Many Christians consider the rebuilding of the Holy Temple and restarting of animal sacrifices not a prophetic sign, but an affront to Christ and the church (the "real" temple?). If you learn what the Book of Hebrews says is the actual purpose of the Temple and sacrifices, the plain prophecies about them coming again will make more sense. Discover what must happen first before Temple construction can begin, what prophecy may bring it, when it happens in relation to the 70th week, and what if anything you should do when you see the Third Temple rebuilt.
No Jewish Temple Since 70 AD
Since AD 70 when a rebel faction inside the Roman army disobeyed orders and destroyed the Holy Temple, the Jews have been without their central place of worship. The Western “Wailing” Wall has been serving as Judaism's most sacred site in place of the Temple. But it only a remnant of a retaining wall of the Temple Mount, not a remnant of the Temple itself.
For most Christians, the absence of Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount is far from a problem. It is just as it should be, to them. After all, that's a relic of the Old Covenant. Jesus said something about him being the Temple (John 2:21) and didn't Paul say that the church is the Temple of God now (1Co 3:16)? Given those perceptions, most Christians are not expecting another temple to be built or perhaps for God to ever allow it. Especially—God forbid—one with renewed animal sacrifices that Christians imagine as an affront to Jesus' one sacrifice for all time.
But for Jews, both religious and secular, the Holy Temple not only makes sense, a large segment of the population desire it. In a recent survey, one third of secular Jews and 43% of religious Jews were in favor of construction on the Temple Mount. What's more, there is real progress towards making it happen. The Temple Institute and dozens of other organizations are preparing for a Third Temple. They are making the priestly vestments, reconstructing the Temple's past ceremonial objects and furnishings (including the 200 pound golden seven branch menorah) as well as preparing for, yes, a renewal of animal sacrifices.
So who is right about God's will for the Holy Temple, Christianity or Judaism? Will the Holy Temple be rebuilt or is God really against it? What does Bible prophecy say?
Four Holy Temples in the Bible – All Literal
Christians who are against another Temple and renewed animal sacrifices in Jerusalem are probably unfamiliar with how many end time prophecies predict exactly that. Christians mostly just know about the past two temples:
- Solomon's Temple (destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II)
- Zerubbabel's/Herod's Temple (destroyed by the Romans)
They would be surprised to find out that there are not just one, but two more Holy Temples predicted by the Bible:
- The Tribulation Temple (taken over by the Antichrist – 2 Thessalonians 2:4)
- Ezekiel/Millennial Temple (built under the Messiah – Ezekiel 40-46; Zechariah 8).
Even Christians who are aware of the passages above often see only one Temple among them, or none (by treating them allegorically).
However, the context of both the Ezekiel and Zechariah Temple prophecies is millennial, making them distinct from the prophecies of an end time Great Tribulation/Antichrist Temple such as Daniel, Revelation and Second Thessalonians describe. Zechariah 6:12-13 names "the Branch" (Christ) as the builder of the Temple. (It's kind of hard for him to do that until the Millennium, after he returns.) Ezekiel spends several chapters detailing the Millennial Temple dimensions, priestly chambers and duties, altar, animal sacrifice schedule and contributions from the people. It's difficult to sweep all that away as allegory.
The Real Purpose of Animal Sacrifices
The reason Christians are tempted to dismiss Temple prophecies in that way is because they do not understand the purpose of the Temple animal sacrifices. Most Christians think they served to take away sin until Christ came or only foreshadowed his sacrifice. Yet, the Book of Hebrews makes it clear that “the blood of bulls and goats never could take away sin” (Heb 10:4). It gives the true purpose of the sacrifices as being a “reminder of sin” (Heb 10:3).
In other words, God in his love gave us forgetful humans helpful object lessons about sin through these sacrifices. As long as humans remain fallible as we are, we can benefit from both the foreshadowing in past sacrifices and the "back-shadowing" (if you will) in future sacrifices at the Holy Temple. When Christ comes to set up his Kingdom over the whole earth, the Fourth Temple will become a center of worship of YHVH God again.
Animal Rights?
