Third temple: mere possibility or concrete reality?

[WilliamL]

As was said in my reply to Last Daze, I believe that the temple is spiritual, as in the body of Christ and our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit, but that there will also be a physical third temple.

Blessings

I agree.  One doesn't preclude the other. 

Certainly; and the physical one will be built under the authority of the Messiah Yeshua. Zech. 3:8-10

Or are you going to tell us, people, that a temple built under the authority of an antichrist is called the Temple of God in Scripture?

Edited November 19, 2015 by WilliamL
typo

[Ezra]

Or are you going to tell us, people, that a temple built under the authority of an antichrist is called the Temple of God in Scripture?

Not necessarily "under the authority" of the Antichrist, but available to and accessible by the Antichrist, so that he can sit in this desecrated Temple and call himself "God" (2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:6).  At this very moment, Jews in Israel are planning and working on the erection of a Temple in Jerusalem. Perhaps it will be the Antichrist who breaks the deadlock and insists on its completion. After all he will be the anticipated Messiah of the Orthodox Jews.

[Last Daze]

Or are you going to tell us, people, that a temple built under the authority of an antichrist is called the Temple of God in Scripture?

Not necessarily "under the authority" of the Antichrist, but available to and accessible by the Antichrist, so that he can sit in this desecrated Temple and call himself "God" (2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:6).  At this very moment, Jews in Israel are planning and working on the erection of a Temple in Jerusalem. Perhaps it will be the Antichrist who breaks the deadlock and insists on its completion. After all he will be the anticipated Messiah of the Orthodox Jews.

I likewise doubt that the man of sin will authorize it or that it will be built under his authority.  And while it may not be built per God's direct authorization, it will likely be referred to at the temple of God, at least by the Jews.  In the end times sense, I think "the temple of God" is more of a moniker than it is a statement of fact.

[WilliamL]

Or are you going to tell us, people, that a temple built under the authority of an antichrist is called the Temple of God in Scripture?

Not necessarily "under the authority" of the Antichrist, but available to and accessible by the Antichrist, so that he can sit in this desecrated Temple and call himself "God" (2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:6).  At this very moment, Jews in Israel are planning and working on the erection of a Temple in Jerusalem. Perhaps it will be the Antichrist who breaks the deadlock and insists on its completion. After all he will be the anticipated Messiah of the Orthodox Jews.

The passage you quote from 2 Thes. 2 says naos/sanctuary/holy place, not heiros/temple; as I have pointed out many times. You and others can choose to canonize the English translation over the Greek original if you wish.

The only naos and skene/tabernacle spoken of in Revelation -- never heiros -- are all heavenly, as I also have shown a number of times.

No one among the present-day Jews has authority to build God's Temple, period. Solomon and Zerubbabel were specifically called and authorized by God to build the first two temples. Any such Temple built under modern Christ-rejecting rabbinical authority would be as unholy as one authorized by an antichrist.

 

[WilliamL]

...while it may not be built per God's direct authorization, it will likely be referred to at the temple of God, at least by the Jews.  In the end times sense, I think "the temple of God" is more of a moniker than it is a statement of fact.

Who cares what the Jews would think about it. The question is what Paul, who wrote the phrase, would think about it. And I think that the answer to that is clear.

[Ezra]

No one among the present-day Jews has authority to build God's Temple, period. Solomon and Zerubbabel were specifically called and authorized by God to build the first two temples. Any such Temple built under modern Christ-rejecting rabbinical authority would be as unholy as one authorized by an antichrist.

Precisely. From the Christian perspective (and from God's perspective) this third Temple will be an unholy Temple. But Orthodox Jews will still call it the Temple of God.  It is not being built under God's direction but under rabbinic direction.  Please note:

The rebuilding of the Holy Temple: In our time?

