How should followers of Yeshua relate to the destruction of the Second Temple and the Jewish hope of rebuilding the Third Temple?
For followers of Yeshua, the destruction of the Second Temple 2000 years ago should not have come as a surprise. Yeshua spoke of the future destruction of the Temple and how one stone would not be left upon another (Mark 13:1-2).
Even though Yeshua spoke of the destruction of the Temple, He also spoke of the establishing of another Temple before He returns. Yeshua alludes to this a few verses later when He speaks of the “Abomination of Desolation” standing where it should not be (Mark 13:14). This is a reference to the Anti-Messiah or Anti-Christ who will set himself up in the Temple in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2:4). Since the Anti-Messiah will only be revealed during the Great Tribulation time right before the real Messiah returns to Jerusalem, there must be a Temple in Jerusalem during the last days.
So in keeping with Jewish tradition, believers in Yeshua should also be looking forward in hope to the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. For it seems that soon after the Third Temple is built the coming of the Messiah will be fulfilled as well.
