Flaws in Rebuilding The Temple Theory?
Are there flaws in rebuilding the temple theory? All kids believe in some sort of fairy tale, whether Santa Claus, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, or in Aladdin and his magical lamp.
When kids mature into adults, they generally grow out of fairy tales. Why? because such fairy tales are easy to distinguish from reality. In the world of eschatology, fairy tales are not so clear especially when men of prominence, money and power espouse them before world wide audiences. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to spot the fairy tales if one would simply take the time to carefully read a few passages of scripture. One such fairy tale is that of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, requiring the destruction of the third most sacred place in
the Muslim world, where the Dome of the Rock is located.
Men such as John Hagee, Randall Price and a host of other Premillennials Dispensationalists advocate the destruction of the Islamic Dome of the Rock so that the Zionist movement can begin “rebuilding the temple” in order to provide the “props” for the bloody end time battle to take place.
In other words, without this temple, they cannot experience the end time they are advocating and alleging from the Bible. This should be a huge clue to them and the masses of their followers that something is totally amiss.
What are the Flaws in Rebuilding the Temple Theory?
Time and space does not allow to do a full exposition of the subject. However, this deception can easily be refuted taking note of a segment of Hagee’s book, “Beginning of the End” where he advances the proposal.
What are the requirements for the end time according to Hagee related to the temple?
- Religious Jews must be allowed in rebuilding the temple.
- They must also be allowed to reinstitute animal sacrifices (the daily slaughter of thousands of animals for atonement for sins!)
- Provide for the alleged takeover of the Temple by the Antichrist, which Hagee argues occurs at the midpoint of the tribulation.
- Overcoming the enormous political and religious problem of planting the new temple upon the current site of the Dome of the Rock, i.e. on the temple mount, or Mount Moriah.
Let’s take each of them in order.
Religious Jews Allowed in Rebuilding the Temple?
According to reports from True Torah Jews, they consider themselves to be in exile since the Roman invasion and destruction of the temple in the first century 70 AD.
The following are reported by them which they say they are not to do while in exile:
- They were not to seek involvement in rebuilding the temple while under the chastisement of God.
- They were not to return to the land by force unless God brings them back.
- They were to seek the peace, not the destruction of the nations in which they were exiled, (e.g. Jer. 29:4–7)
- They were not to allow themselves to be self-deceived or by false prophets who lied in the name of Jehovah to do otherwise. (v. 8–9)
- They were not to start wars.
On the other hand, Hagee recommends a pre-emptive strike on Iran. He knows that if the Israeli state destroys the Dome of the Rock and rebuilds the temple, it will incite and Islamic Jihad.
Some have written that prior to the creation of this state in 1948, Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in the land in peace. Since its creation, none of them do.
Reinstituting Daily Slaugter of Animals for Sacrifices
This is so contrary to Christianity and the mission and purpose of Christ’s vicarious mission that it hardly deserves mention. Note in Hebrews:
By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sisns.
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God….
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:10–14)
Jesus’ death resulted in a “once for all and for all time” sacrifice for sins. Hence, no more inefficacy of the blood of bulls and goats need to be shed, which can never take aways sins, (Hebrews 10:1–4).
Besides, the only reason Hagee and other Premillennial Dispensationalists must have these animal sacrifices in their end time plan is so the alleged coming Antichrist can stop them once again! It’s a ridiculous notion. This brings us to point number three.
Christians are admonished not to conform to the age of Judaism with animal sacrifices but to offer their bodies as “living sacrifices” versus those of dead animals, (Rom. 12:1,2).
Rebuilding the Temple and the Antichrist Takeover
Not only must the sacrifices be stopped “again” as they were in 70 AD when Rome sacked Jerusalem according to this theory, but the temple must also suffer another destruction.
They are proposing rebuilding the temple only to see it go up in smoke! Why not just act it out on a computer screen and save the tax dollars!
Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the proof-text offered for this doctrine. We are told that the temple must be rebuilt before Christ returns because the Antichrist will take over the temple. This supposedly occurs during the midpoint of the tribulation.
“Again, a temple must have been built in order for the Antichrist to seize and defile it as he will.” (BOE, p.141). Hagee gets this from Second Thess. 2:4.
Here is what he misses completely in the text. First, it was addressed to first century saints, i.e. the Thessalonicans, who were much more familiar with the events than was Hagee.
In fact, Paul told them specific details about the Antichrist while he was with them, i.e. in their city, in their church. They had first hand information from an inspired apostle about the working of the Antichrist.
