The topic of whether there will be a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem during the end times is one that has generated much discussion and debate among Bible scholars. The Bible contains prophecies that point to a future temple being constructed in Jerusalem, leading many to believe that this will ultimately come to pass prior to the return of Jesus Christ. However, there are also differing viewpoints on how literally to interpret these prophecies. This article will examine the relevant biblical passages and scholarly perspectives to provide an overview of what the Bible suggests regarding a future end times temple in Jerusalem.
Old Testament Prophecies of a Future Temple
Several Old Testament prophets foresee a temple in Jerusalem during the Messianic age. Isaiah 2:2-3 predicts that the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains in the last days when all nations will stream to it. Micah 4:1-2 contains a parallel prophecy. These prophecies imply a physical temple structure on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem that will draw people from all over the world to worship there.
Likewise, Ezekiel 40-48 provides detailed descriptions of measurements and elements of a future eschatological temple. Ezekiel sees a vision of a man providing meticulous specifications for a massive temple complex, altar, sacrifices, priests, etc. Many interpret this as a prophecy that a literal temple matching Ezekiel’s description will one day exist.
Haggai 2:9 states that the glory of the second temple will be greater than the first. Since Herod’s temple in Jesus’ day did not exceed the glory of Solomon’s temple, many understand this as referring to a future third temple that will be the most glorious of all.
These Old Testament prophecies establish expectations of a spectacular end times temple that catalyzes worldwide worship of the Lord in Jerusalem.
New Testament Hints About a Future Temple
The New Testament also contains verses that may hint at a future temple in the end times. In Matthew 24:15, Jesus warns those in Judea to flee when they see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place. This seems to assume a temple existing during the tribulation period. The Antichrist will set himself up in this temple, demanding worship (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
Revelation 11:1-2 predicts that the outer court of the temple will be given over to the nations for 42 months during the tribulation. The mention of the temple court implies a rebuilt temple. It will be desecrated by the Gentiles for 3 1⁄2 years.
These New Testament verses imply events regarding a coming temple in Jerusalem. However, some contend that they do not definitely prove a physical temple will be built. Another perspective is that they refer symbolically to the church or the individual believer as the temple.
Differing Views on the Future Temple
Bible scholars apply various interpretations to the prophetic passages about a coming temple. Here are four general perspectives:
- Futurist view – This view takes the prophecies literally to mean there will be a physical end times temple in Jerusalem. Most futurists think this temple will be built during the tribulation by the Antichrist, who will then desecrate it halfway through the seven year period.
- Symbolic view – This view believes the prophecies should be understood symbolically as depicting future spiritual realities regarding the church and its place in God’s kingdom. The references are not predictions of a literal temple being rebuilt.
- Historicist view – This perspective sees the prophecies as already fulfilled in a symbolic, spiritual sense by the Church and its place in God’s kingdom following Christ’s finished work on the cross. There will be no future, physical temple.
- Preterist view – From this viewpoint, the prophecies were fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of Herod’s temple. The prophecies pointed to the end of the Jewish sacrificial system with Jesus as the final sacrifice. No third temple is expected.
Within these broad perspectives, there are also diverse nuanced positions attempting to make sense of the prophetic Scriptures. Scholars continue debating the various interpretive options.
Reasons Some Think There Will Be a Future Temple
Why do many Bible experts believe the prophecies will be fulfilled literally through a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem during the end times prior to Jesus’ return? Here are some key reasons driving this futurist perspective:
- The Old Testament prophecies present precise, vivid details about the form and function of a future eschatological temple that does not resemble any past temple.
- Certain New Testament prophecies refer to a standing temple in Jerusalem during the tribulation, such as the Antichrist’s desecration of the holy place.
- Scripture repeatedly speaks of a period of restored temple worship and sacrifice for Israel prior to Jesus’ return.
- A literal temple fits descriptions of end times events, such as sacrifices ceasing midway through the tribulation when the Antichrist asserts himself in the temple.
