Israel and Jerusalem

- in history and prophecy -

Part IV

The Temple of Antichrist

Masterpiece of Deception

compiled by Rachel Cory-Kuehl, July 2012

Last edited January 10, 2025

Scripture is from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Satan got the one thing he wanted most - to kill the Son of God. But his satisfaction was short lived, because the Father simply raised Christ from the grave (Gal. 1:1, 1Pet. 1:3, Acts 3:15). Now, Satan just wants to take human beings from God the Father. If he can bring the whole world to worship himself, then maybe the Court of Heaven (Daniel 7:9-10) will have to give up - and leave the world under his rule. This won’t happen either, but that won’t stop him trying. He will deceive and steal as many as he can. He just wants to deprive the Father of His created sons and daughters, because this causes Him great, deep pain. He is like the deranged man who shouts, “If I can’t have her, then no one will have her,” as he kills his wife and his kids, and then dies in prison.

 

He will “deceive - if possible, the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). The LORD called Israel “My elect” (Isaiah 45:4). The word “elect” means “chosen.” Paul and Peter include all of “the faithful in Jesus Christ.” Which makes sense because believers are “grafted in” to Israel. They are looking forward to the return of Messiah with longing, eager anticipation. How could Satan deceive them? Well - what about a counterfeit? Satan is master of the counterfeit. But how would he counterfeit the Second Coming? That would be huge!

 

NOTE: In the Cochin Hebrew Manuscript of Matthew’s Gospel, the words “if possible” (Matt 24:24), are missing in this passage. False messiahs and false prophets “will deceive the very elect” with their seeming “signs and wonders.”

  

Most believers - Jew or Christian, expect that when Messiah appears with power, He will immediately set up His kingdom on this earth. They believe that He will then rule for 1000 years, and mankind will live in peace. But what if that is NOT CORRECT?

 

What if Christ will not immediately set up His Kingdom on this earth, when He appears in power and glory? What if He will return only to take legal possession, to pronounce sentence upon those who have opposed Him, to imprison Satan, and to remove His redeemed “bride” to a place of safety for awhile? What if He will not build a palace at Jerusalem, erect a new Temple, and set up an administrative state on the earth - not until the 8^th millennium?

Do you think Satan could use present day interpretations of prophecy

to pull off a counterfeit “return” of Christ?

 

If a Messiah figure does appear - a powerful being (perhaps glorious) - who begins to rule the nations, how would you know if this is really Jesus Christ, or an imposter? (Perhaps even Satan himself, or one of his angels.) What if he seems to have “fulfilled” all the end time prophecies? What if he “saves” Israel in a “Gog and Magog” type war?

 

Even the average “man on the street” has heard of the “seven last plagues.” Very few understand that the seven Trumpet judgments will come before the seven “Bowls of Wrath.

 

The Trumpet Judgments are just like the seven last plagues, EXCEPT that the Trumpets are limited in effect, to one third of everything - one third of the sea, the rivers, the grass, the trees, the ships, the sun, and one third of mankind. The Trumpet plagues are not universal, but they will be the worst disasters (both natural and man caused) that the world has ever seen - up to that point. See our studies: “Trumpets and Bowls” and “Seals and Trumpets - Flowchart.”

 

The “third” part destroyed by each Trumpet plague, gives us a clue to the power behind them. “The tail of the dragon (Satan) drew a third of the stars (angels) of heaven” (Rev 12:4).

What if the Trumpet judgments are mistaken for the final “bowls” of wrath,

and then a “Messiah” figure appears?

 

I believe that Satan will deceive men into believing that the Trumpet judgments ARE the last plagues. He (an evil angel, or a man he channels) will then appear - as a “savior” for mankind, and the planet. Many will begin to worship him, as Messiah.

 

This real “destroyer” will then “stand in the holy place” - in a restored Temple, on the Mount at Jerusalem (Matt. 24:15, 2 Thess. 2:3-4). The LORD said, “You will see an enemy in My dwelling place” (1 Sam. 2:32).

 

2 Thessalonians 2:4 “Let 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, who 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.”

This is an important CLUE!

