Revealing Eschatology.
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Page 3.
The Power and Glory of God's Creation.
False Teachings on Futurism.
Who did God choose to be his children?
The Christian preachers and teachers who share certain ideas regarding prophetic end-time information, after a close examination of their teachings appear to have misunderstood the Old and New Testament. These ideas have produced the false teaching that the old system of animal sacrifice will be restored, 2. the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, 3. all Israel (the Jewish nation) will be saved; 4. the anti-christ and false prophet are to be two coming super individuals whom the world will follow, and so on. The many that follow and teach these views, among others, have stated to viewers on T.V., radio, or in the books they write on these prophetic views also teach that the church is "not Israel." The Israel of God. This teaching shows a foundational misunderstanding regarding the New Covenant.
Then who did God choose to be his children? In Luke 22-20, Jesus announced that he had instituted the New Covenant. "---This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." There were only two covenants God made with mankind, the Old and New Covenant. If any person is not under the New Covenant, then he or she is outside the Israel of God. This is what Jesus and the apostles taught. There is no bibical evidence that God made any promises to those outside his covenant. To except the false teachings that the church (Jew and non-Jew) is not the Israel of God (the house of Israel); is to bring into question the words and promises of Jesus Christ; his apostles and every Old Testament prophecy regarding the New Covenant as being fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
When Christ established the New Covenant with the Israel of God, as Paul teaches, it defines "all" within it as being without race or gender (Ephe. 2-18-20). The word "Gentile" under the New Covenant, is to mean a "pagan" or an unbeliever in Jesus Christ. After Christ established the New Covenant, the "Gentiles" in God's mind is a pagan, an unbeliever in Christ who stands outside the Israel of God, whether Jew or non-Jew. This is what the New Testament teaches seen in Gal. 3-28-29. "There is neither Jew nor Greek ( Jew or non-Jew), there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are ALL one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." It is for this reason Paul could state the sorrow he felt that his unbelieving "kinsmen according to the flesh" were lost without Christ.
Romans 9-6, "But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are NOT all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but; through Isaac your descendants will be named. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants." The apostle Paul could not have been any clearer. Any person regardless of his or her genetics, Jew or non-Jew, or where they live who does not believe in Christ is "not" regarded as Abraham's descendants. They are considered to be outside the covenant, and scripturally called "Gentiles" to mean "pagans--unbelievers."
The apostle Paul writing in Gal. 6-14-16 wrote that the body of christ was a new creation, and this new creation was the Israel of God. "---For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God." Paul then taught in Romans 11-26 that all those in the Israel of God will be saved. "---and thus (in this way, under this new covenant) ALL ISRAEL (the house of Israel-made up of Jew and non-Jew) will be saved; just as it is written; "the deliverer (Jesus) will come from Zion, he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins." The apostles understood that it was Jesus who came to take away sins. "---then he (Jesus) said, behold, I have come to do thy will. He takes away the first in order to establish the second" (the New Covenant)---. But he, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God until his enemies be made a footstool for his feet" (Heb. 10-9-13).
There is not one scripture that supports the false teaching regarding a promise from God that an entire generation of people (Jews) will be saved. There is not one scripture that promises an entire generation of people will be saved "based" on their genetics. The term "all Israel" seen in Romans 11-26 is speaking of every faithful follower of God through time, and reaching into the future of all who will except it, that is the New Covenant. Thus in this way "all Israel" under the New Covenant, called the Israel of God-the house of Israel, will be saved. This is seen in Heb. 8-10, "For this is the covenant that I will make with THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL after those days says the Lord; I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." The apostles of Jesus understood that the church, the body of Christ, is the Israel of God because God stated that "all" those in the New Covenant were his people. "---and they shall be my people---." All those who come to except him.
We see that in Christ, all faithful believers are in the commonwealth or house of Israel under the New Covenant. This is told us in Ephe. 2-12-13, "---remember that you were at that time seperate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formally were far off having been brought near by the blood of Jesus Christ." This is seen in Matt. 2-5-6, "---.And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a ruler, who will shepherd my people Israel" (the Israel of God). To teach today that the chosen people of God is defined by genetics, which scripturally are seen as being "children of the flesh" is to deny the teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles.
The many who preach, teach and make many believe these teachings have misunderstood the Old and New Testaments so thoroughly they have become the teachings of a radical departure from what the Holy Spirit of scripture teaches. And these ideas have produced and brought forth the false teachings of bibical prophecy seen in the Old and New Testament. Just to name a few examples; they teach that the old system of animal sacrifices will be restored. Because the temple will be rebuilt where animal sacrifices will begin again in Jerusalem. They teach that this has been prophecied by God, and is now being brought about by God. As noted, these false teachings also state and claim that God will save an entire generation of non-believing Jews, in a special and unique manner. Thus these false teachings claim that God will respect some people more than other people, a thing that God denies. This is seen in Romans 2-11, "For there is no partiality with God." This unbibical teaching teaches that God would deny salvation to millions of unbelieving Jews through the church age, those generations past, while promising a special and unique method of salvation "only" to the last generation of unbelieving Jews during the end time. This teaching would then make out God a lier, for he has stated that "he is no respecter of persons."
