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Now, let’s get back to the Temple.
Ezekiel 38-39 describe a massive land invasion against Israel. As we’ve covered, the nations described in the prophecy have already joined together, each of them contributing substantially to the invasion on October 7. Eventually they will gather their armies to form a massive land invasion, as Russie did with Ukraine — an army on foot, an army set to seize territory and hold it, and army intent on looting, claiming, capturing, and conquering.
And right as their invasion begins, God stops it cold by burning them hot.
“And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand. You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. You shall fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 39:1–6 ESV)
In Ezekiel’s descriptions of the event, many have found evidence of nuclear weapons, missile launch systems, and deadly radiation. All of that is certainly possible.
But we can’t lose sight of the main point in the midst of the fancy details.
The main point is this: what does Israel do next?
God has one set purpose for stopping this invasion. The reason God stops this invasion miraculously is for one reason and one reason only:
“And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it is coming and it will be brought about, declares the Lord GOD. That is the day of which I have spoken. (Ezekiel 39:7–8 ESV)
God saves Israel to turn Israel back to Himself.
It works.
What does Israel do after this massive divine rescue?
Ezekiel gives us a hint: the next four chapters focus entirely on a massive new Temple in which all of Israel gathers to worship their God.
This is not a recreation of Solomon’s Temple, as grand as it was. Nor is it a reproduction of Zerubbabel’s second Temple, which Herod expanded.
This is a third Temple, one that Ezekiel witnesses and describes in precise detail, a Temple that has not yet been built.
But it’s being worked on as we speak.
When God delivers Israel from this land invasion, His hand is undeniable. That’s the whole point. God saves Israel in way that only God can, in a way that makes God’s holy Name known to His ancient people.
The nation of Israel today is largely devoid of genuine faith in God. Many Jews are atheists or agnostics. Many are Jewish culturally, but not in a true religious sense. They identify as Jewish, and follow many of the rituals and traditions, but lack real faith that the God of their ancestors is real.
This event changes that.
After this deliverance, Israel returns to God.
They do not yet turn to Jesus. They do not yet look on the Messiah whom they have pierced. That comes later.
But for now, their faith in God is re-kindled, bright with the passion of faith that knows its God is really real.
In response, they build the Temple — the third Temple, Ezekiel’s Temple, the Temple that Antichrist will defile but Messiah will return to and claim as His own.
Ezekiel describes it in such precise detail that we have no trouble picturing how it looks:
Yet this raises a question.
How can a new Temple be built? The Temple mount is occupied. The Dome of the Rock stands where the second Temple used to stand.
How could a new Temple be built in its place?
Well, the events of Ezekiel 38-39 just cleared the way:
The largest Muslim army on the planet was just annihilated.
The countries nearest Israel who oppose it have lost their capacity to project military might into Israel.
The entire world watched Israel suffer invasion, victims to a massive attack, in the same way Ukraine suffered Russia’s invasion.
It’s possible the world will feel good will towards Israel.
It’s possible the world won’t want to mess with Israel, after seeing the massive power poured out in its defense. Those who acknowledge it as God’s power won’t want to cross it. Those who attribute the power to Israel’s military won’t want to cross it.
Either way, Israel will have a unique opening to act, and a renewed zeal to worship their God in His Temple in Jerusalem.
It’s possible Israel will demolish the Dome of the Rock, using this unique window to get away with it.
It’s also possible Israel builds the Temple right next to the Dome.
Which sounds crazy, until you read Revelation:
“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, ‘Rise and measure the Temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.’” (Revelation 11:1-2 ESV).
They will trample the Holy City.
Who will? The nations opposed to Israel.
What do they have? The outer courts of the Temple.
Right where the Dome is.
Which could happen, given this:
“And [the Antichrist] shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Daniel 9:27 ESV).
We could spend a lot of time speculating about how exactly this will play out.
But the main point is simple: God rescues Israel and Israel returns to God.
The Temple will be built — not as a cultural artifact, not as a replica of history, but from a people zealous to worship their God in the ways of their ancestors.
This is good.
But not yet good enough.
Remember: It’s all about Jesus.
Israel’s return to God is good. But it isn’t the end of the story.
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