Will Ezekiel's Temple be built in Israel?

[TheForgiven]

My thanks to everyone for welcoming me to this webiste. Richards site on Daniel's seventy sevens helped me out a great deal. I knew the truth, but not the dates because tracking history based another past person and back-tracking from there consumed too much time. I was about to give up because I couldn't figure out how to consolidate the Jewish 360 days Calendar and compare this with our Julian Calendar [365 days]. Then I realized it was almost pointless if we just listened to what Daniel's vision means. But this isn't the proper thread, so back to the subject.

I've studied Ezekiel's vision for a little while now and it's certainly a pictoral of the Church. There's even an hint of that when the vision begins:

Ezekiel 3:10
Moreover He said to me: 'Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.

Ezekiel 40:4
And the man said to me, 'Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see.'

Now this is repeated in John's Revelation:

Revelation 2:17
'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.'’

Revelation 3:12
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'’

Will Christians be given literal stones with their names? Will Christians be made into literal "Pillars" of the New Jerusalem? No these are metaphoric truths about the Kingdom of God applied to us. That those who are made Pillars are like litearl pillars who uphold tall buildings. That's how strong this persons faith represents and their example of faith would be used to uphold the Kingdom of God. In the same way, Jesus is the corner stone of the Church. He is the one stone that makes the rest of the foundation solid and perfect.

I just don't understand why many folks can't hear these things. You talk of pillars and stones and they literally expect a 1,500 mile square, as measured on all six sides, to fall from the sky in the future! If that happened, that's like inserting a 25 lb weight on the wheel of a car; as it spends, it bounces all over the place.

God bless you all and thanks for the welcome.

Joe

[Richard Amiel McGough]

My thanks to everyone for welcoming me to this webiste. Richards site on Daniel's seventy sevens helped me out a great deal. I knew the truth, but not the dates because tracking history based another past person and back-tracking from there consumed too much time. I was about to give up because I couldn't figure out how to consolidate the Jewish 360 days Calendar and compare this with our Julian Calendar [365 days]. Then I realized it was almost pointless if we just listened to what Daniel's vision means. But this isn't the proper thread, so back to the subject.

Hey there Joe!

It's great to have you here. I'm glad the article helped. It took me a long time to learn enough Scripture to be able to "see the Big Picture". The beauty (and power) of Daniel's prophecy is not in the exact minute calculations like Anderson attempted in "The Coming Prince" because our record of history is a little too fuzzy for that kind of precision. Pushing it too far only convinces the opponent that we are willing to "fudge things" in whatever way is necessary to make them fit. But if we just step back and look at the "prophetic window" - taking into account all the uncertainties in the dates - we arrive at a proof that Christ was the Messiah of Daniel's prophecy.

But you are correct, this isn't the proper thread, so we better get

I've studied Ezekiel's vision for a little while now and it's certainly a pictoral of the Church. There's even an hint of that when the vision begins:

Now this is repeated in John's Revelation:

Will Christians be given literal stones with their names? Will Christians be made into literal "Pillars" of the New Jerusalem? No these are metaphoric truths about the Kingdom of God applied to us. That those who are made Pillars are like litearl pillars who uphold tall buildings. That's how strong this persons faith represents and their example of faith would be used to uphold the Kingdom of God. In the same way, Jesus is the corner stone of the Church. He is the one stone that makes the rest of the foundation solid and perfect.

I just don't understand why many folks can't hear these things. You talk of pillars and stones and they literally expect a 1,500 mile square, as measured on all six sides, to fall from the sky in the future! If that happened, that's like inserting a 25 lb weight on the wheel of a car; as it spends, it bounces all over the place.

God bless you all and thanks for the welcome.

Joe

Excellent insight into the correct interpretation of Scripture. I don't know the fulness of the meaning of Ezekiel's Temple, but it definitely "overlaps" with the images of the Church as Temple presented throughout the New Testament in so many ways. It began with Jesus when "he spake of the temple of his body" in John 2, and was amplified when Paul applied it to the corporate Body of Christ saying "know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?" and then in Revelation as you noted, Christ Himself declares that we will be "Pillars" in the New Jerusalem.

The beauty of this understanding is that it leads directly to the proper interpretation of the New Jerusalem, which is the Church of Christ exactly as stated in Hebrews:

Hebrews 12:22-23 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Thus the Bible confirms itself in a thousand ways! This is the Divine Unity of God's Integrated Theology, if you know what I mean. The truth leads us into evermore truth and we can be quite certain of the correct interpretations because everything confirms everything else, to the glory of God and His Gospel!

