Thread: Israel restored and the 3rd Temple Rebuilt
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Israel restored and the 3rd Temple Rebuilt
Posted : 28 Oct, 2010 07:54 PM
Israel restored and the 3rd Temple Rebuilt
Daniel�s 70th Week
Verse: Daniel 9:27
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."
Background
The end of the 69th week occurred when �Messiah� was �cut off�. Following the death of Messiah the �People of a prince who is to come� will destroy the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. Written about 538 B.C., Daniel�s words were fulfilled in 70 AD, when the Roman armies of Titus destroyed Jerusalem. At the end of the siege the Jewish Temple was destroyed. Every stone from this temple was throne to the ground. Josephus, the Jewish historian reported that over 1,000,000 Jews were killed following the capture of the city of Jerusalem. In Rome the Arch of Titus was constructed to recognize the victories Rome over the Jews. On the Arch of Titus the Roman soldiers are pictured carrying the Temple treasures to the Rome. The Jewish nation was scattered throughout the Roman empire following the rebellion.
From the destruction of Temple until today the Temple Mount has been vacant of a Jewish Temple. At the start of the 70th week of Daniel we see a 7-year agreement being made between the �Prince who is come�, and �Many� and Israel. This agreement concerns the future Jewish Temple, the Third Temple. The agreement is broken at the midpoint, 3 � years, causing the Temple sacrifice to cease.
There are significant problems in building a new Temple. The destruction of the earlier one by the Romans in 70 A.D. is documented on the Arch of Titus. In A.D. 638 The Muslim armies conquered the land of Israel from the Byzantine Empire. In 687 The Muslims built the Dome of the Rock on the location of the Jewish Temple. Today Islam is over 20% of the earth�s population. Muslims view the �Dome of the Rock� as the 3rd most holy site to Islam. From the top of Mt. Moriah, Muslims believe Mohammed ascended into Heaven. The Muslim building was built on the Jewish site to demonstrate Islam as the final religion and, to honor Mohammed supposed ascension. This creates a problem for the world.
Israel is only permitted to construct a Temple on the top of Mt. Moriah. David purchased the location at God�s instruction.
Now Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
2 Chronicles 3:1
This puts Israel�s future Temple at odds with the Islamic world. Islam would never accept the building of a Jewish Temple over this location. Orthodox Judaism, the ones in favor of building a Temple would not accept the �Dome of the Rock�. So either Islam defeats the Jews or Israel defeats Islam. The bible tells us that Israel will build the Temple. Once the �Dome of the Rock� is removed, only then could a Jewish Temple be built. For the Dome of the Rock to be removed a significant event must take place. This event will pit the Islamic world against Israel. Israel will vanquish the armies of Islam in a coming battle foretold in the Bible.
Prerequisite of Daniel�s 70th Week
Before the �70th Week� of Daniel can begin two events must happen to the Jewish people.
� They must be gathered into the Land of Israel
� Israel must have the desire to rebuild the Jewish Temple
Daniel�s 70th Week especially concerned �Your People� the Jews, and �Your Holy City� Jerusalem. Before Israel can rebuild the Temple they must first occupy the land of Israel and Jerusalem. And before the Temple can be rebuilt the �Dome of the Rock� must be demolished and the Temple mount area must be purified. The ashes of the �Red Heifer� will permit the cleansing of the future temple. Before this, Islam as a threat to Israel will be eliminated.
God unique relationship with Israel
One of the most prophesied events in the scriptures is the gathering of Israel. Israel�s gathering is central to God�s relationship with Abraham�s descendents. God�s relationship with Israel is eternal. God gave his word to Abraham, Moses and the other prophets about his unique relationship with Israel.
Questioning the unique relationship would be to question the bible. Israel as the nation is made up of the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When Abraham first went to Mt. Moriah, God promised him the land. This same land was later promised to Isaac and his son Jacob. Jacob is the forefather of tribes of Israel. The Bible details God�s relationship with Israel.
6�For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. 7The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; 8but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 7:6-8
2For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Deuteronomy 14:2
God�s relationship to Israel, is based on his word, to the fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The special relationship between Israel and God is holy, Israel has a specific purpose in the Earth. They are unique amongst the nations. From these verses in Deuteronomy we can conclude the following points about God�s relationship with Israel.
� God chose Israel
� Israel as a nation is distinct from all the other nations.
