| (Copyright 2023) by Dwight Fleming (Oroville, California) |
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| No doubt, you have heard about the five red heifers that are now in Israel. This has generated much excitement and speculation about the building of a third temple. Many prophecy teachers are commenting on the possible significance of this. Their prophetic reasoning is based on what the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica concerning the return of Christ (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4). Paul said that the coming of Christ will be preceded by a “man of lawlessness” who will sit in the temple of God and proclaim that he is God. It is believed that this letter was written before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by the Romans. For this scripture to be fulfilled at the end-time, it is widely believed that a third temple must be built in Jerusalem. Thus, with the appearance of five red heifers in Israel, it seems that we may be getting closer to that possibility. The ashes of a red heifer without blemish are added to spring water which is then called “the water of purification.” If someone touched a dead body, they would be considered unclean and would defile the tabernacle or temple. Their uncleanness lasted for seven days. During that time, they must be sprinkled with the “water of purification” on the third day and on the seventh day. The water of purification not only would cleanse an unclean person but also their dwelling (See Numbers 19:1-18). The ashes were stored in a safe place till needed and were essential in keeping the sanctuary of Israel clean and not defiled. Consequently, if a third temple were built in Jerusalem tomorrow, it would do no good without the ashes of a red heifer to ensure that the sanctuary is clean. There is a lengthy study on the Red Heifer by the Temple Institute if you are ambitious. Here is the link: Red Heifer – Temple Institute With the current tense situation in the Middle East, it is unlikely that a third temple will be built tomorrow or even the next day or even next month. The Jews believe that the Dome of the Rock presently covers the very location of the Holy of Holies of the first two temples (Solomon’s then Zerubbabel’s — enlarged by Herod). As you know, there has been much controversy in recent years over the correct location of the Temple. Ernest Martin followed by Robert Cornuke have proposed that both temples were actually in the City of David, south of the Temple Mount. They contend that the area today known as the Temple Mount was actually Fort Antonia. I have both of their books. Their theory has its appeal which is why many Christians are being fascinated by it. It is then assumed that the thorny issue of building a third temple on the Temple Mount can be bypassed. However, if you take the time to thoroughly examine Ernest Martin’s theory, it has some big holes in it. There are some good videos on YouTube which dissect Dr. Martin’s City of David theory showing its many flaws and unsound interpretation of scripture. Other theories of the correct location of the temple have the location either north or south of the Dome of the Rock. I recently read a book called, “The Temple Revealed: The True Location of the Jewish Temple Hidden in Plain Sight” by Christian Widener. He has some convincing material which contends that the correct location is just north of the Dome of the Rock. Even if Widener’s theory is true, how do you build a temple there without starting a major war with all the Muslims? The Israeli government knows that would only be an invitation to disaster at this time. And since the Jews believe that the only spot for building a temple is at the Dome of the Rock. As one church of God minister stated before October 7th, it will take a major war in the area to change the status quo for building a temple on the Temple Mount. (See the link to his video below) It remains to be seen if the current conflict with Hamas in Gaza will bring about a new era with Israel’s Muslim neighbors that would allow any Jewish worship to occur on their Haram al-Sharif (The Noble Sanctuary), aka, The Temple Mount. But here is the real crux of the matter: Where is God’s temple today? Yes, He has a temple in heaven (See Revelation 11:19). But where is God’s temple on the earth? “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16). Yes, we already know this. But do we really? What happens then if a physical temple is never built in Jerusalem? I’m open to the possibility that it could someday happen. But what if it doesn’t? Prophecy stinks when you get it wrong. The video below will give some examples. How then will the apostle Paul’s warning to the Thessalonians be fulfilled about the man of lawlessness? Christ also warned that the abomination of desolation would stand in the holy place at the end-time as foretold by Daniel (Matthew 24:15). How will that be fulfilled if a third temple is not built in Jerusalem before Christ’s return? This is why we need to explore some alternate thinking. Maybe, in the process, we may come to a clearer picture of what God is doing through His people. What are we in God’s sight? “As you come to Him, the Living Stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house [temple] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:4-5). What is the purpose of our calling? “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15). “For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:13-14). Our Red Heifer is Jesus Christ. We are the Temple of God upon this earth. “And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). Not only does Satan want to destroy the Jews who are God’s people, but he certainly wants to destroy the Elect who have been grafted in to the promises of God. When the disciples upon the Mount of Olives asked Jesus about the signs of His coming, the first thing that He said was, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Deceive us about what? About the Sabbath? About the Holy Days? About the commandments? There is plenty of that these days. But He primarily meant about His second coming. He then laid out an outline of events that would occur to warn us of the nearness of His return. The first thing He warned against was false prophets and false Christs (Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 23-24). Revelation six, as some have noticed, correlates to the events Jesus outlined in Matthew 24. The first seal is opened which reveals a white horse. The rider has a bow and is given a crown. Who recently received a crown? King Charles III. Besides being king of England, he is also the