The three Temples in Jerusalem is 1.Solomon's Temple II Chron. 3 - destroyed by the Babylonians; rebuilt by Ezra. 2. The second Temple, John 2:20 - destroyed by the Romans and never rebuilt. 3.The Tribulation Temple, Rev. 11:1-2 - will be rebuilt the first forty-two months of the tribulation. There are three New Testament references to the future tribulation Temple. In Matt. 24:15, the abomination occurs in the holy place. In II Thess. 2:4, the antichrist will sit in the Temple in Jerusalem. In Rev. 11:1-2, the Temple is measured, but the outer court is not measured. Only the true worshipers of the sanctuary will be counted to serve God. This is not the Temple in Jerusalem in John's day, as it was destroyed in 70 A.D. It is not the Heavenly Temple, as no Gentile will trample the Temple in heaven. This will be a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem where the abomination takes place (Matt. 24:15-21). Once the church age is completed, the two witnesses minister for forty-two months, then the image of the beast is set up in Jerusalem.
How can the Jews build a temple? The mount is called in Arabic, Haram Al Sharif. It was expanded by Herod in 20 B.C. Underneath the mount are numerous arches and rooms that support what is above. Old beams from the mosque were replaced in the 1930s and examined as 9th century B.C. On Aug. 21st, 1969, a fire was set by a tourist at the El Aqsa mosque.
There are four problems with building a Temple on the Mount. Muslims have had total control of the Mount for centries- since 638 A.D. There are two Islamic mosques on the Temple Mount(the Dome and Al Aqsa). Muslims would never permit a Jew to build beside their mosque. Muslim law teaches that such property forever remains a mosque.
Possible Scenarios: After the Gog and Magog war, the Muslims are completely defeated. Only a sixth of the Islamic coalition armies remain (Ezek. 39:2). It takes seven years to burn the weapons and seven months to begin burying the dead (Ezek. 39:9). With such a defeat, there is weak or almost no resistance to the Jewish Temple being built. The covenant with the Jews is signed for seven years (Dan. 9:27) and is a false peace. This could give the Jews a "legal contract" to build a Temple of worship on the mount. Muslims worship on Friday, Jews on Saturday, and Christians on Sunday. Elijah and Enoch - the two witnesses will be involved in this matter. Elijah is said to return before the great and terrible day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5). Elijah must come and restore "all things" (Matt. 17:11).
There has not been a Jewish Temple since 70 A.D. In Israel, among some, there is an interest in the rebuilding of a Temple. However the two Islamic mosques are the challenge. In the 1967 war, Jewish paratroopers were on the Temple Mount and had control of the Mount. Israeli General Moshe dayan gave the keys back to the Islamic guards. In the eyes of the Muslims, the Jews and Christians occupy their lands.
How a temple could be built: It has been discussed (but rejected by Muslims) to divide the mount into three sections. Today there is plenty of room north of the Dome to construct a Temple. The outer court will be "given to the Gentiles" (Rev. 11:2), so the Dome might remain there. In Zechariah 4:9-14 - he saw the rebuilding of the Temple (in his day) and the prophetic future. He saw "the two olive branches pouring out the golden oil". He saw the two "anointed ones standing before the God of the whole earth".
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