What about RFID chip implant, if the our government imposes?

The Mark Of The Beast

Q. I work on political campaigns and familiarize myself with legislation under debate. During the health care debates a legislative proposal included possible implanting RFID chips into recipients of the “public option”, an implant containing health information and monitoring success or failures of medical issues. As a Christian these proposals scare me, they seem invasive and may provide the ability for abuse.

Talking with my father, I mentioned my concern and stated that I would NEVER accept such an implant, in fact I would die before accepting any government mandated implant. Is such a concern irrational? I believe, as Christians living for Jesus, we should have boundaries we are not willing to cross. To me a government chip/implant is crossing the boundary. I know the same concern ran rampant when the social security numbers were administered but I think something in line with the RFID (failed) proposal is different and much more dangerous.

A. It’s OK to make a strong personal stand about things, and invasion of privacy is an important issue. But just so you understand, the Bible doesn’t prohibit taking an RFID chip. What Rev. 13:16-17 says it that it’s prohibited to knowingly take the mark of the beast on one’s right hand or forehead, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

There are several pre-conditions that must be met for this to happen. The anti-Christ and false prophet have to be in power to require and enforce this. This means the name and/or number have to refer to someone who has world wide executive power. Then the mark has to be necessary to either buy or sell goods and services which means a one world economic system has to be in place and functioning at the most basic levels of society. Also the person taking the mark has to do so knowingly and willingly. Since all this happens within the parameters of the Great Tribulation, there has to be a Temple in Israel, the nation has to officially be in covenant with God, and the Church has to have disappeared.

None of these conditions have been met nor could they be met retroactively. The idea that people can be tricked into unknowingly taking the mark, thereby forfeiting their salvation if they have it, or their chance to receive it if they don’t, cannot be supported Biblically. This is why fears of the social security number, the uniform pricing (bar) code, RFID, etc. are unfounded. They may be pointing the way to the system the anti-Christ will eventually use, but they themselves can not be the mark of the beast.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

When did the times of the Gentiles begin?

The Times Of The Gentiles

Q. Why do you and many others refer to the beginning of the Times of the Gentiles as starting with Nebuchadnezzar instead of earlier when the Assyrians conquered northern Israel? Why isn’t that part of the reigning and trampling of Gentiles?

A. When the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom, it was meant by God to be a warning to the South. Ezekiel explained this in his story of the two adulterous sisters (Ezekiel 23). Earlier, all the believers had moved to the southern Kingdom in protest against the North’s apostasy ( 2 Chron. 11:16), and Judah, as the south was called, was still a powerful representative of God’s Kingdom on Earth. But when God sent Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Judah for failing to heed the warning, the Kingdom ceased to exist.

Later Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a giant statue. Daniel said that it represented four earthly kingdoms, and that as King of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold. Daniel said as far as God was concerned, Nebuchadnezzar was king of the whole Earth, the first gentile to be so designated (Daniel 2:37-38). Then Daniel spoke of three other earthly kingdoms that would follow his. We know them as Persia, Greece and Rome. Based on this dream, scholars have begun the times of the Gentiles with Babylon. From that time on the world’s powers have all been gentile kingdoms, and will continue to be until the 2nd Coming.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Does the birth pangs of our times serve God's dual purpose?

Birth Pangs And Judgments

Q. In your article “2012…End of the World?” you stated, “Earth’s land mass has been pushed apart to form the current continents and islands, the Earth’s orbit has been extended by 5 ¼ days, and its axis tilted by 23.44 degrees. All this and more will have to be fixed in order for Earth to once again be the paradise it was created to be.” A journalist on a secular news video stated today that the earthquake in Chile, “moved so much mass on the planet that government scientists estimate it moved the earth off it’s axis by about three inches; shortened the day by a few millionths of a second; and raised the ground level of one island by six feet.”

I understand that earthquakes like these are part of the “birth pangs”, but do you also see this as God restoring the planet to its original form? Or do you see this happening more during Daniel’s 70th week and the Great Tribulation judgments?

A. I can’t prove this from the Bible, but it’s my belief that the End Times judgments, beginning in a small way with the so-called birth pangs, will serve a dual purpose. In addition to being the means of punishment for the unbelieving world they will also be preparing Earth for its restoration to the way it was when Adam was created. I believe that’s why the return of the Lord is sometimes called the renewal (regeneration, restoration, restitution)) of all things, as in Matt. 19:28 and Acts 3:21.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Rapture?