Still, Christian animal lovers struggle with a God who would command adorable, precious, innocent animals to be slaughtered. It can challenge their faith in a loving God to see the Torah of Moses (given by God) command the sacrifice of animals. Then to hear that it will be allowed for a Third Temple and apparently commanded in the Millennial Temple (see Ezekiel 40-46) after Christ already fulfilled the sacrifices seems barbaric and not like the kind of God they imagine.
I suggest that the answer to this dilemma is that it's supposed to be unpleasant to contemplate animals being sacrificed. Not liking it is the point. God is reminding us through the death of innocent animals about the price of not doing what he says. He did not create the animals only to give affection, companionship, eggs, milk and fleece and other things that don't cost their lives. He made them to also teach us about the blood cost of sin or not loving our fellow man.
I've observed that many animal lovers have been deeply hurt by or don't like people. They gravitate to animals because animals never hurt or reject them. This is understandable, but it is not how God ordered things. God never commands us to love animals but he does command us to love humans. (Although proper animal treatment is addressed in the Law of Moses and clearly God's will.) Animals are used in sacrifices by God to show how serious that command is (picturing Christ dying for all humanity because of his love for them). We may not like it but we must trust that he knows best and it will make sense to us when we gain more of his wisdom and perspective in the future. (That's the best answer I have for animal lovers so if you have a better one, please share it.)
"The Church Is the Temple?"
Finally, just as some deny any rapture at all (pretribulation, mid-tribulation or post-tribulation), there are some that deny a Third Temple is predicted. Typically they point to what Paul said about the church being God's temple (1Co 3:16) as if the use of something in a metaphor denies the reality of that thing the metaphor is derived from in its normal form.
In other words, just as the animal sacrifices pointed to Christ' sacrifice and yet literal animal sacrifices will continue after Christ fulfilled them, similarly the Temple of God that foreshadowed the church of God will likewise continue on alongside that which fulfilled it! 🙂
The Third Temple Prophecies
Hopefully now having resolved any Christian prejudices that the reader may have had against another temple and animal sacrifices appearing one day, let's now look at all the passages on this topic with an open mind. We'll see that we have a “temple,” a “holy place,” an “altar,” and daily “sacrifices” all literally described in prophecies surrounding the final seven years.
Daniel 9:27 (HCSB) — He will make a firm covenant with many for one week [the 70th week], but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple, until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
Daniel 12:11 (HCSB) — From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
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Daniel here says that the Antichrist puts a stop to sacrifices (and sets up the abomination) in the middle of the 70th week, or last seven years before Christ returns (1290 days before Christ returns, to be exact). This obviously means that sacrifices commenced sometime before this and implies that there is a Temple already constructed to go along with the altar. Jesus confirms this:
Matthew 24:15-16 (ESV) — 'So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place...then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.'
The usage of the term "holy place" in other NT passages corroborate that this refers to the Holy Temple (Acts 6:13; 21:28). (Specifically, the Holy of Holies was the holy place that the High Priest only entered once per year and where the Ark of the Covenant was kept behind a separating curtain.)
Revelation 11:1-3 (ESV) —1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Revelation tells us plainly that there will be a temple and altar standing by the time the Great Tribulation starts. However, it will be overrun by the nations (led by the Antichrist). If you want to know what they do with the Holy Temple, Paul gives us the most clear indication of a future Tribulation Temple:
2 Thessalonians 2:4 (ESV) — who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he [The Antichrist] takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
The Antichrist will take over the Holy Temple built by the Jews for worship of YHVH God and use it to proclaim to the world that he himself is God.
Some commentators object that the “temple of God” could not refer to a temple built by the Jews under their Judaism and that it better fits the church (“the temple of God” as Paul said). However, although Judaism has its errors and faults, they still do worship YHVH God which is who the Temple would be dedicated to worshiping. It makes the most sense that it's referring to a literal temple with a literal seat in Jerusalem where we know the Antichrist conquers and sets up his headquarters (Dan 11:45=Lk 21:20). Otherwise, what sense can we make of the Antichrist figuratively “sitting” inside “the church?”