- Church history records consistent belief in a literal, future temple among Christian theologians, though specific interpretations differ.
- Denying a literal temple seems to spiritualize prophecies that look like they refer to an actual physical structure.
These reasons lead many evangelical scholars to conclude the Bible foretells a temple standing in Jerusalem during the end times tribulation period.
Difficulties with Expecting a Future Literal Temple
While a surface reading of certain prophecies seems to clearly predict a rebuilt temple in the last days, there are also difficulties with taking this position:
- Jesus said no stone of the temple would be left standing, suggesting God was definitively finished with it (Matthew 24:2).
- The New Testament presents the church, individual believers, and even Jesus’ literal body as the new temple, which grounds the faith in spiritual realities rather than earthly buildings and symbols.
- Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice fulfilled and superseded the entire temple sacrificial system, making it obsolete (Hebrews 7-10).
- There is no New Testament instruction about reinstituting temple worship and sacrifices, though it gives details on many aspects of church order and practice.
- Rebuilding the temple would seem to return to Old Covenant forms of worship from which the church has progressed.
- From 70 AD until modern times, there has been no push to rebuild the temple among Jewish people or Christians.
These types of objections cause some interpreters to reject the idea that the prophecies require a literal rebuilt temple in the last days.
Symbolic Spiritual Perspectives on the Temple
Those holding a symbolic spiritual view of the prophetic temple point to the following:
- The New Testament identifies the church and believers as the new temple where God’s presence dwells.
- This indicates the prophecies are fulfilled spiritually in the people of God, not a physical building.
- Passages about future temple elements, like sacrifices, should be understood figuratively representing Christian worship and service to God.
- The prophetic visions communicate spiritual truths about God’s plan for His covenant people across the ages through apocalyptic metaphors.
- Focusing on building projects misses the point that God’s people are now His temple, which expands across nations in the church.
From this perspective, a literal rebuilt temple would be a step backward in God’s plan and is not needed or prophesied. The prophecies symbolize God’s ideal for His dwelling with His people forever across the ages.
Historicist Perspective on Past Fulfillment
Historicists offer these arguments for the prophecies about the temple being already fulfilled:
- In AD 70, God brought an end to the Temple-centered system of worship when the Romans destroyed Herod’s temple, as Jesus predicted.
- This marked the conclusion of the Old Covenant temple system with its sacrifices and rituals.
- The prophecies predicted this catastrophic end of the age of temple sacrifice.
- Beginning in AD 70, the Church became the new spiritual temple made of believers joined to Jesus Christ.
- This fulfills the prophecies of an age of righteousness characterized by the temple as the center of worship.
- Therefore, the prophecies have already been fulfilled spiritually and the temple system will not be reinstated.
This perspective sees AD 70 as the completion of the prophetic timeline regarding the temple. Attempts to rebuild the temple are misguided since prophecies point to fulfilled spiritual realities in Christ.
Preterist Perspective on AD 70 Fulfillment
Preterists offer similar arguments to historicists but focus especially on the Olivet Discourse prophecies in Matthew 24. Their key points include:
- Jesus predicted the temple’s destruction within that generation, which occurred in AD 70 (Matthew 24:2, 34).
- This ended the temple system and its central importance to Old Covenant worship.
- Therefore, Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 with no expectation of future temple worship.
- Prophecies of the “abomination of desolation” standing in the temple reference the Roman standards present in 70 AD.
- The book of Revelation depicts Christ’s coming in AD 70 in judgment on Jerusalem.
- So prophecies related to the temple were fulfilled by AD 70, without any future physical temple needing to be rebuilt.
Preterists insist the language clearly points to fulfillment of the temple prophecies by AD 70. Ideas about a future literal temple ignore this time frame specified in the Olivet Discourse and related prophecies in Revelation.
