Will the temple be rebuilt?
Question 10069
Yes, Scripture indicates that a third Jewish temple will be built in Jerusalem before Christ returns. This temple, sometimes called the tribulation temple, will stand during the first half of the seven-year tribulation period and will be the site of dramatic prophetic events, including the Antichrist’s desecration. Understanding the biblical evidence for a future temple helps us recognise we are living in the last days.
Three Temples in Jerusalem
To understand prophecy concerning a future temple, we must first recognise the history of Jewish temples in Jerusalem. There have been two temples and, according to Scripture, there will be two more.
Solomon’s Temple (the First Temple) was built around 960 BC and stood for nearly 400 years until destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians in 586 BC. This magnificent structure was the place where God’s glory dwelt among His people (1 Kings 8:10-11). Its destruction was devastating for Israel and fulfilled God’s warnings through the prophets about judgement for idolatry.
Herod’s Temple (the Second Temple) was the rebuilt temple that stood in Jesus’ day. After the Babylonian exile, the Jews returned and rebuilt the temple under Zerubbabel (completed 516 BC, described in Ezra and Haggai). Later, Herod the Great extensively renovated and expanded it, making it one of the wonders of the ancient world. This temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, exactly as Jesus prophesied: “Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:2)
The Tribulation Temple (sometimes called the Third Temple) will be built before or during the tribulation period. This is the temple where the Antichrist will desecrate and proclaim himself to be God. Several New Testament passages require this temple’s existence.
The Millennial Temple (the Fourth Temple) will be built after Christ’s return and will serve as the centre of worship during the thousand-year reign of Christ. Ezekiel 40-48 provides extensive details about this temple.
Our focus here is on the tribulation temple – the third temple that must be built before Christ returns.
Biblical Evidence for a Future Temple
Several key passages indicate a temple will stand in Jerusalem during the tribulation period.
Daniel’s Prophecy
Daniel 9:27 describes a key event at the midpoint of the tribulation: “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
The “one week” is one week of years (seven years) – the final week of Daniel’s prophecy of seventy weeks. The “he” refers to “the prince who is to come” mentioned in verse 26 – the Antichrist. This ruler will make a seven-year covenant with Israel, but at the midpoint (after three and a half years) he will break it and stop the “sacrifice and offering.”
Think about what this requires. For sacrifices and offerings to stop, they must first have started. For them to start, there must be a functioning temple with a priesthood and sacrificial system. This prophecy demands a rebuilt temple.
Jesus’ Warning
Jesus confirmed Daniel’s prophecy when He warned: “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those in Judaea flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:15-16)
Jesus was speaking about future events, not just the destruction of Herod’s temple in AD 70. The “holy place” (ἐν τόπῳ ἁγίῳ, en topō hagiō) refers to the temple or its immediate precincts. For the Antichrist to stand in the holy place and commit the abomination of desolation, there must be a temple standing.
Mark adds another detail: “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains.” (Mark 13:14) The phrase “where he ought not to be” suggests a person (the Antichrist) standing in a place forbidden to him – the holy place of the temple.
Paul’s Description
Paul provides the clearest statement about the Antichrist’s temple desecration: “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
The “man of lawlessness” (the Antichrist) will seat himself “in the temple of God” (ἐν τῷ ναῷ τοῦ θεοῦ, en tō naō tou theou) and proclaim himself to be God. The Greek word ναός (naos) specifically means the temple building or sanctuary, not just a general sacred space.
Some argue this is metaphorical, referring to the Church as God’s temple. But this interpretation does not fit the context. Paul is describing a specific event at a specific location – the Antichrist committing the ultimate blasphemy by sitting in God’s temple and claiming deity. This requires a literal, physical temple in Jerusalem.
John’s Vision
Revelation 11:1-2 provides additional evidence: “Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.'”
John is told to measure a temple that will exist during the first half of the tribulation (42 months = three and a half years). This temple has an altar, worshippers, and an outer court that Gentiles will trample. This description fits a Jewish temple with active sacrificial worship, not a Christian church.
Is Rebuilding the Temple Possible?
Until recently, the idea of a rebuilt Jewish temple seemed impossible. For 2,000 years, no temple stood in Jerusalem. Muslims built the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in AD 691, and rebuilding a Jewish temple appeared politically and practically inconceivable.
However, things have changed dramatically. Since 1967, when Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem, the possibility of a rebuilt temple has moved from fantasy to realistic planning.