What's Stopping the Temple/Sacrifices Today
The natural next question is when or how soon can this take place? The short answer is not right away. Despite what the prophecies say and the preparations already underway to make them happen, the Temple is still not ready to appear.
BTW, it's worth noting that, it is recorded in Ezekiel that Israel once performed sacrifices on an altar without a temple:
Ezekiel 3:1-6 — 1 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. ... 6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.
However, as we shall see, what's stopping construction of the temple is also stopping construction of an altar and sacrifices even without a temple.
Some think the main barrier is that the Dome of the Rock is over the location of the First and Second Temples. Others dispute this and say that the right site is elsewhere on the Temple Mount. They suggest that a Third Temple could coexist on the Temple Mount without any harm coming to the Dome of the Rock.
One researcher, Bob Cornuke, claims the Temple was not even on the Temple Mount but in the City of David also called Zion.
Does this mean the Jews can proceed with rebuilding the Third Temple?
No, as this ignores the political reality and who is in control of the Temple Mount now. Although Israel regained sovereignty over Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War, the Temple Mount is not under Jewish control. It has been administered since the Crusades by the Islamic Waqf, a joint Palestinian-Jordanian religious trust. The Israeli government is secular and has preferred to maintain the status quo on the Temple Mount where the third holiest Muslim site sits. This includes their enforcing of rules forbidding Jews to pray, bow, kneel, prostrate, dance, sing or even rip their clothes on the Temple Mount. It's a volatile situation with frequent Arab rioting at the slightest sign of a religious provocation by the Jews.
With the delicate current political situation Israel faces surrounded by Muslim Arab enemies, it's understandable that the Israeli government is actually hindering the Third Temple. Many Jews believe that those pushing for a Third Temple are being irresponsible and putting the nation at risk. Thus, for the Third Temple to appear, an upsetting of the current political situation is required.
And, by the way, it does not matter where Gentiles like Bob Cornuke think the Temple was or should be rebuilt. The Orthodox Jews are the ones who will rebuilding it. They will not be consulting Gentiles; they will rebuild it where they as Jews think it should go: on the "Temple" Mount. Therefore it does not matter whether Bob Cornuke is right or not (I think not). It will be build where the Jews decide and it won't happen until they are politically free to do so.
Another Prophecy That Can Unstop It
A popular theory for construction of the Third Temple is that the Antichrist will come and make a seven year peace treaty with Israel allowing them to build the temple, only for him to break the treaty 3½ years later. However, there is no such "peace treaty" in the Book of Daniel or anywhere else. (There is instead a "take over the world" pact that the Antichrist makes with ten rulers. For details see this article on Antichrist Myths.)
Nevertheless, Bible prophecy may still provide the answer to what will change this status quo. You may have heard of Isaiah's “Oracle against Damascus” (Isaiah 17) which appears to describe Damascus, Syria being nuked into oblivion. Or you may have heard of the Psalm 83 prophecy of an alliance of Arabs attacking Israel. (That turns out just as bleakly for the Arabs.)
Israel's Arab neighbors have not made a major coordinated joint attack like Psalm 83 describes since the 1973 Yom Kippur war. When they finally are able to justify doing so, Israel will defeat them handily using her nuclear arsenal. Not only, Damascus, but probably several of the aggressor nations' capitals will be nuked.
At that point, whether the Dome of the Rock is over the original site of the First and Second Temples matters less. Perhaps the Dome will be a casualty of war either directly or through a rogue element like the Roman one that destroyed the Second Temple. With the Arab's military power and political influence greatly reduced, Israel will be able to do what they want with the Temple Mount in the face of continued objections from Muslims. Perhaps a surge in nationalism after vanquishing their archenemies will swell and popularize support for the rebuilding of the Temple at last. Time will tell. All we know for sure is that the Temple must and will happen.
When We See the Third Temple Built, Then What?
For prophecy fans, it will be exciting and significant to actually see the fulfillment of prophecy when the Temple is completed and animal sacrifices are performed daily. But will it be a useful sign of the end? Unfortunately not. It will not tell us how close we are to the end. Nor will it signify that believers need to do anything when they see it.