The “son of perdition” will SIT in the Temple of God, BEFORE Christ returns.

THE CHRIST IMPOSTER

 

Paul said the coming “man of sin” would “sit” in the Temple of God (2Thess 2:4). This is a very specific prophecy.

            WAIT!! ONLY “the anointed Son of David” - “the prince” of Ezekiel’s Temple prophecy,       was allowed to SIT within the Temple Court (Ezekiel 44:1-3, Halacha 6, 2Sam 7:18).

 

The fact that the coming Evil One will sit in the Temple, suggests this coming “figure” will be proclaimed Messiah! THIS is the abomination which will cause the desolation of those who worship this imposter. They will be destroyed, along with him.

 

The Aaronic High Priest of Israel had no “throne.” He never “sat” within the ancient Temple Court of Sacrifice. The True Messiah (on the other hand) will be BOTH king of Israel and High Priest over the House of God. He “will be a priest on His throne” (Zechariah 6:12-13). This prophecy fits only one man - Yeshua the Messiah (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:1-3). The Hebrew word “mashiyach” (translated as messiah) means “anointed one.” Kings and priests and prophets were “anointed,” in ancient Israel. See our study: “The Change of the Priesthood.”

CURRENT TEACHING

IS PREPARING THE WAY

 

Many are teaching that the seven last plagues are NOT UNIVERSAL, but are limited to “the land” - meaning “the land” promised to Abraham’s seed. I believe this teaching will help to prepare the way for Satan’s great deception. In the Book of Revelation, the Trumpet judgments effect only one third of the grass, trees, ocean, ships, rivers, atmosphere and human population.

 

What if a coming war devastates “the land” area promised to “Abraham’s seed,” along with much of the Middle East. Many believers will think that these destructions are the 7 last wrath plagues. Only “the land” is destroyed, just as their teachers predicted.

            See our studies, “Trumpets and Bowls,” and “Cursed.”

 

Under the sixth Trumpet, “four messengers” - “bound for the river Euphrates,” are released to “kill a third of mankind”(Rev. 9:14-15). Just about everyone on the planet is expecting a Middle East war. Many are now teaching that the Antichrist will be Islamic, and “the Beast” is radical Islam.

 

What if radical Islam is the counterfeit Antichrist, which Satan will inflame and empower, so that he can appear, as “Messiah,” to “rescue” Israel from that “Beast?”

      (See Mideast Beast by Joel Richardson, WND Books.)

 

A POSSIBLE SCENARIO

      1. Israel is “returned” to “the land” - by seeming “miracles.”

 

      2. An economic collapse, or a political turn, causes the USA to withdraw her support for Israel.

            The “eagles wings” are pulled off the Lion (the tribal symbol for Judah) (Daniel 7:4).

    

3. Israel is attacked in a terrible Middle East war. The Temple Mount and much of Jerusalem is destroyed with a nuclear weapon (perhaps unintentionally).

      4. Suddenly a powerful “savior” figure appears.

            His forces consume the (Islamic) Beast with “fire from heaven.”

            This will be called “Gog/Magog” and “Armageddon.”

 

5. One third the population of the Middle East (or possibly of earth) die in the war. Fallout from the explosion causes terrible scarcity, inflation, want, hunger and disease - conditions described under the first four Seals of Revelation Chapter Six.

 

6. In the hit on the Temple Mount, the cave is opened where the Ark has been hidden since 586BC. The Ark is evidence that the Biblical story of Israel is true. The world’s attitude towards Israel changes overnight. The world governing body issues a command that Jerusalem be restored, along with construction of a third Temple on the Mount.

                  The 70 “sevens” of Daniel Chapter 9, begin.

 

7. A Tabernacle is set up on the Mount, and an Aaronic priesthood is consecrated. Animal sacrifices are restored. Work begins on a stone structure, modeled after Ezekiel’s Temple vision.

 

NOTE: The Third Temple Institute has everything ready for a Tabernacle. Only one thing is missing - The Ark of the Covenant.

 

8. The people of Israel enter into a 7 year “covenant” (treaty) orchestrated by the “messiah” figure - the evil “prince” of the Daniel Chapter Nine prophecy.

 

9. Three and a half years later, when the stone Temple is complete, the Little Horn (Evil Prince) takes over the Temple Mount, declaring it a “house of prayer for all peoples” (regardless of religion or faith).

 

He removes the Aaronic priests by force and halts the “daily” sacrifices. He then sets up the Image of the Beast (an iconic symbol of the world ruling council) right in the newly restored Temple. He installs his forces there, and he demands the entire world worship (serve) the Beast world ruling council. See our study: “The Little Horn.”

 

NOTE: The “little horn” figure in the prophecy of Daniel Chapter Seven, is the enforcer for the terrible Beast power of Revelation Chapter 13.

 

Daniel 11:31 “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.”

 

The “abomination causing desolation” in this scenario, will be “the image of the Beast,” set up on “holy ground” - the Mount at Jerusalem.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The “anointed one” will be “cut off” in “the midst of the week” (Daniel 9:26). Priests as well as kings and prophets were “anointed.” This prophecy may well point to the expulsion of the High Priest from the newly finished Temple, and may point to his death in that battle for the Mount.

 

An image (or icon) of the One World Government (the Beast) is set up in the Temple Court of Sacrifices. The World Court declares Jerusalem an international City of Peace, and the Temple a house of worship for all mankind (and for all religions) quoting Isaiah 56:7.

                  “For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

 

      10. God’s remnant people give the final warning for 42 months (1260 days, “time, times and a half”). See our study: “Two Witnesses.”

 

11. During this time the Trumpet plagues will warn of impending judgment. The Two Witnesses will predict each Trumpet plague (Rev 11:6&10). This will enrage the ruling powers.

 

12. Forces of the Little Horn (now world dictator and “head” of the Beast) will persecute the “Two Witnesses” for 1260 days, finally decreeing their death as in the Purim story (or at least shutting down their witness). The people of earth will celebrate. 3½ days later, the Witnesses will be caught up to Heaven, at the Glorious Return of Christ (Rev 11:11-12).

 

      13. Christ will remove His people from the earth just ahead of His wrath - poured out as the seven bowl plagues (possibly at the Feast of Trumpets, but definitely by The Day of Atonement, 5 days later). The final plagues will wipe out all vegetation, all life in the sea, and all animal life on planet earth.

                  See our study: “Trumpets and Bowls - The Last Plagues.”

A THIRD TEMPLE - REQUIRED

 

The Antichrist must “take away the daily sacrifice” in order to set up “the abomination that causes desolation” (Dan.11:31, Dan. 12:11, Dan. 9:27). This scenario necessitates a Temple (or at least a Tabernacle), and the restoration of animal sacrifices. The “abomination of desolation” must “stand in the holy place” (Matt. 24:15). He must sit “as God in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thess. 2:4). This strongly points to supernatural “signs.”

 

I believe strongly that another Temple will be raised up on the Mount at Jerusalem prior to the return of Jesus Christ. It will be modeled after the Temple shown to Ezekiel in vision.

  

[Christ speaking] “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes . . . For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.” Matthew 24:15-23

 

When I read this passage, I can absolutely imagine a Tabernacle, set up on the Mount, and Islamists insanely angry about this. So that they explode the nuclear weapon they have prepared. The UN responds with a “command” to “rebuild Jerusalem.” Just as the angel told the prophet Daniel (9:25).

THE ELECT and THE GREAT TRIBULATION

 

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22

 

If “those days” must be “shortened” for the sake of the elect, that puts the elect on the earth during those days of “great tribulation.” Some say “the elect” are only “the Jews,” left behind at “the secret rapture.” But Peter and Paul include the “saints in Jesus Christ” IN the “elect” (Matt. 24:31, Col. 3:12, Titus 1:1, 1Pet. 1:1). See our study: “Who are Israel?“

 

The Temple of Ezekiel’s vision, is NOT raised up until “the whole house of Israel” is resurrected and returned to “the land.” Many point to the recent “return” of Jews to the area that became the present State of Israel. They say that prophecy has been fulfilled.

      I disagree.

