The Temple of God from which He will rule over the Nations

by OvadYah Avrahami

co-founder of KOL HATOR Vision for the Restoration of re-united 12-Tribed Kingdom of Israel

DISCLAIMER – The author is co-founder of the KOL HATOR Vision Promotion through this Web Site. These views are the personal conclusions of the author based on the Written Hebrew Scriptures at our disposal and the Rabbinic sources quoted in the article and elsewhere on this Website.

Amplification Note – To fully evaluate this Topic, the reader will gain much-expanded information by clicking on the links in this article (underlined and coloured) as well as following selected items from the wide list of ‘Related Topics’ at the foot of every article on this Web Site.

After the release of His people, the Hebrew Nation, Israel, from slavery in Egypt (1500 BCE – some say 1300 BCE), God instructed Moses to build Him a Tabernacle that would move along with them on their way to the Promised Land and remain with them as a means for God to dwell amongst His People.

The Hebrew word for this Sanctuary is Mishcan (also Mikdash – Holy Place) – from the root שכן (Shin, Chaf, Nun) – which means: dwell, reside, settle, inhabit. It all relates to the Divine Purpose for this Tabernacle as expressed by God to Moses on his way through the Wilderness to the Promised Land:

Exodus 25:8

ח  וְעָשׂוּ לִי, מִקְדָּשׁ; וְשָׁכַנְתִּי, בְּתוֹכָם.

8 Let them make Me a Sanctuary (Mikdash), that I may dwell among them.

 

This root (שכן) also underlies the Word and Promise throughout, by God regarding His Presence (Shechinah) amongst His People  – ref. Note 1 at foot of par.   Thus He dwelt amongst His People in the Exodus, in the Tabernacle, and later in the 1^st Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. At the destruction of this Temple in 586 BCE by the Assyrians, His Shechinah Presence left the nation (described by Ezekiel in Chapter 10).  The 2^nd Temple built by Herod in Jerusalem a few years before the start of the Common Era, was completely devoid of this Presence of God, a factor which is not all that well known even amongst Bible students.

Note 1 – The Shechinah is reviewed in a set of 3 articles. If you are limited in time, go to part 3 by following the links at the foot of each article. If you want to inform yourself fully, then also enter ‘Shechinah’ in the Site Search window on the top right side of the laptop. Scroll down on your Cell phone – or Click on ‘Q’ at the top of the Menu on laptop. Then feast on a wide series of related studies on the Shechinah presented on this Website.

A New Day is dawning!

The Promise and the Prospect of His ‘Return’ (i.e., the Return of His Shechinah -Presence amongst His People) remain, though – and that is where the building of the 3^rd Temple fits in – the Time period that now seems to be emerging upon us.  And it is all part of the Climax of the Ages; the Final Redemption (Geulah), The End Time, the “Coming of Mashiach”, the establishing of the Universal Kingdom of the God of Creation, God of Israel.

This looming New Day, which Bible believers of the God of Creation have been looking forward to throughout the ages, seems to be now taking shape. Amazing developments over the last several decades seem to be pointing to the fulfillment of ancient Biblical Prophecies. But, if these are true fulfilments indeed, then it hints of a totally different scenario of this New World Dispensation than most of the popular though diverse religious traditions have been promising and looking forward to. While this threatens traditional religious beliefs, yet, these new assumed projections, based on factual reconsiderations of the Hebrew Scriptures in the light of astounding new developments all over the World, offer a far greater, more blessed, and exhilarating reality than mankind could ever imagine!

Surprise … surprise?!

These refreshing new understandings based on Scriptural Truths that have seemingly been misinterpreted through traditional concepts all revolve around the Main Topics of this End Time Scenario. The Scriptures have been vague on the specifics of these culminating Events – seemingly to purposely conceal it for an End Time Awakening, as promised to the Prophet Daniel (Ch. 12:4). Daniel was told:

Daniel 12

ד  וְאַתָּה דָנִיֵּאל, סְתֹם הַדְּבָרִים וַחֲתֹם הַסֵּפֶר–עַד-עֵת קֵץ; יְשֹׁטְטוּ רַבִּים, וְתִרְבֶּה הַדָּעַת.