The reality of the Jewish experience means that the Temple will be rebuilt. Many people who visit the Temple Institute are incredulous and cannot help but exclaim: "Do you really think that you will live to see the Holy Temple rebuilt?" The answer to that question is of little importance. Let us rather recall that Jewish history has a trajectory, which began when the patriarch Abraham smashed his father's idols. That trajectory has spanned the millennia, and it is obvious that we are rapidly approaching climactic times, in which the Holy Temple will once again become the focal point for mankind's spiritual focus. Whether this transpires in our generation or not, we can still choose to be active participants, and not simply spectators, in G-d's bold plan for the Redemption of Israel and all humanity. [quote from Temple Institute website]

[WilliamL]

No one among the present-day Jews has authority to build God's Temple, period. Solomon and Zerubbabel were specifically called and authorized by God to build the first two temples. Any such Temple built under modern Christ-rejecting rabbinical authority would be as unholy as one authorized by an antichrist.

Precisely. From the Christian perspective (and from God's perspective) this third Temple will be an unholy Temple. But Orthodox Jews will still call it the Temple of God.  It is not being built under God's direction but under rabbinic direction.  Please note:

The rebuilding of the Holy Temple: In our time?

The reality of the Jewish experience means that the Temple will be rebuilt. Many people who visit the Temple Institute are incredulous and cannot help but exclaim: "Do you really think that you will live to see the Holy Temple rebuilt?" The answer to that question is of little importance. Let us rather recall that Jewish history has a trajectory, which began when the patriarch Abraham smashed his father's idols. That trajectory has spanned the millennia, and it is obvious that we are rapidly approaching climactic times, in which the Holy Temple will once again become the focal point for mankind's spiritual focus. Whether this transpires in our generation or not, we can still choose to be active participants, and not simply spectators, in G-d's bold plan for the Redemption of Israel and all humanity. [quote from Temple Institute website]

Once again, you quote from the TMI as if it is holy writ.  Stick to the real Holy Writ, and not the headline-grabbing propaganda of a small faction of Jews. You risk leading people astray; for what if Jesus actually does come before you and others expect, because the Temple had not yet been built?

[Last Daze]

...while it may not be built per God's direct authorization, it will likely be referred to at the temple of God, at least by the Jews.  In the end times sense, I think "the temple of God" is more of a moniker than it is a statement of fact.

Who cares what the Jews would think about it. The question is what Paul, who wrote the phrase, would think about it. And I think that the answer to that is clear.

So where does the man of sin declare himself to be God?

[Retrobyter]

Shalom, all who do not believe that there will be a third Temple.

The EXISTENCE of a third Temple does not necessarily mean that God is ENDORSING that third Temple. Many times in the prophecies, information is given to us without judgment. That is, a fact may be revealed without telling us whether God is for or against that fact. It just simply exists (or rather, SHALL exist in the future when the prophecy is fulfilled). I believe that there shall be not only a third Temple, but there shall also be a FOURTH Temple.

Last Daze is simply noting that such a third Temple SHALL be built (even if it is not needed) by the Zionist Jews, attempting to fulfill prophecy on their own to hasten the coming of the Messiah.

Such a Temple SHALL exist, based on the prophetic passages that foretell its existence. (Ironic, isn’t it? Shall the prophecy be fulfilled to create the event or is the event being created to fulfill the prophecy? “Chicken or egg?” Remember: Many times the Messiah said, “Suffer such-and-such to happen for thus it becometh us to fulfill all prophecy,” like at His baptism:)

Matthew 3:13-15
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
KJV

Now, we are also told about a Temple that the MESSIAH HIMSELF shall build in the future in Ezekiel’s prophecy. It may be that He improves or rebuilds the third Temple that the Jews are contemplating building at present, OR He may be building yet another structure based on His own specifications (those in Ezekiel), but that FOURTH Temple shall also be built. Is it needed? YES! Like it or not, the Temple IS FORETOLD IN GOD’S PROPHECY THROUGH EZEKIEL! Get over it! Is it necessary for “salvation?” No. Is it necessary for some other reason? YES!

[*Zion*]

...while it may not be built per God's direct authorization, it will likely be referred to at the temple of God, at least by the Jews.  In the end times sense, I think "the temple of God" is more of a moniker than it is a statement of fact.

Who cares what the Jews would think about it. The question is what Paul, who wrote the phrase, would think about it. And I think that the answer to that is clear.

So where does the man of sin declare himself to be God?

on the western hill. 

inchrist, do you have scripture to back that up?