Is The Rapture Still 300 Years Away?

Q. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your website. I pray for you, that you always teach God’s Truth with love in your heart. Thank you for so kindly answering my questions. I have another:

Today (a writer on another website) said that in Ezekiel God promised the Jews that in 3 days they would get their kingdom back and a thousand years is as a day and this was in about 600 BC so we’re halfway thru the 2nd millenium and the 3rd will be the promised millenium after the Tribulation – I think I’m explaining that right – so he says there should be about 300 more years til the rapture.

I like his articles, he seems like a knowledgeable and sincere Christian – I’m just a common saint. I look to people like you who are more learned than I to explain scripture – and I’ve read a lot of your articles including the ones about why the rapture is imminent. What do you make of what he said. His thinking is flawed, right? Could you explain why he’s wrong?

A. There are several errors here. First of all the passage is from Hosea and here’s what it says.

Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me.”

“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. (Hosea 5:15-6:2)

When you look at the whole passage it says that the Lord was going to go back where He came from until they admit their guilt. This can’t refer to the Babylonian captivity which began in 586BC because its duration was fixed before hand at 70 years and wasn’t dependent on them admitting their guilt.

No, it was fulfilled when the Lord left the Earth after His Resurrection. He confirmed this in Matt. 23:39 when He said, For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ He’s not coming back until they admit that He is who He claims to be. So the count began with the Resurrection, not the Babylonian captivity which began about 600 years earlier.

Then Hosea’s prophecy continued, saying that after 2 days God would revive them. If a day is as 1000 years that means 2000 years after He left, He would revive them, bring them back to life. The reviving began in 1948 and will be complete after the Battle of Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 39:28)

Then on the third day they’d be restored. Not after the third day but on the third day, at it’s beginning, after they’ve admitted their guilt (Zechariah 12:10). This refers to the Davidic Kingdom which will be restored at the beginning of the Millennium, the third thousand years after the resurrection.

Finally, we should note that in this passage the concluding event is the restoration of the Kingdom for Israel. It has nothing to do with the Rapture of the Church which can happen at any moment. Using his calculations and beginning at the Resurrection, Hosea’s prophecy of Israel’s restoration will be fulfilled around 2032, within the window of time I’ve previously established of 2018-2037.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

The Seal Judgment of the End Times

Observable Signs Of The Seal Judgments

Q. If known, what are the observable earthly signs associated with each of the Seals as Christ opens them? If we are still here, for example, will one be able to say, “Oops!! There went Seal Number 3.” As a different question (so as not to allow date setting) when, among the six Seals, do you believe the Rapture will occur?

A. The observable sign of the first seal of Rev. 6 is the appearance of someone who seems to be a great peace maker, the proverbial “man on the white horse.” But it soon becomes obvious that his real intent is conquest. This is the one who will later be identified as the anti-Christ. The sign of the second seal is the rapid escalation of war around the world. The third is widespread famine from which only the wealthy are exempt. The fourth is the death of 1/4 of the world’s population from war, famine and pestilence. The fifth is Christian martyrdom on a grand scale, and the sixth is giant earthquakes triggering volcanic eruptions that turn the sky black with smoke and particulates. The consensus on Earth will be that they’re being caused by the wrath of God.

Although we can see evidence of all these things developing now, I believe the Rapture will occur before they mature into their complete Biblical fulfillment. I say this partly because only the Church can sing the song from Rev. 5:9-10, and that song is sung by a group in Heaven before the seals are opened.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

The Mystery of the Church

Why Was The Church Hidden?

Q. Given the “peak to peak” view of End Times prophecies, why is it that the Church Age is always omitted from the clear statement of prophecy? Also, given the importance of the Church in God’s scheme, why did He fail to tell mankind about it?

A. Remember when God told Abraham He was giving him the Promised Land but Abraham couldn’t have it for 400 years because the sin of the Amorites was not yet complete? (Genesis 15:12-21) . God had given the Amorites some unknown amount time to repent and return to Him, and there were 400 years remaining. He knew they weren’t going to do it, but He kept His promise to them anyway.

