Ancient writings in the Old Testament have proclaimed that in the last days, the exiled Israelites would return to their homeland and the temple would be rebuilt. Today, we see the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the establishment of the Jewish state. Israelites have begun to travel back to their homeland, and in 1948, Israel was granted official statehood.
Could the Temple be next?
The Bible plainly states that there will be a rebuilding of a new temple in the end-times. And it seems as if the prophetic fulfillment of Israel’s independence has set a series of events into motion. The first of which is the move of the United States Embassy and other nations following suit.
And in recent years, the Third Temple rebuild has been given more serious attention from both Jews and Christians.
The Temple Institute developed an intricate blueprint of the future Holy Temple. As with any elaborate building plan, sketches need to be drawn, engineers need to get involved, and the ground must be prepared ahead of time.
Though there is no construction on the Holy Temple as of yet, plans are in the works, and the site is ready for launch when God’s timing aligns.
It is vital that as we move into this season of time, we arm ourselves with wisdom and knowledge. Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about this Holy Temple.
The Third Temple Prophecies | Old Testament
- “Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”—Ezekiel 37:26-28
This shows that the Lord is not done with Israel but has great plans for the nation—to establish and multiply her people, which is being done today, and to dwell, or tabernacle, among them.
This verse from Ezekiel states that God’s sanctuary is in their midst. The word sanctuary carries two meanings in the Bible: a refuge and a holy place.
The Lord refers to himself as the sanctuary, or refuge, for the distressed yet faithful Israelites.
- “…‘Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’”—Ezekiel 11:16
The Holy Temple in Jerusalem was never a simple combination of stones and mortar but was intended to be an earthly dwelling place for the Lord’s divine presence.
- “Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”—Exodus 40:34
- “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”—Exodus 25:8
The New Testament reiterates the scene of the divine temple by further explaining the significance and signs of the times.
The Third Temple Prophecies | New Testament
In a letter to the Thessalonians, Paul addresses the Third Temple. Paul intends to reassure the Believers in Thessalonica that the hardships that lay ahead are nothing compared to the splendor of the Lord. Paul also wants to address that the Jews and Gentiles that are together in Christ will not miss the coming of the Lord.
Paul tells us what to look for before the return of Christ.
- “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.”—2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Did you catch that?
Paul is saying that one of the signs of the Lord’s imminent return is that the enemy will sit in the most holy place in God’s temple, attempting to deceive many. However, the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord will consume him in a breath and destroy him with His coming!
- “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”—2 Thessalonians 2:8
Why Is This Important to Know?
It is important to know for a number of reasons. But a crucial point is so that we are not deceived. With so much opposing propaganda against God’s chosen people and the quick turnover in the daily news, it is difficult to tell which way is up and which way is down. But when you know and trust in something that doesn’t change and is a strong tower in the storm, you can be confident.
- “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”—Numbers 23:19 (emphasis added)
- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8 (emphasis added)
- “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”—James 1:17 (emphasis added)
Many today want to disregard the importance of Israel or believe that God is done with her. But this belief simply does not align with the Bible. God’s love for Israel endures forever. He also invites Believers from every nation into His family to join with Israel—through the olive tree.
- “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports”—Romans 11:17-18 (emphasis added)
He grafts us in so that we can share in the commonwealth and blessings of Israel!
Will you accept His invitation today? Click HERE to find out more about prophecy and how you can sow literal seeds into the Holy Land today!