It is simply unclear in prophecy when the Temple is rebuilt in relation to the 70th week. All we know is that it must be complete along with daily sacrifices before the middle of the 70th week when the Antichrist sits himself (and his image) in it. It may happen several years before the 70th week even begins. We just are not told by the Bible. (One thing for sure, in answer to what someone asked me, the 144,000 will not be building the Temple. They come at the 6th seal months before the Great Tribulation and have a very different mission.)
Thankfully, by the time it happens we will probably not be limited to just what we can figure out from the our Bibles. A real prophet for the end times is prophesied by Malachi. This “Elijah” will come and teach the Gospel of the Kingdom (Mt 24:14) and how to turn to God (Mal 4:5). If you are looking for a better sign of the end that will be able to tell us how much time we have left, watching out for the end time Elijah prophet would be the way to go. He'll be able to tell us about the Antichrist, the Great Tribulation and what we need to do to escape both them and the terrible death-star Wormwood that precedes them.
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Tim McHyde
Tim is the author of this site (since 1999) and the book Know the Future that explains Revelation literally at last--including the key event of Wormwood (Rev 6-8). To read more from Tim and not miss a single new article, sign up for his free newsletter above.
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Tim, you should read up on the historical event of the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. It was not an insignificant thing! It was prophesied in Jeremiah chapter 19 and other places. Even Titus tried to keep the temple from being destroyed and made remarks, that had it not been the will of God no way could it have been taken down! It was a divine destruction at the hand of God Himself for judgment against those who rejected Jesus’ sacrifice and the New Covenant of his shed blood! A terrible atrocity and slaughter was this event, yet not one Christian was killed in the many casualties. Jesus Himself prophesied this event before his death ( Matthew 24)
In 363 AD Julian the Apostate planned and prepared to build it again. God supernaturally intervened and what took place has been pretty much forgotten and covered up down through history. Various interventions beyond the natural took place : earthquake, windstorms, fires, and lightening! It was made absolutely impossible for the building of the temple to proceed. A large cross with a circle appeared for all to see in the sky. God was definitely not pleased.
To rebuild the temple is a blatant sacrilege, and blasphemous assault on the redeeming work of Christ on the cross and the bringing in of His new covenant for believers. God will not permit it. That temple is meant for animal sacrifices which are not acceptable any longer to God. God does not share his worship with idols nor old covenant practices which have been done away with. He will not permit a temple being built again for animal sacrifices and we cannot support such an assault to Him! To support such an assault on the blood of Christ is indeed blasphemy!
Judy, in the Bible we find God causing many shocking things. When he made Mary pregnant by the HS before she was with her husband it made her look like an immoral woman. Joseph was set up to look like a rapist by Potiphar’s wife. In the end, God’s allowing a man to proclaim himself as God and his false prophet to bring fire down from heaven to prove it. Allowing the temple to be rebuilt with animal sacrifices again is small compared to that and exactly what is prophesied despite our sensibilities about Christ’s work.
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As it is becoming clearer the past 4 years since this article was written, the time of 2024-2030 is shaping up to be the Last Days, End-Times, the Tribulation Period. Your other articles collectively point to April (Spring) 2022 as the likely time of the one-day Middle East War between Israel and the Arab/Muslim nations. As a result of the destruction and near total loss of their population, you figured Israel will change their immigration policy and open up to Christians and non-Jews to move to Israel.
Considering that Spring 2022 to Spring/Summer 2024 is two years, do you think the big reason for the open-wide immigration policy is for enough workers to build the temple? (As if the secular Israel government suddenly got religion after such a war). Do you think that most of the saints who heed God’s call to move to the place of safety will be working on the temple?
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No the temple won’t need that many workers and if being able to work on it will be construction work skill then 99% of us are out of luck.
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Hi Tim,
Isn’t it God’s prerogative to do with animals as he so pleases? Heb 1:3 (He) … upholds all things by the word of His power.