It’s the same with Israel and the Church. God promised Israel a Kingdom, and sent His Son to be their King. He knew they would reject Him, but He kept the offer open anyway because He had made a promise. Even after they had put Him to death, Jesus gave them 40 more days to accept him before returning to Heaven. When they didn’t, the Church was born, and the Kingdom came to us in fulfillment of the Lord’s prophecy of Matt. 21: 43-44.

“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

He spoke this a few days before the crucifixion, at the end of the Parable of the Tenants, where He prophesied His death at their hands.

But they’re not the only ones who didn’t know what the Lord would accomplish through the Church. In 1 Cor. 2:7-8 Paul said that if the rulers of this age (Satan & Co.) had known what was coming they would never have crucified the Lord.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Millennium

Understanding Rev. 20-22

Q. Please help me understand the following. You state that only the Church Age Saints will live in the New Jerusalem during the Millennium. And that the Church Age Saints will be able to go back and forth from the New Jerusalem and earth. What scripture supports that those Saints will be able to go back and forth? Is the New Heaven and New Earth created after the Millennium? Also, when the New Heavens and New Earth are created will the Church Age Saints still reside in the New Jerusalem or will they live on the New Earth? Does scripture give insight what they will be doing (work, play, create, govern etc.) with regard to the New Heavens and New Earth? Thank you for any clarification on the above.

A. There is much confusion surrounding the New Jerusalem and New Heavens and New Earth that arises from what I believe is a misunderstanding of the chronology in Rev. 20-22.

Here’s a quick time line as I see it. In Rev. 20 the first 6 verses deal with the time at the beginning of the Millennium just after the Lord’s return. Then verses 7-15 skip to the End on the Millennium to deal with the final disposition of Satan and the resurrection of unbelievers. In Rev. 21:1 John went back to the beginning of the Millennium to describe the New Jerusalem which he saw coming down out of heaven. To let us know he was backtracking, John opened chapter 21 with a direct quote from Isaiah 65:17 which describes Earth at the beginning of the Millennium. When the Lord returns, the Earth will be in total ruin from the terrible destruction of the Great Tibulation and will have to be restored to the condition it was in when Adam was created to make the promises of Isaiah 65 and other places come true for Israel. The first 5 verses of chapter 22 are a summary of Ezekiel 47:1-12, another view of Earth at the beginning of the Millennium, confirming that chapters 21 and 22 describe the Millennium, not eternity.

Following the Rapture, the Church will dwell in the New Jerusalem forever. All we know about what we’ll be doing is that in some way we’ll be assisting the Lord in His millennial reign. The Bible offers no information or detail about life in eternity. As for the saints going back and forth, Jesus went back and forth, and 1 John 3:2 says we’ll be like Him.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Bible's Mysterious Questions

Joseph’s Dreams

Q. I have a question about Genesis 37:9-10. Joseph has a dream that his brothers and father and mother will bow down to him. Later on when Joseph is in Egypt it appears that his mother did not come to bow down to Joseph because she died. What can this moon be referring to and how was it fulfilled?

A. Joseph had two dreams in Genesis 37. When the brothers bowed down before Joseph (Genesis 42:6) they were fulfilling his first dream of the 12 sheaves of wheat (Genesis 37:5-8). Notice how Jacob was guessing at the meaning of the second dream (Genesis 37:9-10), not really interpreting it.

From Rev. 12:1-6 we see that in the second dream, the woman (Rachael) is a type of Israel giving birth to the Messiah (represented in the dream by Joseph) who will rule the nations with an iron hand. Before Him every knee will bow.

Some have counted over 100 instances in the life of Joseph where he serves as a type of the Messiah. In fact, the Essenes, who believed in two Messiahs, named the first one Messiah son of Joseph.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Dreams!

Prophetic Dreams

Q. What does the Bible say about dreams? How are they important, in both prophetic and “day-to-day” purposes?

A. There are several instances of dreams serving as messages from God in the Bible. For instance Jacob’s son Joseph had 2 prophetic dreams . Later, Pharaoh and two of his officials had dreams that Joseph interpreted. Nebuchadnezzar also had two that Daniel interpreted for him and Joseph of Nazareth had several in connection with the Lord’s birth. The Magi were also warned in a dream to stay away from Herod upon leaving Bethlehem. And there are other examples.

