Here's Fruchtenbaum's commentary on the Third Temple:
From Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum pgs 134-138
C. The Third Temple?
This section is presented with a question mark because the biblical data is not sufficient to place the rebuilding of the Jewish temple as before the tribulation with any certainty.
The Tribulation Temple is mentioned in four passages of Scripture, the first one being Daniel 9:27:
And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that makes desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.
The second passage is Matthew 24:15:
When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that reads understand).
The third passage is II Thessalonians 2:3-4:
3 Let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, 4 he that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.
The fourth passage is Revelation 11:1-2:
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it has been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
All four passages describe events which occur in relation to the Jewish temple. In all of them, the events described take place in the middle of the tribulation, the details of which will be discussed in Chapter 11. The detail to be noted here is that at the midpoint of the tribulation, the temple is standing and has been functioning for at least a little while. This allows for only two options: The temple must be built either before the tribulation or during the first three and a half years of that period. However, it is impossible to dogmatically state when exactly the temple will be built. What these texts do make clear is that the temple is built and functioning at the midpoint of the tribulation.
Once the third temple is built, the sacrificial system of the Mosaic Law will be reinstituted. However, this temple receives no sanction from God. This is clear from Isaiah 66:1-6:
1 Thus says Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? 2 For all these things had my hand made, and so all these things came to be, says Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at my word. 3 He that kills an ox is as he that slays a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as he that breaks a dog’s neck; he that offers an oblation, as he that offers swine’s blood, he that burns frankincense, as he that blesses an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations: 4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not. 5 Hear the word of Jehovah, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is they that shall be put to shame. 6 A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of Jehovah that renders recompense to his enemies.
The passage begins with a protest from God, who makes it clear that no temple built by Israel at this time will be acceptable. God will not come and reside in it (v. 1) as He did in the first temple. Instead of a temple, God will require faith (v. 2). He will not accept the reinstituted Levitical sacrifices any more than He would accept human sacrifices, swine, or idolatry in Old Testament times (v. 3). The very fact that the Jewish people will build this temple shows their failure to listen to God’s Word and come to Him by faith in Yeshua the Messiah (v. 4). There will be a remnant, meaning faithful Jews, who will not participate in the rebuilding of the temple for the tribulation (v. 5) but are seeking to do God’s will. Finally, this new temple will only end in judgment (v. 6) and not in forgiveness of sin or acceptable worship.
Summarizing the verses, Isaiah spoke of a temple being built that God would not sanction. The verses cannot refer to Solomon’s Temple or the temple built by Zerubbabel, because God did sanction both; nor can they refer to the Millennial Temple, which will be built by Messiah and which will certainly be sanctioned by God. Therefore, the only temple that this could refer to is the Tribulation Temple. So, Isaiah the prophet foresaw the building of a temple that God would not sanction. He wanted Israel to return to Him in faith, not merely to build Him a house.
The Six-Day War of 1967 set the stage for the fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy, for until that time the temple compound was under Arab control. During the war, the area fell into Jewish control. At the time of this writing, there are no efforts being made to rebuild the temple, in spite of much rumor to the contrary. The Six-Day War has at least made possible the building of a temple, and this possibility exists for the first time in centuries. Another important point to note is that the Mosaic Law only permitted the tribe of Levi to take care of the temple and conduct the sacrifices. Interestingly, while all the other tribes have lost their tribal identity since the records were destroyed in A.D. 70, the tribe of Levi has not. Jews having names such as Levi, Levy, Levin, Levine, Leventhal, Levinson, Cohen, and so forth are members of that tribe. For the purpose of conducting sacrifice, only their tribal identity matters. It is not important to know who the members of the other tribes are, but it is very important to know who the Levites are, and the tribe of Levi is known. So, in every way, the stage is set for the third temple to be built, and it is possible that it will be constructed before the tribulation. If it is not, then it will certainly be erected during the first part of the tribulation because by the middle of the tribulation, the temple must be built and functioning and have been in operation for a little while.