The Temple Institute
An organisation called the Temple Institute in Jerusalem has spent decades preparing for the rebuilding of the temple. They have recreated over 60 sacred vessels and priestly garments according to biblical specifications – the golden menorah, the altar of incense, silver trumpets, priestly robes, and more. These are not models or replicas; they are actual functioning items ready to be used in temple service.
The Institute has also trained young men from priestly families (descendants of Aaron) in temple procedures. Architectural plans for the third temple have been drawn up. Everything is ready except permission to build and resolution of the Dome of the Rock issue.
The Red Heifer
One of the most remarkable developments concerns the red heifer. Numbers 19 describes the ritual of the red heifer, whose ashes were used for purification. For the temple to function properly according to Jewish law, a perfect red heifer is required.
For nearly 2,000 years, no qualifying red heifer existed. A red heifer must be entirely red without blemish, never having been yoked or worked. In recent years, several potential red heifers have been born, including some raised specifically for this purpose. In 2022, five red heifers were brought from Texas to Israel. Jewish leaders have examined them and believe some may qualify.
The significance is this: religious Jews believe they cannot properly rebuild the temple or resume sacrifices without a red heifer for purification. The fact that red heifers now exist and are being prepared for this purpose shows how close we may be to the temple’s rebuilding.
Political and Religious Climate
Politically, there is growing support within Israel for rebuilding the temple. Organisations like the Temple Mount Faithful and Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement advocate for it. Some members of the Israeli Knesset have expressed support. Religious Jews increasingly pray for the temple’s rebuilding.
The Dome of the Rock remains the obvious obstacle. However, some scholars suggest the temple does not need to occupy the exact site of the Dome. If archaeological evidence pinpoints the original temple location to a different spot on the Temple Mount platform, it might be possible to rebuild without demolishing the Dome. Another possibility is that the covenant the Antichrist makes with Israel (Daniel 9:27) includes permission to rebuild the temple, perhaps in exchange for other concessions.
What About Ezekiel’s Temple?
Ezekiel 40-48 describes a temple in minute detail – its measurements, gates, chambers, altars, and procedures. This is the millennial temple, which will stand during Christ’s thousand-year reign. It is distinct from the tribulation temple.
Several features prove Ezekiel’s temple is millennial, not tribulation. First, it is built after Christ returns and destroys Israel’s enemies (Ezekiel 38-39 precedes the temple description). Second, the Lord’s glory fills it (Ezekiel 43:2-5), which will not happen with the tribulation temple that the Antichrist desecrates. Third, it features a river flowing from the temple bringing life and healing (Ezekiel 47:1-12), fulfilled in the millennium. Fourth, the land is divided among the twelve tribes (Ezekiel 48), which has never occurred and awaits the millennium.
The tribulation temple will be built by Jews in unbelief, attempting to restore their ancient worship. The millennial temple will be built under Christ’s direction as the centre of worldwide worship during His reign.
When Will the Temple Be Built?
Scripture does not explicitly state when the tribulation temple will be built. It could be built before the rapture, during the gap between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation, or during the first half of the tribulation itself.
We know it must be functioning by the midpoint of the tribulation when the Antichrist desecrates it. Given the time required for construction and for establishing the sacrificial system, the temple will likely be built relatively early in the seven-year period.
Some believe the temple could be built very quickly using prefabricated materials, allowing construction to occur even shortly before the Antichrist’s desecration. The tabernacle in Moses’ time was essentially a prefabricated structure that could be assembled rapidly.
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding that the temple will be rebuilt helps us see how close we are to the fulfilment of end-times prophecy. For 2,000 years, a rebuilt temple seemed impossible. Now, all the pieces are in place. This is not speculation – it is observable reality.
When we see preparations for the temple, growing religious fervour in Israel regarding the Temple Mount, and political movements advocating for rebuilding, we recognise these as signs of the times. Jesus said, “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” (Matthew 24:32-33)
The stage is being set. Temple vessels are ready. Priests are trained. Red heifers exist. Jerusalem is under Jewish control. Political will is growing. Architectual plans are drawn. When the temple is rebuilt – and Scripture says it will be – we will know that the tribulation period is imminent and Christ’s return is drawing near.
Conclusion
A third Jewish temple will be built in Jerusalem before Christ returns. This temple is prophesied in Daniel, confirmed by Jesus, described by Paul, and mentioned by John in Revelation. The Antichrist will desecrate this temple at the midpoint of the tribulation, setting up the abomination of desolation. Everything necessary for rebuilding the temple is now in place – something that has not been true for 2,000 years. This is a powerful sign that we are living in the last days and should be ready for Christ’s return.
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those in Judaea flee to the mountains.” Matthew 24:15-16
