The temples of God are of profound historical and future significance to Jews, Christians, and all of humanity.
The original temple was in the Garden of Eden, created not by man's hands, but by God. After sin came to the Garden, Adam and Eve began the lineage of mankind and from their roots came Jacob's twelve sons and the Hebrew tribes. King David was a descendant of the tribe of Judah, and his son, Solomon, built an amazing temple in Jerusalem. It was where God's presence and glory would reside. God told Solomon he would reject the temple if he or his descendants did not live with righteousness. Solomon's temple was ultimately destroyed.
Following a tumultuous period of wars, the second temple was built in Jerusalem by the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon. It was not as ornate as the first, but its magnificence was prophesied-and then came the temple rebuild by Herod the Great. His role in mankind's history, including his violent kingship and the Massacre of the Innocents, fulfilled prophecy.
The birth of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection also fulfilled prophecy. His activities in the second temple were profound-including his prediction of the destruction of Herod's temple and all of Jerusalem. The obliteration occurred in AD 70.
Mankind's history then passes through eras of wars and conquest, leading to the hope for a third temple. It will be built in Jerusalem just prior to the Tribulation. Like all the temples of the past, it is prophesied to be defiled and destroyed.
At the end of mankind's earthly history, the final temple will be built by God, after Jesus Christ's second coming-it will be glorious beyond imagination. Jesus will reside there, with his chosen people. Who is among the chosen?
2
