The site of the earthly temple in Jerusalem has been an object of intense activity, both politically and archaeologically. Interpreting the elements surviving antiquity there is, itself, a topic of ongoing academic and cultural dispute. People want to ‘touch’ God – that is, to connect with whatever aspects of the temple mount exist as things of perceived value.
The temple as it once existed cannot be found there, and the precise details of the first and second temple remain matters of speculation. In the text of chapter eleven, however, the temple is real and it is active. This one, simple fact sets the events here described in the future tense, of course – one that emerges from days such as these. Difficult, difficult days.
Addendum: This was written in the beginning of June, 2023, and current events are setting the stage in ways that I certainly did not anticipate, but God’s word is true, and these things will happen. Make sure you are ready.
Also, I share the following link for a cultural reflection upon temple history.
The reader is encouraged to read Ezekiel’s vision of the future temple in chapters 40 and 41 of the Book of Ezekiel. This vision may relate to the time of the millenial kingdom – that is the 1000 years following the return of Christ. Israel under Jesus Christ is the subject of those years, but examination of textual evidence would, presently, be a complex tangent.
1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there. 2 But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. 6 These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.
The two witnesses are not present to argue, but to enlighten – until the adversary, the beast (Greek: θηρίον – thay-ree’-on) attacks them, and kills them! The term connotes mindlessness, viciousness – but of man or creature? Of a system of global government? I suspect so, but one yet in formation, not fully (un)realized. We will consider this again, in much greater depth, very soon.
7 When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified. 9 For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them, and will celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.
11 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them. 12 And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.
13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
The world is, apparently, convinced the two witnesses represent a force to be overcome, to be vanquished through violence forged out of contempt – seething, clamoring to kill. Apart from Christ, this becomes the course of humanity, here finally reaching its bitter, bitter and fruitless conclusion.
14 The second woe has passed. Behold, the third woe is coming shortly.
15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We give thanks to You, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
The physical course winds on, compelled yet not capable. Revelation will next weave what I believe to be recent history into the account, highlighting these events within our secular world’s historical context – doing so with spectacles one would think offer clarity. Still, we the world are in the dark.
Addendum: The love of Christ is for all of humanity. The scripture conveys to us the picture of human frailty, generated and perpetuated by betrayal, by sin – that is hurting ourselves and one another, the prioritizing of things over our families, neighbors, above our fellow man. I am pleased that a number of voices usher the presence of Christ into our minds and hearts in order to share his peace, his provision and grace by calling for these, for his grace and mercy to be realized in our world, in our lives. Please put Jesus first in fixing any understanding of the situation. God has extended life, forgiveness through His son – I encourage you to walk in the commitment of life in him, for he came that we could have life and life more abundantly. For in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek. Let us be steadfast in our pilgrimage to join together in Christ, for now and forevermore.
Addendum: I am compelled to write this day on behalf of those being annihilated in Israel, for in Christ is there is no division of the saints – neither Jew nor Greek – so there is not any justification, not by race nor national identity. Not any allegiance that can provide reasons for the death, the murder. What did Jesus say? Love your enemies. There is no heavenly call for any of this. Forgive, oh do forgive, even as each of us is in need of unmerited favor, of grace – mercy. No, this will not end until Christ returns, and yet we must be messengers and intruments of peace just the same, as he is our peace now and forevermore. Echo the love of Christ!
End Times Prophecy 