� The Lord loves Israel
� God will keep his word he made to the Fathers
God revealed to Jeremiah the extent of His relationship to Israel at a time when Israel�s existence was uncertain. God assured Jeremiah his relationship with Israel was as certain as the Sun and Moon shinning on the Earth. If the Sun and Moon could cease their light then the descendents of Israel would also cease from being a nation before the Lord.
35Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And its waves roar (The LORD of hosts is His name):
36�If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the LORD, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease
From being a nation before Me forever.� Jeremiah 31:35-36
From Jeremiah we can conclude God�s relationship with Israel�s descendents is more secure then the Sun, moon, stars. Only if they pass will the Israel cease from being a nation.
� Israel�s being a nation is more secure then the Sun, Moon and stars
Israel�s agreement
Before Israel entered the land of promise, current day Israel. They agreed to a covenant with two provisions, one of blessing and one of cursing. If Israel was obedient as a nation they would be blessed above all nations on the earth.
1�Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. Deuteronomy 28:1,
But if Israel disobeyed they would be cursed. One of the curses was to be scattered throughout the nations. The land of Israel would then become desolate during this period.
64�Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known�wood and stone. 65And among those nations you shall find no rest, nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul
Deuteronomy 28:64
25. And I will bring a sword against you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant�.33. I will scatter you among the nations and draw out a sword after you; your land shall be desolate and your cities waste. 34 Then the land shall enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies' land; then the land shall rest and enjoy its sabbaths.
Leviticus 26:25,33-34
But with the scattering God also promised a day of gathering. The restoration of Israel back into the physical land promised to Abraham. A day when Israel would receive her position amongst the nations. Israel�s descendents and blessings will be greater in the future then the past.
4If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. 5Then the LORD your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.
Deuteronomy 30:4-5
The Gathering of Israel has only occurred twice in the history of the national existence of the Jewish people. This first gathering occurred after they were scattered by the Assyrian and Babylonian Armies. Assyria first conquered the northern 10 tribes but Judah was spared. The tribes were scattered within the Assyrian empire. Later Assyria was defeated by Babylon. The Babylonian armies would then conquer Jerusalem. Jerusalem was conquered in 605 BC, 597BC and 587 BC. In 587 BC, the destruction of the Temple occurred by Babylon. Also the residents of Judah were removed from the land and forced to relocate within Babylon. The residents of Judah who could flee, fled to Egypt. Jeremiah was taken captive to Egypt. Ezekiel and Daniel were taken to Babylon. Only after Babylon�s defeat by Persia were the Jews allowed to return to the land.
This was the first gathering of Israel. The Second time Israel was gathered as a nation occurred in our own day. Jewish Immigration to Israel started to increase in the 18th century as anti-Semitism in Europe increased. Only after WWII and the creation of Israel did the Jewish emigration accelerate. Jews came from Europe, the Middle East, Russia, Africa, North and South America back into the land. They were descendents of those forced out by the Roman armies over 1800 years earlier.
The creation of modern Israel was an event foretold by the prophets before the time of Jesus. The gathering of Israel is linked to the time when God will judge the nations.
Israel as a sign
The curses of Deuteronomy 28:64-65, Leviticus 26:33-34 and II Chronicles 7:19 were fulfilled, Israel was scattered amongst the nations. But Moses foretold of a future gathering of scattered Israel. As mentioned earlier, this happened once after the Babylonian captivity. The second occurrence has been in our century when Israel was gathered out of the nations. This gathering will one day lead to a righteous nation who puts their trust in the Messiah Jesus.
The gathering of the Jews from Ethiopia occurred in 1981 and 1991. The extraction of these Jews from Africa were known as operations �Exodus� and �Solomon�. The Falashi Jews of Ethiopia were restored to the land of Abraham. The gathering from Ethiopia was foretold 2700 years ago in the book of Isaiah. Chapter 11 tells us the Lord will set his hand a �Second time� to recover his remnant. Cush is known as Ethiopia, and is part of this second gathering of Israel in this century. This first gathering was after the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 B.C.. The �Second time� is in our day.
11 It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea.12He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:11-12
The book of Joel links the gathering of Israel to the judgment of the nations. Israel is a sign to the nations, they serve as God�s prophetic clock (Daniel 9:24), they also serve as an instrument used by God. Through actions to them and by them God will judge the world in righteousness.