4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the End; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’

We shall here concentrate on just one of these topics:

The 3^rd Temple and God’s Intention to live amongst His People forever.

While everyone focuses on the erection of the 3^rd temple in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount (a political Time Bomb for starters!), the Scriptures seem to define another Scenario – perhaps as an addition, an alternative?

Let us delve into the Written Word for indications. In doing so, we will concentrate on, and Scripturally trace the several popular concepts held with regard to these End Time Events of staggering proportions and implications. These concepts will be spread over various articles featured on this Website to serve as a general background framework for all our studies featured.  In this re-consideration exercise, we will also be guided by the amazing phenomena of developing signs throughout the world that we are on the edge of the Final Event of the 6000-year dispensation of this Age. These revealing signs underly the End Time Revelation that Daniel 12:4 speaks of. For now, we will select:

The ‘Shechinah’ – the Presence of God amongst His People.

The ‘Shechinah’ – the Presence of God has left His People, Israel, on more than one occasion. Since the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, it has left and has joined His People in exile, Jewish Sages teach. It is believed to Return at the now imminent Time of the Final Redemption, at the conclusion of the 6000 years before the dawning of the millennial Sabbath. This ‘Presence’, the ‘visible Manifestation or Habitation of the Almighty amongst His People’ (as in the Tabernacle and Temple in ancient times), is generally referred to as the ‘Shechinah of HaShem.’

Strangely, the word Shechinah (שכינה) does not appear anywhere in all of Scripture. However, in the Tanach, some 12 various Hebrew words are used to refer to this ‘living presence’ of God amongst His People. `Of these 12 words, which are used some 500 times in Scripture, translated as ‘dwell’ (live amongst or in), the closest to Shechinah is Shachen (שכן) which appears some 86 times – translated ‘dwell.’ Of these latter 86 words, most times it is used for ‘dwell in the land, dwell in tents’ – but it is also contained in the texts that refer to HaShem ‘dwelling in the Tabernacle, and the Temple’. The word Tabernacle, Mishkan ( מישכן ) itself is a derivation of ‘Shechinah’.

In various sections in the Scriptures (as to King David regarding the Temple to be built for HaShem), the Divine requirement is repeated that HaShem seeks a ‘Temple for Him to dwell in amongst His People for Ever.’

The Main Divine Purpose underlying the Creation of mankind

This brings us to probably the Main Divine Purpose for mankind: i.e., to act as a Temple for HaShem to dwell in amongst His People by the indwelling of His Spirit. Scriptures abound, and it is impossible, in the extent of this writing, to mention it all. The reader will have to do his/her own research by simply tracing keywords like ‘dwell, dwelling, Tabernacle, Temple.’

Probably the most spiritually inspiring usage in this context is the related word ‘habitation’ (machon), which describes this same Divine Intention to ‘dwell in’ an Everlasting Temple – but with a more intimate relationship and purpose for this indwelling. This reveals to us the Divine Desire to make His Habitation within the bodies (temples) of humans.

This also highlights the Ultimate Divine Purpose based on the Divine Promise that He will, in the Final Redemption, enter into a ‘New Covenant’ (Jer. 31:30) with those who are elected in the Final Judgment. Jeremiah 31 features this Glorious Event, which will come AFTER the regathering of all the Tribes (according to the preceding 30 verses in Jeremiah chapter 30), after the Final Judgment, logically (for those who will be found worthy).