Conflicting Perspectives Create Uncertainty
This brief survey provides a sampling of the diversity of interpretations held by Bible scholars regarding the prophetic temple passages. Each perspective offers reasons to support its stance, while also needing to address the objections raised by others. This results in reasonable cases being put forward from various sides of the issue.
The complexity of the subject with convincing arguments on different sides makes it challenging to state dogmatically what the prophecies mean. There are thoughtful futurist, preterist, historicist, idealist and other interpretations. This can leave an honest inquirer tentative and unsure about drawing absolute conclusions.
As with many areas of biblical prophecy, there are problems with simply choosing one view and ruling out all others. The contradictory perspectives indicate our current knowledge is partial and the prophecies remain challenging to decipher (1 Corinthians 13:9). This supports tentativeness in interpreting disputed prophetic passages.
Facts About Past Temples in Jerusalem
To provide helpful background information, here is an overview of temples previously located in Jerusalem:
- Solomon’s temple – This was the first temple in Jerusalem, constructed during Solomon’s reign around 960 BC and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians in 586 BC.
- Zerubbabel’s temple – The returning Jewish exiles rebuilt the temple, completing it around 516 BC. This more modest version stood until Herod expanded it beginning in 20 BC.
- Herod’s temple – Herod greatly enlarged and improved Zerubbabel’s temple into the magnificent edifice familiar to Jesus. Construction continued for decades until AD 63-64, just years before its destruction.
- Second temple – Herod’s temple is often called the second temple. But an earlier temple preceded it after the Jews returned from exile. Herod’s was the last standing temple before the current 2,000 year gap with no temple in Jerusalem.
These details provide historical background regarding the previous temples central to worship in Jerusalem until God brought an end to sacrifice through the final Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
Potential Roadblocks to a Future Temple
Considering the long gap since the last temple’s destruction in AD 70, there would be substantial logistical obstacles involved in constructing a new temple, which could make rebuilding difficult:
- The Temple Mount area in Jerusalem is administered by Islamic authorities who control access.
- Islamic shrines such as the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque now occupy the Temple Mount site.
- Many Muslims would likely oppose Jewish attempts to build a new temple there, making construction politically explosive.
- Orthodox Jews believe only the Messiah can rebuild the temple, and mainstream Judaism has not pushed for renewal of sacrifices.
- There is uncertainty about the exact prior temple location and whether proper areas exist for temple facilities.
- Costs would be exorbitant, with estimates as high as over $2 billion just for construction.
These realities pose formidable challenges for scenarios proposing Israel constructing a temple in today’s environment. Significant changes would be needed politically and financially to make a third temple feasible.
Implications of Expecting a Future Temple
How should expectations about a coming third temple impact Christian beliefs and conduct? Consider the following:
- It could promote date-setting regarding Christ’s return, which He discouraged (Matthew 24:36).
- It risks distracting the church from its spiritual mission by focusing on building projects and timelines.
- It can divide believers over disputed prophetic views when unity in Christ should be maintained.
- It tends toward overly literal interpretations when apocalyptic genre suggests symbolic meanings.
- It may align with problematic dispensational theology divisions between Israel and the church.
To avoid potential issues, prophecies regarding a future temple should not become a point of controversy or excessive speculation. Healthy discussion of interpretive options is fine, but dogmatism should be avoided.
Jesus Christ Fulfills Temple Prophecies
The Bible as a whole points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the temple’s purpose and functions. As the final sacrifice and the dwelling place of God’s presence (John 2:19-21), Jesus transcends any earthly temple.
This fits with the New Testament’s depiction of the gospel age as the definitive time of fulfillment in God’s plan. The church incorporated into Christ now serves as God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
Through faith in Christ, people of all nations gain access to God’s presence without limitations of physical buildings, rituals, and mediators (Ephesians 2:19-22). The temple prophecies find their ultimate meaning in Jesus and the worldwide community of believers He is building.
Rather than focusing on rebuilding projects, believers should direct their attention to the spiritual temple made without hands that God is constructing eternally across the globe through His Son Jesus Christ.