1 �For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land. Joel 3:1-2
Israel�s restoration is linked to the beginning of Messiah�s kingdom and the judgment of the nations. Thru Israel God will judge the nations. Israel�s gathering is the time qualifier for the judgment of the nations. The word �When� is connected to Israel restoration. When Israel is restored God will also gather the nations for judgment. In Ezekiel 38:8, Israel will be gathered into the land after it had �long been desolate�. The first gathering of Israel took place after a 70 year captivity. When Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, he allowed Israel and Judah to return to the land. The Jewish Temple was rebuilt in 516 BC seventy years after it was destroyed. In 444 BC Nehemiah was given orders from the King of Persia to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls. At that time Jerusalem had been desolate for 142 years.
Today�s Israel is gathered out of many nations and into the land after 1900 years. Over 10 times longer than the first desolation. The Israel of today was the subject of Ezekiel�s prophecy over 2500 years ago. In Micah 5:2 we are told Israel will abandoned till the time when �She who is in labor gives birth�. Then the brothers will return to join the Israelites. Following the return, the Messiah will stand as Shepherd to his flock. The reign of Messiah is linked to the return of Israel.
For the 70th week to begin, the return of Israel and the desire to rebuild the Temple are two prerequisites. Today, the rebuilding of the Temple is prevented by a lack of desire combined with the presence of the �Dome of the Rock�. The Muslim world, over 20% of the Earth population would not allow the construction of the Jewish Temple on the site. Before a Jewish Temple could be rebuilt Islam must be defeated. Its threat to Israel must be eliminated.
Defeat of Islam
In Order for the Jewish Temple to be rebuilt the Dome of the Rock must be removed. In the Muslim world, a Jewish Temple on this location is an unthinkable event. Islamic councils have already threatened world war if Israel attempts to construct a Jewish Temple. So its not without a war such an event will take place.
There are several scenarios that could lead to a conflict with Israel and her Muslim neighbors. Jews have already been arrested for attempting to blow up the �Dome of the Rock�. Earthquakes or missiles off course could easily destroy the building. A bulge in one of the walls that support the Dome of the Rock has recently been detected by Israeli archeologists. The bulge is a result of Muslim excavation at the Temple mount site. Underneath the Temple mount construction is underway to build one of the worlds largest mosques. This excavation has already threatened the structural integrity of the Dome of the Rock. All these are potential risks to the third most holy place to Islam. If the Dome of the Rock fell on its own accord would Israel allow its reconstruction? Israel refusal could lead to a worldwide conflict.
Currently in Israel there is a growing movement to make the Temple Mount central to the Jewish nation. The elections in February 2003 have pushed Israel to the right with the Likud and the religious parties gaining a majority. The religious parties have indicated a reluctance to join the government unless the Temple Mount is open to Jews. Currently only Muslims are allowed on the site.
The US and Britain�s confrontation with Iraq is seen as humiliation by Islamic countries. Any attempt by Israel to open the Temple Mount will be seen as an additional insult to Islam. As Israel becomes more religious and move to the right the Temple Mount will take on a greater importance. This will lead to a potentially explosive situation. The coming conflict will result in Israel rebuilding the Temple. This Islamic conflict with Israel is foretold in the book of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.
Gog and Magog
In Ezekiel 38 and 39 we read about a conflict that will involve a future Israel. The characteristics of this nation only fit current day Israel.
Characteristics of this conflict are:
� Many days in the future
� Israel gathered out of many nations
� The land had long been desolate
� Israel dwelling safely
� Cities without walls
� Prophesied long ago by Israel prophets
Israel was a nation birthed into existence out of the nations into a land that was long desolate.
Nations involved in this prophesied attack on Israel are Iran, Libya and Ethiopia. All three nations are Muslim and have a hostile relationship with Israel. In Ezekiel's day these nations were known as Persia, Put and Cush. Also involved in this future attack is a nation named Gog living in the land of Magog in the far north. Moscow is located directly north of Jerusalem. Russia has for the most part sided with the enemies of Israel in the past. Russia supplied weapons and aircraft to Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Iran in their wars against Israel. This future conflict includes other nations against Israel. Other nations mentioned are Beth Togarmah and Gomer, The Armenians consider themselves the descendents of Togarmah. Togarmah was a supplier of horses to the nations of east (Ezk 27:14) . Armenia supplied 10,000 horses as annual tribute to Babylon. Today Armenia is allied with Russia and Iran. Gomer is the forefather of European nations. One of the reasons there is a state of Israel is because of European anti-Semitism. Some European nations will be allied against Israel in this coming conflict. This very well could be a UN sanctioned operation against Israel.