Quoting Joel, Peter said that in the last days young men would see visions and old men would dream dreams. (Acts 2:17)

So there is periodic mention of dreams being messages from God in both the Old and New Testaments. But that’s not to say that all or even most dreams are messages from God. In fact those that are appear to be quite rare. From the Bibles’ descriptions it seems that each person who had a dream of that sort knew it was a special message, and in those cases when they weren’t able to understand it, God sent someone to interpret it for them.

It’s important to remember that when God sent someone, He provided them with credentials. Joseph had demonstrated his ability with the Baker and the Wine Steward before he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, and Daniel revealed Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to him even though its contents had been kept secret. And both men gave all the credit to God.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Comparitive Religious End-Time Prophecies

Moslem Vs. Christian Prophecy

Q. I’ve noticed many times that when speaking of End Times, many teachers seem to give the Islamic prophecies the same credence as they do to Biblical prophecies. Is there a basis for belief in any Islamic prophecies? Some Christian teachers compare the Mahdi with the AC as if he is really going to show up in the End Times.

A. I can’t speak for the motives of other teachers but I find it interesting that the one some Moslems look to as a messiah figure bears a striking resemblance to the one Christians know as the anti-Christ. For example, they’ll both come on the scene during a time of great chaos, they’ll both claim to be peacemakers, both will have 7 year reigns after which comes judgment, both will head up a one world government and a one world religion. This can’t be coincidental.

Do I think al Mahdi will come? Absolutely. But not because Moslem prophecies say so. I believe he’ll come because Biblical prophecies say the anti-Christ is coming.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

The story of the father and son

Abraham and Isaac (The Gospel in Genesis Part 1)

Is God so insecure that He has to put us through agonizing tests to prove that we love Him?

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” (Genesis 22:1-2)

This is perhaps the most misunderstood of all the children’s stories, but the clues that will lead us to a correct understanding are hidden in plain sight right in the passage. Some interpretations of this story would have us believe that God is so insecure as to force us to make such an agonizing choice as the one with which He confronted Abraham, just to prove we really love him. Is that the case, or was there more going on than meets the eye? Let’s find out.

The first clue is in God’s use of Abraham’s covenant name. This tells us that He had already agreed to bless and protect Abraham, and make him the father of many nations. The covenant was unilateral (He had put Abraham to sleep) and required no behavioral standards to remain in force. Also by calling Isaac Abraham’s only son it’s clear God didn’t think Isaac expendable in the matter, that He intended Isaac as the child of the promise. Surely Ishmael, Abraham’s firstborn would also be blessed, but it was through Isaac that the covenant would be established (Gen. 17:19-22). Already an interesting parallel is emerging between what God was asking Abraham to do and what He would later do Himself.

Your Only Beloved Son

In John 3:16 Jesus is called God’s only son, but is he? Luke 3:37-38 refers to Adam as the son of God. Adam preceded Jesus in birth order, but Jesus occupies the ceremonial position of firstborn, inheriting all its rights and privileges. He is always referred to as the only Son of God. Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar 19 years before Sarah gave birth to Isaac, and according to human law was the legitimate firstborn, but God didn’t recognize him as such. Isaac is called Abraham’s only son.

And then there’s the location; the region of Moriah. Mt. Moriah is the place where Solomon later built the temple (2 Chron. 3:1). Just north of the Temple area Jesus would be sacrificed as an offering for the sins of the world, on the same spot where Abraham was being asked to offer Isaac. Be sure to notice that God didn’t say He would show Abraham the place but would tell him about it, probably during the 3 days it took for Abraham and Isaac to get there.

Three Days And Three Nights

On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife (Gen. 22:4-6). Did God really intend for Abraham to bind Isaac, slit his throat, place him upon the altar and burn him there? In Deut. 18:9-13 God expressly forbade such an act. Would He ask Abraham to do something against His own law? As the two of them went on together Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes my son,” Abraham replied. “The fire and the wood are here but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together (Gen. 22:6-8).

Grace Through Faith

Hebrews 11:17-19 explains that Abraham did this by faith, knowing all along that God, who cannot lie, had promised him a long line of descendants through Isaac, and yet at this time Isaac had no children. He reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking he did receive Isaac back from the death. This was not just an act of blind faith. Being in a covenant relationship with God and knowing His nature and character, Abraham trusted God, placing the outcome in His hands. I believe that along the way God revealed the details to Abraham enabling him to tell the servants that “we will worship and then we will come back to you” and to tell Isaac that “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” The Lord subsequently did this (Gen. 22:13) and the innocent lamb of God died in Isaac’s place.

It fascinates me that this entire drama unfolded over 3 days and 3 nights. By the way, the word that’s translated boy in v.6 means a young man of military age (18-30), and in v.8 the word for together means united and comes from a root meaning to become as one. Apparently Isaac was an adult in on the plan all along and participating by agreement.

Shades Of The Everlasting Covenant

Based on these clues, it seems clear that Abraham and Isaac were acting out a prophecy wherein another Father would later give His only Son as an offering for sin on the very same spot. As with Abraham and Isaac this Father and Son would be doing so by prior agreement, in this case one made before the foundation of the world was laid where the innocent Lamb of God would die in our place. It makes sense that Abraham named the location “Jehovah Jireh” meaning on the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.

And now you know the adult version.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Israel & Damascus

Damascus’ Date With Destruction

Q. Is there a specific Agricultural season mentioned as to the timing of the Destruction of Damascus? “It shall be as when the harvester gathers the grain.” Is that the Bible’s way of making a General statement about Harvesting or can we take that as Literally WHEN the wheat is actually harvested in Israel?

By the way,the insight this website has been given is a gift from God. You are definitely Watching as the Lord Commanded. Thanks.

A. You’re referring to Isaiah 17:4-5 “In that day the glory of Jacob will fade; the fat of his body will waste away. It will be as when a reaper gathers the standing grain and harvests the grain with his arm—as when a man gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim.”

The object of the passage is Jacob, the name God called Israel when they were out of fellowship. Isaiah’s explaining that in the days when Damascus is destroyed, Israel will sustain serious damage as well. So serious that it will look like a wheat field after the reapers have gone through, only a few stalks of grain left standing here and there. This doesn’t mean that the destruction will take place at harvest time, he’s only using a familiar analogy to help them picture the extent of Israel’s damage.

This passage was partially fulfilled in 732 BC when the Assyrians swept through the Aramean capital of Damascus before going on to conquer the Northern Kingdom in 721. Most of the inhabitants of the Northern Kingdom (Jacob in the reference above) were resettled to the North and East of Israel leaving behind only those Jews who the Assyrians believed posed no threat to their rule. People from other regions conquered by Assyria were resettled in Israel, and the resulting inter-marriage produced the Samaritans, a people hated by the Jews.

I say partially fulfilled because Damascus didn’t cease to exist as a city and the Assyrians didn’t turn to God or abandon their cities because of the Israelites as verses 7-9 indicate. This is one reason that scholars look to a future fulfillment of Isaiah 17.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

America?

America In Prophecy?

Q. Hi and thanks for your great insight. I really enjoy your studies.

I have always been puzzled about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue representing the world empires. As great a country as America has been and being the only current world superpower, it’s puzzling why the “American” empire was not included when God revealed the empires that would rule before the return of the Lord. As great and powerful as our nation has been, you would think America would have been mentioned as one of the empires. Perhaps it’s because we won’t last long. Do have any insight on this subject?

A. A popular Canadian prophecy teacher who lectures all over the world once told me that Americans are the only ones who wonder why they’re not mentioned in the Bible. He thought it was due to our arrogance, but I think it’s more along the lines of your comments. America has been a great country, and is currently the only world empire in the sense that we influence the decisions of other countries, sometimes even imposing our will on them.

But the 200 years of our existence is only a small fraction of the 2600 years of Gentile Dominion. In the context of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, we’re but one of the remnants of the 4th Kingdom, Rome, filling a small portion of the time between its first life as the legs of iron and it’s second as the ten toes of iron mixed with clay.

You see Rome was never really conquered in the classical sense. It fell as a result of its own decay before transforming itself into the Holy Roman Empire that ruled for nearly 1000 more years. Since then various of its components have had their time in the sun first Spain, then England, and now the US which is a part of Rome by virtue of being a former colony of England’s.

