“When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. – Mark 13:14

Today’s Scripture Reading (October 7, 2014): Mark 13



Figure 1: A Mock-up of the Ark of the Covenant. The Temple Institute expects to find this item hidden somewhere beneath Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

The Temple Institute in Jerusalem is currently faithfully preparing for the rebuilding of the Temple on Jerusalem's Temple Mount. What was a fantasy up until the 1948, suddenly seemed to surge into the realm of possibility with the restoration of the nation of Israel. Only then did the rebuilding of the temple seem at least possible. And in anticipation of the rebuilding of the Temple, the Temple Institute is already crafting items that will be needed for use inside the Temple. This group believes that the Ark of the Covenant still exists and is hidden in a chamber below Temple Mount. When the temple is finally rebuilt, then they will follow the instructions handed down since the Ark was hidden by King Josiah in the late 7^th Century B.C.E. And then the sacrificial system of the Law of Moses will once again be restored.

Another group, The “Faithful Movement” are also working toward the day when the Temple will be rebuilt. They describe their mission vividly. “Dark clouds are threatening to cover Israel and the entire world. Help us in this intensive campaign of the Faithful Movement to answer the call of G‑d to Israel: "Build immediately my Holy Temple before the darkness and inhuman evil completely covers the life of all mankind." Only when the G‑d of Israel dwells in the Third Holy Temple in Jerusalem will evil be defeated and will real peace come to the entire world (The Faithful Movement). Both groups expect that the Temple will be rebuilt, it will be rebuilt in the Holy City of Jerusalem, and it will be rebuilt on Temple Mount.

To understand the tension that exists in Middle East, we have to come to an understanding of the religious undertones and expectations that people have for the City. Jerusalem is claimed as a Holy City by three different faith groups – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Two of these faiths have claims to the Temple Mount itself – Judaism and Islam. But only one has an actual building on Temple Mount – Islam. In the case of Islam, they actually have two holy sites on the Mount – The Dome on the Rock (completed in the late 7^th Century C.E.) and the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Completed in the early 8^th Century C.E.)

Christianity on the other hand, while not having a holy building to place on Temple Mount, tends to back the claim of Judaism on the Mountain. And one of the reasons are the vague prophecies regarding the Temple’s return to Temple Mount. This is definitely a Christian Prophecy, but it is one that presupposes a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The idea is that when the “abomination that causes desolation” (a phrase used in Daniel 11:31 of the Hebrew Bible) stands in the Temple, then things are finally winding down on the earth.) According to Jesus, above all other prophecies, this is the one (and really the only one) that should send us heading for the hills and running for our lives. But for this to happen requires that a Jewish Temple exists on Temple Mount.

Some have argued that this prophecy has already been fulfilled – maybe by the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. or possibly even by the building of the Islamic faith sites in the 7^th and 8^th Century. The latter may be a possibility. One of the effects of the “abomination that causes desolation” is that it will make prayer impossible on Temple Mount – and currently non-Muslim prayers, and during times of strife all prayer, are prohibited on the Mountain. But the second part of the prophecy (the swift coming of Jesus) would seem to indicate that we are wrong and still waiting for this prophecy to be fulfilled.  

But that means that we as Christians are waiting, along with the Jews, for the rebuilding of the Temple. Then, and only then, are we getting closer to the return of Jesus.

Note of Caution: The real problem with al prophecy is that it is clearer to see once the prophecy has been fulfilled. This is the reason why Jesus instructed that we should be careful when listening to prophetic advice. We know that Jesus is coming, but the “when” was something that even Jesus did not know; and, according to Jesus, it was something that only the Father knows (Matthew 24:36).

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Matthew 24