Jesus taught that the Jerusalem of this world would be left desolate. Jerusalem had not excepted the Messiah even though he had come to them face to face, as he prophecied in Matt. 23-37. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate." What Jesus foretold about Jerusalem is in opposition to the false end-time teaching that states that "all Jews" (or most) will see a massive Christian conversion to Jesus Christ in one generation. This teaching is not in the Bible. Where this wrong idea came from is from an incorrect reading of Romans 11-26. Jesus denied that possibility when he foretold that Jerusalem would be "trampled down" by pagans ( Gentiles) until the end of the world as we know it.
Jesus said that the ending of the trampling down of Jerusalem will have a specific time, and paganism will continue "---until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled---." In other words, during the time this prophecy is speaking of, the earth is crammed to the hilt with paganism, and God decrees they have used their time up. The specific event noted in scripture to bring this about is Christ's return to gather his people and to destroy the pagan world. Until that time, the situation will continue, and ends only at the time designated by God. This is the sequence of end time events as told by the apostles and it is what Christ revealed to the apostle John in the book of Revelation. The apostles teach that Jesus Christ will slay the beast with the breath of his mouth at his return. "The lawless one" ( the beast) "whom the Lord will slay with the breath of his mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of his coming;---." (2 Thess. 2-8).
The New Testament records that the followers of Jesus had some hopes that he would restore the kingdom of Israel during his first coming, when he came to establish the New Covenant. This teaching was excepted by many during that time. But it was a false teaching, for it was prophecied in the Old Testament that at his first coming, Jesus would be rejected, killed and crucified. Their confusion by this false teaching was the reason why the apostles asked Jesus about this possibility in Acts 1-6-7. "And so when they had come together, they were asking him, saying, Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by his own authority;---." We can know by what took place after this conversation that Jesus was telling his followers that they had been given a specific job to do in this world, and the question they had asked had nothing to do with the time or the world they lived in.
By these words to their specific question regarding the time of the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, "the times and epochs" fixed by God would be explained later. Jesus was indicating what he later would reveal to John in the book of Revelation. That which regarded to the times and epochs he spoke about concerning the reign of the Israel of God to come. Jesus did not intend to restore the kingdom of Israel during the time of the apostles, in its fullest sense, nor did he intend to do it in the world as we know it. The restoration of the kingdom of Israel, "the house of Israel," will come to its fulness and reality with the coming of Christ and the new heaven and earth.
Both Ezekiel (see chapters 38-39) and John saw prophecies describing the final days of Satan's last opportunity to challenge God. His end is described in Rev. 20-10. "And the Devil who decieved them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet (are); and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Here John revealed the only consistent fulfilling of Ezekiel's prophecy would come within the New Covenant and time of "my people Israel"-the "Israel of God-the house of Israel." This is what Jesus meant when speaking about the times and epochs of the restoration of Israel. The words he used as he told of Jerusalem's future in our world, was that it would be trampled down until paganism has its fullness. It is Jesus himself who denied 2000 years ago what false teachers are teaching and preaching today concerning end time prophecies.
The most important chapter in the writings of Paul about the subject of the man of sin, many have come to call the anti-christ, is 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. There Paul predicts the coming of "the man of sin--the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2-3-4). Primarily because of verse 3, "the man of sin," millions teach, preach and have made others come to believe that there will be "one" super individual called the anti-christ who will rise to power. But is this what Paul meant? In the book of 1 John, it plainly says that there are "many anti-christs" (1 John 2-18) and a "spirit of anti-christ" (1 John 4-3). John also wrote that any person who denies the true doctrine of Jesus Christ is "a deciever and an anti-christ" (2 John 7,9). So here we see the idea of there being only "one" anti-christ is contrary to these bibical teachings.
Prophecy also refers to this same anti-christ as the "little horn" (Dan. 7-8), the "beast" (Rev. 13-1), "the mystery of iniquity" (2 Thess. 2-7), and "that wicked" (2 Thess. 2-8). Do all these expressions refer to "one" evil person who will rise to power? Most agree that Daniel's "little horn", Revelation's "beast" and Paul's "man of sin" refer to the same thing. Daniel chapter 7 describes four beasts--a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a dragon-like beast with ten horns (Dan. 7-3-7). Then comes the "little horn" out of the head of the fourth beast ( Dan. 7-8). This little horn has "eyes like the eyes of a man," a "mouth speaking great things," and "makes war on the saints" (Dan. 7-8,21). This is exactly what "the beast" has and does in Rev. 13-5,7. Thus the "little horn" is the same as "the beast". But what many fail to discern and understand is that in Daniel chapter 7, a beast is clearly defined as "a kingdom" and "not a man." The Holy Scripture says, "---the fourth beast shall be the fourth "kingdom" upon the earth" (Dan. 7-23.).
