The Third Temple
Most of the speculation for a rebuilt temple (the Third temple) is based on one reference in the New Testament dealing with the Antichrist power. “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” (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4).
Since the Romans destroyed the last Jewish (The second) temple in AD 70, many assume that in order for the Antichrist to sit in the temple, the temple must be rebuilt. But is this view Biblical? Let’s allow the Bible to clarify:
The Lord told David, “Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts” (1 Chronicles 28:6). And Solomon, the son of David did build a physical temple. But the New Testament says that Jesus was the true “Son of David,” who was to build a temple and His kingdom was to last forever. Jesus clearly taught that something greater than the temple is now here: His body, the Christian church (John 2:19-21).
God’s Spiritual Temple
When the Jews rejected Jesus and sought to kill Him, He prophesied of the temple’s destruction: “there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:1, 2). And even as Jesus hung on the cross, His mockers reminded Him of His teachings, “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:40). But Jesus was not speaking of rebuilding the physical temple. He meant to build a spiritual one.
After Jesus was crucified “the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Matthew 27:51) signifying the end of the ceremonial system of the temple. The early believers understood that the Christian church became the temple of God on earth and Paul wrote, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (1 Corinthians 3:17, 16 also Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5).
Even after God provided a clear biblical evidence that His temple today is a spiritual one (the church) many Christians are still waiting for the Jews to rebuild a physical temple on the site where the mosque of Omar (Dome of the Rock) now sits—also known as the Temple Mount. Yet, there is no prophecy in the Bible that says the temple would be rebuilt again after the Romans destroyed it.
So, what does the verse in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 really mean? It simply means that the Antichrist power would seat itself over the church of God claiming the worship that belongs only to Jesus Christ. Historically, Protestant scholars have consistently understood the Antichrist to refer to the papal power.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
Disclaimer:
The contents of this article and website are not intended to be against any individual. There are many priests and faithful believers in Roman Catholicism who serve God to the best of their knowledge. They are seen by God as His children. Thus, the information contained herein is directed only towards the Roman Catholic religio-political system which has reigned in varying degrees of power for nearly two millennia. This system has established an increasing number of doctrines and statements that directly go against the Bible.
It is our purpose to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, to decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. Therefore, if you find anything here contrary to the Bible, do not accept it. However, if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality and feel that the Holy Spirit is revealing Truth to you, please make all haste to accept it.
