The Incarnation of the Word of God in the Third Temple

[Galgal]

Jesus Christ in the First Coming was the incarnation of the Word of God. In the same way, in the Second Coming He will be the incarnation of the Word of God, but not the word that was fulfilled in the First Coming, but the word that remained to be incarnated in the Second Coming.

Ezekiel's prophecy about the Third Temple is the word of God, written in the Holy Scriptures. It will definitely be fulfilled. And from what is written, we see that it will be the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:

Then said the Lord unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. (Ezekiel 44:2)

There can be no other appearance of the Lord God of Israel except the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ezekiel wrote about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

So, if we want the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, then we must first fulfill the previous chapters of the book of the prophet Ezekiel: we must build the Third Temple.

 

[RandyK]

I can't say I believe that this is literal or that a temple like this will be built. I understand why some believe this. It seems straightforward like it's being predicted, and people in Israel are apparently preparing for it.

Nevertheless, I don't think God would allow a temple to be built that is OT-oriented--not while we live in a NT reality. If it was built it would be no more useful than the temple was for Christians in the time before 70 AD when it was destroyed by the Romans.

The vision of Ezekiel was, I believe, for his time, since it spoke in the language of an OT temple. It was to encourage Israel to believe it would be built after 70 years of desolation, if not in this exact pattern.

On the other hand, I think it does accurately predict a salvation of the Israeli nation at the end of the age. Only, this temple will be the people of Israel, and not a building of wood and stone.

But I suppose we will see?

 

[Galgal]

I can't say I believe that this is literal or that a temple like this will be built. I understand why some believe this. It seems straightforward like it's being predicted, and people in Israel are apparently preparing for it.

Nevertheless, I don't think God would allow a temple to be built that is OT-oriented--not while we live in a NT reality. If it was built it would be no more useful than the temple was for Christians in the time before 70 AD when it was destroyed by the Romans.

The vision of Ezekiel was, I believe, for his time, since it spoke in the language of an OT temple. It was to encourage Israel to believe it would be built after 70 years of desolation, if not in this exact pattern.

On the other hand, I think it does accurately predict a salvation of the Israeli nation at the end of the age. Only, this temple will be the people of Israel, and not a building of wood and stone.

But I suppose we will see?

I have never been to Israel, and I have never even been to a synagogue in my life. But when I turned to God, the first thing He told me was that the entire Bible is true.

That is why when I read the prophecy of Ezekiel, I had no question whether this Temple would ever be built or not. I believed and believe the Scripture that everything written will come true.

Moreover, the prophecy about the Temple will come true, because the Third Temple is the place of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, where He will be incarnated in people, who will enter the eastern gate of the Temple. Until the Temple is built, there can be no Second Coming of Christ, there will only be the Great Tribulation.

 

[RandyK]

I have never been to Israel, and I have never even been to a synagogue in my life. But when I turned to God, the first thing He told me was that the entire Bible is true.

That is why when I read the prophecy of Ezekiel, I had no question whether this Temple would ever be built or not. I believed and believe the Scripture that everything written will come true.

Moreover, the prophecy about the Temple will come true, because the Third Temple is the place of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, where He will be incarnated in people, who will enter the eastern gate of the Temple. Until the Temple is built, there can be no Second Coming of Christ, there will only be the Great Tribulation.

It really isn't a matter between us as to whether we believe the Bible is true--we both believe that. Rather, it's a matter of our theology, the context of this passage, and our interpretation.

Theologically, the NT Scriptures interpret everything through the light of Christ being the absolutely fulfillment of everything the Law spoke of. This temple in Ezekiel was a Law-Temple, and not a NT Temple.

However, Ezekiel's Temple does foretell something with respect to the NT age. We just have to update the perspective that Ezekiel had while under the Law. And we have to understand that in context, this Temple was a vision, and not a reality. It was really predicting the ultimate salvation of national Israel using OT symbolism.

I would discourage you, regardless, from using terms like Christ is going to be "incarnated" in us. We do not become anything more than the "body"--metaphorically, of Christ. We become his dwelling place in the Spirit.

We do not *become Christ,* we do not *become the Spirit,* and we do not *become God.* The word "incarnation" for many implies that God *becomes* man. But God became Christ--not us.

So I welcome you to believe and interpret the Bible the best you know how. We should keep as a priority biblical beliefs that relate to our spiritual life and conduct.

At least, that's what I try to do, while feeling free to speculate on a good number of Christian issues. Take care...

