Last week we saw how Herod rebuilt
the Temple in order to glorify himself. He wanted to exalt his own
name and he even built courts for different classes of people,
segregating them from sacrificing and worshipping God. God wasn't
impressed and in 70 AD the Temple was totally destroyed by the
Romans. And since then the Jews didn't have a Temple.
Only in 1948 did the Jews return to
their land as rulers. They desperately wanted to rebuild the Temple
on the same site. Unfortunately the Dome of the rock stood on the
site where the Temple were. They cannot destroy the Dome without
invoking a Muslim war, so they are stuck. They want to build it on
the original site. Some scholars believe that the Dome is only
standing on the area called 'the court of the Gentiles' and thus
the Temple can be built right next to the Dome, because Rev 11:1,2
says the court of the Gentiles should not be measured.
How it will be rebuilt, we do not
know, but the Bible tells us clearly that there will be another
Temple in the Tribulation period. I therefore call this Temple the
fourth Temple. Let us look at a couple of Scriptures:
"Then I was given a reed like a
measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the
Temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave
out the court which is outside the Temple, and do not measure it,
for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy
city underfoot for forty-two months." Revelation 11:1, 2
"Therefore when you see the
'abomination of desolation' spoken of by Daniel the prophet,
standing in the Holy Place, then let those who are in Judea flee to
the mountains." Matthew 24:15, 16
"…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
And so I can go on with text
verses, but all these verses has to do with the end times and all
these verses refer to a physical Temple being there. So somewhere
in the near future the Temple will be rebuilt. So whenever you hear
that the Temple is being rebuilt, know that the end is near. When
we were in Israel, they told us about a group of Jews already
preparing for the rebuilding. They showed us the menorah already
made of gold ready to be put in the Temple. They have also prepared
the table of showbread, the garment of the High Priest etc. It is
actually very exciting when you see it all. They are getting
everything ready so that there won't be any delay when the Temple
is built.
Another interesting thing to note
is that God is also not mentioned as helping with this Temple, or
living in this Temple. The Jews will rebuild the Temple to continue
with their sacrifices, but as we all know, Jesus came as our
Sacrifice once and for all, therefore these sacrifices are done out
of religion and not because God commanded them to. A Temple built
without God is no temple at all. God makes the Temple, the
Temple. Only His presence.
Without God's presence in any area
in our lives, it is hollow and meaningless. Only God's presence
brings meaning and power. Only His presence allows things to work
out for your good. His presence is holy, filled with grace and
power. Walk in His shadow, in His presence and experience His
unearned favor, His grace in your life.
Father we look forward to see the
world's events unfolding. We look forward to see Your mighty hand
working. We want to stay close to Your presence and walk in Your
grace and love. Thank you very much that Jesus made all of this
possible for us. We praise Your mighty Name. Amen