 

The “whole house of Israel” includes all of the righteous dead, including all of “the dead in Christ.” We know that the resurrection of “the dead in Christ,” will take place at the Glorious Return. Yeshua Messiah “will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Mat 24:31, 1 Thess 4:13-17).

 

I seriously doubt that Satan could pull fake such a massive resurrection. This will be strong evidence that this being - claiming to be Christ returned, is NOT Christ at. (Though he could appear to “resurrect” a limited number, claiming “the resurrection” is only for “the land” of Israel. He might claim the Christians are already in Heaven.)

  

NOTE: The future Temple of Ezekiel’s vision, will be the House of Yehovah for “the rest of the dead” during the 8^th millennium - NOT the 7^th.

            See our studies: “The 8^th Day - Messiah Reigns” and “The CASE for The 8^th Day.”

THE GENTILES WILL TRAMPLE JERUSALEM

 

Revelation 11:1-2 “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.”

 

This prophecy is difficult. If the Little Horn (Evil Prince) has taken over the Temple Mount, why would the Lord command that it be “measured?” If “the Gentiles” have also taken over “the court,” then what difference is there, between “the court” and “the Temple” itself?

 

Answer: “The Temple” in this prophecy, is the one in Heaven. “God and the Lamb are the Temple” of the Holy City New Jerusalem (Rev 21:22). Those who worship there, are those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev 21:27). Hebrews 12:22-24, tells us that all those of true faith, “have come” to that City (spiritually - in heart). So this prophecy describes the judgment (measuring) of Israel - the Bride of the Lamb.

 

There is a Temple on earth, on the Mount at Jerusalem - taken over by the Antichrist. And there is a Temple in Heaven - within the New Jerusalem. “God and the Lamb are the Temple” there.

 

During the 42 months, the “Two Witnesses” will give their testimony (Rev. Chapter Eleven). The Beast will “make war on them” and will finally break their “power.” The world will fill its cup of iniquity.

 

“When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed” (Dan 12:7 NIV).

 

NOTE: The “power” of “the holy people,” is that “power” poured out at Pentecost - the “power” to witness for Christ. “And you will receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses (Acts 1:8). This is the “power” that will be “shattered” by the Antichrist “little horn” power. Today we hear about massive censorship, and even criminal charges for posting opinions on social media.

 

The bodies of the Two Witnesses (or possibly just the decree ordering their deaths) will remain on display for 3½ days in Jerusalem. Then a Voice from heaven will call them. They will ascend to heaven in a cloud just as the 7^th Trumpet sounds. This is the return of Yeshua Messiah! This is the Glorious rescue! Christ has come for His “bride.”

 

The world’s armies will unleash their great weapons, against Christ. In so doing, they will destroy the world! Speaking of prophetic Babylon (“where also our Lord was crucified”), the Messenger of Patmos wrote, “therefore her plagues will come in one day-- death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.” Obviously, Revelation 18:8 is a prophecy concerning Jerusalem. “Her plagues will come” on the “Day of Atonement” - judgment day.

 

NOTE: Jerusalem will be the “harlot” of the Revelation prophecy, who will “ride” the Beast power. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers” (Isa 1:21). Rome was never a “faithful city.” And our Lord was crucified at Jerusalem.

JEREMIAH - A TYPE OF THE LAST WITNESSES

 

Jeremiah was thrown into an old cistern and left to die, as punishment for his message to the king and priests of Judah, just before the Babylonian destruction. He is a TYPE of the “Two Witnesses,” who will prophesy in the streets of Jerusalem just before the Glorious Return of Yeshua (Rev.11:3-12). As Jeremiah left to die, the Two Witnesses will be imprisoned or killed (or at least prevented from speaking their message). His message will be their message, and it will infuriate the rulers of Jerusalem (and the world) who have just restored a Temple on Mt Zion, and believe they have entered a millennium of peace.

 

Jeremiah 26:6 [The LORD speaking] “then I will make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.”

 

See Jer. 7:9-16, Josh.18:1, 1Sam. 4:10, & Psa. 78:60 regarding the complete destruction of the Tabernacle at Shiloh.

 

Jeremiah 26:9 [Rulers of Jerusalem speaking to Jeremiah] “Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without an inhabitant’?”

 

The Tabernacle at Shiloh was destroyed by the Philistines. The Ark of the Covenant was taken and set before the idol of Dagon (1Sam. 5:2). Plagues followed. The Philistines finally sent the Ark back to Israel on a cart.

 

Should the Ark of the Covenant be found under the Mount at Jerusalem, such a find would validate Biblical and Israelite history. A restored Temple would absolutely be required for it. Prophecy says the Little Horn figure, will set up the Image of the Beast right there - in the House of the LORD. The Ark of Yehovah will sit before “the Image of the Beast.”

      Plagues will follow.

The Temple of Yehovah God, will become the Temple of Antichrist.

  

Belshazzar, the regent King of Babylon, mocked the God of Israel by serving wine to a thousand nobles and their wives at a great banquet, in the consecrated holy vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple at Jerusalem. Suddenly the fingers of a hand appeared, writing on the wall. “God has measured your kingdom, and finished it. You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting” (Daniel Chapter 5).

 

If the original Babylon fell when the King used the holy vessels to drink toasts to pagan gods, does it not make sense that the final Babylon will fall when the Little Horn blasphemes the name of Yehovah by setting up the image of the Beast right there in the Temple of Yehovah, before the Ark of His Covenant?

ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE

 

The coming imposter will be all things, to all people. To the Christian, he will be Jesus returned, to the Hindu, the 10^th Great Avatar; to the Muslim, the Imam Mahdi; to the Jew, the long awaited Messiah, and to the atheist, a beneficent alien who visited this planet many times over thousands of years.

                                                                                                                                            

 

UFO (or UAP) sightings have dramatically increased. Our Star Trek generation is prepared for the appearance of an alien force.

 

Folks will easily believe that a beneficent alien visited our planet two thousand years ago, was crucified, then beamed up to his star-ship to be revived. Now he has returned because the planet is in chaos and on the verge of destruction. The people of earth will be desperate for a savior.

 

This savior figure will have to fake the resurrection of at least some of the “saints.” This seems possible, when we remember that Satan and his angels can appear in human form. And if “the saints” to be resurrected are only those of Hebrew descent, so much the easier.

 

Pretending to be Christ come (and the fulfillment of all the messiah type prophecies of all cultures and religions) he will sit in the Temple, receive worship, and judge the world. He will be the enforcer for the Beast power. The restored Beast power (a world ruling body) is “given authority over EVERY tribe, tongue, and nation” (Revelation 13:7-8, 16).

 

Revelation 13:8 “And ALL who dwell on the earth will worship (serve) him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

            The Beast “will make war with the saints” (Rev. 13:7), and will persecute the true people of       God for three and a half years (Daniel 12:7, Rev. 13:5, Rev. 11:3, Dan. 7:25, Rev. 12:6, Rev. 12:14).

Time, times and a part = forty two months = 1260 days = three and a half years.

Different prophecies - same time period.

The period ends with the Glorious Return of Christ.

 

The “false prophet” of Revelation 13:11-18, will be an internationally recognized religious leader (or a system composed of many teachers and supporters), who will encourage all men to cooperate with the Beast system. We saw this happen in Germany under Hitler.

 

To deceive the whole world (everyone from Evangelicals, to Orthodox Jews, to Muslims, to Buddhists, to Hindus, to scientists, to secular humanist wall street traders, and Chinese Communist dictators) the deception will need to be near perfect. Satan will rely on the fact that most have barely a passing acquaintance with the Scriptures.

 

When we come to that time, only those who are filled with “the spirit of Christ,” will hear the Lamb speaking to them. They will recognize this counterfeit “Messiah” as “the abomination” because he will demand they break the commandments of God. This is why the “saints” living during the time of final “Babylon” and the Little Horn, are described as “those who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12).

Do you suppose he will target the Sabbath - the heart of the Covenant?

 

Conditions on the earth at the time of the imposters appearance, will need to be dire, rendering even the bravest of hearts very desperate for a “savior” - someone to bring order out of the chaos. The first five Trumpet plagues will do just that. They will prepare the way for Satan’s appearance - as Messiah returned.

