Thursday, Jul 02, 2009

7-2 The Third Temple

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“There is no end of projects around here!” Bill looked a little tired. He’s not getting any younger and he works hard! He’s always doing something for his children or for the Lord (maybe they are the same thing!). We walked around the church property looking at all the things that need to be done. A new shed for the sound equipment, Stairs leading down to the creek, the need to shore up the creek bank before winter waters erode it away, a new fence on the back of the property, the amphitheater stairs, sprinklers, block work, the roof between our two buildings… and on, and on, and on. “I can’t do them all! I need some help!” He’s right. If the Lord has moved you to help us out… we need it! Join the party.

Today's Scripture reading is 2 Samuel 21; Habakkuk 2; Luke 7
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.podbean.com - Archives can be found at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com

Today’s thought comes from Daniel 9:26 “And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined. 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."

Desolations are determined! In the years following the death of Christ the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple. The Romans are “the people” mentioned in verse 26. From the Roman Empire, a “prince” is yet to come. Note the chronology well… it is AFTER the destruction of city and its temple that he makes a covenant that is meant to last for 1 week of Sabbath years (7 years). “THEN (that is after the temple is destroyed) he shall confirm a covenant… for one week.” But wait! It gets confusing because in the middle of the week he puts an end to the sacrifices at the temple! I thought the temple had been destroyed! Now you see it, now you don’t! First there is no temple, then there is! As of yet, since the people of the prince destroyed the city, no new temple has of yet appeared! We reason from this that a temple is yet to be built in the future! We also reason that the Jews will once again offer sacrifices at that temple. The book of Revelation indicates that as well. Jesus also spoke of the Abomination of desolation at the temple in Matthew 24. He tagged it to happen as “one of the signs of the end of the age” 24:3 & 15. He called it the time of “the Great Tribulation.” Jesus said that “immediately after the tribulation of those days… the Son of Man will appear” (Mt 24:29-30). The last week of Daniel has not yet occurred. There is yet a future 7 year prophetic period awaiting fulfillment on the nation of Israel. So what is this Abomination of Desolation? In Deut 27:15 God calls an idol “an abomination.” In Daniel 11:31 the army of the Gentiles A) put an end to the sacrifices and B) installed, in their place, the abomination of desolation. Paul indicated that the coming Antichrist will set “himself up in the temple as God!” 2 Thess 2:4. And in the book of Revelation 13:14-15 an “image of the Beast” was set up so that all the world would worship it. The Beast or the Antichrist is that prince who is yet to come! The book of Revelation was written 20 years after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple! John, who wrote the book even restated the same interval during which the sacrifices would cease! 3&1/2 years Daniel 12:11 & Revelation 11:1-3. 69 weeks have been fulfilled to the day, exactly as Daniel prophesied in the past. There is yet 1 week to be fulfilled literally as Daniel prophesied… and it is yet to come.

Dear Lord. I look to the past and you are the mastermind who knows all things and brings all things to fulfillment as you have planned. I look to the future and I know that one day everything you promised will come true. I look to the present, and I know that right now I need to live my life for you in every way! Make it so!

I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers

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