Posted on 01/26/2010 6:21:07 AM PST by Gamecock
Full title: Does the bible teach that in the end times there will be a restored Jewish state and a restored temple?
In the Old Testament, the bible does indeed prophesy that Israel will be restored and a more glorious temple will be rebuilt (e.g. Amos 9:11-12; Ezekiel 40-48). The preliminary fulfillment of this prophecy came with the return from exile, and the rebuilding of the temple under Nehemiah and Ezra; however, this was just a taste, or down payment, of the ultimate fulfillment.
When Jesus came to this earth, his incarnation truly brought the presence of God to the world of men, as the tabernacle and temple had been designed to do; and hence, John says that he “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14). Thus, when he purged the temple, he prophesied that the temple would be destroyed and rebuilt after three days; but he was speaking of his own body, which is the true temple (John 2:13-22). After this ultimate temple-rebuilding, which occurred in the resurrection of Jesus, there was no longer a need for the typological temple of stone in Jerusalem, so Jesus prophesied its destruction, which happened in 70 AD (Matthew 24:1-2). Today, the prophecy of the restored temple and the restored Jewish people is being fulfilled, not in a temple of stone, for that has been destroyed in the presence of the body of Christ, which is the ultimate Temple of God, but in the spiritual body of Christ, the Church, which has become the “Israel of God” (see Gal. 6:16; and also Romans 2:28-29; 4:11-17; 9:6-8; Galatians 3:6-9, 26-29; 4:21-31; Ephesians 2:11-22; 3:6; Phil. 3:3; 1 Pet. 2:9-10; Rev. 2:9), and which God is now making into a holy Temple, built upon Christ the Cornerstone (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Tim. 3:15; Rev. 3:12).
One of the clearest and most monumental Old Testament prophecies regarding the restoration of the tabernacle may be found in Amos 9:11-12; and in Acts 15:14-17, James clearly teaches that this passage is being fulfilled in the spreading of the gospel to the Gentiles; so in sum yes, the bible prophesies of a restored Jewish nation and temple, but then goes on to teach that this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus' becoming the true and final Temple of God, and subsequently in his making his people a holy temple in the Lord, where God's presence might dwell among them, even today.
Ping
I know my old profs at RTS very much teach the above about a physical temple, and it is classical Reformed theology.
However, even if there is no NEED for a physical temple now, does that preclude one being built anyway?
Obviously Orthodox Jews (mostly) would like a rebuilt temple, and, even though we as Christians would agree any sacrifices done there would be for nothing (since Jesus is the final sin-offering)—and worship of God, without worship of Christ now is actually blasphemous...still, IF it happened, would that throw a brick through classical amillennial eschatology?
Obviously, in the same theology, there’s no “need” for a reconstituted Israel either—(or even, in more extreme versions of the continuation of Jews as a distinct people) and yet, there she is...(as yet secular, and unbelieving as she indeed still is).
The rebirth of Israel is, after all, one reason I think, dispensational eschatology has become so dominant in evangelical circles.
While I accept the central premise of ultimately one people of God, not 2...and that our current age is not merely a parentheses of God dealing with ethnic Israel, rather the culmination of God’s purposes in redemptive history, I have to consider—given Romans 11 and elsewhere there is a special place in God’s heart for the blood descendants of Abraham—even as they too must come to believe in the Messiah—of all nations.
But then come those pesky little words of James: "After this I will return".
Hmmm, interesting point. I had believed that the temple would be literally, physically rebuilt, but I’m very interested in following both lines of thought.
Does the bible teach that in the end times there will be a restored Jewish state and a restored temple?
No. Christ was the final temple, which was torn down and rebuilt in 3 days, as He said it would be. End of story.
Uncle, the words “after these things I will return” are from Amos, not James. James quotes them as fulfilled in the first century. Note in v17 that Amos said the tabernacle of David would be rebuilt “that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles...”
The problem dealt with in the Ac 15 meeting was the Jewish/Gentile problem. If you’re a Gentile, Uncle, and Amos isn’t fulfilled, you cannot seek after the Lord.
James quotes them as fulfilled in the first century.
Without an unstated gap on n centuries between one word and the next.
Apropos the subject of temples, I'm finally reading G. K. Beale's book The Temple and the Church's Mission. Very interesting. Beale gives many, many examples from the Bible and contemporary Jewish sources to support the assertion that the Jews of the time did not regard the stone building as final.
The author gives an 1.5 hour summary here.
You’re pulling my leg, right?
With regard to what?
Nope. Amos's words are "In that day ..." [Amos 9:11]. James's are different.
James quotes them as fulfilled in the first century.
Nope -- He's prophesying about when Jesus will return for those present -- which will be "after this", in other words, "after God visits the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name".
Note in v17 that Amos said the tabernacle of David would be rebuilt “that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles...”
Note in the passage that "all the Gentiles who are called by My name" has already taken place before "the tabernacle of David would be rebuilt". So then are you saying that Gospel went out to the Gentiles before the death and resurrection of Jesus???? Your understanding has the cart before the horse.
Yes, but I have it on good authority that it will be in Independence, Missouri.
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