This future battle results in Israel�s victory over the invading armies. Victory is from the hand of God who fights on Israel�s behalf. The victory is not for Israel�s sake. Israel victory is for the world to come to know of the God of Israel.
23Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.��Ezekiel 38:23
21�I will set My glory among the nations; all the nations shall see My judgment which I have executed, and My hand which I have laid on them. Ezekiel 39:21
Israel�s victory will turn Israel toward God. And in the process Israel will build the Temple. In the future Temple Israel will put their hope of salvation. But Israel�s only hope will be in Jesus the Messiah. The one �Cut off�, who was rejected by the nation in the first century.
After Gog�s defeat in Ezekiel 38 and 39 we see in the 40th chapter plans for a new Temple. This future Temple will be the Temple during the time Messiah reigns on Earth. Israel because they do not see Jesus as Messiah will build the Temple for the coming Messiah. This Temple will later be desecrated by the �Prince who shall come�. The Temple will not save Israel only Messiah Jesus can.
Israel construction and peace agreement with the �Prince to come� will be the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel.
The Temple Rebuilt
Jesus also foretold the coming of the Third Temple, after the destruction by the Romans in A.D. 70. In Matthew 24:2, Jesus told the disciples after they commented about the beauty of the Temple, that not one stone would be left upon another. This was fulfilled in A.D. 70, by the Romans under Titus. Later Jesus refers to the time of the end, when the Third Temple would be defiled, causing the abomination of desolation.
14�And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.15�Therefore when you see the �abomination of desolation,� spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place� (whoever reads, let him understand), Matthew 24:1415
The abomination of desolation is referred to three times in the book of Daniel, (Daniel 9:27,11;31, 12:11). Each mention refers to the Temple being defiled.
Paul also notes the need for a Third Temple and the role the Temple will play. The anti-Christ will enter the Temple and proclaim himself to be God. This is consistent with the words of Jesus and Daniel about the role this Temple will play.
3Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
The long absence of a Temple and Israel�s gathering are also foretold by Hosea. The many days refers to our own day. The only other time, since Hosea day there was no Temple was for the 70-year period, between 586 B.C. and 516 B.C. Seventy years does not qualify as a long absence when the only other time is over 1900 years.
4For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days. Hosea 3:4
To rebuild the Jewish Temple there first must be a desire to construct on the Temple Mount. Construction would bring the Islamic world against Israel. Israel would also need to prepare for this Temple. A Priesthood would need to be trained and preparations of Temple objects such as the Menorah, Shewbread table, alters and clothing for the priesthood.
Currently an organization known as the Temple Mount Faithful is preparing for the Third Temple. They have a website detailing their preparations. (www.templeinstitute.org ).
According to the Bible only a select group descendents of Aaron could be priests in the Temple. A question often asked is how can we know who is a descendent from Aaron. The Jewish last name Cohen and its other forms is a priesthood marker. The last name Cohen and a traceable family line means the male is a potential candidate for Jewish priesthood.
Much of the items for the rebuilding of the Temple are accounted for at this time.
� Israel is in control of the Temple Mount.
� There is a Jewish Priesthood in training for Temple services.
� Many of the Items for Temple service have been constructed.
� Items taken in 70 AD have been located in Rome under Vatican control. Their return has been requested.
What Israel lacks for the Temple is:
� A desire to build the Temple
� Ability to overcome worldwide Islamic power.
� A suitable Red Heifer to purify the Temple Mount site.
Red Heifer
In the Numbers 19 God gave Israel a method of cleansing the defiled. The procedure is to take ashes from a burned Red Heifer and combine them with water and perform a cleansing ceremony. This would be the procedure to cleanse the Temple Mount once construction of the Temple was completed or started.
To date a Red Heifer has not been found that is considered suitable by Rabbis for the cleansing. Several have come close but a perfect Red Heifer has not been found. The possibility also exists that If there were a perfect Red Heifer its existence would be kept secret. In Texas there are ranchers who are selectively breeding cattle to bring about the birth of a perfect Red Heifer.
