Is the Third Temple Foretold in the Bible a Literal or Figurative Temple?

For centuries, the concept of the Third Temple has been a subject of debate within biblical prophecy. This article delves into the evidence from the Bible, focusing on key passages that support the view that the Third Temple is a literal, physical structure, not merely a figurative one.

Literary Evidence from the Bible

The presence of the Third Temple has been well-documented in several biblical passages, which provide a direct and logistical argument for its literal existence.

Sacrifice and Offering: An Ongoing Prophetic Act

The book of Daniel (9:27) and Matthew (24:15) emphasize the ongoing nature of sacrifices and offerings. It is explicitly stated that the sacrifice and offering will be ended by a supernatural ‘prince.’ For this to occur, there must be a physical temple to conduct these rituals. Scholars agree that the prince stands in the holy place to perform sacrilegious acts, requiring the presence of a sanctuary. The emphasis on the ‘prince’ taking his seat in the temple (2 Thessalonians 2:4) further corroborates the idea of a rebuilt temple.

The Outer Court's Trampling: Geographical Evidence

The Book of Revelation (11:1-2) describes the outer court of the temple being trampled for 42 months. The explicit instruction not to measure this court but to leave it unmeasured signifies its importance. This passage indicates that there must be a temple structure with an inner and outer court. It is unimaginable to have one without the other in biblical context.

Direct Biblical Passages:

The Bible is replete with other references that unequivocally point to the rebuilding of the Third Temple:

Daniel 9:27: The ‘prince’ will put an end to the sacrifice and offering. This is only possible in a setting where sacrifices and offerings are already occurring. Matthew 24:15: The abominations of desolation will be carried out by the ‘prince.’ This requires a physical temple sanctuary. Revelation 11:1–2: The trampling of the outer court for 42 months indicates the necessity of the inner temple structure.

These passages provide a direct and logistical standpoint that the Third Temple must be rebuilt.

Recap and Future Implications

Questioning the existence of a literal Third Temple, some scholars and mainstream Christian denominations hold that these prophetic references are figurative, as was the case with the early Lutheran interpretation. However, the overwhelming textual evidence from the Bible suggests otherwise.

Until there is a physically visible temple structure on Mount Sinai, significant doubt may persist. Nevertheless, the weight of the evidence supports the conclusion that the Third Temple is a literal, physical structure.

Conclusion:

It is not a question of whether the Third Temple will be rebuilt, but rather when. The Bible provides clear and compelling evidence for the literal existence of the Third Temple.