (chapters 44–46), and the land is restored the people of Israel (47–48).
Jeremiah (650 − 570 BC). Jeremiah 33:17-18 describes “a man sitting on the throne of David”, which must be Jesus, priests burning offerings and present sacrifices during the millennial kingdom.
Isaiah (8th – 7th century BC). Isaiah 56:6-8 prophesies that “burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”. He does not speak about a temple, but about the house of God. Because is speaks of a house for all nations, it cannot be the first or second temple, and it must be a later temple.
Zechariah (writings 520–518 BC). Zechariah 14:16 prophesies “'Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.' He says this right after he announced that Jesus will set foot on the Mount of Olives, so in the millennial kingdom. In verse 21 he speaks about bringing sacrifices.
John, de apostle (c. 6 – c. 100 AD). In Revelation 21:10 he prophesies “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.“ For ‘Coming down’ the word καταβαίνω (katabaino) is used in the original Greek. That word is used 81 times in the New Testament. In no case the ‘coming down’ means ‘remain floating’. So, I think the New Jerusalem will really come on the earth. However, preacher John MacArthur calls the New Jerusalem a heavenly city. But I only see in the Bible ‘Heavenly Jerusalem’ mentioned in Hebrews 12:22. That verse does not refer to the New Jerusalem, but to Mount Zion. So, for me the New Jerusalem will be on the earth, maybe the new, or renewed, earth. And in verse 22 the apostle John prophesies about that city “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” So, no temple anymore.
The first temple (c. 950 – 587 BC)
The first temple was built by Solomon (990 – 931 BC). The destruction of the first temple was executed by the Babylonians in 587 BC.
The second temple (516 BC - 70 AD), also called Herod’s temple
Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of the second temple (Mark 13:2) was fulfilled by act of the Romans in 70 AD.
Will the next temple be built, and re-institution of sacrifices happen during the tribulation?
Sure, the Antichrist will allow to build a new temple after he signs a 7-year covenant with Israel. But after being in world-power for 3.5 years he will desecrate the next/third temple (Matthew 24:15).
Will the next temple be built, and re-institution of sacrifices happen during the Millennial Kingdom?
Most premillennial scholars agree that the purpose of animal sacrifice during the millennial kingdom is memorial in nature. As the Lord’s Supper is a reminder of the death of Christ to the Church today, animal sacrifices will be a reminder during the millennial kingdom. To those born during the millennial kingdom, animal sacrifices will again be an object lesson. During that future time, righteousness and holiness will prevail, but those with earthly bodies will still have a sin nature, and there will be a need to teach about how offensive sin is to a holy and righteous God. Animal sacrifices will serve that purpose, "but in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year" (Hebrews 10:3).
Conclusion
A new or third temple will come. Not for born-again Jesus-believing Christians. Not for atonement, because Jesus has once and for all cleansed all believers with His blood. It is hard to believe that Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords reigning the Millennium Kingdom, will endorse building a new temple and allowing re-instatement of animal sacrifices, just as a memorial of Jewish traditions. But if the Bible tells me, I believe He will.
Ed van Ouwerkerk, April 15 2020