THE FUTURE TEMPLE OF GOD

Matthew 24:1-2 - "And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and His disciples came to Him for to show Him the buildings of the temple.  And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." 

Mark 13:1-2 - "And as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples saith unto Him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!  And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings?  There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

Luke 21:5-6 - "And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, He said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

John - The Gospel of John was written after the destruction of the temple by the Romans in A.D. 70.  One has to wonder why John mentioned neither Christ's prophecy of its destruction, nor the fulfillment of it during his lifetime.  But, in his Book of Revelation, the temple is no longer on earth, but it is heaven (7:15; 11:1-2, 19; 14:15, 17; 15:5-6, 8; 16:1, 17).  With the coming of the "New Heaven and New Earth" (Rev. 21:1), God is said to "tabernacle with men" (Rev. 21:3), but that there is no temple, "...for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it" (Rev. 21:22)!

Israel apparently believes that the Antichrist is their long-awaited Messianic King, until his true identity is suddenly revealed as "The Beast" (Rev. 13:1-10).  This takes place exactly 1260 days (42 months; 3 1/2 years) after he confirms a covenant that protects Israel (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15).  When Israel becomes aware that "The Beast" declares himself to be God in the Tabernacle (Rev. 13:6), their spiritual blindness is removed, and they spend the last 1260 days in hiding (Rom. 11:25)!

The Book of Ezekiel says there will be a Millennial Temple, but I cannot find evidence of a Temple during the Tribulation.  It is clear from Revelation 13:6 that it is a Tabernacle, a "Tent of Meeting," which is desecrated by The Beast.  So the constant rumors that Israel has already cut the stones and is waiting to build a Temple so that the Antichrist/Beast can commit the Abomination of Desolation, are not based upon the Book of Revelation.  Regardless of one's view on this subject, we DO know this:  Jesus will deal with him and his "False Prophet" when He returns to establish His Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 19:20)!

EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS!