Recently I wrote about the assumption that the time of tribulation would be seven years long. This period of time is obtained from the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 9:27) and is found nowhere in the Revelation. In Daniel we find the undefined pronoun “he” will confirm (a, or the) covenant for one week.

It is from this passage in Daniel that the assumption that the “Anti-Christ” will cause or allow the Temple to be rebuilt is derived. Again, nowhere in Scripture are we told that this person or entity will cause or allow a sanctuary to be built on or near the contested Temple Mount.

The Prophet Daniel, the Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul all prophesy about the abominable action of this person.

• “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate;” - Daniel 9:27

• “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains;” - Matthew 24:15

• “that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” - Second Thessalonians 2:4

But none of these scriptures say that this person will cause or allow the Temple to be rebuilt. It is interesting that the “Abomination of Desolation” is not specifically prophesied in the Revelation.

We do know that a Holy Sanctuary will be in place for this person or entity to do the “Abomination of Desolation.” We do not know if it will be a Temple, a Tabernacle, (“In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen” - Amos 9:11) or, as is claimed by some, a pre-fabricated building already prepared today somewhere in Israel.

Brothers and Sisters, it is entirely possible that we may see this sanctuary built in Jerusalem, possibly as part of some “peace process.” In my opinion, the Church will not be here when the “Anti-Christ” is revealed. But, at some point in the future, all could be ready for his entry into the scenario as prophesied, and for him to be revealed to the world.

The Apostle Paul tells us that we are children of light and “ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” (First Thessalonians 5:4-5) So, “when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)

Amen! Come Lord Jesus!