Why do we assume there will be a new Temple built in Jerusalem, and what preparations are being made for it?

Why do we assume there will be a new Temple built in Jerusalem, and what preparations are being made for it?

Dr. Renald Showers: We’ve made some references to a new temple that the people of Israel will have at least by the first half of the seven-year Tribulation period. We noted in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 that the Apostle Paul referred to the fact that Antichrist in the middle of the Tribulation will walk into that temple and announce that he’s God. We noted in Daniel 9:27 that when Antichrist does that in the middle of the Tribulation, he’ll put a stop to sacrifices and offerings that the Jews will be offering by that time. The Jews will not offer sacrifices and offerings to God without a temple. That implies there will be a temple. We noted in Matthew 24:15 Jesus said to the Jews of the future Tribulation, “When you see the abomination of desolation stand in your holy place.” Jesus, again, was referring to the temple. All these things indicate that the people of Israel, the nation of Israel will have a new temple for at least the first half of the Tribulation period. How does that relate to some of the current trends going on?
Today, there’s an interesting organization in Jerusalem called The Temple Institute. As a result of research, scholars and skilled craftsmen have already reproduced many of the instruments of worship that were used in the Old Testament temples of Israel. They’ve reproduced the high priests’ garments. They’ve reproduced the long silver trumpets that were played in the worship services of the Old Testament temples.

In addition, they have set up a training school where they are taking Jewish men whom they are convinced are physical descendants of the priestly tribe of Israel and they are training them how to perform the ritual and worship of the Old Testament priesthood; even how to perform the animal sacrifices. They want everything ready to go so that when they can build the new temple, everything will be set for the worship that’s there.

In addition, there’s a Jewish couple who migrated to Jerusalem from the United States a number of years ago. Through their research they have rediscovered the kinds of harps that were played in the worship services of the Old Testament temples and they’re in the process of reproducing those harps so that those will be available for the new temple.

There is an elderly Jewish woman living in France who has been a professional musician for most of her life. Through intensive research she has rediscovered the kind of music that was played in the worship services and that was sung in the worship services of Solomon’s temple and the second temple which Herod eventually had called his temple. And she’s already set some of the Old Testament poetic books such as the Song of Solomon to that temple music. She’s in the process of setting all 150 of the Psalms to that temple music so that the music will be ready when the temple is built.

Its very interesting to note that it’s just been within the last number of years that all this activity toward a new temple has been taking place. And God, through the prophetic Scriptures in Daniel 9:27 and in Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, is making it very clear that Israel will have a new temple during the first half of the Tribulation period. But when Antichrist takes control of Jerusalem in the middle of that Tribulation period, he’s going to confiscate that temple for his purposes and announce that he is God. Interestingly, again, this demonstrates there is a God who knows the end from the beginning that He could foretell even thousands of years ago there would be a temple in this future period of time and we notice how movement in that direction is taking place right now during our present lifetime. So Israel will have a new temple.