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BUILD A TEMPLE?
Most discussions about the end times include statements that a Temple
will be required in Jerusalem and it will be a significant sign of the
end times.
Scripture (almost very pointedly) avoids using the terminology for
temple, and it is unlikely that a Temple will be built before Christ's
Return.
The general thinking is that a Temple would be built to accommodate
sacrifices, offerings and worship during the periods of Tribulation,
Jacob's Trouble or during the time when a "covenant" is in
effect. In addition, this would be the Temple to be used when the
antichrist "sits in the temple showing
himself that he is God."
There is no place in Scripture that indicates a Temple will be built,
used or needed: at least no place in Scripture according to the
"original" languages. Even in our English New Testaments, the
words translated to "Temple" (in end time prophecies) are
where the original languages mean "tabernacle"
OR "holy of holies". The primary
example is in:
II Thessalonians
2:4
Who opposeth and
exalteth himself above all that is called
God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the
temple
of God, shewing himself that he is God.
In this verse, the word translated to temple
really means "holy of holies".
The "holy of holies" was the
innermost part of the tabernacle which was
an elaborate portable structure (tent) that was used for almost five
hundred years. The same Greek term for "holy
of holies" is used in Revelation twenty times. Every usage,
considering the overall context, means "holy
of holies". (Some Bible versions use the word shrine).
The point is, according to Scripture, a Temple is not mentioned in the
prophecies of end times. The "holy of holies"
may be in a "tabernacle", and
this is the idea that is actually in Scripture.
In all the Scripture references about a sanctuary,
Temple or tabernacle relating to end-time
activities, the Hebrew or Greek words used refer either to "tabernacle,
or to consecrated holy thing, booth, hut, or holy
of holies". The Hebrew or Greek words for Temple (buildings,
courts, and sacred ground) are not used.
Scripture mentions an "outer court and temple", which would
imply there will be a temple:
Revelation 11:1,2
And there was
given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel
stood, saying,
Rise, and measure the temple of God, and
the
altar, and them
that worship therein.
But the court
which is without the temple leave out, and
measure it not;
for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy
city shall they
tread under foot forty and two months.
A quick glance would leave the definite idea there will be a Temple and
an outer court. The term translated to temple
means the "dwelling place of God"
or "holy of holies". Only one
human (a priest) was allowed in the "holy of
holies", and only once a year. The "them"
indicated more than one person. The "measuring ... them
in the temple of God ... " is a measuring (not counting numbers!)
of Believers. Christ is in the Believers, and the Body of Christ is the
temple of God. The statements about a temple and court do not represent
a physical Temple.
A few other examples are presented below which also show a Temple is not
likely to be built. Daniel used two different words for sanctuary
in the prophecies about end times. These two words are completely
different than the one used when referring to the Temple (Dan 5:2,3) in
Jerusalem. One of these words appears in:
Daniel 8:11
Yea, he magnified
himself even to the prince of the host,
and by him the
daily sacrifice was taken away, and the
place of his sanctuary
was cast down.
Here, Daniel uses a word for sanctuary
(not Temple) meaning " consecrated
thing or consecrated place". The same usage appears in
Daniel 9:26.
The second word which Daniel used is in:
Daniel 8:13
Then I heard one
saint speaking, and another saint said
unto that certain
saint which spake, How long shall be the
vision concerning
the daily sacrifice, and the transgression
of desolation, to
give both the sanctuary and the host to
be trodden under
foot?
This second term for sanctuary means
"holy thing" or "holy
of holies" and is also used in Daniel 8:14 and 11:31.
Daniel emphasizes the differences even more by using yet another term
when the antichrist "plants the tabernacles":
Daniel 11:45
And he shall
plant the tabernacles of his palace between
the seas in the
glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come
to his end, and
none shall help him.
In other words, antichrist's "palace"
will be tent-like structures called tabernacles!
When the antichrist "sits in the temple
showing himself that he is God" (paraphrased II Thess 2:4), the
term for temple means
"holy of holies", as mentioned
previously. When the antichrist blasphemes God's temple
(holy of holies), it will probably be in a booth,
hut, or tabernacle (fancy tent) and the structure will not be a
true Temple:
Revelation 13:6
And he opened his
mouth in blasphemy against God, to
blaspheme his
name, and his tabernacle, and them that
dwell in heaven.
It is difficult to imagine that an egotistical antichrist would
"show himself that he is God" in a tabernacle-type
of structure. However, we don’t know what kind of conditions
will exist in Jerusalem at that time (probably considerable
destruction), and a "tabernacle"
may be all that is available.
It is not impossible that a complete Temple could be built during end
times, but it is highly unlikely. Scripture (almost very pointedly)
avoids using the word describing a Temple, and it is not likely to
happen.
There will be a "Holy of Holies",
probably in a tabernacle ( i.e not in a
Temple ).
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