Jesus prophesied through the sign of Jonah which inferred his resurrection and the Jews rejection of that sign.
The scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign from him, he gave them the sign of Jonah saying that has Jonah was three nights and days in the belly of the whale so would the Son of man be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will condemn this generation as they repented when they heard the message from Jonah and take notice something greater than Jonah is here. Some one greater than the Wisdom of Solomon was in their midst, it was Jesus who instituted the temple.
The Messiah’s Secret page 166
"Jesus was with his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection, speaking to them about the kingdom of God. One of the disciples remembered his confrontation with the Pharisees when Jesus had told them the parable of the Vineyard owner. After the tenants had killed the heir, the vineyard was let out to another nation to produce the fruit of it. The disciple asked if Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus said that only his Father knew the time of his return and the circumstances of it. He said that he would return within their lifetime, but some of them would not see death before the Son of man would return with the angels and power of the kingdom. Mark 8:38. 9:1"
The Messiah’s Secret
The disciple thought that Israel had lost their opportunity to accept Jesus as their Messiah/Christ – the Anointed One. He did not realise that the Messiah had to die be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven before he could be accepted by the leaders as their Leader and Saviour. Acts 5: 31. For their leaders to accept Jesus the apostles first had to proclaim him as the Christ. Acts 2: 36
The temple was in place, the people were in anticipation of the Messiah’s coming. They were chosen by God to take the good news of the establishing of God’s kingdom on the earth with the Messiah, the King of God’s kingdom at its head. Israel its people, recognised by God as being a kingdom of priests, responsible for the worshipping of God. The nation of Israel had been given the covenants and promises of God. Exodus 19: 24. Ephesians 2: 12.
The Ruling Rod of Iron of the Kingdom.
“Ask of me, and I will make nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel. Now therefore, O Kings, be wise be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet lest he be angry, and you perish in the way for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2: 8-11. Revelation 19: 15.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 110 A word from the Lord that I was given on 30th May 1996 was that, “The disciples were setting up the kingdom in at the beginning of Acts.”
Looking and Watching for Jesus' Return
They had been told by Jesus to be awake, watching, looking for his coming within their life time, to be about their master’s business.”
Soon after Pentecost the apostles set up a community in Jerusalem. The Mishna rules allowed the setting up of a community with a ruling body that must be one tenth of the whole. There were 120 followers in the house at Jerusalem; Mathias made the number of officers up to twelve fulfilling the requirement of this law.
The disciples had been told by Jesus that in the new world they would as Jesus sat on his throne, they who had followed him would sit on 12 thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19: 28
On the evening of the day of the resurrection Jesus came amongst his disciples and breathed on them the Holy Spirit and gave then his authority to retain of forgive the sins of people.
Peter carried out judgement in the case of Ananias and Saphira. Acts 5
Simon who joined the church had a Godly fear of Peter’s authority and repented. Acts 8: 24
Herod Agrippa1 was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they sent representatives to the king through Blastus the king’s chamberlain to seek peace as they depended on the king’s country for food.
On the appointed day they came before Herod as he sat on the throne, he spoke to them, in response the people present proclaimed that he had the voice of God not of a man. Herod at that moment was taken ill and soon after he died. Luke recorded the words of the person who gave him this account, “Immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12: 20-23.
I understand that the apostles were putting in place the ruling rod of iron of the kingdom of God. They were going about their master’s business in readiness of his return.
John the last of the Apostles did not see Jesus return even though Jesus had implied that he might see the kingdom come in. “The saying went abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was going to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you.” John 21: 23
A God of Justice
Our Lord God in his great love, gave Israel the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Christ at Pentecost and soon after. Acts 3: 17-21 and 70AD (See blog Wheat and Tares)
Today, now is the time to accept Jesus as your Saviour. Jesus has made it known to us in his word that we must make that choice to accept him in our present life. The parable of ‘The rich man and Lazarus’ confirms this. Also Paul in his letter to the Romans wrote of those who die without hearing about Jesus will be judged according to their conscious.
Short prayer: Lord, take me as I am, I accept you into my life, in faith I come to you. Amen.