The Bible doesn't say the "little horn" is a man, but rather that it would have "eyes like the eyes of a man" (Dan. 7-8). When Paul used the expression "the man of sin" in 2 Thess. 2-3, he was refering to the "little horn" with its "eyes like the eyes of a man." And yet that same horn is called "a beast" in Rev. 13-1, and the Bible clearly tells us that "a beast represents a kingdom" (Dan. 7-23). A careful study of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 reveals the impossibility of "the man of sin", also connected to "the mystery of iniquity", and "that Wicked" as only applying to one man. First, "the mystery of iniquity", although under restraint was "already at work" in Paul's time (v.7). Second, it would continue all the way until the second coming of Christ at the end of the world (v. 8). Thus it "cannot refer to only one man," for that man would have to be nearly 2000 years old.
The New Testament records that the followers of Jesus had some hopes that he would restore the kingdom of Israel during his first coming, when he came to establish the New Covenant. This teaching was excepted by many during that time. But it was a false teaching, for it was prophecied in the Old Testament that at his first coming, Jesus would be rejected, killed and crucified. Their confusion by this false teaching was the reason why the apostles asked Jesus about this possibility in Acts 1-6-7. "And so when they had come together, they were asking him, saying, Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by his own authority;---." We can know by what took place after this conversation that Jesus was telling his followers that they had been given a specific job to do in this world, and the question they had asked had nothing to do with the time or the world they lived in.
By these words to their specific question regarding the time of the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, "the times and epochs" fixed by God would be explained later. Jesus was indicating what he later would reveal to John in the book of Revelation. That which regarded to the times and epochs he spoke about concerning the reign of the Israel of God to come. Jesus did not intend to restore the kingdom of Israel during the time of the apostles, in its fullest sense, nor did he intend to do it in the world as we know it. The restoration of the kingdom of Israel, "the house of Israel," will come to its fulness and reality with the coming of Christ and the new heaven and earth.
Both Ezekiel (see chapters 38-39) and John saw prophecies describing the final days of Satan's last opportunity to challenge God. His end is described in Rev. 20-10. "And the Devil who decieved them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet (are); and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Here John revealed the only consistent fulfilling of Ezekiel's prophecy would come within the New Covenant and time of "my people Israel"-the "Israel of God-the house of Israel." This is what Jesus meant when speaking about the times and epochs of the restoration of Israel. The words he used as he told of Jerusalem's future in our world, was that it would be trampled down until paganism has its fullness. It is Jesus himself who denied 2000 years ago what false teachers are teaching and preaching today concerning end time prophecies.
The most important chapter in the writings of Paul about the subject of the man of sin, many have come to call the anti-christ, is 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. There Paul predicts the coming of "the man of sin--the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2-3-4). Primarily because of verse 3, "the man of sin," millions teach, preach and have made others come to believe that there will be "one" super individual called the anti-christ who will rise to power. But is this what Paul meant? In the book of 1 John, it plainly says that there are "many anti-christs" (1 John 2-18) and a "spirit of anti-christ" (1 John 4-3). John also wrote that any person who denies the true doctrine of Jesus Christ is "a deciever and an anti-christ" (2 John 7,9). So here we see the idea of there being only "one" anti-christ is contrary to these bibical teachings.
Prophecy also refers to this same anti-christ as the "little horn" (Dan. 7-8), the "beast" (Rev. 13-1), "the mystery of iniquity" (2 Thess. 2-7), and "that wicked" (2 Thess. 2-8). Do all these expressions refer to "one" evil person who will rise to power? Most agree that Daniel's "little horn", Revelation's "beast" and Paul's "man of sin" refer to the same thing. Daniel chapter 7 describes four beasts--a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a dragon-like beast with ten horns (Dan. 7-3-7). Then comes the "little horn" out of the head of the fourth beast ( Dan. 7-8). This little horn has "eyes like the eyes of a man," a "mouth speaking great things," and "makes war on the saints" (Dan. 7-8,21). This is exactly what "the beast" has and does in Rev. 13-5,7. Thus the "little horn" is the same as "the beast". But what many fail to discern and understand is that in Daniel chapter 7, a beast is clearly defined as "a kingdom" and "not a man." The Holy Scripture says, "---the fourth beast shall be the fourth "kingdom" upon the earth" (Dan. 7-23.).
The Bible doesn't say the "little horn" is a man, but rather that it would have "eyes like the eyes of a man" (Dan. 7-8). When Paul used the expression "the man of sin" in 2 Thess. 2-3, he was refering to the "little horn" with its "eyes like the eyes of a man." And yet that same horn is called "a beast" in Rev. 13-1, and the Bible clearly tells us that "a beast represents a kingdom" (Dan. 7-23). A careful study of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 reveals the impossibility of "the man of sin", also connected to "the mystery of iniquity", and "that Wicked" as only applying to one man. First, "the mystery of iniquity", although under restraint was "already at work" in Paul's time (v.7). Second, it would continue all the way until the second coming of Christ at the end of the world (v. 8). Thus it "cannot refer to only one man," for that man would have to be nearly 2000 years old.