Compare this with the cartoon theology of psuedo-literalism that reads biochips, nuclear weapons, and the everchanging headlines of the current day into the eternal Word only to reap a swirling whirlwind of confusion and error!

Richard

[TheForgiven]

Excellent insight into the correct interpretation of Scripture. I don't know the fulness of the meaning of Ezekiel's Temple, but it definitely "overlaps" with the images of the Church as Temple presented throughout the New Testament in so many ways. It began with Jesus when "he spake of the temple of his body" in John 2, and was amplified when Paul applied it to the corporate Body of Christ saying "know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?" and then in Revelation as you noted, Christ Himself declares that we will be "Pillars" in the New Jerusalem.

Thanks for the complement brother. I'm very pleased to have found someone fully engaged in the language. At first I was confused when I studied Ezekiel's vision. I couldn't quite place my finger on it until I read the passage in Revelation about becoming "Pillars". St. Paul used this figure in one of his letters:

Galatians 2:
6 But of those who seemed to be something (whosoever they were, it maketh no difference to me: God accepteth no man's person) -- those who seemed to be somewhat in consultation added nothing to me; 7 but contrariwise, when they saw that the Gospel to the Uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the Gospel to the Circumcision was unto Peter 8 (for He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the Circumcision, that Same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the heathen and they unto the Circumcision

Obvioulsy the general use of the word "Pillar" implies someone of great reputation or importance. So when Christ said, "He who overcomes, I will make him pillars in the temple of my God; the New Jerusalem which is coming down out of heaven....." we are now able to understand what He's saying.

Apply this example to the images of Ezekiel, and we get the same result. However, I must admit that I have not yet uncovered all the details about the temple. What's the purpose of the two palm trees on each side of the courte gates? Why is it that the Prince (Which we know is Christ) can only enter through one gate, and no one else besides him. Then I thought about it for quite some time. The gate of entrance is on the east side. What side does the sun come up? The east! So then, there's a connection but I just havn't quite place my finger on it yet.

As for the animals, I finally figured those out. Why were they required to offer bulls, rams, sheep, lambs, and so forth? Each animal is a discription of man. Bulls with horns are violent and all they do is charge with their horns of power. That is a picture of a sinful man with power and authority who rushes head long into anything evil, without thinking twice about it. Rams are similiar to bulls, but are more territorial than bulls and not quite as violent. Rams have horns of authority as well, but are more concerned about defending territory. That's a picture of someone who's very defensive of their land, and we know that the Jews were exactly that. Without going any further, why were they required to offer a bull for a sacrifice? They were demonstrating their intent to repent for them bullish behavior towards God. The lambs they sacrificed were showing their intent to follow and obey the Covanent. Lambs, like many creatures, are easily led astray. So then, the symbolic meaning of the animals is also applicable to Ezeliel's temple. I could list more regarding the other animals, but all one needs to do is listen....and not just read. That's the problem with the literal approach; they take too much at face value, and don't they don't listen to what God is trying to say. Now certainly not all scripture is metaphoric in nature. But if you're trying to hide things from Satan, no doubt poetic metophor's is the way to go.

The Son of man is told, "Offer these sacrifices for seven days, and on the eighth day I will except you". One of the great celebrations the Greek Orthodox Church recognizes is the eighth day. For they say that Christ is the fulfillment of the 8th day, and we are in the 8th day. [I'm not a Greek Orthodox member in case you're wondering ]

Anyways, I'll stop for now but there's so much more I'm trying to understand regarding Ezekiel's vision of the temple, which we know is Christ.

Joe

[Rose]

Hi Joe

I noticed your wondering s about the eastern gate of Ezekiel's temple?
What has come to my mind concerning the eastern gate being shut, is that I have heard that it was through the eastern gate that Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and then on into the temple where He drove out the money changers and said: "My house shall be called a house of prayer" Matt 21:12-13.

In Ezekiel 43:3 "And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect [is] toward the east."

Ezekiel 44:2 "Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut."

Those two verses are pretty clear as to why the gate is shut if Jesus is the Prince, because now that the Lord God of Israel has entered through the eastern gate as Messiah, all has been fulfilled! So now it is sealed, for there is no one else worthy to enter in through that gate. Now we must enter through Christ Himself, who is the door.

Rose

[Richard Amiel McGough]

Thanks for the complement brother. I'm very pleased to have found someone fully engaged in the language. At first I was confused when I studied Ezekiel's vision. I couldn't quite place my finger on it until I read the passage in Revelation about becoming "Pillars". St. Paul used this figure in one of his letters:

Obvioulsy the general use of the word "Pillar" implies someone of great reputation or importance. So when Christ said, "He who overcomes, I will make him pillars in the temple of my God; the New Jerusalem which is coming down out of heaven....." we are now able to understand what He's saying.

