Menu

Waiting on a Temple

Many are expecting a temple to be built in Jerusalem before Christ returns.  This expectation is based on an ancient prophecy in the Book of Daniel.  It is a prophecy to which Christ referred when telling His disciples about the end of the age.  

In referring to this prophecy was Christ indicating that the Jews will build a temple just before He returns, or was He implying something else?  What does the Bible tell us?

Christ’s disciples were curious about the future, “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3). 

He mentioned a number of things that will lead up to that end-time.  Then He said that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a powerful witness to His impending return, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14). 

We believe that He was talking about the time when the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11:3-13 will begin their three and a half year testimony to the nations of this world.

And it is during the time when the two witnesses are preaching the gospel that we shall see Daniel’s prophecy come to fulfilment. Then we will know for certain that the end is near, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:” (Matthew 24:15-16). 

It will come at a time of great trouble on a scale never before seen, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21). 

When Christ mentioned the ‘abomination of desolation’ He was referring to Daniel’s prophecy, “And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.  And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.  Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.  But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” (Daniel 12:9-13). 

Although historic accounts confirm this prophecy was fulfilled in 167 BC Christ’s reference to it in Matthew 24:15-6 indicates that there is also to be an end-time fulfilment of this prophecy. 

In 167 BC Antiochus Epiphanes took possession of Jerusalem, sacrificed swine on the altar in the temple.   Amoung other things, he took away the ‘daily sacrifice’ and compelled the Jews to forsake the way they worshipped their God.  Later in 70 AD the Romans destroyed the temple and since then there have been no animal sacrifices.   

So it stands to reason that before the end-time version of Antiochus Epiphanes can take away the ‘daily sacrifice’, those sacrifices must first be reinstated.  And to re-instate the daily animal sacrifices in accordance with Hebrew law it is believed that a temple must first be built to enable those sacrifices to be reinstated.  

That is why many maintain that a temple must be built in Jerusalem before Christ returns, or at least an altar, on the site of the temple so the cessation of those sacrifices can take place.

Pause for Thought 

While that reasoning sounds perfectly plausible there is however, something Christ said when telling His disciples about these future events that should give us pause for thought.  He said, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” (Matthew 24:15).

The phrase, ‘whoso readeth, let him understand’ is obviously a warning for the reader to pay particular attention to what Christ was revealing.   

A similar phrase was used in the message to the churches of Revelation to signify that we need to spiritually discern what is said rather than following a literal interpretation as many do, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith,” (see Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29 and 3:6, 13 and 22).

So when Christ said ‘whoso readeth, let him understand’ was He implying that the same sort of spiritual discernment is needed to understand what He was saying in an end-time context? 

When reading prophecies many questions will no doubt arise and generally the answers can be found in the Bible if we search diligently.

By saying ‘whoso readeth, let him understand’ in Matthew 24:15 in reference to Daniel’s prophecy about the ‘abomination of desolation’ was He implying that its future fulfilment may have some deeper, or spiritual meaning that we need to discern? 

How then should we define prophetic terms like ‘abomination of desolation’, ‘holy place’ and ‘daily sacrifice’ in modern-day terms to understand exactly what Christ intended?  

The Abomination of Desolation

As the name itself implies the ‘abomination of desolation’ is either some event that, or person whose actions are not only an abomination to God but are also destructive.

The Jewish historian Josephus’ account of Antiochus Epiphanes’ actions in 167 BC helps us to understand what to expect when his end-time counter part is in control, “..that the king came up to Jerusalem, and, pretending peace, he got possession of the city by treachery…  …So he left the temple bare, and took away the golden candlesticks and the golden altar [of incense,] and table [of shew-bread,] and the altar [of burnt offering;] and did not abstain from even the veils which were made of fine linen and scarlet.  He also emptied it of its secret treasures, and left nothing at all remaining; and by this means cast the Jews into great lamentation, for he forbade them to offer those daily sacrifices which they used to offer to God, according to law… …And when the king had built an idol altar upon God’s altar he slew swine upon it, and so offered a sacrifice neither according to the law, nor the Jewish religious worship in that country.  He also compelled them to forsake the worship which they paid their own God, and to adore those whom he took to be gods; and made them build temples and raise altars, in every city and village and offer swine upon them every day.” (Antiquities of the Jews, Chapter V). 

The later part of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 12:9-12) indicated that there is to be an end-time fulfilment (Daniel 12:9-12) which Christ’s comment in Matthew 24:15 confirms. 

But Christ also included a comment to indicate that the later day fulfilment may not be as many expect, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” (Matthew 24:15). 

Is it possible that when Christ said, ‘whoso readeth, let him understand’ He was warning against a purely literal interpretation of what Daniel prophesied? 

Notice also that Daniel said something very similar when referring to the end-time application of his prophecy, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Daniel 12:10). 

Holy Place

Christ said the ‘abomination of desolation’ will stand in the ‘holy place’ and Paul later revealed that ‘holy place’ to be the temple of God, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  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.” (II Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Most will agree that the ‘holy place’ refers to a temple - but what temple? 

Is it the one that The Temple Institute of Jerusalem are proposing to build, or was Christ referring to some other temple? 

The Bible reveals that Christ (the Branch) has been commissioned by His Father to build the temple of God, “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:  Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” (Zechariah 6:12-13).

Christ is not waiting for the Jews to build the temple.  He has already begun to build it Himself.  The cornerstone has been laid, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isaiah 28:16).