It’s not anything we do that brings animals into this world. We might have become used to thinking that it is because of what we do that new animals are born. Perhaps this is a mistaken belief as a result of domestication of some species. If left alone, such as the multitude of species that we haven’t, or don’t care to, domesticate, they multiple as God has designed them to. They eat the food God provides. They breathe the air that God created.
Absolutely nothing we can do will bring about life, apart from manipulating what God has already created. But taking what is someone else’s creation and tweaking it a bit doesn’t make it ours.
If it’s His will, as is apparent from the scriptures you’ve highlighted, for animals to be part of the sacrifice that is to be reinstated in the 3rd and 4th temples, then who are we to question this?
Did we create the animals or did He?
We may have been instructed to take care of them but that doesn’t make us their owner. If we impart harm to animals outside the will of God then that is a different matter. However, using them as instructed by our Almighty God, whether or not our frail and faulty human logic gets in the way, is how it must be.
Reply Joel of course, we agree logically but many do not believe in God and even Christians who do consider sacrifices barbaric to poor cuddly animals and an affront to Christ’s sacrifice.
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Tim isaiah 17: 12-14 talks about a tsunami that God will send over all nations to end a war? There is a man who is called a prophet, dreamed and predicted about this event, because according to his interpretation is not yet the end. Rosh shaul ben avraham.
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Hi Tim,
What do you think now that an altar has been placed? Check out the news.
Hi Taylor, there are a lot of items like the altar prepared and being practiced on, but not on the Temple Mount or there would be riots. No altar has been placed on the Temple Mount and there is no temple yet. It will happen only after the Arab problem is solved by the nuclear war of Isaiah 17.
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Hi Tim, May God( Elohim and Yeshua be with you and Family. I was just wondering if the person who orchestrates the rebuilding of the 3rd Temple will have ulterior motives, some kind of deception to get it built so that what happens shortly after, the abomination of desolation is able to take place. Since the Devil mirrors everything Jesus (Yeshua) does this does seem plausible.
Reply Margaret, possibly, but what’s wrong the straightforward explanation that religious Jews build it to worship God, something they have been desiring and preparing to do for decades, and the Antichrist hijacks it for a sinister purpose?
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What would you have said if GOD THE FATHER was alive on earth and if he would die if that was nothing no one was supposed to know and if GOD THE FATHER dying physical death on earth shall officially start the end truly if this was all true would you find it to be surprise if GOD THE FATHER was going to be willing to let himself die even if he did not die completely.
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So I’m just a student and not a scholar of any sort, but wouldn’t the temple be just another building if it didn’t have the ark of the covenant? What would they put in the holy of holies, some Ezekiel bread? I do love that bread by the way. I believe it was given to Jeremiah to take but no one knows where. I don’t focus on end times, to many people don’t know who God is so I rather focus on that but it is interesting.
Reply Vahe, yep it will be just a building dedicated to Yehovah unless God’s shekinah dwells in it like it did starting in Solomon’s time until it left (Ezekiel 10). It has never returned to any other temple and will not until the Millennial Temple under God’s kingdom. But the above fact does not matter to the Jews (witness the Western Wall worship) nor to the Antichrist or the world he deceives from there.
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Thank you Tim McHyde! May Father’s Holy Spirit keep showering you with knowledge from above. Much love and respect!
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I do not believe a physical temple will ever be re-built in Israel. Jesus was the final sacrifice. Here are just a few verses there are numerous ones. Hebrews 10:10 (The temple is in heaven) Mark 14:58 (Jesus is our high priest) Hebrews 4:14 Hebrews 8:1
Reply Joyce, I would to see you quote these NT verses at the Jesus-and-NT-rejecting Jews who are going to build the Third Temple while you share your theory with them that there will never be a physical temple again. =) My point is despite your Christian theology off these verses, prophecy says the Jews will build another temple. Don’t feel bad. I also have Christians tell me that the Temple was not on the Temple Mount where people think and I give them the same answer. The Jews will decide to build a temple and decide on its location without any input from Christians!
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Thanks Tim! Although I love the elegance of the old English KJV, a modern translation, as you so often recommend, saves the day again!