 

[Galgal]

It really isn't a matter between us as to whether we believe the Bible is true--we both believe that. Rather, it's a matter of our theology, the context of this passage, and our interpretation.

Theologically, the NT Scriptures interpret everything through the light of Christ being the absolutely fulfillment of everything the Law spoke of. This temple in Ezekiel was a Law-Temple, and not a NT Temple.

However, Ezekiel's Temple does foretell something with respect to the NT age. We just have to update the perspective that Ezekiel had while under the Law. And we have to understand that in context, this Temple was a vision, and not a reality. It was really predicting the ultimate salvation of national Israel using OT symbolism.

I would discourage you, regardless, from using terms like Christ is going to be "incarnated" in us. We do not become anything more than the "body"--metaphorically, of Christ. We become his dwelling place in the Spirit.

We do not *become Christ,* we do not *become the Spirit,* and we do not *become God.* The word "incarnation" for many implies that God *becomes* man. But God became Christ--not us.

So I welcome you to believe and interpret the Bible the best you know how. We should keep as a priority biblical beliefs that relate to our spiritual life and conduct.

At least, that's what I try to do, while feeling free to speculate on a good number of Christian issues. Take care...

It is written that Christ is in us:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)

this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be in this, that this mystery will be revealed to the whole world in the triumphant entry of the saints from all nations into the eastern gate of the Third Temple. This will happen from the 1st to the 10th day of the 7th month of Tishrei, from Yom Teruah to Yom Kippur, in "aseret yemei teshuva", "ten days of return [to God]". The whole world will see this "sign of the Son of Man", when people in white clothes will enter the eastern gate of the Temple until the middle of the day of Yom Kippur. And on Yom Kippur, the eastern gate will be closed forever, and then the 7th trumpet of the angel will sound, and it will be announced:

Then said the Lord unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. (Ezekiel 44:2)

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)

The moment of closing the eastern gate of the Third Temple will be that very "twinkling of an eye" when the status of the people who entered the eastern gate will change: they will become the incarnation of Jesus Christ in the Second Coming.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
(1 Corinthians 15:51,52)

After this, the dead Jewish people will come to life by accepting these saints, just as the Jews would have to accept Jesus Christ himself at the First Coming. By accepting the righteous in the name of the righteous, the Jewish people will receive the reward of the righteous: all of Israel will become the incarnation of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, at the Second Coming. Israel will rule all nations with a rod of iron.

 

[RandyK]

It is written that Christ is in us:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)

this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be in this, that this mystery will be revealed to the whole world in the triumphant entry of the saints from all nations into the eastern gate of the Third Temple. This will happen from the 1st to the 10th day of the 7th month of Tishrei, from Yom Teruah to Yom Kippur, in "aseret yemei teshuva", "ten days of return [to God]". The whole world will see this "sign of the Son of Man", when people in white clothes will enter the eastern gate of the Temple until the middle of the day of Yom Kippur. And on Yom Kippur, the eastern gate will be closed forever, and then the 7th trumpet of the angel will sound, and it will be announced:

Then said the Lord unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. (Ezekiel 44:2)

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)

The moment of closing the eastern gate of the Third Temple will be that very "twinkling of an eye" when the status of the people who entered the eastern gate will change: they will become the incarnation of Jesus Christ in the Second Coming.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
(1 Corinthians 15:51,52)

After this, the dead Jewish people will come to life by accepting these saints, just as the Jews would have to accept Jesus Christ himself at the First Coming. By accepting the righteous in the name of the righteous, the Jewish people will receive the reward of the righteous: all of Israel will become the incarnation of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, at the Second Coming. Israel will rule all nations with a rod of iron.

Unfortunately, you insist on using the word "incarnation." I don't think that will go over well with most Christians with any standing in the Church.

You can believe what you want with respect to Jesus' coming via Ezekiel's Temple. Nothing is made of that in the NT Scriptures.

So apparently Paul did not think it of any significance? I prefer to follow Paul's focus on doctrinal orthodoxy, and not get too far out on a limb.

 

[Galgal]

Unfortunately, you insist on using the word "incarnation." I don't think that will go over well with most Christians with any standing in the Church.

You can believe what you want with respect to Jesus' coming via Ezekiel's Temple. Nothing is made of that in the NT Scriptures.

So apparently Paul did not think it of any significance? I prefer to follow Paul's focus on doctrinal orthodoxy, and not get too far out on a limb.

Of course, Jesus Christ at the Second Coming will be rejected by the absolute majority of Christians, just as He was rejected by the majority of Jews at the First Coming.