But soon the revived Roman Empire, a ten nation confederacy represented by the ten toes, will once again be pre-eminent and America’s dominance will end just like all the other gentile empires before us.

The good news is that a fifth Kingdom, one that will never be destroyed or given to others will arise and will crush all those who came before it. This kingdom will be set up by God and will endure forever. Being a believer, even though you currently reside in the US, you’re a citizen of this kingdom and like the rest of us are anxiously awaiting the return of our conquering King.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

The Temple

More On The Temple

Q. I seem to remember the Bible speaking of the Jews having had two “Temples.” Was one David’s tabernacle like the one in the Wilderness, and the other Solomon’s Temple.

Is it possible, in the great scheme of things, that the first to be raised will be a portable tabernacle, and that it is there that the AC will declare himself to be God? That would considerably advance the nearness of End Times since there would be no need to wait to resolve the political aspects of actually building a Temple of stone? Are we sure that it is the formal stone Temple that is referred to in prophecy of the End Times?

A. The Jews actually built two permanent stone buildings on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The first was built by Solomon in about 900 BC and was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The second was built by Nehemiah after the Babylonian captivity and was substantially remodeled by King Herod in the time of the Lord’s first Coming. It was destroyed by the Romans in 68-69 AD.

The next Temple to be built is described in Ezekiel 40-47 and is likewise a stone building. I suppose there could be a temporary structure in the mean time, but the Bible doesn’t specifically describe one.

By the way, the tabernacle used by the Jews up to the time of the first Temple was the same one Moses built in the wilderness. It lasted 400 years.

Third Temple Or Fourth?

Q. To quote from your recent Revelation study; This Temple (The one the Jews will build for use in the tribulation) will be the source of the living water that begins flowing on the day the Lord returns (Zech 14:8). After a cleansing and re-dedication similar to the one memorialized in the Feast of Hanukkah, it will be used during the Millennium. It’s purpose will be to recall the Lord’s work at the cross and provide the perspective for children born during the Kingdom Age to choose salvation. Acts 15:14-16 confirms that after the Lord has chosen a people from among the gentiles for Himself (the church) He will return and re-build David’s fallen Tabernacle (the Temple). This is the Third Temple, so vividly described in Ezekiel 40-48.

So reads one paragraph from your recent newsletter but there seems to be some discrepancy here, if the temple built by the Jews is to be (used during the millennium) what is the purpose of Jesus building the temple which you call “The third” ? [Surely the one Jesus builds is the fourth!] Where does the bible say when it will be destroyed so the final one can be built?

A. You’re reading the passage from Acts 15 as if would the Lord would personally come and build the temple. But that’s never been the case. He didn’t personally build any of the temples. The full context of the passage means that He was pausing to take a people for His name’s sake from among the Gentiles after which He would return His attention to Israel and cause a Temple to be built. It’s the third Temple.

And as far as it’s destruction goes, that was my point. The Bible never describes it’s destruction, only its defilement. It will be cleansed and rededicated for use in the Millennium.

Where’s The Temple Going To Be?

Q. Your article “the Coming Temple” mentions it being where a Tabernacle once stood in Shiloh but I don’t see how this can really take the place of where the Temple of Solomon came to be built. There is no doubt that God dwelt in King Solomon’s temple and while God is not confined to one place I really don’t see the any push for other sites to be considered.

In doing some key word searches and such regarding King Solomon’s Temple, the second Temple (of which Herods’s renovations are considered part) and the “third temple” some questions come up. All references, to include the Temple Institute in Israel, put the location of the temple where the current Muslim site is. There is no mention of Shiloh or another possible location off that mount. There are three variants as to its position on the “temple mount” but they are all on the Temple Mount.

While it is puzzling how the temple would not be destroyed in the ensuing splitting of the Mt. of Olives could the valley not extend all the way there in a straight line, rather veer off on a tangent?

A. You’re taking the same approach as many others, and that’s the problem. The Jews call the next Temple the 3rd Temple and Ezekiel’s Temple, but no one looks in the Book of Ezekiel to see where it will be. Instead they focus on where the previous two temples were. Some Christians even add another Temple into the mix, calling Ezekiel’s temple the 4th one, and build their new 3rd Temple in one of the three possible locations on the Temple mount.