The New Living Translation seems to the most explicitly clear to me: “Yes, he will build the Temple of the LORD. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’
It is a beautiful prophecy, and joyful for lovers of Yeshua, most comforting, and has no shelf life, date of expiration. It refers to His eternal rule with spiritual (priestly) and physical (kingly) protection. Albeit in glorified bodies we, I am sure, will bask in his love and glory!
Reply Tim, In this article you cite Zechariah 6:12–13: “And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD. It is he who shall build the temple of the LORD and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”
My question is to confirm whether “the counsel of peace shall be between them both” refers to the Father and the Son. I understand the Branch is Yeshua the builder with royal honor who shall sit on the throne that belongs to the Lord who is YHVH. Where I hit a mental bump is after “there shall be a priest” who I would understand to be Yeshua in the order of Melchizedek (not a Levite, without a forebear nor descendant), yet why a mention of “the counsel of peace shall be between them both” since peace between the Father and Son would seem to be a given. Unless, I guess, it refers as a prophecy to Yeshua as a human who will live in peace with the Father? Now that I have worked out the question, I realize I may have the answer… but still would like to get your confirmation or correction.
Reply Thomas, I didn’t know the answer to your question until I compared it in multiple versions which resolved it in seconds: http://biblehub.com/zechariah/6-13.htm The answer is both refers to the two *roles* of king and priest.
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i think malachi 4:5 already occured…..William Marion branham. …he broke the seven seals and revealed the mysteries
Reply Brian, William Branham was great but he did not in any way shape or form turn the world to repentance nor did he come “before the day of the Lord” which is yet future when he leads people to safety in Mt. Zion at that time. When you understand all that Elijah is tasked with, you won’t mistake anyone in the past for him.
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When do you think the psalm 83 war would happen? It seems like the last idk how many years but prophecy watchers say, “it looks like psalm 83 is about to happen!”
Reply Thanks for the reply, I just saw another article you posted about ISIS which talked about this war as well. It seems like you arent expecting it maybe until the 2020’s at the earliest?
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As always, great article Tim. I have to admit I have a hard time understanding people’s obsession with animals. I mean I love animals too, but if God says animal sacrifices are back, then guess what? Animal sacrifices are back! I agree with your reasoning on how it’s supposed to be an unpleasant reminder of sin. God bless you brother.
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Once again, thought provoking. I knew of the, once again, animal sacrifices. I am an animal lover and it does upset me that the sacrifices will resume, BUT I understand God’s plan. What I didnt realize is there is to be a 4th Temple! But when you think about it, why would we expect God to occupy a temple that the anti Christ seats himself in, claiming himself to be God! Duh! Thanks again Tim.
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Definately a confronting subject.
I too had been taught that Jesus’ death replaced animal sacrifices.
However, I can see how such sacrifices will serve the purpose of remembrance of the punishment for sin in the Millenium.
After all – before being granted eternal life, humans will still be humans with human nature, even without the devil and his lot.
Thanks Tim.
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Tim, Its likely you’ve already covered this, just like my last question regarding the end of the 1000 years and Satan’s release.(I read your article on that and it made sense.) But here goes.
Aren’t the survivors of “Armageddon” going to be mostly Jews at first and that even though the world will be ruled by Christ and His Bride, most of those being ruled will not accept Christ but follow the “law of Moses” which of course would include animal sacrifice. Jesus could show them exactly how to follow the law and then show them how they couldn’t follow it in Moses day and they won’t be able to follow it during His rule either, even under ideal conditions and in fact will never be able to follow it because they are still sinful flesh.
My big question is Will any one turn to Christ to be saved during the 1000 years while He’s back on earth? Or will they all follow the “Law” until Satan shows up and leads them into rebellion at the end? I know Judgment follows the 1000 years but I’ve often wondered what many of those living through the Tribulation and all the newborns who will grow up in a world without the Devil do during Christ’s reign? Is salvation still an option during those days? (I know, lots of questions.)
Reply Mike, no, the survivors of God’s wrath will be mostly non-Jews, no different than the population is today. Nations will be equally deceived by the Antichrist including Judah/Jews (Zech 14:14).