Secondly, described as the mystery of lawlessness, the apostle emphatically stated that at that time, it was already at work, and was being restrained.
Thus, this Antichrist was at that time sitting in the then existing temple of God showing himself that he was God. Further, it means that when the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, he was then destroyed and removed from the temple along with the sacrifices. That was the fulfillment of the prophecy.
The problem was simply that he was not recognized at the time Paul wrote because it was an “inside job.” Consider that the threats that went out to destroy Christ initially and Christians later came from Jerusalem according to the Gospels (Matt. 26:2–5), and Acts, (8:1; 9:1–2; Gal. 1:13).
For this reason, Paul says the lawless one had to be manifested, i.e. revealed or made known. All this would take place at Jesus’ return. That return was in the not too distant future as expressed by the many imminent time statements, Rom. 13:11,1 2; Phil. 4:5; James 5:7,8, 1 John 2:18, 19; 1 Peter 4:5, 7, 17; Rev. 1:1, 3; 22:6, 10).
Jesus emphatically declared that the first century generation would by no means pass away till all those things (his coming, the great tribulation, abomination of desolation and destruction of the temple in Jerusalem) takes place, (Matthew 24:34)
These events are therefore in the past, not in the speculative, deceptive views about the future. The rebuilding of the temple is out of step.
Rebuilding the Temple – They Were Not to Start Wars in the Name of Christ
When Peter cut off a man’s ear with his sword in defense of Christ, Jesus said, those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword. He then replaced the man’s ear. How many lives have Hagee put back together with his doctrine of demons?
When questioned under oath by Pilate on whether he was a king, Jesus clearly stated, that his kingdom was not a kingdom of the world. “If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews.” But now is my kingdom not from here, (John 18:36)
A kingdom of the world in the name of religion originated in the mind of Satan, (1 Sam. 8:7; Matt. 4:9–11). Christians do not fight with carnal warfare, (2 Cor. 10:1–3; Eph. 6:11–13).
Rebuilding the Temple Summary and Conclusion
All the above demonstrates that to rebuild the temple in the name of blood so that Christ can return is a delusion. How great will the death count be before it ceases?
The fact of the matter is, Jesus completed his mission completely and correctly the first time, (Matt. 24:3, 30–34; Lk. 21:20–22). That’s why the temple and the sacrifices and have long since ceased and do not exist to this day. Recreating them is an exercise of folly and futility.
Check out the Re-Examination, a study of Christ’s Return in 70 AD. Click here to order.
Great article William ,
Especially now with the Israel war against the Palestinian people that is being waged unmercifully and supported by mislead ad confused Christians.
Really enjoy your short but concise articles concerning the “end times”.
John
William, I agree with you. The antichrist must be a corporate body or entity of which there were many antichrists. John states in 1John 2:18 “even now are there many antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time.” For Jesus had already stated in Matthew 24:24, “For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” However, not only that, Christ has emphasized in various texts that false prophets are like wolves in sheep’s’ clothing. In Luke 10:3, “I send you forth as lambs among wolves”. This means that the apostles would be encamped among wolves. The wolves are like what we call “moles”. Moles are positioned to see our operations and how they can infiltrate and destroy. However, Christ tells the apostles “the gates of hell shall not prevail” against them. They must have faith in His power, and “the unction” (the anointing) from the Holy One. This is what He sends at Pentecost. After the anointing of the Holy Ghost, they will be able to discern who are the antichrists. In 1John 4:3, And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Therefore, before the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD, the spirit of antichrist was in the world.
My question to you.
Heb 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” When Christ destroyed death and he that had the power of death (the devil), did he not destroy the spirit of the antichrist?
I would say no, because there are still some who do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. There are still others who do not believe that Love conquers all. I guess I am looking for an easy way out of the evilness in the world.
Hagee is closer to being correct than the un-studied individuals on this board.
The Dome of the Rock will remain, AND the Jewish Temple will be re-built.
In 70 AD the Temple was destroyed by Romans – Rome is from the WEST.
Rev 16:
12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the EAST might be prepared.
14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Also:
When the the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, this was not the greatest
tribulation ever on earth. Consider the Jewish Holocost in Nazi Germany.
Consider the words of Jesus:
Matthew 24:21
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
To the people on this board Jesus says:
Revelation 18
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Babylon is FALSE christianity: Catholism, and the Ecumenical Movement.
Matthew 10:33-35 (King James Version)
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my
Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but
a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter
against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Rod above writes: ”
The Dome of the Rock will remain, AND the Jewish Temple will be re-built.
