The Temples of God (10): The Temple on Mount Zion

Derek Walker explores the significance of Temples, focusing on the first 3 Temples on the earthly Mount Zion, pointing out the connections between the heavenly and earthly Temples. After God moved into the Tabernacle, He promised He would lead them to a holy Mountain of His choosing where His Sanctuary would be established. God had already set apart Mount Moriah, later called Mount Zion, when Abraham offered up Isaac on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22) and God promised that He would offer up His Son in that place (v8,14). From that time Mt. Moriah was God's ordained place of Sacrifice. Later David establish his capital in Jerusalem, and God revealed to him the location and plans for the Temple, especially the Holy of Holies, and the Altar (on Ornan's threshing floor) on Mount Moriah, to the north and above the City of David (1Chronicles 21-22). Later Solomon build the Temple there (2Chronicles 23:1) and it was filled with God's glory at its Dedication. It was destroyed by the Babylonians 432 years later because of Israel's idolatry, and rebuilt 70 years later in the same place as the 2nd Temple, which was later beautified by Herod the Great. This was the Temple in the time of Jesus, but was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, because of Israel's rejection of Christ. There will also be a 3rd Temple of God on Mount Zion in the future (the Tribulation Temple), which God will use as a final outreach to Israel as well as the world, especially through the 2 witnesses. After 3.5 years the antichrist will desecrate it with the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, 2Thessalonians 2, Revelation 11). There will also be a 4th Temple on Mount Zion in the Millennum (Isaiah 2:1-4, Ezekiel 40-48).