Many like to assume the rebuilding of the third Temple in Jerusalem is one of the signs of the End Times. As indicated in Daniel 9:27, it is said to be desecrated by “a prince” thought to be the “Man of Perdition” or “the Antichrist” as were the previous two Temples. As of today, the rebuilding of the Temple has not become apparent.
The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem is believed by the Jews to be all that is left of King Solomon’s Temple that was built in approximately the 10th century BCE and destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE. It was later rebuilt by King Nebuchadnezzar after he was converted by the Prophet Daniel. It is believed the Prophet Daniel (See Ch 9) spoke of Antiochus Epiphanes IV as the Antichrist who desecrated, but did not destroy, the Temple somewhere between 175BC and 164BC. The Temple was later destroyed a second time by the Romans who completely demolished the Temple brick by brick in 70AD. As foretold by Jesus on Mt Olivet (Mathew 24) before He was “cut off” (Daniel 9:26) in His Passion. Many hope for the rebuilding of a third Temple to herald the coming of the Jewish Messiah or the “Second Coming” of Christ as the case maybe.
Note that the repeated destruction of the Temple did not stop the Jews from being Jewish. Faith is more than bricks and mortar. It exists in the temple of people’s hearts and minds. It just depends on what you worship.
Nonetheless: ”The Temple Mount in Jerusalem remains one of the most contested pieces of real estate in the world. It is revered as the site of both Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple, which were integral to Israel’s worship. Following the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70, the Jewish people were left without a central place of worship. However, biblical prophecy anticipates the construction of a Third Temple. The apostle Paul refers to this temple when describing the “man of lawlessness” who will desecrate it (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).” https://learn.openchristian.education/blog/sangwa/third-temple-s-construction-and-priestly-restoration
Given the Book of Daniel is also part of the Hebrew Bible or Torah; the Jews are well aware of this prophecy and its implications for a Third Temple. However, it is very likely they will nonetheless press ahead with the construction of a new Third Temple as they await their promised messiah.
In 2 Thessalonians (2:3-4) St Paul describes the Man of Lawlessness (the Antichrist) as seating himself in the “Temple of God”. This also presupposes that the Temple has to be “rebuilt” so that the Antichrist can “seat” himself in it. However, another interpretation of scripture is possible. I believe that the “Temple” referred to in these Biblical phrases is The Body of Christ (the Church). We the faithful, are meant to be “Temples of the Holy Spirit”. “God’s Sanctuary” is meant to be in our hearts and minds. The Temple therefore already exists in the faithful of the Body of Christ.
The “Man of Perdition” or the Antichrist, cannot appear until there is the Great Apostasy, which we have seen for some decades (e.g. how many Catholics still practice their faith?). The only way the Antichrist can install himself and exalt himself above God; is by inserting himself in the hearts and minds of those who believe him and those from The Church who have fallen away from the true faith, or that he is able to persuade. He will go to great lengths to destroy the Catholic Church and persecute the faithful or those who refuse to pay him homage. This will be the Great Tribulation, also predicted in Daniel Ch9. We may hear rumblings of this before the end of the decade and in some places appears to have already begun.
From the Book of Daniel: ”He (the Antichrist) will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering (the Eucharist). And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” – (Daniel 9:27)
More about this in later posts.
May Jesus and Mary be loved by all hearts
End Times Blog 