I’ve attended several Temple conferences in Jerusalem, with leadng Jews and Christians in attendance, and heard all the arguments for this. They make some reasonable human assumptions, but in my opinion there’s nothing in Scripture to support them.

Some years ago Clarence Larkin wrote a book entitled Dispensational Truth. On page 92-93 of that book is the best map I’ve seen for locating Ezekiel’s Temple. It’s based on instructions given in Ezekiel 48 that you can even plot yourself if you’re of a mind to. Either way, you’ll see that it’s in Shiloh, not Jerusalem.

A Question About Ezekiel’s Temple

Q. Can you explain more about Ezek 40-47 representing the tribulation temple and not the millennial temple and the nation of Israel being in the land during the kingdom?

A. Actually I believe the Temple described in Ezekiel 40-47 will be for both the Tribulation and the Millennium. I think it will be defiled by the anti Christ and then cleansed just like the 2nd Temple was defiled by Antiochus and then cleansed by the Maccabees. I take this view from the fact the the river flowing out from under the Temple mentioned in Ezekiel 47 is said to begin flowing on the day of the Lord’s return (Zech 14:8) and the earthquake mentioned earlier in chapter 14 will have destroyed the current temple mount.

I think that the anti Christ, in enforcing His covenant with Israel, will use Ezekiel 48 to point out to the Jews that their own Scriptures call for the 3rd Temple to be built north of Jerusalem in Shiloh, not on the current Temple Mount. This will make the Moslem presence on the current Temple Mount irrelevant.

Ezekiel 43 contains specific references to God dwelling in the Land with Israel forever. Ezekiel 48 describes the Nation of Israel as occupying all the land west of the Jordan River and extending from about 100 miles north of Damascus to about 100 miles south of Jerusalem during the Kingdom Age, what we call the Millennium. If you plot this on a map of the Middle East, you can see which area each tribe receives, and you’ll also see that the Holy City and Temple area are to the north of the current city of Jerusalem. My study called the Coming Temple will give you more detail on this.

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ikvot/the-coming-temple

The Coming Temple

Most people believe a new Jewish Temple would require destruction of the Dome of the Rock. What does the Bible say?

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

According to Prophecies in Daniel 9:27, Matt 24:15 and 2 Thes 2:4, a Temple will exist in Israel at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. This is confirmed by Revelation 11:1 which describes John measuring a Temple during the Tribulation. Its location is the “Holy City.” Chapter 11 also introduces the 2 witnesses who preach in the “Great City” and are ultimately killed there, their bodies left lying in the street. The Great City is identified as the place where the Lord was crucified: Jerusalem. But is Jerusalem also the Holy City?

According to Zechariah 14:6-9 on the day of the Lord’s return an earthquake will split the Mt. of Olives in two along an East-West line that creates a great valley through the center of Jerusalem. Immediately a river will fill the valley creating a waterway from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea. If the Lord returns to the same area of the Mt. of Olives from which He left, as suggested by Acts 1:11, the earthquake creating this East-West valley will destroy the current Temple mount and anything that may be standing upon it.

Ezekiel 47:1-12 describes a great river flowing from under the south side of the Temple and then eastward to the Dead Sea during a period of time that most scholars believe has not occurred yet. Revelation 22:1-2 confirms this. If as it appears, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Revelation all describe the same river, then an interesting scenario begins to emerge.

This scenario requires a Temple to be present on the day the Lord returns, but since the current Temple mount will have been destroyed by the earthquake mentioned above, this Temple must be somewhere else. Since the river originates under the Temple and flows from its south side before heading East and West, the Temple must be north of the newly created river valley.

Where Are The 12 Tribes?

Plotting the land grants for the 12 tribes given in the 48th chapter of Ezekiel on a map of Israel places the precincts of the Holy City somewhat north of the current City of Jerusalem. This new location is the ancient City of Shiloh, where the Tabernacle stood for nearly 400 years after the Israelites first conquered the Land. This is the Holy City and its name is Jehovah Shammah according to the last verse in Ezekiel. The Hebrew translates as “the LORD is here.”

If accurate, this location would meet all the requirements for the Temple mentioned in the above references. The current Temple Mount in Jerusalem would not.