Luke 16: 19-31. Romans 2: 14-16.
‘One World Government’ before the Tribulation.
In 2008 the discovery of more holes in the ozone layer across the world had caused the world leaders to enter into discussion as to what we should be doing about it. As these debates were going on in the TV and newspapers, these three words came into my mind, ‘One world government.’ In response to these words, I turned to my Bible to the Book of Daniel and to Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” published in 1983.
I subsequently wrote about it briefly in our local newspaper.
“View from the Pulpit” Rossendale Free Press August 8th 2008
Bible prophesies are being fulfilled in our time. The prophecy in Daniel states that in the last times there will be an increase of knowledge. Daniel 12: 4.
I was born before television, computers, CD’s, mobile phones, and artificial hearts, gene technology and dishwashers. This amazing increase of knowledge has come about over my life time.
Another prophecy in Daniel chapter 7 verse 24 “As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise.”
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” published in 1983. He writes that the division between the Soviet Union and the Western Alliance has to come to an end before a one world government will come into being made up of ten world powers (ten horns). He argues that this government is not the European Common Market but a world government. This one world government will eventually be dismantled, followed by ten world rulers (ten kings) from which the antichrist will emerge.
Since Fruchtenbaum wrote his book, in 1989 the Berlin Wall that divided West Berlin and East Germany was pulled down by the people living on both sides of the wall. The wall had been a symbol of the cold war between Soviet Union and the Western Alliance.
One world government is on the horizon.
The G6 that was formed in 1975, six world leaders met informally making voluntary agreements on global economic issues. In the 1980’s politics gradually came onto the agenda.
Out of necessity, to save our planet global issues have to be addressed by the nations of the world.
At July’s (2008) meeting of the G8 they had a ‘shared vision’ on climate change, however, the developing nations have declined to sign up to the G8 set emission targets.
Bible prophesies will come true. 32 prophesy were fulfilled in one day when Jesus was crucified.
The Bible also prophesies that those who accept Jesus as their Saviour will come to know Jesus the living God and that prophecy has come true for me and for millions more.”
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The Third Temple
Herod the Great pulled down Zerubbabel's temple and started to rebuild in 20BC. It took 46 years to complete his rebuild. The Jewish people and the church have never accepted that this temple was the third temple or Ezekiel's temple because of the prophecy of Haggai, "The latter splendour of this house (Zerubbabel's temple) shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2: 9. Jesus accepted Herod's as his Father's house.
The question arises will the Israelis build a third temple? Only the ‘Wailing Wall’ remains of the temple that once stood there.
The Jewish Temple Institute in Jerusalem has made replicas of the furniture and equipment according to the pattern given to Moses by God (tent tabernacle) Solomon and Zerubbabel temples. Herod extended the second temple.
Extract taken from The Temple Institute website.
The Temple Institute (in Hebrew, Machon HaMikdash), founded in 1987, is a non-profit educational and religious organization located in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem's Old City.
“The major focus of the Institute is its efforts towards the beginning of the actual rebuilding of the Holy Temple. Towards this end, the Institute has begun to restore and construct the sacred vessels for the service of the Holy Temple. These vessels, which G-d commanded Israel to create, can be seen today at our headquarters in Jerusalem. They are made according to the exact specifications of the Bible, and have been constructed from the original source materials, such as gold, copper, silver and wood. These are authentic, accurate vessels, not merely replicas or models. All of these items are fit and ready for use in the service of the Holy Temple.”
The Third Temple known as the Tribulation Temple.
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah”. “Nevertheless, prophetically speaking the Old City of Jerusalem had to fall under Jewish control. This can be deduced from the prophesies dealing with the third temple, sometimes known as the tribulation temple. There are four passages of scripture that speak of a specific event in relationship to the tribulation temple that will occur in the middle of the tribulation. They are as follows:
The prophesies of Daniel was quoted by Jesus in reference to his return, “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains.” Mark 13: 14
“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week; and for half of the week he shall cause sacrifice and offerings to cease; and upon the wings of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.” Daniel 9: 27
“Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”
2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4.
“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told: “Rise up and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there . . . And I will grant my two witnesses power to prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11: 1-3.”