Jeremiah 31

ל  הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים, נְאֻם-יְהוָה; וְכָרַתִּי, אֶת-בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת-בֵּית יְהוּדָה–בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה.	30 Behold, the days come, saith HaShem, that I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel, and with the House of Judah;
לא  לֹא כַבְּרִית, אֲשֶׁר כָּרַתִּי אֶת-אֲבוֹתָם, בְּיוֹם הֶחֱזִיקִי בְיָדָם, לְהוֹצִיאָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם:  אֲשֶׁר-הֵמָּה הֵפֵרוּ אֶת-בְּרִיתִי, וְאָנֹכִי בָּעַלְתִּי בָם–נְאֻם-יְהוָה.	31 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; forasmuch as they broke My covenant, although I was a lord over them, saith the LORD.
לב  …, , נָתַתִּי אֶת-תּוֹרָתִי בְּקִרְבָּם, וְעַל-לִבָּם אֶכְתְּבֶנָּה; וְהָיִיתִי לָהֶם לֵאלֹהִים, וְהֵמָּה יִהְיוּ-לִי לְעָם.	32 …, I will put My Law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people;
לג  וְלֹא יְלַמְּדוּ עוֹד, אִישׁ אֶת-רֵעֵהוּ וְאִישׁ אֶת-אָחִיו לֵאמֹר, דְּעוּ, אֶת-יְהוָה:  כִּי-כוּלָּם יֵדְעוּ אוֹתִי לְמִקְּטַנָּם וְעַד-גְּדוֹלָם, נְאֻם-יְהוָה	33 and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying: ‘Know HaShem; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith HaShem …

 

This is repeated and extended in:

Ezek. 37

כו  וְכָרַתִּי לָהֶם בְּרִית שָׁלוֹם, בְּרִית עוֹלָם יִהְיֶה אוֹתָם; …, וְנָתַתִּי אֶת-מִקְדָּשִׁי בְּתוֹכָם לְעוֹלָם.	26 Moreover, I will make a covenant of peace with them–it shall be an everlasting covenant with them;…, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forever.
כז  וְהָיָה מִשְׁכָּנִי עֲלֵיהֶם, וְהָיִיתִי לָהֶם לֵאלֹהִים; וְהֵמָּה, יִהְיוּ-לִי לְעָם.	27 My dwelling-place also shall be over them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
כח  וְיָדְעוּ, הַגּוֹיִם, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה, מְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל–בִּהְיוֹת מִקְדָּשִׁי בְּתוֹכָם, לְעוֹלָם.	28 And the nations shall know that I am HaShem that sanctifies Israel when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them forever.’

 

And again in:

Ezek. 11

יז  לָכֵן אֱמֹר, כֹּה-אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, וְקִבַּצְתִּי אֶתְכֶם מִן-הָעַמִּים, וְאָסַפְתִּי אֶתְכֶם מִן-הָאֲרָצוֹת אֲשֶׁר נְפֹצוֹתֶם בָּהֶם; וְנָתַתִּי לָכֶם, אֶת-אַדְמַת יִשְׂרָאֵל.	17 therefore say: Thus saith HaShem GOD: I will even gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.
יט  וְנָתַתִּי לָהֶם לֵב אֶחָד, וְרוּחַ חֲדָשָׁה אֶתֵּן בְּקִרְבְּכֶם; וַהֲסִרֹתִי לֵב הָאֶבֶן, מִבְּשָׂרָם, וְנָתַתִּי לָהֶם, לֵב בָּשָׂר.	19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh;
כ  לְמַעַן בְּחֻקֹּתַי יֵלֵכוּ, וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי יִשְׁמְרוּ וְעָשׂוּ אֹתָם; וְהָיוּ-לִי לְעָם–וַאֲנִי, אֶהְיֶה לָהֶם לֵאלֹהִים.	20 that they may walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

 

From these Scriptures, it is clear that HaShem will live in His People, who will then serve as a Living Tabernacle or Temple for Him. It is noteworthy that the Hebrew word used by the Prophet is בתוכם (betochem), which also means “within them.”  There is a great difference between “His Sanctuary being in the midst of them, among them,” as all translations render it, and “My Sanctuary being within them.”  Refer to the red highlighted words in the Hebrew version of Ezek. 37:26, 28 here above.

That was His intention from the start. This time He will perfect those who qualify according to His considerations in the Final Judgment. He will perfect them by imbuing them fully with His Spirit (Ruach),  and in this way, establish for Himself a Living Tabernacle to dwell amongst His People. Those who qualify will rule over the nations in His Universal Kingdom, and the nations will come to bow down before them as they bow down to God – Who will be living within them.

Far fetched? Absurd? READ it in Scripture:

 

Who shall the Ruler over the Nations be?