Did Paul ever use the expression "the man" in any of his other writings in such a way that it does "not" refer to only one man? Yes, Paul wrote, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that "the man" of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3-15-16). Here "the man" of God does not refer to only one man, but rather to a succession of godly men throughout history who follow the scriptures. Paul also used the phrase "the minister" of God ( Romans 13-4) to refer to all civil officers throughout history who restrain evil. Thus Paul's mysterious phrase, "the man of sin", which is the same as the "little horn" and "the beast", properly refers to an actual "kingdom" with "eyes like the eyes of a man" (see Rev. 4-6-7), a kingdom in a historical succession of supremely exalted "men" who contrary to the scriptures, are part of the "mystery of iniquity."
In 2 Thess. 2-4, Paul tells us that "the man of sin" opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, so that "he as God sits in the temple of God showing himself that he is God." The many today who teach, preach, and make others believe those views, apply 2 Thess. 2-3-4 as being an individual called anti-christ who will enter a literal rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, desecrate it, and cause the reinstituted animal Jewish sacrifices to cease there. For this teaching they refer to Dan. 9-27, of what anti-christ would fulfill in the midst of that seven. Though it mentions there "he causes the sacrifice and offerings to cease," this does not indicate it is speaking of a reinstitution of animal sacrifices that he causes to cease. Nor does it speak there of a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, where these sacrifices and offerings are caused by "him" to cease. This verse mentions nothing of a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, nor are these sacrifices to be taken as a reinstitution of Old Testament Jewish sacrifices. Also, when looking to this verse, one must take into account the New Covenant which would be in effect when this prophecy would come to fulfillment. The proper translation of this verse is, "---in the midst of the seven he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation (offering) to cease, and for the "overspreading of abominations" he shall make desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." Yet they teach otherwise things that are contrary to the scriptures. Lets go to Paul to see is this really what Paul had in mind, as the many teach?
The Greek word for "temple" in 2 Thess. 2-4 is "naos." He used the very same Greek word in 1 Cor. 3-16. Writing to "the church of God" (1 Cor. 1-2), Paul asked, "What! Do you not know that you are the temple (naos) of God?" Here Paul defined the "naos" or "temple of God" to be the church. In fact, in all of Paul's writings, every time he used the word "naos" (see 2 Cor. 6-16 and Ephe. 2-21-22) he always applied it to the Christian church, and never once to a literal Jewish temple in Jerusalem. When Jesus Christ died, his death put an end to all earthly sacrifices. He became the final sacrifice (Heb. 10-12). Also, could such a rebuilt Jewish temple, which by itself would be a denial of Jesus Christ, be called here by Paul "the temple of God?" No, such a temple, even if it were to exist could not be God's temple, for it would be an open denial of his Son. The correct interpretation of 2 Thess. 2-4 based on Paul's own usage of the word "naos" is that "the temple of God is the church, the body of Christ." This means that "anti-christ", to mean "many," will subtle and deceptively, as predicted, enter Christianity, the body of Christ, and cause the "falling away"; the sacrifice to cease because of the abominations in it predicted for the end time. This is seen in Dan. 8-11-12;9-27;11-31 and 12-11.
In 2 Thess. 2-4, we read anti-christ will sit in the temple (naos) of God. This does not mean he will "sit down" in some building. After Jesus' sacrifice, when Jesus ascended to heaven, he "sat down on the right hand of God" (Heb. 10-12). This doesn't mean that Jesus has been "sitting down" for 2000 years, but rather that he is now seated in office, in a "position of authority" at God's right hand. It is in this way will anti-christ "sit" in a "position of authority" inside the Christian church, the body of Christ. This anti-christ will "sit" "as God--showing himself that he is God." Multitudes to day interpret and believe this to mean that "the anti-christ," as a person, will literally walk into an actual rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem, sit down, and openly say he is God. Yet this is not what Paul wrote, for anti-christ will not actually say "I am God," but rather as Paul wrote, he will sit "as God", "showing himself" that he is God; by his deceptive claims, statements and actions. In other words, the bibical anti-christ will sit "as God" inside the temple of God, which is the church, the body of Christ, assuming the very authority of God himself.
Those who hold to these views and teachings also refer to Rev. 11-2 as further confirmation that a literal temple will be rebuilt and exist "in Jerusalem" with reinstituted Jewish sacrifices in progress, as the anti-christ comes to power.One reason being, as is seen there, this temple is to be "measured." That is the temple, the alter and those who worship therein. But the outer court, the temple's outer precincts, is not to be measured, for it is to be given over to the Gentiles, the unbelievers. So we see this indicates and speaks of a literal temple to be measured, where its outer courts are to be trampled on. And where this temple of God will exist is called in Rev. 11-2, "the holy city." So they see Rev. 11-1-2 as being a literal rebuilt temple "in Jerusalem" with Jewish sacrifices in progress. For they see the phrase "the holy city" being trampled underfoot as being "the holy city of Jerusalem." But is that what John really means here? Lets see what John actually writes here in Rev. 11-1-2. "---rise, and measure the temple of God, and the alter, and them that worship therein."
The Greek word "temple" used here is "naos", the same word used by Paul in 2 Thess. 2-4;1 Cor. 3-16;2 Cor. 6-16; and Ephe. 2-21-22. So here we read, "Rise and measure the "naos" (temple) of God," the "holy place" or "sanctuary of God" and the alter. But not its outer courts or precincts, for they are to be trampled on. "And those who worship therein " is a figure of speech, for a building can be measured but "not persons." So here, "take account of" should be supplied. "And take account of those who worship therein." But the "court that is without (the outer precincts) the Naos (temple) cast without, and measure it not; because it is given up to the Gentiles (unbelievers); and the holy city shall they thread underfoot forty and two months." The word "reed" like a measuring rod, is the Hebrew "shevet," a "staff," which also means a measuring rod, and is the same word used in Ezek. 40-3. Where we see the angel there using to measure the temple that would be built. So here, in Rev. 11-1-2, as in Ezekiel, it can be seen that there is to be a literal temple (naos) of God that is to be built and measured. But its outer court and the rest of the city where the temple sanctuary sits is to be trampled on; and this "city" is called "the holy city."
In 2 Thess. 2-4, Paul tells us that "the man of sin" opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, so that "he as God sits in the temple of God showing himself that he is God." The many today who teach, preach, and make others believe those views, apply 2 Thess. 2-3-4 as being an individual called anti-christ who will enter a literal rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, desecrate it, and cause the reinstituted animal Jewish sacrifices to cease there. For this teaching they refer to Dan. 9-27, of what anti-christ would fulfill in the midst of that seven. Though it mentions there "he causes the sacrifice and offerings to cease," this does not indicate it is speaking of a reinstitution of animal sacrifices that he causes to cease. Nor does it speak there of a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, where these sacrifices and offerings are caused by "him" to cease. This verse mentions nothing of a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, nor are these sacrifices to be taken as a reinstitution of Old Testament Jewish sacrifices. Also, when looking to this verse, one must take into account the New Covenant which would be in effect when this prophecy would come to fulfillment. The proper translation of this verse is, "---in the midst of the seven he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation (offering) to cease, and for the "overspreading of abominations" he shall make desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." Yet they teach otherwise things that are contrary to the scriptures. Lets go to Paul to see is this really what Paul had in mind, as the many teach?
The Greek word for "temple" in 2 Thess. 2-4 is "naos." He used the very same Greek word in 1 Cor. 3-16. Writing to "the church of God" (1 Cor. 1-2), Paul asked, "What! Do you not know that you are the temple (naos) of God?" Here Paul defined the "naos" or "temple of God" to be the church. In fact, in all of Paul's writings, every time he used the word "naos" (see 2 Cor. 6-16 and Ephe. 2-21-22) he always applied it to the Christian church, and never once to a literal Jewish temple in Jerusalem. When Jesus Christ died, his death put an end to all earthly sacrifices. He became the final sacrifice (Heb. 10-12). Also, could such a rebuilt Jewish temple, which by itself would be a denial of Jesus Christ, be called here by Paul "the temple of God?" No, such a temple, even if it were to exist could not be God's temple, for it would be an open denial of his Son. The correct interpretation of 2 Thess. 2-4 based on Paul's own usage of the word "naos" is that "the temple of God is the church, the body of Christ." This means that "anti-christ", to mean "many," will subtle and deceptively, as predicted, enter Christianity, the body of Christ, and cause the "falling away"; the sacrifice to cease because of the abominations in it predicted for the end time. This is seen in Dan. 8-11-12;9-27;11-31 and 12-11.
In 2 Thess. 2-4, we read anti-christ will sit in the temple (naos) of God. This does not mean he will "sit down" in some building. After Jesus' sacrifice, when Jesus ascended to heaven, he "sat down on the right hand of God" (Heb. 10-12). This doesn't mean that Jesus has been "sitting down" for 2000 years, but rather that he is now seated in office, in a "position of authority" at God's right hand. It is in this way will anti-christ "sit" in a "position of authority" inside the Christian church, the body of Christ. This anti-christ will "sit" "as God--showing himself that he is God." Multitudes to day interpret and believe this to mean that "the anti-christ," as a person, will literally walk into an actual rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem, sit down, and openly say he is God. Yet this is not what Paul wrote, for anti-christ will not actually say "I am God," but rather as Paul wrote, he will sit "as God", "showing himself" that he is God; by his deceptive claims, statements and actions. In other words, the bibical anti-christ will sit "as God" inside the temple of God, which is the church, the body of Christ, assuming the very authority of God himself.