Numbers 19
1Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2�This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD has commanded, saying: �Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never come. 3You shall give it to Eleazar the priest, that he may take it outside the camp, and it shall be slaughtered before him; 4and Eleazar the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, and sprinkle some of its blood seven times directly in front of the tabernacle of meeting. 5Then the heifer shall be burned in his sight: its hide, its flesh, its blood, and its offal shall be burned. 6And the priest shall take cedar wood and hyssop and scarlet, and cast them into the midst of the fire burning the heifer. sin.
The lack of a Red Heifer or at least a reported one tells us the Third Temple might be still in the distant future.
The US and Israel
The world views the United States as the reason the state of Israel exists. The enemies of Israel see the US as an equal enemy. US money and weapons are the bulwark for the state of Israel. So those who want to destroy Israel see the US as the greater target.
The United States is not in Bible prophecy. A revived Roman Empire is the power behind Israel�s rebuilding the Temple.
Based on Bible prophecy there will be a shift in Europe against Islam. The shift in Europe will allow the Antichrist to guarantee Israel�s security and their desire to rebuild the Temple. Several questions arise;
� What causes Europe to be pro-Israel?
� What would cause Europe to become anti-Islamic?
� Where is the United States? Here we are forced to speculate answers.
The population of the United States is roughly 300 million. Of that 50 million are reported to be evangelical born again believers. Evangelical believers support Israel and see its existence as fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Combined with the Israel lobby this group is the force behind America pro-Israel posture. Without this group America would have the same animosity toward Israel the rest of the world has. Islamic terrorism could easily turn the world against radical fundamentalist Islam. The problem is fundamentalist Islam is real Islam. Islam as the Quran requires is the true Islam. Worldwide Islamic terrorism could cause the shift against the Muslim world in Israel�s favor. Islamic terrorism could also cripple the United States. Even a world war involving nuclear weapons or nuclear terrorism could cripple the United States. In Ezekiel we are told fire being sent on those who live in security in the coastlands. Could this be the United States?
Ezekiel 38:6 tells us 6�And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands.
Israel gathered from the nations
Bible prophecy clearly links Israel being gathered from the nations, as end times event.
1For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. 2Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the LORD; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors. Isaiah 14:1-2
22Thus says the Lord GOD: �Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, And set up My standard for the peoples; They shall bring your sons in their arms, And your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders; 23 Kings shall be your foster fathers, And their queens your nursing mothers; They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And taste up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me.� 24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, Or the captives �of the righteous be delivered? 25But thus says the LORD: �Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children Isaiah 49:22-24
8 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, �Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him.� Isaiah 56:8
15Then it shall be, after I have plucked them out, that I will return and have compassion on them and bring them back, everyone to his heritage and everyone to his land. Jeremiah 12:15
14�Therefore behold, the days are coming,� says the LORD, �that it shall no more be said, �The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,� 15but, �The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.� For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers. Jeremiah 16:14-15
3�But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,� says the LORD.7�Therefore, behold, the days are coming,� says the LORD, �that they shall no longer say, �As the LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,� 8but, �As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.� And they shall dwell in their own land.� Jeremiah 23:3-4,7-8
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2�Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: �Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you. 3For behold, the days are coming,� says the LORD, �that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,� says the LORD. �And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.��11 For I am with you,� says the LORD, �to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you,
Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.�
18�Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob�s tents, And have mercy on his dwelling places; The city shall be built upon its own mound, And the palace shall remain according to its own plan. Jeremiah 30
8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child And the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there.9 They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.10 �Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.� Jeremiah 31:8-10
34I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out. 35And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face. 36Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you,� says the Lord GOD. 37�I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; 38I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 39�As for you, O house of Israel,� thus says the Lord GOD: �Go, serve every one of you his idols�and hereafter�if you will not obey Me; but profane My holy name no more with your gifts and your idols. 40For on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel,� says the Lord GOD, �there all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve Me; there I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the firstfruits of your sacrifices, together with all your holy things. Ezekiel 20:34-40
24�And there shall no longer be a pricking brier or a painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all who are around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.� 25�Thus says the Lord GOD: �When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am hallowed in them in the sight of the Gentiles, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob. 26And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the LORD their God.��� Ezekiel 28:24-27