I agree completely about the meaning of "Pillar" and the true meaning of "Temple". But I am not at all sure about the animals you describe below:

As for the animals, I finally figured those out. Why were they required to offer bulls, rams, sheep, lambs, and so forth? Each animal is a discription of man. Bulls with horns are violent and all they do is charge with their horns of power. That is a picture of a sinful man with power and authority who rushes head long into anything evil, without thinking twice about it. Rams are similiar to bulls, but are more territorial than bulls and not quite as violent. Rams have horns of authority as well, but are more concerned about defending territory. That's a picture of someone who's very defensive of their land, and we know that the Jews were exactly that. Without going any further, why were they required to offer a bull for a sacrifice? They were demonstrating their intent to repent for them bullish behavior towards God. The lambs they sacrificed were showing their intent to follow and obey the Covanent. Lambs, like many creatures, are easily led astray. So then, the symbolic meaning of the animals is also applicable to Ezeliel's temple. I could list more regarding the other animals, but all one needs to do is listen....and not just read.

I think the reason these interepretations of the animals don't "ring bells" is because they are not being drawn from Scripture. How then can I confirm if they are correct? How do I know if they are what God really intended? With the "pillars" it is easy because the Scripture teaches it. But with these interpretations of animals, I do not know. It is interesting that a similiar interpretation of the clean and unclean animals is found in an ancient commentator, but I don't recall who right now.

That's the problem with the literal approach; they take too much at face value, and don't they don't listen to what God is trying to say. Now certainly not all scripture is metaphoric in nature. But if you're trying to hide things from Satan, no doubt poetic metophor's is the way to go.

Actually, I thin the real problem with the "literal" approach is that is often used in such a way as to be aptly called the "pseudo-literal" approach. For example, some literalists seem to think that interpreting the scorpions of Rev 9 as "literal helicopters" makes their interpretation "literal"! And that exposes the real problem. Folks promoting such views are hampered by linguistic disabilities.

Good examples of literalist errors are seen in the Jews. Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again, and Nicodemus took it in the most literal way possible! And when Jesus said "Destroy this Temple" the Jews thought He was nuts becuase they didn't know He spoke of the Temple of His Body. So we know from the mouth of the Lord that He used symbols even when there was "nothing in the context" that demanded a symbolic interpration (contra dispensationalist doctrine).

The Son of man is told, "Offer these sacrifices for seven days, and on the eighth day I will except you". One of the great celebrations the Greek Orthodox Church recognizes is the eighth day. For they say that Christ is the fulfillment of the 8th day, and we are in the 8th day. [I'm not a Greek Orthodox member in case you're wondering ]

That's very interesting indeed. I'm always glad to find denominations that understand the symbolic use of numbers in the Bible. Here's what I have to say about the Number 8.

Anyways, I'll stop for now but there's so much more I'm trying to understand regarding Ezekiel's vision of the temple, which we know is Christ.

Joe

Thanks Joe! I'm very interested in pursuing the details of Ezekiel's Temple since its such a stumbling block for some folks who believe in a future literal earthly ethnic Kingdom of Israel.

Talk more soon,

Richard

[TheForgiven]

Hello Richard,

I will provide an example of the animal sacrifices so you can see the connection. Here is an example:

Leviticus 4
13 “‘If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, they are guilty. 14 When they become aware of the sin they committed, the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the Tent of Meeting. 15 The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull's head before the LORD, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the LORD. 16 Then the anointed priest is to take some of the bull's blood into the Tent of Meeting. 17 He shall dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle it before the LORD seven times in front of the curtain. 18 He is to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. The rest of the blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 19 He shall remove all the fat from it and burn it on the altar, 20 and do with this bull just as he did with the bull for the sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. 21 Then he shall take the bull outside the camp and burn it as he burned the first bull. This is the sin offering for the community.

I underlined the key text for us to understand what God is trying to say. When someone sins accidentally, and are made aware of their sin, they were to offer a Bull as a sin offering. What does this mean? As I stated earlier, Bulls are identified as rebellious chargers with horns; their horns usually representing authority or power. In this case, God is referring to people who sin accidentally and they were to offer a Bull, showing that they were not willfully sinning, as a Bull would willfully commit violence.

Now notice the fat to be offered. Why were they required to burn the fat at the entrance to the "Tent of Meeting"? This should be quite clear. What is the Biblical metaphor for fat? Fat is a result of over-indulgence and wealth. Anyone within the Assembly of God is to share all things. Moreover, burning the fat at the Tent of Meeting is symbolic for stripping wealth and sharing it with all in order to have fellowship.

