Rebuilding of the Jewish Temple: "...When the Jews captured the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967, they came into possession of the site for a future 'Third Temple'. The first temple, built by Solomon (about 960 BC) was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. The Persians next came and allowed the Jews under Zerubbabel to return and rebuild the Temple on a much smaller scale. Herod enlarged this temple and adorned it with marble and gold. This temple was what Jesus saw. It was completely destroyed by Titus the Roman general in AD 70. It is almost impossible to imagine how a 'Third' temple could be built on the site of Muslim's holiest shrine. Perhaps unimaginable events in the world will result in an agreement with the Arabs for the purchase of their mosque, although this seems highly unlikely. Perhaps there will be an earthquake, planned or otherwise. Or it may be that the Jews would have to wait until Antichrist comes, makes a covenant with Israel, and permits them to rebuild their temple. Note that nothing requires that the 'Third' temple be rebuilt before the tribulation period - and certainly the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation will be ample time to do it." (Source: Tan, P. L. 1996. Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, Texas: Bible Communications, Inc.)
I agree, there is nothing that suggests the "Third" temple has to be built before the tribulation period begins. I took the Beth Moore study of the book of Daniel last year. In this study, I learned that the Jewish practice of daily Temple sacrifices resumed at some time in the future but will be hastily stopped by the Anti-Christ. From there, the Beast will erect the abomination of desolation for worship upon terminating the covenant 3 and 1/2 years after making the covenant with the Jews. There certainly exists reference to that same covenant between the Antichrist and the Jewish people.
The Broken Covenant: "...For at some future date, the prince [Antichrist] that shall come will make a covenant with the Jews for seven years...[The Antichrist] will agree to protect them from their enemies and permit them to rebuild their temple. (Daniel 9:27 talks about a restoration of the sacrifices, and this would demand a temple)...'The time of Jacob's trouble', the Tribulation period, will be seven years long. 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-12 indicates that the Antichrist cannot be revealed until the restrainer is taken out of the midst. That restrainer is the Holy Spirit .... Once the church [Christian believers] is out of the world, then Satan can produce his masterpiece, the Antichrist. He will make the agreement for seven years, but after three and one half years, he will break that agreement. He will then move into the Jewish temple himself and proclaim that he is God (2 Thes 2:3-4; Rev 13). The Antichrist will cause a living statue of himself to be put into the temple, and his associate (the false prophet, Rev 20:10) will cause the whole earth to worship it. Satan has always wanted the world's worship, and in the middle of the Tribulation he will begin to receive it (Matt 4:8-11). Jesus called this statue 'the abomination of desolation'. (Dan 9:27; Matt 24:15)...." [Logos Bible Software 4: Systematic Theology, page 825 by Charles Hodge]
About the Anti-christ:
"... Enter The Antichrist
The name “Antichrist” is found only in I and II John. Although there anyone who denies Christ is labeled an antichrist, yet Bible writers do recognize an actual, end-time person who will appear to oppose Christ in its entire flowering implications. Thus, the events of the last days and the person of the Antichrist are inseparable. While the spirit of the antichrist pervades the whole Christian era, an actual individual will arise to climax and bring to a sinful close human history without God.
...Names Of The Antichrist
The name of the Antichrist is not given to us in Scripture. But some Bible writers have definite terms used of him, as follows:
Assyrian—Isa. 10:5
Beast—Rev. 13:1
Chaldean—Hab. 1:6
King of Fierce Countenance—Dan. 8:23
Little Horn—Dan. 7:8
Man of Sin—II Thess. 2:3
Son of Perdition—II Thess. 2:3
Vile Person—Dan. ll:21
The Wicked—II_ Thess. 2:8
... Life Of The Antichrist
Briefly sketched, the following are the salient points in the life history of the future Antichrist:
(1) Inconspicuous beginning—Dan. 7:8, 24; Rev. 6:1, 2.
(2) Makes treaty with Jews for Seven Years—Isa. 28:15, 18; Dan. 9:27.
(3) Overcomes some resistance in uniting Europe—Dan. 7:8, 20, 24.
(4) Becomes head of 10-nation European Confederacy—Rev. 13:1; 17:12, 13.
(5) Attacked by Kings of the South and the North, and is killed—Dan. 11:40–43.
(6) His deadly head wound is healed—Rev. 13:1, 12:14.
(7) He becomes world ruler—Rev. 13:7b; 17:9, 11–14, 17, 18; 18:2, 10, 16.
