There’s a lot of talk all around the world about rebuilding the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. There is even a well-funded group of Jews in the city called the Temple Institute who are already making preparations to rebuild the Temple. In fact, they have already made all of the Temple treasures and artifacts necessary to reinstitute animal sacrifice and oblation. The only thing they have not remade is the Ark of the Covenant because they are convinced that they know where it is hidden; most likely under the Temple Mount in some subterranean cavern.

The Jewish Temple has a rich and colorful history. Originally conceived by King David to house the Ark, the 1st Temple was actually constructed by his son, Solomon. Within this Temple, the High Priest would take sacrificial blood inside the inner-most room called the Holy of Holies once a year on the Great Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

Later, a wicked king by the name of Manasseh removed all the Holy Vessels from the Temple and replaced them with idols (2 Kings 21:4-7). While this evil man reigned, no one knows what happened to the Ark of the Covenant but most scholars agree that it was probably hidden away to protect it. It reappeared a generation later during the reign of King Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:3) and was returned to the Holy of Holies (2 Kings 22:1-7).

Thirty-eight (38) years after Josiah, this First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians and all of its treasures were looted or destroyed. However, the Ark was never mentioned among these items. It just disappeared. We know the Ark was not present in the Temple of Jesus’ day. Most likely it remained in hiding because Israel was under the domination of many countries, particularly Rome. In 70 AD, the Temple was totally destroyed by the Romans and the Temple mount was plowed even with the ground and, thus, not a stone was left on top of another just as Jesus had prophesied. Hundreds of years later the Moslem shrine called “The Dome of the Rock” was built on the very spot where God’s holy Temple once stood.

As I said earlier, there is much talk about rebuilding the Jewish Temple. In fact, the Temple Institute is busy about the business of collecting monies for this endeavor. However, let me caution you about this project. Remember that the Bible does predict that there will be a Third Temple in Jerusalem and we know that the Antichrist will enter that reconstructed building, brazenly walk into the holy of holies and declare that he is god almighty! Because of this, I believe that this third temple is a false temple. I further believe that this dedicated but sorely misguided group of religious Jews who are collecting this money may well enter unknowingly into a pact with the Antichrist in order to build their temple. If I am correct on this, then I would think it unadvisable for Christians to be sending their money to support this rebuilding.

There are a lot of crazy things happening in the world today and I urge you to make sure you aren’t involved in things that are not of the Lord. For example, we have Hebrew Roots groups springing up all around the world today. Now, there’s nothing at all wrong with learning about our Hebrew roots and the Feasts and Festivals of the Lord. God knows that most Christian churches today know very little about these subjects. However, when one of these groups urges you to separate yourself from the rest of the Body of Christ and when they encourage you to return to the Law of Moses and eat Kosher food and all the other things that serve to produce bondage in your life, then you need to watch out! You must also always remember that the Torah (the first 5 books of the Bible) are not the most important books in your Bible. ALL of the Bible is important but please never forget, the New Testament is what interprets the Old. We are under a New Covenant now that operates under Grace and Mercy, Not the Law! The law cannot save you and the law cannot improve your standing with God one iota! (Ephesians 2:8-9)

So, what does all of that have to do with the rebuilding of the Temple? It is a fact that some of these Hebrew Roots groups (not all of them…some are ok) are encouraging people to give money in order to rebuild the Tribulation Temple. Again, I caution you to be careful where you send your money.

I believe the Bible teaches that the day will come when the Antichrist will step forward and offer a plan of world peace. Because we are caught up in all of these “wars and rumors of wars,” peace will sound real good to a lot of people. Part of that peace plan may include a blueprint for rebuilding the Jewish temple in Jerusalem…perhaps even side by side with the Dome of the Rock. Whatever happens, just remember when you see these things begin to take place, get ready because Jesus is on the way! I think we are very close to these events and the conclusion of this age! We’ll see.

I want to leave you with one final thought. Never forget that God loves you. As you see world events unfolding before you that seem to indicate the “end times,” don’t allow the enemy to put fear in your heart. The end times are only to be feared by those who don’t know Jesus as Savior. After all, Paul called the Second Coming of Christ, “the Blessed Hope!” I love you!