There's a Temple Coming -- Perhaps Sooner than You Think

“And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate”(Daniel 9:27). Will a third Jewish Temple be built on the most volatile 35 acres in the world—the Temple Mount in Jerusalem? Many say no but the Bible says yes. Daniel wrote about it. Paul referred to it in his second letter to the Thessalonians (2 Thess. 2:4). John wrote about it in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 11). Even Jesus mentioned it in His Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24). With such a preponderancy of evidence from the Scriptures, it amazes me the number of so called scholars and other Christian leaders who flatly deny the Jewish Temple will ever be rebuilt. That aside, it is being reported that Jewish Sanhedrin rabbis have been meeting with a Turkish Muslim leader on this very subject. If these reports are true (and I have no reason to doubt their veracity), this is an astounding development, indeed, an unprecedented one. But it’s not surprising as this is what the Bible calls for in the last days just prior to the return of Christ.

I believe it is very possible and highly probable that the “firm covenant” that Daniel speaks of will include some type of guarantee and plan for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. The Muslim leader in question says, "The Palace of Solomon is a historically important palace and rebuilding it would be a very wonderful thing. It is something that any Jew, a Christian or a Muslim should welcome with enthusiasm. Every Muslim, every believer will want to return to those days, to experience those days again and, albeit partially, to bring the beauty of those days back to life." He goes on to say that the Temple of Solomon "will be rebuilt and all believers will worship there in tranquility." During his meeting with the Sanhedrin Rabbis, he expressed his belief that the Temple could be rebuilt in one year: "It could be done in a year at most. It could be built to the same perfection and beauty. The Torah says it was built in 13 years, if I remember correctly. It could be rebuilt in a year in its perfect form." Now you might rightly be wondering how in the world a third Jewish Temple could ever be erected on the Temple Mount today—a spot of land occupied and administered by Islamic militants who have said over and over again there was never a Jewish Temple located there—all evidence to the contrary. It may take many twists and turns but the Bible does seem to indicate a Jewish Temple existing side-by-side with the Dome of the Rock. John wrote, “Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, ‘Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months” (Rev. 11:1-2). WorldNetDaily®, whose news article was my primary source for this article reports, “The Interfaith Encounter Association is working on a project called "God's Holy Mountain." It sees the day when the rebuilt Jewish Temple will exist side by side with the Dome of the Rock.” This is utterly amazing considering what the Bible prophesies for the last days. But it makes complete sense, particularly when you consider the call of certain world leaders for the internationalization of the city of Jerusalem and the overwhelming majority of Jews who want to see the Temple rebuilt.

The Bible says that a shrewd and calculating political leader will arise in the last days speaking flatteries who will “make a firm covenant” with Israel and her enemies. This covenant will surely include a provision for rebuilding the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount. All indications are we are a lot closer to that reality than most Christians realize or are even willing to believe. The question is will its construction begin before or after the Rapture of the Church? Only God knows the answer to that question. Therefore, I suggest we all focus on another question—are you ready? If Christ returned for His Church today, would you be ready? “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).