(8) Breaks Jewish treaty and stops temple sacrifices—Dan. 9:27.
(9) Kills the Two Witnesses—Rev. 11:3–7.
(10) Usurps divine worship—II Thess. 2:4; Matt. 24:15.
(11) Persecuted the Jews—Dan. 7:21–22; Jer. 30:7.
(12) Kills the 144,000 Evangelists—Rev. 14:1–5.
(13) Destroys the World Church—Rev. 17:16–17.
(14) Defeated at Armageddon by Christ—Rev. 17:14; 19:19.
(15) Cast alive into the Lake of Fire—Rev. 19:20; 20:10.
... Character Of The Antichrist
The personal character of the Antichrist may be described as follows:
(2) Great speaking ability—Dan. 7:8; Rev. 13:5.
(3) Crafty political talents—Dan. 9:27; Rev. 17:12, 13, 17.
(4) Strong physical appearance—Dan. 7:20.
(5) Military genius—Rev. 13:4; 17:14; 19:19.
(6) Morally, the worse personage
(a) Materialistic—Dan. 11:38
(c) Against the Law—II Thess. 2:8
(d) Selfish ambition—Dan. 11:36, 37; II Thess. 2:4.
(e) Tries to change prophecy and history—Dan. 7:25
(f) Substitutes self for God—Dan. 11:36; II Thess. 2:4."
[Logos Bible Software 4, REFERENCE: Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.]
A glimpse of the Great Tribulation Period: "It must be noted that the earth's oceans and seas constitute a system like a giant air conditioner, sweeping away the impurities of the air and balancing nature. Moreover, the oxygen-giving phytoplankton which are found in water, supply a majority of the earth's oxygen to man. When suddenly in the Tribulation, the oceans and the seas turn to blood (as prophecy says), what happens? (1) Waters become poisonous and putrid, and foul-smelling air sweeps across the world, (2) Fish become unobtainable as a source of food; starvation accelerates around the world, (3) People will rush to dig wells, but blood is also found in springs, and (4) Man's oxygen supply will diminish." [Source: Logos Bible Software 4]
I believe the Rapture will occur right at or around the time this covenant is broken; before the really terrible and horrific stuff happens. This means I am a mid-tribulation pre-millennialist.
Mark 13:14 Jesus said to the Jews "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong [in the Temple] - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains"
Jesus's grand re-entrance is a separate event that occurs at or towards the end of the 7 year period. The Rapture and the return of Jesus in a big way are two separate future events. There are differing opinions about the timing of the Rapture of Christian believers and Jesus's Return.
"There are two major schools of thought regarding end time prophecies: amillenialism and pre-millennialism. These two schools of thought differ on how to interpret those Scriptures which prophesy the Davidic Messianic Kingdom. The Old Testament has many such prophecies, none of which specify the duration of this earthly kingdom; however, Revelation 20 specifies six times that it will last one thousand years hence the term 'millennium'. Amillennialists regard the literal fulfillment of these Old Testament promises as having been abrogated by Israel's rejection of Jesus as their Messiah, and see the promises filled allegorically in the Church. The Church Age, then, becomes a spiritual Messianic Kingdom and the millennium, understood allegorically, started either with Christ's earthly ministry, or covers the period between His death and resurrection. They see Christ's return as marking the end of this age and ushering in the new heaven and the new earth. Pre-millennialists see the millennium as a period yet to come, which will last for one thousand years, and during which all the Old Testament prophecies relating to a literal, earthly, Davidic Messianic Kingdom for Israel will be fulfilled. Christ, in this view, will return to institute the millennium, which will both vindicate God's choice of Israel as His chosen people and also demonstrate what the world He created is like without sin (thus vindicating His creation, and demonstrating that He made no mistake in creation). These notes are written from the pre-millennial position, essentially because it seems to me to be the interpretation to which a literal interpretation the Bible naturally leads. Pre-millennialists subdivide into three groups depending on where they place the rapture. Pretribulation premillennialists anticipate the rapture before the seven year tribulation; midtribulation premillennialists anticipate the rapture half-way through the tribulation; and posttribulation premilllennialists anticipate the rapture at the end of the tribulation (i.e., at Christ's second coming)...." [Logos Bible Software 4, Reference: The Life of Christ A Study Guide to the Gospel Record]
The tribulation period is cut short at the end of 7 years; and Jesus returns. Mark 13:20 Jesus said "If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them."