Those who hold to these views and teachings also refer to Rev. 11-2 as further confirmation that a literal temple will be rebuilt and exist "in Jerusalem" with reinstituted Jewish sacrifices in progress, as the anti-christ comes to power.One reason being, as is seen there, this temple is to be "measured." That is the temple, the alter and those who worship therein. But the outer court, the temple's outer precincts, is not to be measured, for it is to be given over to the Gentiles, the unbelievers. So we see this indicates and speaks of a literal temple to be measured, where its outer courts are to be trampled on. And where this temple of God will exist is called in Rev. 11-2, "the holy city." So they see Rev. 11-1-2 as being a literal rebuilt temple "in Jerusalem" with Jewish sacrifices in progress. For they see the phrase "the holy city" being trampled underfoot as being "the holy city of Jerusalem." But is that what John really means here? Lets see what John actually writes here in Rev. 11-1-2. "---rise, and measure the temple of God, and the alter, and them that worship therein."
The Greek word "temple" used here is "naos", the same word used by Paul in 2 Thess. 2-4;1 Cor. 3-16;2 Cor. 6-16; and Ephe. 2-21-22. So here we read, "Rise and measure the "naos" (temple) of God," the "holy place" or "sanctuary of God" and the alter. But not its outer courts or precincts, for they are to be trampled on. "And those who worship therein " is a figure of speech, for a building can be measured but "not persons." So here, "take account of" should be supplied. "And take account of those who worship therein." But the "court that is without (the outer precincts) the Naos (temple) cast without, and measure it not; because it is given up to the Gentiles (unbelievers); and the holy city shall they thread underfoot forty and two months." The word "reed" like a measuring rod, is the Hebrew "shevet," a "staff," which also means a measuring rod, and is the same word used in Ezek. 40-3. Where we see the angel there using to measure the temple that would be built. So here, in Rev. 11-1-2, as in Ezekiel, it can be seen that there is to be a literal temple (naos) of God that is to be built and measured. But its outer court and the rest of the city where the temple sanctuary sits is to be trampled on; and this "city" is called "the holy city."
In the Old Testament scriptures, Jerusalem is called "the holy city." But since they rejected Christ, the New Testament teaches us that "Jerusalem" is no longer "the holy city," it has been left desolate (Matt. 23-38; Luke 13-35; 19-41-44;21-24) unto the end. "Let us go forth therefore unto him (Jesus) without the camp (outside Jerusalem), bearing his reproach. For here (in Jerusalem) have we "no (have we no longer a) continuing city" (Jerusalem), but we seek one ( a city) to come" ( see Ezek. 48-35). Heb. 13-13-14. We read in 1 Peter 2-9, "But ye (are) a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,---." Here in 1 Peter 2-9, represents what the Old Covenant nation of Israel and the holy city Jerusalem was before they rejected Christ, seen in 1 Peter 2-7-8. Now the new Covenant "holy nation" is considered to be the "house and the holy city of the God of Israel, where he would dwell.
Those who hold the teaching that Rev. 11-1-2 refers to a literal rebuilt temple "in Jerusalem" are incorrect. Rev. 11-2 only states that where this temple sanctuary to be built resides in, is considered as being a "holy city", for the Lord's sanctuary is in its midst. It does not state that this sanctuary to be measured when built, would be in "the holy city of Jerusalem." For Jerusalem is no longer considered "the holy city" of God. Nor does it state there that there would be a reinstitution of Old Testament Jewish sacrifices in progress at that time.
What is given us here in Rev. 11-1-2 is what is given us seen in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. The temple seen there that would be rebuilt in the end time. This is what is told to be measured here in Rev. 11-1; "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod; (and the angel stood*) saying, rise and measure the temple of God, and the alter, and them that worship therein." Nearly all the critical texts do not have the words "and the angel stood," to speak. This was added in the later additions of scripture by the scholars. This temple to be measured when built in what is called "the holy city" here in Rev. 11-2, as noted is seen in Ezekiel 40-48. There we see in Ezek. 42-20 the total measurements of the temple sanctuary that was to be measured in Rev. 11-1, that whole area considered to be holy. It is said there in Ezekiel to be 500 cubits (approx. 750-775 ft.) square. This area makes "the seperation between the sanctuary and the profane (defiled) place." This "defiled place" is the outer court and the holy city that this sanctuary resides in (Rev. 11-2) that would be trampled on for 42 months.
"And behold, the glory of the God of Israel (the God of the house of Israel-the body of Christ) came from the way of the east;---." (Ezek. 43-2). "---and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house"(v.5). "Then the Lord said 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, had entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut" (Ezek. 44-2). And the total measurements of "the holy city" that would be trampled on for 42 months is seen in Ezek. 48-35. "It (was) round about eighteen thousand cubits, and the name of the "city" from (that) day (of fulfillment shall be) The Lord is there." It is said here that the total circumference of the city will be 18 thousand cubits, which is about 6 miles, making it approximately one and a half miles on each of its four sides (N.S.E.W.).
