The third temple is prophesied in Ezekiel and Revelation chapter 11, God giving the measurements.
For there to be a third temple, there should be a first and a second temple. Let’s look at the first 2 temples.
First Temple
The first temple was built in 957 BC by King Solomon (1 Kings Chapter 5 – 9). The temple replaced the tabernacle constructed in Sinai desert under the auspices of Moses as well as local sanctuaries and altars in the hills.
This first temple was totally destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC when the Babylonians came down for Israel 70 year captivity as prophesied by Jeremiah.
Second Temple
Construction of the second temple was authorized by Cyrus king of Persia in 537 BC (see 70 years of Daniel) after the fall of the Babylon Empire the year before to the Medes and Persia Empire.
2 Chr 36:22-23: Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth has the LORD God of heaven given me; and he has charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up. Also seen in Ezra 2-4, 5:13.
See Nebuchadnezzar dream of a golden image and Daniel dream of beasts.
When Alexander the Great rose up after he overthrew the Medes and Persian Empire in 330 BC (see Greece Persia war prophecy) the temple miraculously avoided being destroyed.
In 332 or there about when Alexander was busy waxing great (Dan 8:8) conquering the world, he came to conquer Jerusalem. He met Jaddua High Priest in Jerusalem that time outside the city. Jaddua showed Alexander Daniel chapter 8 written 200 years ago and how he (Alexander) was mentioned.
Alexander was touched and blown away. He could not believe how he was prophesied 200 years ago and this made him spare Jerusalem. Reason Jerusalem was not conquered by Alexander thus the second temple was miraculously spared. See Greece Persian war.
The second temple was later destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD when they come down annihilated Israel and Israel ceased to be a sovereign nation. This is after the Roman Empire, the brutal empire of Iron as seen in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the 4th beasts in Daniel dream had overthrown Greece led by Alexander the great.
The destruction of the second temple was spoken by Jesus
Mk 13:1-2: And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said unto him, Master, ‘see what manner of stones and what buildings are here’ And Jesus answering said unto him, ‘See these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down’.
Third Temple Prophecy
Prophecy of rebuilt third temple and its measurements is found in Ezekiel and Revelation chapter 11. In Ezekiel, God gives the entire measurements in details. Revelation written by Apostle John reveals specific prophecy about the outer court.
Apostle John was given a measuring reed to measure the temple
Rev 11:1: And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, ‘Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein’
Apostle John does not give us the measurements but earlier on, God revealed them to Ezekiel.
Rev 11:2: But the court which is outside the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
The entire Temple compound was considered holy, but it became increasingly more holy as one entered farther in, from east to west. King Herod had enclosed the outer court with colonnades and it was referred to as the Court of the Gentiles because the “gentiles” (non-Jews) were permitted to enter the Temple area. They could walk within in it but they were forbidden to go any further than the outer court. They were excluded from entering into any of the inner courts, and warning signs in Greek and Latin were placed that gave warning that the penalty for such trespass was death.
One thing affecting the building of the third temple in the temple mount is the Muslims – they claim their holy place to be where temple seats – the Dome of the Rock. For the third temple to be rebuild, there must me a mediation between Jews and the Muslims for the Muslims to allow Jews build the temple. If today Jews start building the temple, that equals to war. It is for this reason that Antichrist rises first with a peace treaty between Israel and Muslims allowing the temple be rebuild peacefully. See who is the Antichrist
Gentiles are given 42 months to tread the outer court. The 42 months are the first 3 ½ years of the great tribulation period. Great tribulation period will be exactly 7 years. See 70 years of Daniel
It is in the first 3 ½ years when Antichrist will be a man of peace before being injured and miraculously healed turning to the beast he is (Rev 13:3).
Ezekiel’s prophecy of rebuilt third temple comes after gog and magog war. See gog and magog war. It is after the gog and magog war that the third temple will be build. The world cannot sign a peace treaty unless there is a war and that is one purpose of the war – for the Middle East to sign a peace treaty which allows Jews to build the temple.
Gog and magog war is a important war that marks prophetic timing.
When the third temple will be seeing on earth, the earth will have entered great tribulation period. It is in the third temple where antichrist will carry out the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATE (Mt 24:15) as carried out by Antichrist’s prototype – Antiochus Epiphanes. See Antiochus Epiphanes
Before the third temple resurfaces, rapture must take place. Why? See why the temple was destroyed for church-age (next)
Jesus is coming
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