Rebuilding the Temple

  There are many Christian believers as well as “Israelites” who are looking forward to seeing the Third Temple built in Jerusalem. There have been rumors for years as to  imminent reconstruction to be started on the Temple Mount. Right now the kohenim (priests) are actively practicing/preparing for that day when the temple will be constructed in Jerusalem. I personally have heard of accounts of a red heiffer being found for the past twenty years. These rumors continue but we see no real building going on. Great controversy about who will be able to maintain their edifaces on the Temple Mount is growing.

  There are a couple of serious problems with the temple being built now. We observe daily the tense situation with not only political factions but three main diverse religions represented in Israel who are antagonistically trying to claim the territory for their own use. Just recently we saw parts of the land changing ownership to "keep the peace". We can add to that the turbulent times that the whole world is experiencing because of the struggle for sovereignty in the middle East.  

  There are two questions people ask about this landmark. Do we need a new temple to fulfill the events of prophesy? Why would Christians be looking for a rebuilt temple? This is asked because Christ’s atonement put an end to the sacrifices and Yahweh no longer dwells in the Holy of Holies but in the hearts of His faithful ones. This argument has much credibility yet the Lord is still using Israel as an entity in the world today. This is my opinion which is subject to change if the Lord shows me another way; I believe that even though there is a special place in the Lord's heart for the land that He gave to His covenant children (tribes/nation)it is not true Israel, yet. It is possibly part of the counterfeit that will be instrumental in a great Holy war bringing peril to all the nations of the world. It appears to be a major player in the international and NWO scene. The Lord's elect will be gathered from all tribes and nations as the end of the age comes upon us. The pattern that is shown is of the child of the flesh being born before the child of the Spirit.

  Even in saying that, I believe that there is still a blessing upon Israel and Abraham's seed. I have always had a  respect and love for the Jewish people and traditions and know without a doubt that I am from one of the tribe of Israel by heritage/lineage. We acknowledge this bloodline covenant of the different promises to the Tribes but to me it is more a completion of faith and promise of inheritance in the Spirit. Yahweh’s people are Jews in their hearts who bring glory to Him only. They are born of the Spirit through the promise/seed of Abraham. We also read of a grafting into the Olive and/or Fig Tree. Two different levels of stature that I will share about later.

  So is scripture speaking of the temple of the Holy Spirit (not made with hands) or a real Temple in Jerusalem? Just like when Jesus walked the earth people receive what they wanted to happen as the answer. It may even be built  both in the natural and in the spirit; we’ll perhaps be surprised. We need to remember that at the Last Trumpet account in the book of Revelation we see the man [High Priest ministry] dressed in white linen who measures the Temple of God. He has a plumbline which has been the stasndard throughtout the ages.  

   We read of this in Zechariah 4:10 as pertaining to the rebuilding of the Temple under Zerubbabel. They had come back from their captivity in Babylon. The following chapters show us the same pictures of the account of the two witnesses, the Lampstand of the Seven Spirits of the Lord  and the Four Horsemen of Revelation.  In Amos 7:7-8 it is used symbolically as the measurement of the Lord's judgment of Israel. The witness of the Lord against idol worship is seen.  

  In reading about the end-times there are references to the “Abomination of Desolation” that happens in the Holy Place of the Temple as the Anti-Christ (counterfeit Christ) is revealed. This Man of Sin is spoken of as being arrogantly seated in the Temple of God in 2 Thess. 2:4-12, proclaiming that he is God. When this blasphemy happens people are warned to flee from Jerusalem to the mountains for it is a major sign post that we are in the Great Tribulation. Persecution and other diverse afflictions will be sent forth to not only hinder but annihilate Yah’s chosen just before the gathering of His Elect. This son of perdition will have great power to try to wear out the Saints of the Most High.

  We are reminded of the many parables about the Kingdom and the sifting process in operation during this time as we prepare to be worthy to enter. We will probably see these prophetic events happen literally but many are also symbolic giving us other possible ways to see their fulfillment. According to Daniel the sacrifices cease and times and seasons are altered with the desolation of the Temple at the time of the end. One past enactment of these prophesies is where Antiochus Epiphanes slew a pig upon the altar, in the third century B.C., defiling the Temple. This happened again in 70 A.D. perhaps fulfilling that prophetic Word. Jesus spoke of the destruction of Herod’s Temple; that not one stone would be left upon another. Later Constantine and other rulers took away or adulterated the original Hebrew traditions by force. They are all types of antichrist in their attempted obliteration of the true way.

  The great falling away precipitates the revealing of the final personification of evil as the recurring pattern culminates at Messiah’s return. I believe these patterns will be manifest literally and figuratively. Many signs of these times are already happening in the present nation of Israel and in the Body of Christ. If the physical Temple is not built soon this could explain it. We must be careful to seek the Father for wisdom so that we are not deceived.       