We do not know when and where the third temple will be built in Jerusalem and the course of events that will bring it about, only time will tell. Arnold Fruchtenbaum writes that whilst none of these passages spell out a time factor as to when this was to occur. . . While the six day war itself was never predicted by scripture, what it accomplished clearly was.” Chapter 9 page 69
There are Three Millennium Views in connection with the Second Coming of Jesus (See Blog ‘Saved by the Blood)
I take the pre-millennist’s view that the church will be called out from the earth by Jesus before the tribulation takes place. 1 Thessalonians 1: 10. Romans 5:9. We are raised together with those who have died in the faith and we meet Jesus in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-17 Together we ascend with Jesus to where the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus) takes place. The Bride being the church, followed afterwards with the marriage supper. Revelation 19: 7-9.
Jesus returns to the earth with the saints and the armies of heaven and will defeat the antichrist and his allies and a remnant of Israelis will be saved. Revelation 19: 11-21.
We shall reign with Jesus Christ during the Millennium. Revelation 20: 4
Our bodies the temple of Jesus
The church on earth is the body the living temple of Jesus Christ; we are Christ’s presence on earth. The church will for ever be the temple of Christ’s body. “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 22.
But the millennium temple that Jesus builds is in fulfilment of this prophecy in Chronicles. It is in looking forward to these future events we can not limit God because they are part of the plan of God.
Jesus will fulfil the Davidic Covenant.
“He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son; I will not take my steadfast love from him . . . In accordance with these words, and in accordance with this vision, Nathan spoke to David.” 1 Chronicles17: 12 -15. 2 Samuel 7: 11-16. Isaiah 60: 7, 13. Psalm 89: 3,4,29,34-37. Jeremiah 33: 15-26. Zechariah 14: 16-21.
Ezekiel’s Millennium Temple
This is about Jesus building a house for worship at the beginning of his 1,000 year reign on the earth, ruling with a rod of iron. “From his mouth issues a sharpe sword with which he will smite the nations.” Ezekiel 40 Revelation 19:15.
Millennium Temple Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” & ‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976.
Christ’s house of worship will be on top of a mountain.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah”
“At the time of the second coming of Christ the land will undergo some tremendous geographical and topographical changes. One of the key changes in the land of Israel will be the rise of a very high mountain which will become the highest mountain in the world. On this mountain the millennium temple will stand. Isaiah 2: 2-4. 27:13. 66: 20 Ezekiel 17: 22-24
But not Jews only, for Isaiah 56 6-8 points out that this great mountain of Jehovah’s house will become a place of prayer for all peoples, Jews and Gentiles alike: Isaiah 66: 20-23. Psalm 24.
‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976.
In the book of Isaiah we find millennium worship. Isaiah 60: 7, 13. 66: 20-23. Zechariah 14: 16-21
The sacrifices made in this millennium temple are made by all the people living on the earth.
Ralph Alexander writes that the sacrificial system described in Ezekiel is similar, though not identical, to the Mosaic system. Not all of the Old Testament Feasts or pieces of temple furniture are included; like the Feast of Pentecost, the Day of Atonement. No lamb is offered in the Passover in the millennium. No High Priest in the millennium instead the prince acts as both ruler and priest, a representative of the people.
Gentiles (foreigners) worship with the Jews and offer sacrifices. Isaiah 56: 6-8
Theologians make a comparison with the Lord’s Supper saying that the bread and wine are to commemorate the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary. The sacrifices made at the millennium temple will too will be commemorative, looking back to the Mosaic Covenant.
Alexander makes distinctions between Ezekiel’s Temple and Jerusalem and John’s Jerusalem in Revelation
In both there is no temple in the city of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 48: 8-22. Revelation 21: 22. Jesus' body is the temple of God.
In Ezekiel the temple and Jerusalem are two separate identities. In Revelation there is no temple at all and the measurements are not the same.
Both Fruchtenbaum and Alexander give detail diagrams of the layout of the temple, priest’s quarters and city.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum “The Footsteps of the Messiah” Published by Ariel Ministries Press 1983.
‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976. The Moody Bible Institute at Chicago.
