What Happened on 11 July 2025?
Which prophecies in the Bible are about the restoration of the 3rd temple, and what does the book of Revelation say about the measuring of the new altar?
In the Bible, several prophecies are interpreted by some as referring to the future restoration of a Third Temple in Jerusalem. These passages are often found in the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament book of Revelation.
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In the Bible, several prophecies are interpreted by some as referring to the future restoration of a Third Temple in Jerusalem. These passages are often found in the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament book of Revelation.
Prophecies about a Third Temple
- Ezekiel (chapters 40-48): This is perhaps the most detailed prophetic vision related to a future temple. Ezekiel describes a new temple with specific dimensions, rooms, and functions. While some scholars interpret this as a symbolic vision of a spiritual temple or the church, others see it as a literal blueprint for a physical temple that will be built during the messianic era.
- Daniel (chapters 9 and 12): Daniel's prophecy of the "seventy weeks" is often cited. Specifically, Daniel 9:27 mentions a future ruler who will make a covenant and then "put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering," suggesting that a temple with sacrifices must be in operation for this to occur. This "abomination of desolation" is also mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24:15. This implies a future temple where these actions can take place.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: The Apostle Paul writes about the "man of lawlessness" who will "take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." For this to happen, some interpreters believe a physical temple must be in existence in Jerusalem.
Revelation and the Measuring of the Altar
The book of Revelation, specifically chapter 11, speaks directly to the topic of measuring a temple and an altar.
- Revelation 11:1-2: "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.'"
There are two primary interpretations of this passage:
- Literal Interpretation: This view holds that the passage refers to a future, physical temple in Jerusalem. The command to "measure" the temple, the altar, and the worshipers is seen as a way of setting them apart for God's protection during a period of tribulation. The outer court, however, is not to be measured, signifying that it will be given over to the Gentiles to be trampled.
- Symbolic Interpretation: This perspective sees the temple not as a physical building but as a symbol for the people of God, the Church. The act of measuring represents God's knowledge, protection, and care for His faithful followers. The "altar" can symbolize the prayers and sacrifices of the saints. In this view, the unmeasured outer court and the trampling of the city represent the persecution and suffering that the Church will face during this time.
The measuring of the altar, in both interpretations, is a sign of divine assessment and protection. Whether it's a physical altar in a future temple or a symbolic representation of the spiritual worship of God's people, the act of measuring signifies that what is being measured is set apart as holy and will be preserved by God.
How Near Is The End Now?
According to rabbinic tradition, the red heifer has been sacrificed nine times throughout Jewish history, with the first being performed by Moses. The last recorded sacrifice of a red heifer was sometime between 15-16 AD, before the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. A key element of Jewish law is that the ashes from a sacrificed red heifer are required for the ritual purification necessary for Temple service. The destruction of the Second Temple ended these sacrifices. In recent years, several groups, including the Temple Institute, have been actively seeking and raising red heifers in preparation for a potential Third Temple. Five red heifers from a ranch in Texas were brought to Israel in September 2022. While these animals have been deemed "flawless" by some. The discovery and care of these heifers have garnered attention from some Christians and Jews who see it as a sign of biblical prophecy being fulfilled, specifically in relation to the rebuilding of a Third Temple in Jerusalem.
In July 2025, there was a report of a practice run of the ancient red heifer ritual performed by evangelical Christians in Jerusalem. This was not an actual sacrifice but a ceremonial rehearsal. The footage and photos that circulated showed a pyre with what was described as a carcass, but it was part of a demonstration, not a full ritual sacrifice. See a related article at https://religionnews.com/2025/07/11/practice-run-of-red-heifer-ceremony-meant-to-pave-the-way-for-a-new-temple-held-in-jerusalem/
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