10I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. 11I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. 12Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, My people Israel; they shall take possession of you, and you shall be their inheritance; no more shall you bereave them of children.� 24For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 33�Thus says the Lord GOD: �On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35So they will say, �This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.� 36Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it.� Ezekiel 36:10-12,24,33-36
12Therefore prophesy and say to them, �Thus says the Lord GOD: �Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,� says the LORD.�� 21�Then say to them, �Thus says the Lord GOD: �Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; 22and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again Ezekiel 37:12-14,21-22
8After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. Ezekiel 38:8
23The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. 24According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I have dealt with them, and hidden My face from them.�� 25�Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: �Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name�26after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid. 27When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies� lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, 28then they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. 29And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,� says the Lord GOD.� Ezekiel 39:23-29
10 �Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, �You are �not My people,� There it shall be said to them, �You are sons of the living God.� 11 Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel Shall be gathered together, And appoint for themselves one head; And they shall come up out of the land, For great will be the day of Jezreel Hosea 1:10-11
9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not �come with terror. 10 �They shall walk after the LORD. He will roar like a lion. When He roars, Then His sons shall come trembling from the west; 1 They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt, Like a dove from the land of Assyria. And I will let them dwell in their houses,� Says the LORD. 12 �Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, And the house of Israel with deceit; But Judah still walks with God, Even with the �Holy One who is faithful.Hosea 11:9-10
� For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground. Amos 9:9
3 Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren Shall return to the children of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flockIn the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth; Micah 5:3-4
6�Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,� says the LORD; �for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,� says the LORD. 7�Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.� 8For thus says the LORD of hosts: �He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. 9For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me. Zechariah 2:6-9
7�Thus says the LORD of hosts: �Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east And from the land of the west; 8 I will bring them back, And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people And I will be their God, In truth and righteousness.� Zechariah 8:7-8
6 �I will strengthen the house of Judah, And I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, Because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though I had not cast them aside; For I am the LORD their God, And I will hear them. Those of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, And their heart shall rejoice as if with wine. Yes, their children shall see it and be glad; Their heart shall rejoice in the LORD. 8 I will whistle for them and gather them, For I will redeem them; And they shall increase as they once increased. 9 �I will sow them among the peoples, And they shall remember Me in far countries; They shall live, together with their children, And they shall return.10 I will also bring them back from the land of Egypt, And gather them from Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, Until no more room is found for them.11 He shall pass through the sea with affliction, And strike the waves of the sea: All the depths of the �River shall dry up. Then the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, And the scepter of Egypt shall depart. 12 �So I will strengthen them in the LORD, And they shall walk up and down in His name,� Says the LORD. Zechariah 10:6-12
ncwestie, your post, "Israel restored and the 3rd Temple Rebuilt" is based upon the classical dispensationalist end time scenario.
First, Israel in the Bible, for dispensationalists, must always be ethnic Israel, and cannot be Israel reborn in Jesus Christ. For dispensationalism, ethnic Israel and the "Church" must be kept distant.
Dispensationalism in insisting that Israel is always ethnic Israel and never Israel reborn in Christ makes a serious mistake. There is only those who are saved and those who are not saved among those claiming to be God's people.
In making Israel always ethnic Israel, most of whom rejected Christ and are of the spirit of Anti-Christ, the classical dispensationalists are ignoring something fundamental in the Gospel of Christ. This is that on the Cross and at the Day of Pentecost, a Remnant of Etnic Israel was transformed into Israel reborn in Christ. We can call the Jews who the Holy Spirit translated into the New Covenant on the Day of Pentecost - and afterwards for a while - spiritual Israel.
Dispensationalists do not seem to fully understand the implications of Paul's metaphor of being grafted into the good olive tree in Romans 11. We can say the good olive tree is Christ. But in a sense Christ is Israel. The good olive tree is Israel reborn in Christ. The Remnant of ethnic Israel who were reborn were still Israel, but in Jeremiah's metaphor of the potter in Jeremiah 18 the lump of clay which was ethnic Israel under the law and under the Old Covenant was remade into Israel reborn in the New Covenant.
Gentile Christians, Paul teaches in Romans 11, are grafted into this good olive tree, which is first Jesus Christ, and also Israel reborn in Christ,. Therefore there is only one Israel, not unsaved ethnic Israel as God's chosen, and the "Church" as another group belonging to God.
There is a little verse in Hebrews that is important. It says in Hebrews 10: 9, "Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second."
The Old Testament scriptures supposedly predicting a Jewish kingdom in the end times or during the millennium and that the Jews will convert in mass to Christ, have to be viewed in terms of the New Testament.
And - there is that old problem in Daniel 9: 26-27 about who "he" is in verse 27.
I know that dispensationalists say "he" is the diepensatiomnalist Anti-Christ, the one person figure who is a political ruler.
