Tuesday 23 September 2014

The Jewish Temple

"Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:4).

It seems a bit inconclusive to me that the verse necessarily refers to a future temple in Jerusalem.

It could be metaphoric of the people of God - of the Church, or Israel. A couple of Roman Caesars did oppose the people of God - the Church - and Israel and the Temple.

It could also have referred literally to the Temple of Paul's day. The Caesars did after all claim to be divine. And according to one historical source, the Jews did set-up an abomination in the Temple area - idols to Caesar and the Roman gods - during the Jewish-Roman War of AD67-70. The Jews allegedly did so to appease the Roman armies besieging their city. But Caesar eventually asserted his supposedly divine authority over the Temple and city, causing their utter desolation. Great persecutions then arose against the Jews and the Church.

Of course those who persecuted the Church will be judged at the coming of the Lord, at the resurrection unto damnation.

So the verse isn't a direct prophecy about a future Temple. Not a clear one anyway.


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