So here we have two messages taken from Leviticus; things that many of the Jews didn't understand. A person who sins accidentally within the congregation were to offer a Bull showing that they were not intentionally sinning against their neighbor or the Lord. To show even more love towards each other, the fat being burned indicated that they choose to share all of the wealth and possessions with each other, before the assembly can be considered purified and clean. That's also why the fat had to be burned outside the Tent of Meeting, and not inside the tent of meeting.

This is what we should be doing before gathering together.

Acts 2 reads:
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly[g] received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church[h] daily those who were being saved.

Therefore, reading the Old Testament animal system is much more meaningful when we begin to understand the reasons why God chose specific animals to be sacrificed; it all has to do with what kind of sin they were dealing with, as well as the circumstance within the congregation or city.

Another example I often use is why they were commanded by Moses not to eat anything that has huffs (horns) and chews cud. Barnabus spoke of this connection as sinners with great authority who lord their authority on everyone's face, sinning without even the slightest ounce of guilt. These are those who exercise their authority and indulge in great sin. Remember the Israelites were being led out of Egypt into the promised land. And they were given this command (among many) for a reason. They were to be higher than the previous tribes that lived in the land. In short, God didn't want them to become haughty in attitude and nature, indulging in their riches and lording their authority over those within and without their nation. They were to be the light-beacon of the world. Isn't this the over-all reason why they were destroyed in 70AD? They were looking for a Messiah who would lead them into victorious battles, making their nation the power it was in the days of Joshua, David, and Solomon. They wanted a military leader. Lastly, the creature with horns and chews cud is also a representation of the Gentiles. Peter has a vision in the book of Acts and realizes that Gentiles were no longer to be considered "Unclean". That's how all this ties in; God was showing to them that they had to be better than the nations who were being driven out by Joshua. But the symbolic rituals and practices they learned were there to provide spiritual insite of the meaning. Most, however, did not understand, and neither to many of us for that matter. The end result by 70AD was that their nation (Israel) had become very pagan. Sure they offered sacrifices and offerings, but it was with a pagan's mind-set, not understanding the reasons for these sacrifices. Their methods were no different than a Gentile who served the gods (Zeus, Andrameda, and so forth). Therefore, the animal sacrifices were not provided just for mere instruction to obey the command. It was to show the type of sin they were being cleansed from, based on the characteristics of the animal being selected.


I'll post another example later; I think you will find this rather pleasant. Oh, and St. Barnabus of the 2nd century (Early Church Father) is where I learned some of these things from.)

God bless,

Joe

[Richard Amiel McGough]

Hello Richard,

I will provide an example of the animal sacrifices so you can see the connection. Here is an example:

I underlined the key text for us to understand what God is trying to say. When someone sins accidentally, and are made aware of their sin, they were to offer a Bull as a sin offering. What does this mean? As I stated earlier, Bulls are identified as rebellious chargers with horns; their horns usually representing authority or power. In this case, God is referring to people who sin accidentally and they were to offer a Bull, showing that they were not willfully sinning, as a Bull would willfully commit violence.

OK - that's leading in the right direction for me. It is clear that God used different sacrifices for different sins and for different purposes like thanksgiving. And since he went into so much detail in Leviticus, we should assume that He wants us to study it and learn His intent, for indeed, "ALL SCRIPTURE is inspired by God and is profitable for doctrine." So we can be confident that God put them there for a reason. Have you reviewed them all, and found a consistent interpretation?

One thought that just occured to me. Some folks - such a Stephen earlier in this thread - demand a "literal interpretation" of Ezekiel because of the extreme detail of the sacrifices and pattern of the Temple. Though he never actually explained why "detail" necessarily implies "literal" (Stephen, it would be great if you came back to the conversation to explain that point!) it seems to me that the spiritual meaning of the sacrifices of Leviticus are a counter-example. What I mean is that many folks understand a deep Gospel meaning in the details of the Levitical sacrifices. If such meaning is not there, then we must ask, why did God bother with all that detail? This then implies that the purpose of the detail is found in its SPIRITUAL MEANING as regards the Gospel of Christ. This is totally obvious in some cases, such as the Passover Lamb. It seems to me that the same principle explains the "extreme detail" in Ezekiel's Temple.

Therefore, reading the Old Testament animal system is much more meaningful when we begin to understand the reasons why God chose specific animals to be sacrificed; it all has to do with what kind of sin they were dealing with, as well as the circumstance within the congregation or city.