Everyone on earth who survives God’s wrath to make it into the 1000 years will start out his enemy and need to repent, so the answer is yes. They will be flesh and can repent and will need to continually as they learn and grow. We repent continually as we see things, now, yes (2Co 13:5)?
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My first question to “animal lovers” who believe that God is/was cruel to allow for sacrificing innocent animals ; Do you eat meat ?
My Second question ; Do you not realize that the method used to harvest MEAT for consumers today is far worse than the Levitical method of allowing the creature to die in the most painless method possible ( surgical severing of a major blood vessel ).
My third question ; Do you not realize that the meat of the sacrificial animal was FOOD for the Priesthood as well as the one offering the sacrifice ?
When we get past our emotions and inquire as to the CONTEXT of Scripture, we can grow into a maturity of understanding God’s ways and will.
Finally, If you truly believe God is cruel and unjust for “killing animals”, you will have to explain to me how you can claim to love Jesus but despise God’s ways. Hence ;
“If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?… ” John 14:8
Respectfully submitted.
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Man still has a sin problem (Rom. 3:10). The solution for the problem is still blood (Heb. 9:22), but it is no longer necessary to sacrifice animals because Jesus has died as the ultimate and everlasting sacrifice.
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'” (John 1:29 NIV).
Jesus allowed Himself to be put to death so that His holy blood could cleanse us. The sacrifice Jesus made when He hung on the tree is the final sacrifice and no other is needed.
Those who sacrifice animals are rejecting Jesus.
Reply Diane, I agree with everything you said (minus the last judgmental statement.) AND if you read the article above, you’ll see that according to plain prophecy, animal sacrifices are coming again as “a annual reminder of sin” (Heb 10:3)–not because they are “necessary” which actually never were because “it is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sin” (Heb 10:4).
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While your interpretations of prophecy are
most interesting, one must wonder whether
you’re aware that Judah-ism, admittedly,
worships Satan rather than YHWH.
What Satan offered Jesus in exchange for an
act of worship has been accepted by those who
profess Judah-ism; which accounts for how they’ve
cleverly implemented their system of total control in
order to subjugate the nations.
Judah-ism (Pharisee-ism) is very strongly
Anti-Christ even today.
As events coalesce in the coming years in fulfillment
of prophecy we may be very much surprised.
Hugh I agree that Judaism is corrupted (as are all Bible-based religions), but if it they do it quite improperly, they are worshiping Yehovah God, the God of the Old Testament and Israel.
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Hugh,
Have you ever bothered to find out what Judaism actually teaches? I am a Jewish believer in Jesus and I have a good understanding of “both sides of the fence”. Just as Tim notes, Jews do worship a true God. They see Satan as subjugate to God and doing God’s bidding according to God’s plan. To a Jewish person, Satan is not even worthy to define as “adversary of God” and definitely is not an object of worship. Unlike many “Christians” toward non-Christians, Jews do not see non-Jews as an enemy to fight against or subjugate. Judaism’s solution is to be separate from all other nations, be focused on transforming selves through following a multitude of rules and regulations to achieve ever increasing holiness, which they believe in turn will transform/heal the world. “Subjugating nations” is completely of no interest to religious Jews.
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You have some compelling thought on the “earthly” temple being built before the coming of Christ. You mentioned the fact that we are now the temple of the spirit of God, but didn’t explain why it isn’t the evil one that is now the ruler in peoples hearts (holy of holies) and in effect removes the sacrifice of Christ crucifixion, or that Christ’s sacrifice is taken away because of the great evil of the world and Gods wrath will then be poured out. (My spirit will not always strive with man). Could this be the case? Just a thought. Thanks for your articles. Very uplifting and thought provoking!
Reply Abe, I don’t understand the concept you have of “Christ’s sacrifice being taken away.” He was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8). This means his atonement has always been available since Adam to all who would believe God’s word and have it accounted as righteousness to them through that fact (Gen 15:6).
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Reading your article on Temple rebuilding ie thoughtful
Sorry for my ramblings last night.
Maybe we will just have wait and see
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