In any discussion of the Tribulation Temple, the question of the Dome of the Rock is raised. This Muslim building stands in the temple area, possibly on the spot of the site of the previous two temples. Some believe that the Dome of the Rock will have to be removed at some point. Others believe that there is enough room in the temple compound to permit the rebuilding of the Jewish temple without needing to tear down the Dome of the Rock. In more recent years, people have presented the theory that the Arabs might give up trying to get Jerusalem back and will simply move the Dome of the Rock to a better locality. The point that is missed by those who think this way is that it is not the Dome that is holy to Islam, but the site itself. In Muslim tradition, the shrine is built over the spot where Mohammed ascended into heaven. It is not the building itself that is holy to Islam, but it is the rock that is holy and is commemorated by the building. Thus, it is rather unlikely that the Arabs would consent to moving the Dome of the Rock. Another theory of recent vintage is that the third temple will be built completely away from the temple area. The idea is based upon a misunderstanding of Jewish law and Jewish thinking. The Jews would not accept a new Jewish State anywhere but in Israel, nor will the Jews accept a new Jewish temple anywhere but in the temple compound. So, the Dome of the Rock remains a problem, and there is much speculation concerning it. However, the Bible is silent on this issue. That the temple will be rebuilt is the clear teaching of Scripture. Hence, only the passing of history will reveal how and where in the temple area this will come about.
Also relevant to the Tribulation Temple are two groups that have formed in recent years. One group is based in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and is in the process of making the furnishings for the next temple. A second group, located in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, is training Cohens, meaning descendants of the Aaronic line, in how to perform the sacrificial rites. So, while the temple itself is not yet being built, other preparations are being made for its existence.
This chapter, then, has dealt with two events that will clearly come before the tribulation, with the possibility of a third event, the building of a new temple in Jerusalem. None of the events can be put in a chronological order. The next chapter will deal with yet another event that is stated to be pretribulational, but also cannot be placed in a sequence of events, namely, the rapture of the church.
From Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum pgs 134-138
C. The Third Temple?
This section is presented with a question mark because the biblical data is not sufficient to place the rebuilding of the Jewish temple as before the tribulation with any certainty.
The Tribulation Temple is mentioned in four passages of Scripture, the first one being Daniel 9:27:
And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that makes desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.
The second passage is Matthew 24:15:
When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that reads understand).
The third passage is II Thessalonians 2:3-4:
3 Let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, 4 he that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.
The fourth passage is Revelation 11:1-2:
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it has been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
All four passages describe events which occur in relation to the Jewish temple. In all of them, the events described take place in the middle of the tribulation, the details of which will be discussed in Chapter 11. The detail to be noted here is that at the midpoint of the tribulation, the temple is standing and has been functioning for at least a little while. This allows for only two options: The temple must be built either before the tribulation or during the first three and a half years of that period. However, it is impossible to dogmatically state when exactly the temple will be built. What these texts do make clear is that the temple is built and functioning at the midpoint of the tribulation.
Once the third temple is built, the sacrificial system of the Mosaic Law will be reinstituted. However, this temple receives no sanction from God. This is clear from Isaiah 66:1-6:
1 Thus says Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? 2 For all these things had my hand made, and so all these things came to be, says Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at my word. 3 He that kills an ox is as he that slays a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as he that breaks a dog’s neck; he that offers an oblation, as he that offers swine’s blood, he that burns frankincense, as he that blesses an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations: 4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not. 5 Hear the word of Jehovah, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is they that shall be put to shame. 6 A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of Jehovah that renders recompense to his enemies.
