What follows is the latest chapter for my forthcoming book “Priests of the Bible”. It concerns the third (yet to be built) temple.

Chapter 18: The Third Temple

When we began this project, which was principally to consider Priests of the Bible, it seemed pretty clear we needed to devote chapters on the First and Second Temples, for not only is there much written about these temples in the Bible but a lot of it is related to priests and the priesthood. As for a Third, yet to be built, Temple, much less is written in the Bible and scholars are divided as to what to make out of it and faithful Christians differ on how to respond to the building of such a Temple.

When the author did his customary Google search on the subject, there was a lot be found and much of it related to the desire of certain Jews, mostly of the Orthodox variety, for such a Temple to be built. Nor is this a mere pipe dream but plans are being drawn up and preparations being made for such a Temple to be built on the ancient Temple site. Many reasons are given for supporting “the Third Temple project” starting with “to restore the oneness of G-d, the one G-d for all humanity at the site where His home is to be built”. Certain Christians, typically those of the Messianic, Evangelical variety, are sympathetic toward and supportive of such an undertaking, seeing it as being needed to fulfil Bible prophecy, prior to Christ’s Second coming, and in order to stand with Israel.

Wikipedia gives us the following helpful information: “The “Third Temple” refers to a hypothetical rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. It would succeed Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple, the former having been destroyed during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem in c. 587 BCE and the latter having been destroyed during the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Although it remains unbuilt, the notion of and desire for the Third Temple is sacred in Judaism, and particularly in Orthodox Judaism; it is anticipated as the most sacred place of worship for Jews. The Hebrew Bible holds that Jewish prophets called for its construction to be fulfilled prior to, or in tandem with, the Messianic Age. The building of the Third Temple also plays a major role in some interpretations of Christian eschatology. Among religious Jews, the anticipation of an ultimate future project centred around building the Third Temple at the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem has been a running theme that, in Israel, is also espoused as an ideological motive.”

Whether the Hebrew prophets called for the people to build the Third Temple is a contentious point, although they, notably Haggai and Zechariah, called for the building of the Second Temple on return from exile. Looking ahead into an undefined future Zechariah does see another temple “Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the Lord. And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you”. As for the prophet Daniel, it can be argued, e.g. the Abomination of Desolation made at the Temple, was not only fulfilled under the rule of Antiochus Epiphanes but also in a yet to appear Antichrist.

Disappointingly but unsurprisingly, when doing Google searches on the subject, hardly any reference was made to the most significant passage in the Bible concerning a not yet built temple – Ezekiel 40 – 48. Also unsurprisingly, the text lends itself to varied interpretations, including among otherwise sound Bible scholars. If one were to take the more literal approach to interpretation and a belief in a future millennium, not only is such a temple yet to be built, but much of what is described in these verses cannot happen before the return of the Messiah, most likely during His millennial kingdom reign, although the question is begged, why is such a temple needed along with its sacrificial system, given Jesus has already dwelt (tabernacled) among us and lives in His Church. Moreover, He made the ultimate sacrifice, sufficient to atone for all sin, which means no more sacrifices are required?

Interestingly, Ezekiel received his vision of the future Temple around 570 BC, some half way through the Babylonian exile, which along with its messianic associations may have raised hopes and expectations of what might happen when returning from Exile. Arguably Zerubbabel’s Second Temple, completed some fifty years later, was nothing like the Temple in Ezekiel’s vision.  

“Prophets of the Bible” highlights the following concerning the Temple, as well as the City and Land:

1. The precise measurements and detail given of the Temple construction.
2. Similarities with the First and Second Temples but significant differences too.
3. Animal sacrifices are regularly offered.
4. No mention of the Veil, the High Priests or the Ark of the Covenant.
5. Everyone had and knew their place in the well-ordered life of the Temple.
6. The sense of order and purpose; divine peace and blessing.
7. The sense of righteousness and justice.
8. The priests of Zadok, the Levites and the Prince.
9. The glory of God that left the Temple in chapters 10 and 11, returns in 43.
10. The river that flows from the Temple in chapter 47 that gives life to all.
11. The unusual apportionment of the Land.
12. “The name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there” (48:35).

This brings us back to the question of a yet to be built temple before Jesus returns to earth. In the Book of Revelation there are 13 references to “temple” but most of them are to a heavenly temple. One is reference to the New Jerusalem, after the millennium, where we read: “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (21:22). One reference, appears to take place in a period referred to as the Great Tribulation, a little prior to Christ’s coming again in glory in Chapter 19: “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. But the court which is without 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. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed” (11:1-5).

Concerning Daniel’s Abomination of Desolation prophecy (see also Matthew 24) and the prospect a yet to be built temple prior Jesus’ return, the other applicable New Testament reference is: “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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 2:1-4.

In conclusion, thoughtful Christians will hold different views and there is a lot yet to be revealed concerning “The Third Temple”, whether it is the one that we might expect to be built prior to Christ’s coming again or the one that is entirely different to all other temples built before it, which the author believes will be built during the Millennium, after Christ returns. The point of this chapter is not to be controversial or distracting, but rather to encourage readers to check out for themselves what the Bible says on the subject of “The Third Temple” and to write in the interests of attempting to provide readers a comprehensive coverage of the subject of “Priests of the Bible”.