When Ezekiel recieved these future visions of God, he tells us how they came to him in Ezek. 40-2. In these visions God brought him into the land of Israel to show him of these coming future things that were to be fulfilled; beginning there from Israel and Jerusalem, where he was brought to. Thus we know that these visions would be fulfilled after the New Covenant would have been brought in by Christ. Ezekiel tells us that after being brought to the land of Israel in visions, he "sets" or places Ezekiel "upon a very high mountain," representing "the mountain place" where this future fulfillment would take place. This is so by Ezekiel's statement, looking south from this mountain he was placed on, he sees something like a city. This mountain and place is seen in Isa. 2-2-3; Ezek. 17-23; 20-40; 37-22 and Mic. 4-1. We know this is so because when Ezekiel recieved this vision, he had already seen the departure of the glory of God leave Jerusalem in Ezek. 11-22-23, many years prior to this vision. Where now at this time he is brought in visions to this future "high mountain by which was as a frame of a city on the south." To mean in visions he was placed on this high or great mountain, which he then seen when looking southward, was something like the structure of "a city." And Ezekiel then says in 40-3, "And he brought me thither" (there),--." And in verse 4 he is told to "declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel." Since these things were to come to pass after the New Covenant would be brought in, we see the term "the house of Israel" as applying to the body of Christ; and not to the Jewish nation of Israel that is outside the Covenant of Christ. And this is the "mountain and city" Ezekiel was brought to in order to be shown these things he was told to write about.
Note that as the angel goes along in measuring what Ezekiel was told to write, the majority of the times, Ezekiel writes the word "house" concerning this temple building. The only time we see it being called "temple" or "sanctuary" is when it speaks of the inner part of the holy place or "sanctuary area" where God had entered.This is seen in Ezek. 41-1-4,20-25;42-20;44-1,5,16,27. In these four chapters, 40-44, other than these verses given where it is called a "temple" or "sanctuary" it is called a "house," which is to mean "a home." In chapters 40-44 it is called "a building" 5 times, and called "a house" 33 times. So the texts make it clear that this building to be built would be seen as being a house or "home", where the sanctuary or "holy place" would lie therein. The New Testament tells us that we are the temple, the sanctuary in which God dwells. (see 1 Cor. 3-16 and 6-19). "---for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell "in them," and walk "in them;" and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor. 6-16).
"And it shall come to pass in "the last days", (that) the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains (Ezekiels vision-40-2), and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain ( to the mountain kingdom nation) of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob (the house of the God of Israel, the body of Christ) and he will teach us ( the LORD will teach us) of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isa. 2-2-3). There is only "one mountain kingdom nation" that was founded "under God" since the New Covenant was brought in through the blood of Christ; and that is the United States of America. And there in the last days is where the "house" seen in Ezekiel chapters 40-48 would be built and reside in; and not in Israel nor Jerusalem.
The Holy Word of the Lord clearly shows us that those who teach, preach, and make others believe that there will come an "individual" called anti-christ who will come to power, is not scriptural and is a false teaching. That there will come an "individual" false prophet working great wonders is not scriptural and is a false teaching. That there will be a rebuilt temple "in Jerusalem" where ritual animal sacrifices will be reinstituted is not scriptural and is a false teaching. That there will be an "individual" anti-christ who in the middle of the seven years will "enter and desecrate the temple in Jerusalem and cause their reinstituted sacrifices to cease " is not scriptural, and is a false teaching. That there will be a great Christian conversion where "the nation of Israel", if not all Jews, will be saved, is not scriptural and is a false teaching. And those who teach that the church, the body of Christ, Jew and non-Jew is "not the Israel of God, the house of Israel," is not scriptural and is a false teaching.
God warned the world through Peter, that there would be those who do not teach the truth. "---as also in all his (Paul's) letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the scriptures, to their own destruction" (2 Peter 3-16).
"But (you) examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;---." (1 Thess. 5-21).
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Those who hold the teaching that Rev. 11-1-2 refers to a literal rebuilt temple "in Jerusalem" are incorrect. Rev. 11-2 only states that where this temple sanctuary to be built resides in, is considered as being a "holy city", for the Lord's sanctuary is in its midst. It does not state that this sanctuary to be measured when built, would be in "the holy city of Jerusalem." For Jerusalem is no longer considered "the holy city" of God. Nor does it state there that there would be a reinstitution of Old Testament Jewish sacrifices in progress at that time.
What is given us here in Rev. 11-1-2 is what is given us seen in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. The temple seen there that would be rebuilt in the end time. This is what is told to be measured here in Rev. 11-1; "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod; (and the angel stood*) saying, rise and measure the temple of God, and the alter, and them that worship therein." Nearly all the critical texts do not have the words "and the angel stood," to speak. This was added in the later additions of scripture by the scholars. This temple to be measured when built in what is called "the holy city" here in Rev. 11-2, as noted is seen in Ezekiel 40-48. There we see in Ezek. 42-20 the total measurements of the temple sanctuary that was to be measured in Rev. 11-1, that whole area considered to be holy. It is said there in Ezekiel to be 500 cubits (approx. 750-775 ft.) square. This area makes "the seperation between the sanctuary and the profane (defiled) place." This "defiled place" is the outer court and the holy city that this sanctuary resides in (Rev. 11-2) that would be trampled on for 42 months.