Yep! Excellent insight. I think a lot of people don't bother exploring these meanings because they are not needed much until we come to questions like the interpretation of Ezekiel's Temple.

I'll post another example later; I think you will find this rather pleasant. Oh, and St. Barnabus of the 2nd century (Early Church Father) is where I learned some of these things from.)

God bless,

Joe

Thanks Joe. That was a very helpful post.

Richard

[TheForgiven]

Getting back to the discussion about Ezekiel's temple We know that the vision of the temple in Ezekiel was a spiritual interpretation and description of the Church. Is it therefore possible that Revelation describes a temple being occupied by the Gentiles to be a spiritual interpretation of the Church as well? I've heard Historicist's say this.

Now what makes me believe that John was referring to the actual temple is the time, times, and half of times, as well as the 42 months. These times appear to be explaining about Daniel's time, times, and half of time, as well as the 1,260 days. Why then would John be talking of a spiritual temple if this trampling of the Gentiles was to last only 42 months, until the times of the Gentiles is completed, especially knowing that the Church lasted far longer than 1,260 days, or a time, times, and half of times? I also understand that the Historicists camp interprets those times as years instead of literal days. So by their view [and if I'm not mistaken], 1,260 days is actually 1,260 years. However, there is no biblical support for that interpretation.

What's your take on this?

Joe

[Richard Amiel McGough]

Getting back to the discussion about Ezekiel's temple We know that the vision of the temple in Ezekiel was a spiritual interpretation and description of the Church. Is it therefore possible that Revelation describes a temple being occupied by the Gentiles to be a spiritual interpretation of the Church as well? I've heard Historicist's say this.

Now what makes me believe that John was referring to the actual temple is the time, times, and half of times, as well as the 42 months. These times appear to be explaining about Daniel's time, times, and half of time, as well as the 1,260 days. Why then would John be talking of a spiritual temple if this trampling of the Gentiles was to last only 42 months, until the times of the Gentiles is completed, especially knowing that the Church lasted far longer than 1,260 days, or a time, times, and half of times? I also understand that the Historicists camp interprets those times as years instead of literal days. So by their view [and if I'm not mistaken], 1,260 days is actually 1,260 years. However, there is no biblical support for that interpretation.

What's your take on this?

Joe

I think the links are important enough to quote:

Daniel 12:6-11 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Why the extra month in Daniel's 1290 over John's 1260? I don't know.

But the very important thing here is underlined - the power of the "holy people" was finally scattered in 70 AD, thus we have another TIME MARKER that fits perfectly with all the other time markers that prove a first century fulfillmnet. Note the words:

• ANGEL in Daniel 12:7 ... and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
• JESUS in Luke 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
• PETER in Acts 3:24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
• Etc., Etc., Etc., Etc., Etc., Etc. ...

Therefore, the 3.5 years, the 1260 days, and the time, times, and half a time of Revelation must be speaking of the same events prophecied by Daniel that were fulfilled by 70 AD.

The only place we find the "time, times, and half a time" is in Rev 12:14

Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

The woman went into the wilderness, and was protected by God for a time, times, and half a time, but then the next time we see her she is riding the Beast Rome drunk on the blood of the saints! She became Apostate Israel, the Great Harlot.

I am familiar with the Historicist idea that the 1260 days are years. I wouldn't say there was no warrent for that because we have the example of a "day for a year" in Numbers and Ezekiel. It seems to "fit" to a degree, but the overall Historicist position is not strong enough to convince me.

As for the Gentiles trampling the Temple for 42 months in Rev 11 - I'm not sure what it means but it doesn't look like the "Times of the Gentiles" that Paul talked about in Rom 11. But I'll need to think on that more.

Richard

[TheForgiven]

Why the extra month in Daniel's 1290 over John's 1260? I don't know.

After the temple was destroyed, the survivors of the temple's destruction were not finished with horror yet. It's after the temple's destruction did Titus have nearly every tree chopped down and they were used as crosses. According to Josephus, they fastened as many Jews as possible (To include even Children) to any ounce of wood they could find. The wall that was built ended up becoming a massive crucifixion center. It was horrible! I couldn't imagine viewing the entire city filled with dying souls. Some were taken as slaves, while others were later tossed into the newly built Arena, which was built in honor of Titus and Vespasian. Those who survived 30 day or even a few months after the temple's destruction would be considered blessed because they would have lived through the most difficult time the Jews ever faced. Subsequently, this horror would return in about 25 years, under the brutal reign of Domitian and the following Emperors, but this was primarily a persecution against the Church; the 1,290 days was against the rebellious Jews.

Joe