In 70 AD the Temple was destroyed by Romans – Rome is from the WEST.
Rev 16:
12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the EAST might be prepared.
14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
With this quote, he assumes that because the armies come from the East, it cannot be the Roman invasion of Judea in the first century, since Rome was situated in the West. I’m not a war buff, but both Bible and secular history confirm that Rome had allies throughout its vast empire. Is Rod denying that literal Babylon on the Euphrates was subject to Rome?
Rod’s statements are like saying because the U.S. is in the West, it can have no allies who fight with them in the East or the Middle East or vice versa. Is the U.S. an ally of the modern state of Israel? Interesting comments from someone in the Dispensationalist Camps who are always talking about wars and military pre-emptive strikes! But, since they take their doctrinal cues from Hagee, what would one expect? You would think they know more about military strategy and operations than Norman Schwarzkopf or Colin Powell.
The truth of the matter is that Ancient Rome was an empire having swallowed up Babylon and Medo-Persia through conquering Greece, 172-168 B.C.. Thus, Babylon at that time was subject to the Roman empire. Revelation 13:1 confirms this in the imagery of the Lion, Bear and Leopard which compositely comprised the ten horned beast. Compare Dan. 7:1-7.
Rome, through Titus, mustered forces from all over the empire to fight against Jerusalem. Further, after a feast with Titus’ most successful commanders, he sent the rest of his army back to the places where they had been where they would be best situated, with the exception of the 10th legion who were from the “EAST.”
After completely destroying Jerusalem, Josephus records, “But Caesar resolved to leave there as a guard the tenth legion with certain troops of horsemen, and companies of footmen. So, having entirely completed this war, he was desirous to commend his whole army…” Wars of the Jews, Book vii, i. 3.
Josephus adds that Titus, “…permitted the tenth legion to stay, as a guard at Jerusalem, and did not send them away beyond the Euphrates, where they had been before. So literally, the kings from the East had come as allies with the Roman General to destroy Jerusalem. vii. i. 3.
Now concerning the imagery and interpretation of the text, Chilton offered these comments on Rev. 16:12:
“As we saw on 9:14, the Euphrates was Israel’s northern frontier, from which invading armies would come to ravage and oppress the Covenant people. The image of the drying of the Euphrates for a conquering army is taken, in part, from a strategem of Cyrus the Persian, who conquered Babylon by temporarily turning the Euphrates out of its course, enabling his army to march up the riverbed into the city, taking it by surprise. [Herodutus, History, i. 191]; The more basic idea, of course, is the drying up of the Red Sea (Ex. 14:21-22) an the Jordan River (Josh. 3:9-17; 4:22-24) for the victorious people of God.” David Chilton, The Days of Vengeance, p. 407.
Chilton went on to comment that “Israel” had become the new Babylon and as the enemy of God must now be conquered by a new Cyrus. Quoting Philip Carrington’s “The Meaning of the Revelation, p. 265,” he says, “As Carrington observes, the coming of the armies from the Euphrates ‘surely represents nothing but the return of Titus to besiege Jerusalem with further reinforcements’; and it is certainly more than coincidental that thousands of these very troops actually did come from the Euphrates.” Ibid.
The historical and Biblical sources demonstrate once again that the “great city” of Revelation 11:8, 17:18; and chapter 18, upon whom God takes vengeance through the invasion of Rome, is none other than Jerusalem of the first century. It is the city where our Lord was crucified. It had become a false religion as practiced by Judaizers, (Rev. 18:2), but the historical setting removes it from any modern day false religions and any reference to the Catholic Church as uninformed Protestants and Dispensationalists are inclined to do.
That is exactly what my thoughts were in Church this morning. The Jews who are God's Chosen People are so weak in spiritual concepts and still seem to be locked into a very unspiritual place. Wake up and see the light and stand strong and believe in Jesus !!!!!
Well, they "were" God's chosen people but no longer. Christians have that privilege now. See 2 Thess. 2:13.
AFT. I am not completely convinced, that God would shut the door, to Jewish Nation, there is always a reason in time. God, can only release the veil, that covers the eyes.
Individually, all men have access, but there is no privileged nation except that of Christians. See Matt. 21:43, where the kingdom was taken from the Jews and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it, i.e. righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17) Peter (a former member of the Jewish religion/nation) wrote to Christians saying, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…" Therefore, Christians, born again through the gospel of Christ are the chosen nation of God.