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Focus on the Future - 6
Jerusalem’s Counterfeit Temple
Many Christians and Jews seem equally excited about the city of Jerusalem. They are hoping and praying about rebuilding its long-lost temple. Could this enthusiasm be a diversion from God’s plans for a different temple? If so, where would that other temple be?
First of all, what’s the big deal with Jerusalem’s Temple Mount? According to the secret rapture view of prophecy, a new Jewish worship center will be built there. For two millennia, this morsel of real estate has seen the fiercest turf wars in the history of the world. Jews, Muslims, and millions of Christians consider it sacred. Especially the site of the golden Dome of the Rock. That Dome is actually a magnificent Muslim mosque. Jews, however, claim its location as supremely sacred for them. Their ancestors worshiped there in the sanctuary that King Solomon built. Then, 600 years before Christ was born in nearby Bethlehem, the Babylonian army destroyed Jerusalem=s first temple. As we talked about last week, another Jewish temple replaced it. That in turn suffered destruction by the Roman army in A.D. 70. With Jerusalem again in ruins, Jews scattered across the Roman Empire. Muslims eventually conquered Jerusalem and what was left of the Temple Mount. They built their Dome over the ruins of the ancient Jewish sanctuary.
For nearly 2,000 years now, the Jewish temple has been out of business. But lately things have been happening. Refugees from Hitler’s Holocaust escaped to their ancient homeland and established a Jewish nation. That was in 1948. Nineteen years later, Israelis recaptured Jerusalem itself during the dramatic Six-Day War.
Many believe God gave Jerusalem back to the Jews precisely for the purpose of rebuilding the temple. It’s easy to understand how Jewish people would want to rebuild their long-lost temple. Why not? But how come so many Christians are excited? After all, the temple is for Jews, right? Well, secret rapture-believing Christians see the temple in Jerusalem as a significant component of their prophetic scenario. They think it will fulfill God’s covenant with the Jews, which they expect will rouse the wrath of the end-time antichrist. That’s what sparks excitement among many Christians for rebuilding Jerusalem’s temple.
By the way, if you missed last week’s broadcasts about the antichrist, Remember you can listen to them or read them at our web page, VOP.COM, or order a CD of the broadcasts by calling the toll-free number we’ll give in a few moments.
Now back to Jerusalem. Something is stirring over there. No doubt about that. Various projects are underway near the old temple site. One group fervently involved is the Temple Mount Faithful. A leader of this ultra-Orthodox Jewish organization toured the United States to raise support. Christian broadcasters lined up to interview him.
Another organization is the Temple Institute. Listen to this. They have painstakingly reconstructed almost all the 102 utensils needed for temple worship according to biblical and rabbinic standards. This includes garments for priests, musical instruments, bowls for animal blood, a brazen laver, and so on. Some of these items are displayed at their tourist center in the Old City of Jerusalem.
What about priests to run the new temple and sacrifice its animals? No problem. Yet another organization has established a yeshiva, or religious school, to train temple priests.
So Jerusalem is a beehive of activity in preparation for resuming temple services. What about the sacrificial animals themselves? Now this really gets interesting! A few years back there was a flurry of enthusiasm over the discovery of a red heifer named Melody. Now, why get excited about a red cow? Well, that particular color of cow is required to fulfill the ancient animal sacrifices. The problem is that such animals have been impossible to find. So when Melody was born, many hailed her as the first cow of its kind born in the Holy Land in two thousand years. But then a few white hairs started growing on the young cow's tail. So Melody was reluctantly put out to pasture.
Melody=s disqualification brought a sigh of relief to many of Israel’s more moderate citizens. One member of the Israeli parliament had warned: AThat cow represents the risk of a massive religious war.” He added: “If the fanatics get hold of it and try to take over the Temple Mount, God knows what will happen.”
Only God knows what zealous Jews will risk in rebuilding the temple. They remain confident that soon they will have their red heifer along with the house of worship in which to sacrifice her. Millions of Christians are praying for their success. Meanwhile, if you happen to find a completely red cow, you can believe somebody’s toll-free hotline is already ringing.
This raises some basic questions. Does Bible prophecy endorse the quest for red heifers? Should we be hoping for a rebuilt Jewish temple, complete with non-Christian priests? Listen, friend. This secret rapture scenario has some major problems. For starters, consider what really disqualified Melody the cow from becoming a sacrifice for sin. Was it a few white hairs on her tail? No, friend. Let’s get real! Jesus is the only legitimate sacrifice for sin! ABehold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!@ John 1 verse 29. Hanging on the cross, Jesus Christ became the full and final sacrifice for sin. He announced triumphantly with His dying breath: “It is finished!” John chapter 19 verse 30. And that was it, friend. Sacrifices became a done deal!
The notion of reestablishing animal sacrifices for sin is based on a misunderstanding of biblical prophecy. I’m afraid that some of my closest Christian friends need a wake-up call on this one.
According to the secret rapture theory, the antichrist himself will end the animal sacrifices that he had helped set up in the Jewish temple.
The authors of Left Behind consider this new development—this abolition of animal sacrifice— to be the "abomination of desolation.@ Daniel 9 verse 27. Listen, friend. If this so-called antichrist puts to a stop to the blasphemous sacrificing of animals, bless his heart. I mean it! It would be a blessing of desolation, not an abomination of desolation. The notion of a Jerusalem temple with animals running around inside is incompatible with the gospel faith of its own followers.
My brother, my sister, please remember this. We have no reason to fix our hopes on a temple in Jerusalem. The moment Jesus died on the cross, God tore apart the sacred veil of the Jewish temple. Then it wasn’t sacred any more. So enthusiasm about a Jerusalem temple is worse than wasted energy. It’s a diversion that takes our attention away from God=s true temple in heaven and Christ’s work there for us.
We only have a few moments left in this Bible study. But here’s how Scripture describes what Jesus is doing for us in heaven now. Listen: AWe have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.@ 1st John 2 verse 1. Paul the apostle adds in 1st Timothy 2 verse 5: AThere is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” And notice Romans 8 verse 34: AIt is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.@ So Jesus is our advocate, our mediator, and our intercessor. These three different job titles point to the same ministry. Christ is our High Priest at heaven=s throne of mercy. He gives us grace and help in time of need.
My friend, are you overwhelmed by guilt … fear … weakness … confusion? Are you troubled about your marriage—or your lack of a life partner? Concerned about your kids? Or your cholesterol or your mom’s Alzheimers? Worried about your job? Maybe you got laid off and your resumes are vaporizing into thin air all over Cleveland or Boston or Phoenix. Please listen. Usually I wait until the end of the broadcast to remind you of this, but I’m going to say it right now: God loves you! He’s just obsessed with you and every single part of your life. So you can trust Him with everything in your life.
That will set your mind at peace so you can study out some of these incredibly important things we’ve talked about today. In a moment Connie’s going to tell you more about the Discover Bible Course. I want you to get yourself a set of these studies. They’re free, like salvation itself. Just ask and you shall receive.
Meanwhile, if you forget everything else that I’ve taught today, remember this: True prophecy from Scripture points to Jesus in heaven’s temple. False prophecy from religious novels focuses on a counterfeit temple in old Jerusalem. So why put your hope in an earthly city or temple or nation? Let’s look to Jesus in heaven=s temple. How about it! Fix your faith on Him and you will never be left behind.
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