ceremonial head (Supreme Governor) of the Church of England. This person with a crown comes on a white horse just as Jesus will do in Revelation 19. The color “white” usually symbolizes purity. But in this case, it symbolizes conquering, overcoming, victory. Notice Revelation 3:5, “The one who is victorious [overcomes, conquers] will, like them, be dressed in white.” The same Greek word (Strong# G3528) is used in this verse as in Revelation 6:2. Christ comes on a white horse since He is coming to conquer the nations of the world. King Charles III, as you know, has been one of the key apostles of a “saving the planet” religion that many top leaders are subscribing to including Pope Francis. This is their gospel. King Charles professes to be a Christian. Yet, he “plays around” with other religions including Islam. He is well respected by Muslims. If anyone in the world could serve as a bridge between Jews and Muslims, it would be King Charles. His paternal grandmother is buried in Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. If anyone could ever obtain permission for the Jews to pray on the Temple Mount, it would be King Charles. Daniel 11:36-39 reveals some characteristics of a future Antichrist or false Messiah. It says that he will attack strong fortresses with the help of a “foreign god.” He does not regard the god of his fathers but exalts himself above them all. He also rewards those who help him by “dividing the land.” King Charles supports the cause of the Palestinians. Now let’s go a little deeper. Call me crazy, but who isn’t? If Jesus is our spiritual Red Heifer, then where was the red heifer slain? It was slain on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Temple Mount. Another book by Ernest Martin is called, “The Secrets of Golgotha: The Lost History of Jesus’ Crucifixion.” Dr. Martin proposes with this book that Jesus was crucified on the Mount of Olives instead of where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located. Others are coming to see this possibility which needs further exploration. The sights of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and also the Garden Tomb are considered holy to Christians since they believe that Jesus was crucified and buried at either of these two sights. Yet, it is interesting that all Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem end up on the Mount of Olives for its spectacular view of the old city of Jerusalem, especially, the Temple Mount area. The Two Witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days while at Jerusalem. But where in Jerusalem do you think that they may prophesy from? They will, obviously, prophesy about the coming of Christ to establish His kingdom upon the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. Would not the Mount of Olives be the best place for proclaiming the good news of His soon return? Didn’t Jesus ascend to heaven from the Mount of Olives? Doesn’t Zechariah 14:4 say that His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives at His glorious return? Ezekiel had a vision of the abominations that were committed in Jerusalem before being destroyed by the Babylonians. God’s Spirit could no longer dwell in the Temple because of the rampant evil. When the Shekinah glory left the Temple, where was the last place that it was seen? “And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city” (Ezekiel 11:23). The mountain on the east side of the city is the Mount of Olives. Do you see a parallel between what the Spirit did and what Jesus later did when on earth? Now if someone wanted to claim that he was the Christ, would he at some point “stand in the holy place” on the Mount of Olives and claim that he is God in the flesh? Very possible. And remember, the Beast will slay the Two Witnesses after they finish their testimony. Will the Beast (Antichrist) have to kill them in order to have access to a holy place on the Mount of Olives? Something to consider. For certain, the Mount of Olives will be the launching point that Christ uses to recapture the Temple Mount from the armies of the Beast (Revelation 14:1). Christ will dwell in Zion, Mount Moriah, during the Millenium. The Mount of Olives will cleave in two to form a valley for water to flow to the dead sea (Zechariah 14:4). It will have served its purpose for Christ’s departure and return. One last point: The apostle Paul said that the “man of lawlessness” would sit or seat himself in the Temple of God. Were there any chairs in the Temple of God? The only “seat” that I’m aware of was the “mercy seat” which represented God’s throne. Notice Hebrews 10:11-12: “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man [Jesus], after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.” The same Greek word used in Hebrews 10 is used in 2 Thessalonians 2. It is also used in Matthew 23:2 where Jesus said that the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat which represents authority. What did Satan desire in his heart to do? “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of assembly, in the sides of the North'” (Isaiah 14:13). In contrast, Christ said that the abomination of desolation would stand in the holy place. Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives at His return. So, it seems that Christ “stands” when He goes to battle. He then “sits” on a throne to rule with authority. Likewise, the apostle Paul tells us: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. … Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground by having done everything to stand” (Ephesians 6:11, 13). So rather than actually sitting in a physical temple. Is it possible that a future Antichrist will rule over God’s church, which is God’s temple on earth, by issuing edicts to shut down worshipping on the Sabbath or meeting together or to stop preaching the gospel? Only time will tell. We need to be ready for whatever the future holds. The video that I mentioned above is by a church of God minister recorded in March of this year. He fills in some good details about prophecy teaching by the church in the 1970s and the church’s approach to prophecy today. He also covers some interesting details about the five red heifers and the obstacles that were overcome to get them to Israel. The video is about 37 minutes long. Here is the link: Prophecy and Red Heifer significance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nh4fQHgdnw ———————————————————————————————————- See Dwight Fleming’s other articles at: Fleming, Dwight – Church of God, Bismarck (church-of-god-bismarck.org) ———————————————————————————————————- |
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