Even Daniel spoke about the foundation stone that would be cut without human hands, “Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.  Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:34-35).

Jesus Christ is that cornerstone, “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Matthew 21:42).

He is the living cornerstone chosen by the Father, “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,” (I Peter 2:4).

He is the cornerstone of the holy temple of God that He Himself is building, “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18-22).

It is a spiritual temple of which we who believe are living stones, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 2:5).

Those who overcome are to be spiritual pillars of that temple, “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (Revelation 3:11-12). 

Notice again – it is the temple of God, not the temple of the Jews.

God is not waiting for the Jews to build a temple before he sends His Son back to rule the earth!  Jesus Christ is building the temple!  That is the temple that must be ready before He returns !   

It is a spiritual temple already under construction.   It comprises those whom God has called and with whom Christ is working, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28 NKJV).

The ‘holy place’ mentioned by Daniel refers, in the end-time, to the Church of God. 

As Christ said, whoso readeth, let him understand (Matthew 24:15).

The Daily Sacrifice

If the ‘holy place’ refers to the end-time Church then what is meant by the ‘daily sacrifice’

We have already established that Christ is building a spiritual temple comprised of those whom He has called into the body of Christ the is the Church of God.

The Bible also tells us that these called out ones will serve in that spiritual temple as holy priests offering up spiritual sacrifices, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 2:5).

What are those spiritual sacrifices?

Just as Christ sacrificed His life for us, we in turn symbolically sacrifice our life in service to God, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6:3-6).

To serve God is a spiritual sacrifice, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1).

It requires sacrifice to reject the ways of this world and submit ourselves to the way of God, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2).

Our ‘daily sacrifice’ is to obey God, to do good and to offer Him praise and thanks continually on a daily basis, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:15-17).

Christ told His Apostles about the sacrifices they would be making to serve Him, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 10:16-22).

His message for those in the end-time is no different, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” (Matthew 24:9).

In the words of Josephus we saw how Antiochus Epiphanes stopped the ‘daily sacrifice’ by compelling the Jews to ‘forsake the worship which they paid their own God’

So the end-time ‘abomination of desolation’ that will cause the ‘daily sacrifice’ to cease may do so by forbidding, or subverting, the true worship of God.  

As the majority of the world is already deceived the warning in the following passage aimed at those called by God, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  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.   Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  (II Thessalonians 2:1-12).

Do we fully grasp just what this passage is telling us!  The implications are rather astounding!

It says that the delusion will be so powerful that only the righteous who know the truth of God will not be deceived!

It states quite clearly that this ‘son of perdition’ will be possessed of a corrupt and sinister nature fuelled by the spirit of Satan coming ‘with all power, signs and lying wonders’ to deceive all except the righteous.  He will even deceive himself into thinking that he is God he will sit in the ‘temple of God to subvert all worship of the true God! 

The phrase ‘by letter as from us’ implies that there could be teachings and literature purported to be published by the churches of God that will cause ‘a falling away’ before Christ returns.

Already in this day and age it is becoming increasingly difficult to ascertain what is true, or false on the internet.  Anyone can post ‘expert’ information that is not peer reviewed, or substantiated by proof.  And with the incredibly rapid advances being made with artificial intelligence it is almost impossible for the average user to tell fact from fake. 

A famous quote of Sir Francis Bacon that ‘knowledge is power’ could be extended to read ‘and he who has the power to manipulate that knowledge has absolute power’.  A modern day equivalent of Antiochus Epiphanes with the power to control information on the internet could easily gain rulership over the nations of this world and subvert religious thinking on a massive scale.  

Exactly how this will be done is, at this stage, open to speculation.    

However, it seems that this person will endeavour to exert some sort of control of God’s people that will either ban, or pervert the worship of the true God.  He will effectively cause the ‘daily sacrifice’ to cease by making war against the remnant of God’s people in this age who will have to hold tight to the truth, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:17). 

We live in an age of deception and need to be exceptionally diligent to base our beliefs and way of life on what Jesus Christ and His Apostles taught rather than on the doctrines of men as so many have done.

Conclusion

So is God waiting for the Jews to build their temple, or is He waiting for His Son to complete the temple He has been commissioned to build?  

Its not the Jews He is waiting for – it is you and I who have to be ready to be fitly framed into the temple that Christ is building! 

And that temple is a spiritual building far greater than any temple built by man.   

It is a temple that will exist in the glory and splendour of our great God forever. 

As Christ said, whoso readeth, let him understand (Matthew 24:15).

END   

If you want to comment on our website or discuss any of our articles we can be contacted by email at:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

Lost Ten Tribes

Is the identity of the lost ten tribes of Israel relevant?  See our article Children of the Promises 

Do you know

the difference between the law and a covenant?  Or the difference between commandments, statutes and judgments?  If not make sure you read see our Bible Study on God's Law   

Have You Considered

Jesus Christ said that no one has seen or heard his Father.  So who spoke to Abraham, Moses, Isaac and Jacob?  To find out make sure you read our article - Who Spoke.

Do you know who the two witnesses will be?   See our article -  The Two Witnesses.

Will you be part of the bride of Christ? - See our article - Bride of Christ.

Points to Ponder

When we take of the wine and bread in rembrance of Christ's sacrifice are we observing Passover, or the Lord's Supper?  Is there a diference between the two?  If so - what is that diference?

Be sure to read our article on 'The Truth About Passover'

As you are preparing to celebrate the Lord's Supper you may also want to read our new article 'Examine Yourself'