"And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
Where is the dispensationalist Anti-Christ in these two verses?
Could it be that the dispensationalists have made a big mistake in saying "he" is the Anti-Christ. Only two persons are mentioned in verse 26, the Messiah and the prince. Most Christians interpret the prince to be a Roman caesar, or Roman general. "He" in verse 27 would be either Jesus Christ or the Roman leader.
Since the positions and conclusions are in line with the Dispensational System of Theology, or point of view, the terms need to be explained. There is no need to fear these terms. They describe some simple concepts related to our understanding of the Old Testament Covenants and how God will develop His kingdom program. Even if you have negative feelings about the term Dispensationalism, please go through the following brief explanation of what it is. It could be that it has never been clearly explained. Dispensationalism has influenced the doctrinal beliefs of many churches, including the Baptist church, the Bible churches, the Pentecostal churches, and many other non-denominational Evangelical churches. You may even be Dispensational in your thinking although not be calling yourself a Dispensationalist. Christian is always a better term, but terms like Dispensationalist helps to define where we are coming from when it comes to our views on Endtimes and the present and future Kingdom of God.
Definition
� A Dispensation - The system by which anything is administered. In Christian terms, looking back, it refers to a period in history whereby God dealt with man in a specific way. (Conscience, Law, Grace)
� Dispensationalism - A system of theology that sees God working with man in different ways during different dispensations. While 'Dispensations' are not ages, but stewardships, or administrations, we tend to see them now as ages since we look back on specific time periods when they were in force.
� Dispensationalism is distinguished by three key principles.
1 - A clear distinction between God's program for Israel and God's program for the Church.
2 - A consistent and regular use of a literal principle of interpretation
3 - The understanding of the purpose of God as His own glory rather than the salvation of mankind.
Ok, what does this mean in layman's terms. Read on.
What about the Dispensations?
The key to Dispensationalism is not in the definition or recognition of a specific number of dispensations. This is a misunderstanding of the opponents of Dispensationalism. Almost all theologians will recognize that God worked differently through the Law than He did through Grace. That is not to say that salvation was attained in a different manner, but that the responsibilities given to man by God were different during the period of the giving of the Law up to the cross, just as they were different for Adam and Eve. The Jews were to show their true faith by doing what God had commanded, even though they couldn't keep the moral Law. That's what the sacrifices were for. When the apostle Paul said that as to the Law he was blameless, he didn't mean that he never sinned, but that he obeyed God by following the guidelines of the Law when he did sin, and animal sacrifices were offered for his sins by the priests in the temple. Salvation came not by keeping the law, but by seeing it's true purpose in exposing sin, and turning to God for salvation. The Jews weren't saved based on how well they kept the law, (as many of them thought) as that would be salvation by works. They were saved through faith in God, and the work of Christ on the cross was counted for them, even though it hadn't happened yet.
Dispensationalists will define three key dispensations, (1) The Mosaic Law, (2) The present age of Grace, and (3) the future Millennial Kingdom. Most will agree about the first two, and Covenant theology will disagree about the third, seeing this as the 'eternal state'. (Since they don't see a literal Millennial Kingdom - the future literal fulfillment of the Davidic Kingdom.)
A greater breakdown of specific dispensations is possible, giving most traditional Dispensationalists seven recognizable dispensations.
1. Innocence - Adam
2. Conscience - After man sinned, up to the flood
3. Government - After the flood, man allowed to eat meat, death penalty instituted
4. Promise - Abraham up to Moses and the giving of the Law
5. Law - Moses to the cross
6. Grace - The cross to the Millennial Kingdom
7. Millennial Kingdom - A 1000 year reign of Christ on earth centered in Jerusalem
While not everyone needs to agree on this breakdown, the point from the Dispensationalists view is that God is working with man in a progressive way. At each stage man has failed to be obedient to the responsibilities set forth by God. The method of salvation, justification by faith alone, never changes through the dispensations. The responsibilities God gives to man does change however. The Jews were to be obedient to the Law if they wished God's blessing of Land. If they were disobedient, they would be scattered. However, God promises to always bring them back to the land promised to Abraham in the Abrahamic Covenant. After the cross, believers no longer need the Law, which pointed to Christ as the one that would take away sin through his perfect sacrifice. (Heb 10) We are under a new Law, the Law of Grace. We have more revelation about God, and are no longer required to keep ceremonial laws given to the Jews. The moral law is always in effect as a guide, but we are no longer condemned by it, since we have a savior that has overcome for us.