"And behold, the glory of the God of Israel (the God of the house of Israel-the body of Christ) came from the way of the east;---." (Ezek. 43-2). "---and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house"(v.5). "Then the Lord said 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, had entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut" (Ezek. 44-2). And the total measurements of "the holy city" that would be trampled on for 42 months is seen in Ezek. 48-35. "It (was) round about eighteen thousand cubits, and the name of the "city" from (that) day (of fulfillment shall be) The Lord is there." It is said here that the total circumference of the city will be 18 thousand cubits, which is about 6 miles, making it approximately one and a half miles on each of its four sides (N.S.E.W.).
When Ezekiel recieved these future visions of God, he tells us how they came to him in Ezek. 40-2. In these visions God brought him into the land of Israel to show him of these coming future things that were to be fulfilled; beginning there from Israel and Jerusalem, where he was brought to. Thus we know that these visions would be fulfilled after the New Covenant would have been brought in by Christ. Ezekiel tells us that after being brought to the land of Israel in visions, he "sets" or places Ezekiel "upon a very high mountain," representing "the mountain place" where this future fulfillment would take place. This is so by Ezekiel's statement, looking south from this mountain he was placed on, he sees something like a city. This mountain and place is seen in Isa. 2-2-3; Ezek. 17-23; 20-40; 37-22 and Mic. 4-1. We know this is so because when Ezekiel recieved this vision, he had already seen the departure of the glory of God leave Jerusalem in Ezek. 11-22-23, many years prior to this vision. Where now at this time he is brought in visions to this future "high mountain by which was as a frame of a city on the south." To mean in visions he was placed on this high or great mountain, which he then seen when looking southward, was something like the structure of "a city." And Ezekiel then says in 40-3, "And he brought me thither" (there),--." And in verse 4 he is told to "declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel." Since these things were to come to pass after the New Covenant would be brought in, we see the term "the house of Israel" as applying to the body of Christ; and not to the Jewish nation of Israel that is outside the Covenant of Christ. And this is the "mountain and city" Ezekiel was brought to in order to be shown these things he was told to write about.
Note that as the angel goes along in measuring what Ezekiel was told to write, the majority of the times, Ezekiel writes the word "house" concerning this temple building. The only time we see it being called "temple" or "sanctuary" is when it speaks of the inner part of the holy place or "sanctuary area" where God had entered.This is seen in Ezek. 41-1-4,20-25;42-20;44-1,5,16,27. In these four chapters, 40-44, other than these verses given where it is called a "temple" or "sanctuary" it is called a "house," which is to mean "a home." In chapters 40-44 it is called "a building" 5 times, and called "a house" 33 times. So the texts make it clear that this building to be built would be seen as being a house or "home", where the sanctuary or "holy place" would lie therein. The New Testament tells us that we are the temple, the sanctuary in which God dwells. (see 1 Cor. 3-16 and 6-19). "---for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell "in them," and walk "in them;" and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor. 6-16).
"And it shall come to pass in "the last days", (that) the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains (Ezekiels vision-40-2), and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain ( to the mountain kingdom nation) of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob (the house of the God of Israel, the body of Christ) and he will teach us ( the LORD will teach us) of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isa. 2-2-3). There is only "one mountain kingdom nation" that was founded "under God" since the New Covenant was brought in through the blood of Christ; and that is the United States of America. And there in the last days is where the "house" seen in Ezekiel chapters 40-48 would be built and reside in; and not in Israel nor Jerusalem.
The Holy Word of the Lord clearly shows us that those who teach, preach, and make others believe that there will come an "individual" called anti-christ who will come to power, is not scriptural and is a false teaching. That there will come an "individual" false prophet working great wonders is not scriptural and is a false teaching. That there will be a rebuilt temple "in Jerusalem" where ritual animal sacrifices will be reinstituted is not scriptural and is a false teaching. That there will be an "individual" anti-christ who in the middle of the seven years will "enter and desecrate the temple in Jerusalem and cause their reinstituted sacrifices to cease " is not scriptural, and is a false teaching. That there will be a great Christian conversion where "the nation of Israel", if not all Jews, will be saved, is not scriptural and is a false teaching. And those who teach that the church, the body of Christ, Jew and non-Jew is "not the Israel of God, the house of Israel," is not scriptural and is a false teaching.
God warned the world through Peter, that there would be those who do not teach the truth. "---as also in all his (Paul's) letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the scriptures, to their own destruction" (2 Peter 3-16).
"But (you) examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;---." (1 Thess. 5-21).
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