According to Ezekiel 44:6-9, this Temple will have been defiled in a way never seen in history, therefore at a time yet future to us. A foreigner un-circumsized in heart (neither Christian) and flesh (nor Jewish) will have been given charge of the sanctuary while offering sacrifices. If we understand the chronology of Ezekiel, this event will have taken place after both the 1948 re-gathering prophesied in 36-37 and the national wake-up call prophesied in 38-39 but before the Millennial Kingdom begins. The only event we know of that fits that chronology is the Great Tribulation. This is confirmed by Paul’s prophecy of 2 Thes. 2:4 where the anti christ sets himself up in the Temple proclaiming himself to be god.

Here then is a rough outline of events. Following Israel’s return to God after the battle of Ezekiel 38-39, the Jewish people will re-establish their covenant (old not new) with Him. This will require a return to Levitical practices and so a Temple will be built. This is the Temple spoken of by Daniel and Revelation. Following instructions given by Ezekiel and needing to avoid the enormous problems a Jerusalem Temple would create in the Moslem world, this Temple will be located north of Jerusalem in Shiloh. It will be defiled in the middle of the last 7 years as outlined in Daniel 9:24-27, Ezekiel 44:6-9, Matt 24:15 and 2 Thes 2:4 kicking off the Great Tribulation, but will be cleansed by living water that begins flowing on the day the Lord returns (Zech 14:8). This temple will be used during the Millennium to memorialize the Lord’s work at the cross and provide the perspective for children born during the Kingdom Age to choose salvation just as you and I have had the perspective of the Lord’s Supper in making our choice. Remember, He said, “Do this in memory of Me until I come.” Acts 15:14-16 confirms that after the Lord has chosen a people from among the gentiles for Himself (the church) He will return and re-build David’s fallen Tabernacle (the Temple). This is the Millennial Temple so vividly described in Ezekiel 40-48.

The New Jerusalem

The Ezekiel passage also solves the Jerusalem / New Jerusalem problem. For as long as I’ve been studying these things, there has been debate over the issue of the New Jerusalem. Some wonder how the Lord could permit redeemed believers and non- believing natural humans to co-exist in the Millennium. (The rotten apple spoiling the barrel theory) Others wonder how a city with a foot print 1400 miles square and tall could be located in Israel when the whole country won’t be that big.

Carefully examining Rev 21 and 22, we notice that John never actually says the city arrives on earth. We are only told he sees it coming down out of heaven, prepared as a bride. (Not that the city IS the bride, but that as with a bride on her wedding day, no effort has been spared to make it look its absolute best.)

I don’t believe the city ever rests on the Earth’s surface, but rather orbits in the proximity of Earth, like a satellite or perhaps another moon.

Also comparing the descriptions of New Jerusalem with Jehovah Shammah we see some similarities but enough differences to refute the notion that John and Ezekiel described the same place. Compare the following:

New Jerusalem (All verses from Rev.)	Jehovah Shammah (All verses from Ezekiel)
12 gates named after Israel (21:12)	12 gates named after Israel (48:30)
12 foundations named after Apostles (21:14)	Foundation not described
1400 miles square and tall (21:16)	One mile square (48:30)
Coming Down from heaven (21:2)	Located in Israel on Earth (40:2)
No Temple … God and the Lamb are its Temple (21:22)	Temple just north of the city (40:2)
No sin; nothing impure will ever enter (21:27)	Daily sin offerings in the Temple (45:13-15,17)
No more death (21:4)	Still death (44:25 also Isa 65:20)
No natural beings … only the perfected (21:27)	Natural Beings (46:16)

With the differentiation of these two Holy Cities, the apparent conflict between Jewish and Christian eschatology is resolved. Israel was promised that one day GOD would come to Earth to dwell among them forever, while the Church is promised that Jesus will come to take us to heaven to live with Him there. Both promises come true.

Since Ezekiel specifically quoted the Lord’s promise to dwell among the Israelites forever (43:7) and then described the new Holy City, while Jesus promised to return for the Church to take us to be with Him (John 14:1-3), they must have been talking about two different destinations. They were. Heaven is the New Jerusalem where we will dwell with the Lord forever, while the Holy City on Earth is Jehovah Shammah where God will dwell in the midst of His people Israel forever.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com