  I have another possible way of seeing this abomination which seems far fetched but here goes. We as the Temple of the Holy Spirit, not made with hands, have Yahweh abiding on the inside of us in the Holy of Holies. The Holy Place is represented as our soul which is the mind, will and emotions. Something could be used to defile it by interfering with our soul’s ability to function. We have already seen the mass production of an identification chip that will be placed into the hand or forehead to keep track of people that most see as the "Mark of the Beast". This will contain medical, DNA, financial, personal, and political data as well as being used to buy or sell The NWO will use this information to sort out and control those who are against their plans. We now have technology available to control people bio-medically through the insertion of a computer chip into the body.

  Cyberkinetics are used with computers to stimulate neurons and engage movement but could include thoughts or obedience to commands. They can be implanted into the frontal lobe of the brain which causes the patient to be manipulated electronically. Those who are given this chip become like “cyborgs”. Their emotions and actions will be taken over as drones in a bee hive overriding their free will. This is an Abomination that can take away the daily sacrifice of our prayers and obedience/ worship to YHWH.   

  The three realms in the temple symbolize the three levels of believers according to how close to the presence of God they are. The outer court (thirty fold) people live in the flesh but those (one hundred fold) who are walking in the Spirit are doing the greater works of Christ. In the middle are those (sixty fold) who have begun to die to their self-life but have not been completed in perfection body, soul and spirit. We are either true-believers, half-believers or make-believers. Our spirit man was regenerated by the receiving of the Holy Spirit at salvation. Our soul is the territory/ battle ground that is being transformed as we submit to the Lord. 

  We can either exist in our sense realm or be transformed in our soul through renewal of the Holy Spirit from the inside out. Our mind, will and emotions are affected as we receive messages of senses, thoughts or feelings in circumstances that allow us to make choices to react in or submit to either side; our flesh or God. Our attitudes and beliefs either help or hinder the process. When our inner man “overtakes” the outer as the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit gains supremacy then we will be able to walk according to God’s will and not the dictates of the flesh and the world. This is the temple that is mentioned in Eph. 4, a Holy habitation unto the Lord. It is made of living stones that are unified, sanctified  and glorified in Christ. This glory of the Lord will shine forth from Yahweh’s temple once again as He is revealed in His people before Christ returns.

  In Isaiah 11 we read of the Seven Spirits of the Lord as represented by the seven bowls of the lampstand in the Tabernacle. We don’t usually think of more than one level of Holy Spirit. Yet there are seven different heights of heavenly realms mentioned. These words of Isaiah show us a completed Son as well as the ministry of  Christ. Starting with 2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and he shall not judge by the sight of his eyes nor decide by the hearing of his ears 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor,and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,and with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. His power is manifested through the spoken Word. 

  The prayers of Ephesians chapter 1 and 3 should be voiced often in our hearts.  Our desire should be for the eyes of our understanding to be enlightened with the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Christ Jesus. The lampstand in the Holy Place represents the illumination of the Spirit of God for there is no natural light shining within the tent. The shewbread is the testimony of the Saints; of unity and sustenance for the Body of Christ. The laver of incense shows us symbolically the prayers and worship of Yah’s people. Only the High Priest could enter into the Holy of Holies but had to be pure and undefiled before the Father or he would die. No flesh shall glory in the presence of YHWH.

  The consequences of both are found in First Corinthians 3 showing the house that is made up of precious jewels or of chaff that will be  burned up... 12 For if anyone builds upon the Foundation,whether it be with gold,silver,precious stones,wood,hay or straw,13 the work of each will become known(Shown for what it is);for the day will disclose it and declare it,because it will be revealed with fire,and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done. 14 If the work which any person has built on this Foundation survives(this test)he will receive his reward 15 But if any person’s work is burned up,he will suffer the loss(of it all)though he himself will be saved,but only as(one who has passed)through fire. 

  Many Christians reject the teaching that we are able to attain to a perfected state.  That is another message to explain how heaven and the spiritual realm are here now, but now seen. YHWH would not command what He is not able to accomplish. This can also be interpreted as the fullness of the measure of the Stature of Christ as written in Ephesians 4 and Hebrews 12:22-24. Even though it is always an individual attainment. ..to grow up in all things, there is a corporate manifestation.  We definately need to understand our inherent unity of Spirit and bond of peace.  We read many places in scripture that only a remnant will grow up into maturity and who will please the Father even though the means is available to all believers - whosoever will.  John 1:12 states But to as many as received Him,to them He gave the power/privilege/right to become Sons of God, to those who believe in His name. What is impossible for man is still possible for God who empowers us.

   Yahweh chastens those he loves according to Hebrews chapter 12:2-11, so that any root of bitterness in our hearts will not defile the Temple of God where He dwells in full measure. It is accomplished in the spirit by faith obtained through obedience in our lives. First Peter chapter 2 gives us insight as to our connection as the temple that is built upon the Chief Cornerstone. 4 Coming to him as to a living stone rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious. 5 You who are being built up a spiritual house,a holy priesthood,to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We can add Ephesians 2:20 having been built upon the foundation of Apostles and prophets,Jesus Christ,himself being the chief cornerstone, 21.In whom the whole building joined together grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22in whom you are being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.