The passage begins with a protest from God, who makes it clear that no temple built by Israel at this time will be acceptable. God will not come and reside in it (v. 1) as He did in the first temple. Instead of a temple, God will require faith (v. 2). He will not accept the reinstituted Levitical sacrifices any more than He would accept human sacrifices, swine, or idolatry in Old Testament times (v. 3). The very fact that the Jewish people will build this temple shows their failure to listen to God’s Word and come to Him by faith in Yeshua the Messiah (v. 4). There will be a remnant, meaning faithful Jews, who will not participate in the rebuilding of the temple for the tribulation (v. 5) but are seeking to do God’s will. Finally, this new temple will only end in judgment (v. 6) and not in forgiveness of sin or acceptable worship.
Summarizing the verses, Isaiah spoke of a temple being built that God would not sanction. The verses cannot refer to Solomon’s Temple or the temple built by Zerubbabel, because God did sanction both; nor can they refer to the Millennial Temple, which will be built by Messiah and which will certainly be sanctioned by God. Therefore, the only temple that this could refer to is the Tribulation Temple. So, Isaiah the prophet foresaw the building of a temple that God would not sanction. He wanted Israel to return to Him in faith, not merely to build Him a house.
The Six-Day War of 1967 set the stage for the fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy, for until that time the temple compound was under Arab control. During the war, the area fell into Jewish control. At the time of this writing, there are no efforts being made to rebuild the temple, in spite of much rumor to the contrary. The Six-Day War has at least made possible the building of a temple, and this possibility exists for the first time in centuries. Another important point to note is that the Mosaic Law only permitted the tribe of Levi to take care of the temple and conduct the sacrifices. Interestingly, while all the other tribes have lost their tribal identity since the records were destroyed in A.D. 70, the tribe of Levi has not. Jews having names such as Levi, Levy, Levin, Levine, Leventhal, Levinson, Cohen, and so forth are members of that tribe. For the purpose of conducting sacrifice, only their tribal identity matters. It is not important to know who the members of the other tribes are, but it is very important to know who the Levites are, and the tribe of Levi is known. So, in every way, the stage is set for the third temple to be built, and it is possible that it will be constructed before the tribulation. If it is not, then it will certainly be erected during the first part of the tribulation because by the middle of the tribulation, the temple must be built and functioning and have been in operation for a little while.
In any discussion of the Tribulation Temple, the question of the Dome of the Rock is raised. This Muslim building stands in the temple area, possibly on the spot of the site of the previous two temples. Some believe that the Dome of the Rock will have to be removed at some point. Others believe that there is enough room in the temple compound to permit the rebuilding of the Jewish temple without needing to tear down the Dome of the Rock. In more recent years, people have presented the theory that the Arabs might give up trying to get Jerusalem back and will simply move the Dome of the Rock to a better locality. The point that is missed by those who think this way is that it is not the Dome that is holy to Islam, but the site itself. In Muslim tradition, the shrine is built over the spot where Mohammed ascended into heaven. It is not the building itself that is holy to Islam, but it is the rock that is holy and is commemorated by the building. Thus, it is rather unlikely that the Arabs would consent to moving the Dome of the Rock. Another theory of recent vintage is that the third temple will be built completely away from the temple area. The idea is based upon a misunderstanding of Jewish law and Jewish thinking. The Jews would not accept a new Jewish State anywhere but in Israel, nor will the Jews accept a new Jewish temple anywhere but in the temple compound. So, the Dome of the Rock remains a problem, and there is much speculation concerning it. However, the Bible is silent on this issue. That the temple will be rebuilt is the clear teaching of Scripture. Hence, only the passing of history will reveal how and where in the temple area this will come about.
Also relevant to the Tribulation Temple are two groups that have formed in recent years. One group is based in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and is in the process of making the furnishings for the next temple. A second group, located in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, is training Cohens, meaning descendants of the Aaronic line, in how to perform the sacrificial rites. So, while the temple itself is not yet being built, other preparations are being made for its existence.
This chapter, then, has dealt with two events that will clearly come before the tribulation, with the possibility of a third event, the building of a new temple in Jerusalem. None of the events can be put in a chronological order. The next chapter will deal with yet another event that is stated to be pretribulational, but also cannot be placed in a sequence of events, namely, the rapture of the church.