Moreover, only those Christians who are excommunicated from the Christian religion will participate in the first resurrection. It is written:

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
(Revelation 20:4,5)

Here the word "beheaded" in the original Greek word does not have the root "head", the word is translated literally as "cut off with an axe", that is, "excommunicated". Excommunicated from the synagogues in the first centuries - for faith in Jesus Christ. Also, excommunicated from Christian confessions and denominations in the centuries that followed - for faithfulness to the same Jesus Christ. Only such people will be honored to participate in the first resurrection.

 

[RandyK]

Of course, Jesus Christ at the Second Coming will be rejected by the absolute majority of Christians, just as He was rejected by the majority of Jews at the First Coming.

Moreover, only those Christians who are excommunicated from the Christian religion will participate in the first resurrection. It is written:

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
(Revelation 20:4,5)

Here the word "beheaded" in the original Greek word does not have the root "head", the word is translated literally as "cut off with an axe", that is, "excommunicated". Excommunicated from the synagogues in the first centuries - for faith in Jesus Christ. Also, excommunicated from Christian confessions and denominations in the centuries that followed - for faithfulness to the same Jesus Christ. Only such people will be honored to participate in the first resurrection.

Nobody would reject you or martyr you for following Jesus except false Christians and pagans. But you would be viewed by solid Christians as heretical for views that are heterodox.

Also, I wouldn't say that "most Christians" will reject Jesus at his 2nd Coming, unless you're talking about purely nominal Christians or false Christians. I would not compare doctrinally-orthodox Christians to unbelieving Jews in the 1st century.

Standing upon the "incarnation" of God in your "Temple-Church" is not the kind of hill I would choose to die on. But it's a free world...

 

[Galgal]

Nobody would reject you or martyr you for following Jesus except false Christians and pagans. But you would be viewed by solid Christians as heretical for views that are heterodox.

Also, I wouldn't say that "most Christians" will reject Jesus at his 2nd Coming, unless you're talking about purely nominal Christians or false Christians. I would not compare doctrinally-orthodox Christians to unbelieving Jews in the 1st century.

Standing upon the "incarnation" of God in your "Temple-Church" is not the kind of hill I would choose to die on. But it's a free world...

There is another "death" that the disciples of Jesus Christ are subjected to today. They are simply expelled, excommunicated. Social isolation deprives us of life, the ability to interact in common affairs. This is one version of the "death" described in Revelation:

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Revelation 6:11)

Another version of "death" in Revelation is falling away from God, Who is the source of life for the believer. This "death", on the contrary, will affect those who remain in religion. Wherever Revelation speaks of the "third part" - sources of water, trees, sun, moon, stars, day, night, people - everywhere it speaks of participants in the Christian religion. "The third part" in Greek is "tritos", this is an indication of the "three Theos", "trinity" - as a distinctive feature of the Nicolaitans, Nicene Christianity, which rejected God in favor of the Caesars. The death of all members of the three confessions - Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants - will come after the entrance of the "elect from the four winds" into the eastern gate of the Third Temple. This "death" will not be literal either, but it should be worse than ordinary death, because they will all be carried away by the flow of the Antichrist, when Christians as pagans will pray for the system of this world, for the "Beast". What distinguishes pagans from Jews is that pagans seek material goods - what to eat, what to drink and what to wear. We should be carried away by the Kingdom of God, the search for justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The masses of pagans, seduced by the charismatic leader "Wormwood", will rush in prayer to Armageddon, and they will be led to Armageddon by the "kings of the earth", the leaders of Christianity.

Armageddon. "Ar" (הַר) - mountain, "gad" (גַד) - happiness, "megad" (מֶגָד) - a gift from heaven, good, "-on" (וֹן) - a diminutive suffix, with disdain. "Mountain of prosperity", "Mountain of freebies". This is not a military battle, but a battle for the personal prosperity of the believer, where the shame of such Christians becomes visible:

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. (Philippians 3:19)

And the saints who entered the eastern gate of the Temple will simply dissolve in Israel. The eastern gate for the saints is like the Cross for Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus became the First Sheaf on the third day, the 16th of Nisan. The resurrection of the saints who gave themselves to God will be the city of Yahweh Shammah built in Israel, about a year after their entry through the eastern gate. The saints will enter the eastern gate from Yom Teruah to Yom Kippur, and the city will appear on Simchat Torah, the 8th day of Sukkot, but not in the same year, but later.