ISRAEL - AT THE CENTER OF THE DECEPTION

 

Many believe the present nation of Israel is the fulfillment of the promised “greater exodus,” and “return to the land.” They see the State of Israel as “dry bones” brought back to life (Jer. 16:14-21, Jer. 23:3-8, Ezek. Chapter 37). But the present nation of Israel does not fulfill the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

 

The “return” of Jews to the land which became the modern nation of Israel following WWII, was not an event brought about by miracles which rivaled those of the first “exodus” from Egypt. We saw no plagues, no opening of a “red sea,” no water brought from a rock, no manna from heaven. We saw only a persecuted, war weary people fighting their way into a small portion of the ancient homeland of their ancestors. (Many of those who immigrated from Russia to Palestine before 1948, were Communist.) The throne has not been restored to the Son of David. The lion does not lie down with the lamb. No. We must look to the future for a full and forever deliverance and return of the “whole house of Israel” to “the land” promised to the Seed of Abraham.

 

Up to this point, those Jews who admit to belief in Yeshua as Messiah, are denied immigration. And what of the dead? Daniel was to receive his inheritance (Dan.12:13) but there has been no resurrection.

 

The LORD promised to bless those who “repent” and “return to Him.” Only a portion of the Jewish people currently living in the State of Israel, hold any belief in the God of their forefathers. Only a tiny percent serve His Son Yeshua as Messiah. Most are secular humanists. Would be immigrants to Israel must renounce any belief in Yeshua as Messiah or Savior. How can we believe the LORD is pouring out His blessings for them?

 

Popular expositors say that Jesus will return first. Then the Jewish people will recognize Him as their Messiah and Savior and King. I can’t buy that one. Why would non-Jews be left unsaved if they fail to believe before He returns, and Jews be allowed to reject Him until after He returns. That’s a whopping double standard!

 

It would actually be closer to justice if the Gentiles got a break, until after the Glorious Return. The Jews have more information. They’ve had the prophecies of Messiah all through the Torah, the Prophets and the Writings for thousands of years. The first disciples of Yeshua were Jews! Paul was a Jew!

 

NOTE: If you say that “Israel” includes only biological descendants of Jacob (along with a few others who take the vow of circumcision), you make the deception much easier to pull off. The imposter will only have to “save” the tiny nation of Israel, not all of the redeemed from all the centuries since Christ rose from the dead. The Imposter can say they are already in Heaven.

      Those who believe that Messiah will reign on earth, during the approaching 7^th millennium,

            those who believe that Messiah will rule the nations who survive the last plagues,

            those who believe that Jews can be “saved” after Messiah returns,

those who believe that God has not “changed” the priesthood,

                  and thus the system of animal sacrifices,

                                                                        MAY BE DECEIVED.

 

Please know that I do believe that Jews deserve to have a homeland. They have been persecuted and despised for almost two thousand years. It is right and appropriate that their state covers at least some portion of their ancient homeland. I think about the many very important things, that would not have been discovered or developed, if the modern State of Israel had not come to be. Just think of all the archaeological discoveries that have verified the Biblical account of history! And the ancient manuscripts! Not to mention the medications and therapies.

 

Only a very small number of Jews living in Israel today, believe in Yeshua as Messiah. Most are secular humanists. This has left them vulnerable to the schemes of the Evil One and his plan for world domination.

 

Satan’s lies and manipulations, will be so perfect that ONLY those whose names are “written in the Lamb’s Book of Life,” who are illumined by the Spirit of Christ, will see through the deception and refuse to serve the Beast world power, to honor his image (icon), or to take his mark (Revelation 13:7-8, 16). Many will suffer for the truth.

A CLEAN NEW HOUSE - BUT WHO WILL MOVE IN ?

 

Matthew 12:43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

 

The generation who see the House at Jerusalem, swept clean and “put in order,” will see the Son of Perdition “sit in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2Thess. 2:4).

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;”

 

The LORD must build “the house.” Yeshua Messiah must be the cornerstone (Matt. 21:42, Acts 4:11, Eph. 2:20, 1Pet. 2:6-7).