Jesus's Second Coming: "Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with promises of the Second Coming of Christ. There are 1,845 references to it in the Old Testament, and a total of seventeen Old Testament books give it prominence. Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318 references to the Second Coming, or one out of 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. The four missing books include three which are single-chapter letters written to individual persons on a particular subject, and the fourth is Galatians which does imply Christ's coming again. For every prophecy on the First Coming of Christ, there are 8 on Christ's Second Coming." [Logos Bible Software 4]
Some scripture references about Jesus's Second coming:
- 1 Thess 4:16
- Acts 1:11; 1st John 3:2; Revelation 1:7
- Matt 16:27, 24:30, 25:31
- Matt 24:30
- Matt 25:31; Rev. 5:11
- Rev 22:7, 12, 20; Matt 28:7, 8
- Matt 24:50; Luke 21:34, 35
"The Rapture of the Church is an event separated by seven years from the Second Coming of Christ. The Rapture will occur first. The more important verses describing this blessed hope of Christians are:
John 14:1-3; Romans 8:23, 13:11; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57; Phililippians 3:20-21; 1Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18, 5:1-9; II Thessalonians 2:1; Revelation 3:10
I am a "midtribulation, premillennialists" - i.e., the 7 year tribulation period begins when the covenant is made between AntiChrist and the Jews; then 3 and 1/2 years later the covenant is broken and the Rapture of Christian believers/Church occurs midway and probably before the covenant is broken and the abomination of desolation is erected in the Temple. Three and a half years later after that, Jesus returns....whew! Praise God!
The Resurrection - OUR RESURRECTION (i.e., only if you're a believer): "...a time is coming when Jesus Christ will descend from Heaven, accompanied by the souls of those who have died in Him (1 Thess 4:14); He will then resurrect their bodies (1 Thess 4:16) and reunite their souls with these bodies. Their resurrected bodies will be immortal and imperishable (1 Cor 15:44), the reports of Jesus's post-resurrected appearances reveal that it has all the attributes of a physical body, yet none of its limitations (Luke 24:39-43). This resurrected body will be imperishable, glorius, and powerful (1 Cor 15:42-43). This new imperishable body is necessary to participate in the imperishable kingdom that God is yet to create because that kingdom will be physical, not purely spiritual like the present Heaven (1 Cor 15:50)."
The Kingdom Age (the 5th and final world empire): Jesus forms a new government and reigns throughout the earth for 1000 years. This is the Kingdom Age, the next world empire following the 4th world empire or the Roman empire and its remnant. This is when there is world peace. We will still eat, drink, and get married. There will be children born during this time (because of the remnants - whether or not these people will bear the mark of the beast; I do not know for certain). The earth ruled by Jesus will be the present earth; not the new earth referenced in Revelation (not yet anyways). All of this to exist for 1,000 years with Jesus as our supreme ruler and leader; our King! See also Zechariah Chapter 14 about our annual Feast of the Tabernacle during the Kingdom Age (looks like party time; and God only knows how funny that is to me when I read this passage). How awesome! God is truly amazing!
Daniel Chapter 2
Background: the first four world empires were (symbolized by 4 beasts):
- Babylonian Empire (around 626 BC - 539 BC) ... Helmet & Head of Gold (the Lion with eagle's wings)
- Persian Empire (around 539 BC - 331 BC) .... Arms of Silver (the Bear)
- Grecian Empire (around 331 BC - 63 BC) .... Belly and thighs of Bronze (the Leopard with four bird wings)
- Roman Empire (around 63 BC - A.D. 476)....Legs of Iron (the 4th beast with iron teeth; ferocious and different with 10 horns). The ten iron and clay toes represent the future.
AFTER THE 1,000 YEARS REIGN OF CHRIST ON THE OLD EARTH:
The Creation of the New Heavens and a New Earth
Isaiah chapter 65, verses 17 thru 25
"'Behold, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
20 'Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
he who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere youth;
he who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.
21 They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the works of their hands.
23 They will not toil in vain
or bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the LORD,
they and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
but dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,' says the LORD'" The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Is 65:17–25)
Additional references of the New Creation:
Revelation 21
Revelation 22:2-5
2 Peter 3:13
John 14:1-7 The Lord says to all His disciples who entrust their lives to Him today, here and now, He says to all of faith and belief "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
"I pray that your heart will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future He has called you to share ...." Ephesians 1:18