Remember that making a distinction between these time periods is not what makes someone Dispensational. Recognizing the progressive nature, and seeing the church as part of Plan A and not Plan B is what makes someone Dispensational. Dispensationalists see a clear distinction between God's program for Israel and God's program for the church. God is not finished with Israel. The church didn't take Israel's place. They have been set aside temporarily, but in the Endtimes will be brought back to the promised land, cleansed, and given a new heart. (Gen 12, Deut 30, 2 Sam 7, Jer 31)
Just to clarify what I mean by Plan A and Plan B, I can see how some would say that the church is God's Plan B. However, God knew that the Jews would reject their Messiah. Daniel 9 tells us that the Messiah would be cut off, or killed, and Isaiah 53 speaks of the suffering servant. To call the church Plan B sounds too much like it was his second best plan, as if his efforts were thwarted. God has one redemptive plan for all mankind that was foretold in Genesis 3. The Messiah would come and defeat Satan and death. Now, this doesn't mean that his plan for Israel, and the promises/covenants made with the forefathers are null and void. They are not.
So what is the key to Dispensationalism?
The literal method of interpretation is the key. Using the literal method of interpreting the biblical covenants and prophecy leads to a specific set of core beliefs about God's kingdom program, and what the future will hold for ethnic Israel and for the Church. We therefore recognize a distinction between Israel and the Church, and a promised future earthly reign of Christ on the throne of David. (The Davidic Kingdom.) This leads a person to some very specific conclusions about the Endtimes.
� Israel must be re-gathered to their land as promised by God.
� Daniel's seventieth week prophecy specifically refers to the purging of the nation Israel, and not the Church. These were the clear words spoken to Daniel. The church doesn't need purging from sin. It is already clean.
� Some of the warnings in Matthew 24 are directed at the Jews, and not the Church (since God will be finishing His plan with national Israel)
� A Pretribulation rapture - Israel is seen in Daniel as the key player during the tribulation, not the Church. God removes the elect when he brings judgment on the world. i.e. Noah, John 14, 1 Thess 4:16.
� Premillennialism - A literal 1000 year Millennial Kingdom, where Christ returns before the Millennium starts. Revelation 20 doesn't give us a reason to interpret the 1000 years as symbolic. Also, Dispensationalists see the promised literal reign of Christ in the OT. Note the chronological order of events between Revelation 19-21.
Charles Ryrie in his book 'Dispensationalism' points out that some Christians have actually called Dispensationalism heretical. Actually it is people that use words like 'heretical' for non essential doctrinal beliefs that are the ones that cause division in the Church. Whether a person believes in a literal future Millennial Kingdom is not essential Christian doctrine. It doesn't rank up there with the Deity of Christ, the Trinity, the Atonement, etc. A house divided against itself will not stand. When we get to heaven, or the Millennial Kingdom, whichever will come first, we will understand the truth of all the word of God, but until then there are essential doctrines of the faith that are worth going to battle over. Others are not, since we don't want to be found going to battle with each other, and therefore, with Jesus Christ Himself.
The History of Dispensationalism
While the opponents of Dispensationalism will point out that as a system of theology it is relatively new, it is notable that there is evidence from the early church writers that there was clearly an understanding that God dealt with His people differently in progressive dispensations, and that Israel wasn't seen as replaced by the Church. A small reference to some of these writings is found in 'The Moody Handbook of Theology" by Paul Ennis. He mentions the following Christians as being in the history of the development of Dispensationalism.
� Justin Martyr (A.D. 110-165)
� Iranaeus (A.D. 130-200)
� Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 150-220)
� Augustine (A.D. 354-430)
Of the above Ryrie says "It is not suggested nor should it be inferred that these early Church Fathers were dispensationalists in the modern sense of the word. But it is true that some of them enunciated principles which later developed into Dispensationalism, and it may be rightly said that they held primitive or early dispensational concepts." With this understanding, the following have written in support of some or all dispensational principles.
Some Dispensational writers
� Pierre Poiret (1646-1719)
� John Edwards (1637-1716)
� Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
� John Nelson Darby (1800-1882)
� C.I. Scofield (1843-1921)
� Lewis Sperry Chafer
� Charles Ryrie
� Dwight Pentecost
� John Walvoord
Dispensational schools (Email us if we've missed any)