THE PLACE PREPARED

 

I have heard various Messianic and Hebrew Roots teachers dismiss the idea that the redeemed will leave the earth at the Glorious Return of Yeshua Messiah. They say that Christ has gone to “prepare a place for us,” only in the sense of our legal adoption into the family of God. I disagree. We are already adopted. “Those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” (Gal. 37).

 

John was shown “those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass . . .” (Rev 15:2-3). They sing the victory “Song of Moses.” Their “victory over the Beast” places these people in the final days. And the “sea of glass” is before the throne of God, in Heaven. And notice what comes next for earth. The last plagues! So don’t tell me that the redeemed are never removed from this earth. They absolutely ARE. See our study: “The CASE - for The 8^th Day.”

 

I believe Yeshua has gone to prepare a literal place for His bride (Jn 14:2-3). It’s called “The Holy City.” That City exists today, in the heavenly realm. God and the Lamb are the Temple of that City (Rev 21:22).

 

Hebrews 11:16 “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” NKJ

  

Hebrews 11:8-10 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. . . . For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. KJV

 

Hebrews 12:22 “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect . . .”

 

1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you . . .”

 

Colossians 1:4 “ . . . because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel . . .”

 

Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ . . .”

 

Revelation 21:1-2 “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

 

The New Jerusalem is presently located in Heaven. Yehovah God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of that City (Revelation 21:22). God’s throne is presently located IN that City.

 

The City will not descend from Heaven to earth, UNTIL every trace of evil is gone. It will not descend until AFTER the Gog-Magog Battle and the final Great White Throne Judgment.

 

The land area promised to “Abraham’s Seed” covers roughly 119,000 square miles. It extends from the Nile of Egypt to the River Euphrates. The present State of Israel covers only a small fraction of this land area. When the New Jerusalem descends from Heaven, the base of that City will cover the land area promised to Abraham’s Seed. Yeshua Messiah is “the Seed.” The “land” is His land. That City is His city. That City is His bride.

            The base of the New Jerusalem will cover the entire land area promised to Abraham’s Seed.

Only those whose names are “written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” can enter that Holy City. Angels guard the gates, in the very high wall that surrounds that city.

 

HOW will the rebels of the Gog-Magog army “come up into the land,” if “the land” is covered by the New Jerusalem?

 

HOW can “the nations” come up to Jerusalem, for the Feast of Tabernacles (Zech Cpt 14) if the whole “land” is covered by the New Jerusalem? (“The nations” are NOT Israelites. They cannot enter the New Jerusalem.) No!

 

The Feast of Zechariah Chapter 14, and the Battle of Gog/Magog must take place before the New Jerusalem descends from Heaven. The teaching that these events will happen in the last days, prior to the Glorious Return of Messiah, is a deception! So is the teaching that the New Jerusalem will descend on the day that Christ returns.

            See our study, “Ezekiel’s Temple.”

 

The “great white throne” judgment will take place after the Gog-Magog Battle (Rev. 20:7-9). It will be the final review of the records (Rev. 20:11-15).

      See our study: “Final Judgment - Lake of Fire.”

            Following this last and final judgment, the earth is made new again (Rev. 21:1).

      Only then does John see the New Jerusalem “coming down from Heaven.” 

 

The “bride of Christ” is the New Jerusalem, with her citizens.

      We who are betrothed to Christ ARE citizens of that city (Hebrews 12:22-24).

 

The New Jerusalem, when that city descends, will cover all of the territory promised to Abraham’s Seed - Yeshua Messiah. It will be 345 miles on each side and 345 miles high.

We wait for our Savior to come for us.

He will take us to the City He has prepared.  

We pray this study will prove a blessing.

Prophecy Viewpoint

      This study is Part Four of a five-part study

      on Israel and Jerusalem in prophecy at prophecyviewpoint.com.

Go to Part One of the series - “Temples of Yahweh.”

Go to Part Two of the series - “Who are Israel?”

Go to Part Three of the series - “Ezekiel’s Temple.”

Go to Part Five of this series - “The New Jerusalem.”

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