Daniel 7

יג  חָזֵה הֲוֵית, בְּחֶזְוֵי לֵילְיָא, וַאֲרוּ עִם-עֲנָנֵי שְׁמַיָּא, כְּבַר אֱנָשׁ אָתֵה הֲוָא; וְעַד-עַתִּיק יוֹמַיָּא מְטָה, וּקְדָמוֹהִי הַקְרְבוּהִי.	13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the Ancient of days, and he was brought near before Him.
יד  וְלֵהּ יְהִב שָׁלְטָן, וִיקָר וּמַלְכוּ, וְכֹל עַמְמַיָּא אֻמַּיָּא וְלִשָּׁנַיָּא, לֵהּ יִפְלְחוּן; שָׁלְטָנֵהּ שָׁלְטָן עָלַם, דִּי-לָא יֶעְדֵּה, וּמַלְכוּתֵהּ, דִּי-לָא תִתְחַבַּל.  {פ}	14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed

 

Daniel was perturbed about this vision and the identity of those he saw coming on the Cloud “like the Son of Man” and who received this rulership.  He was told:

Daniel 7

כז  וּמַלְכוּתָא וְשָׁלְטָנָא וּרְבוּתָא, דִּי מַלְכְוָת תְּחוֹת כָּל-שְׁמַיָּא, יְהִיבַת, לְעַם קַדִּישֵׁי עֶלְיוֹנִין; מַלְכוּתֵהּ, מַלְכוּת עָלַם, וְכֹל שָׁלְטָנַיָּא, לֵהּ יִפְלְחוּן וְיִשְׁתַּמְּעוּן.

27 And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.’

 

This is the Perfect Temple for believers to strive for.

Zechariah 2:10 – WEB World English Bible (Ref. v. 14 in Hebrew versions).

יד  רָנִּי וְשִׂמְחִי, בַּת-צִיּוֹן–כִּי הִנְנִי-בָא וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְתוֹכֵךְ, נְאֻם-יְהוָה טו  וְנִלְווּ גוֹיִם רַבִּים אֶל-יְהוָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, וְהָיוּ לִי לְעָם; וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְתוֹכֵךְ–וְיָדַעַתְּ, כִּי-יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁלָחַנִי אֵלָיִךְ.

10 ‘Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and I will dwell within you, saith HaShem. 11 Many nations (Goyim – Gentiles) will be joined with HaShem in that day and will become My People. I will live among you, and you will know that HaShem Almighty has sent Me to you.

This exalted Blessing awaiting those souls whom HaShem will elect in the Final Judgment is also referred to by the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 60

1. “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
       and the Glory of HaShem rises upon you. 
2.  … HaShem will arise, and His Glory shall be seen upon thee.  3 And nations shall walk at thy light, and kings at the brightness of thy rising.  5. … the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee. … 10. Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. … 11. Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut, day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations—and their kings in procession. 12. For that nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish … 14.  The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will be ruling as HaShem (as clearly defined by Daniel) bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”                                                        

Clearly – all these Prophets, by the Word of HaShem, declared the elected Saints to be ruling over the Nations from Jerusalem as HaShem, having been perfected by Him under a New Covenant (Jer. ch 31)!

In this way, then, no doubt, He will fulfill His Promise of Blessing to Avraham and the Patriarchs, that innumerable masses of GOYIM (Gentiles), uncountable like the dust of the earth, the sand of the sea, will be inheriting His Promises as descendants of Avraham.  This all, because Abraham, a Gentile, accepted and honored His Torah, thereby becoming Divinely elected to father the forthcoming Nation of Israel – God’s Light to the World.

Genesis 26

ד  וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֶת-זַרְעֲךָ, כְּכוֹכְבֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְנָתַתִּי לְזַרְעֲךָ, אֵת כָּל-הָאֲרָצֹת הָאֵל; וְהִתְבָּרְכוּ בְזַרְעֲךָ, כֹּל גּוֹיֵי הָאָרֶץ.	4 and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these lands; and by thy seed shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves;
ה  עֵקֶב, אֲשֶׁר-שָׁמַע אַבְרָהָם בְּקֹלִי; וַיִּשְׁמֹר, מִשְׁמַרְתִּי, מִצְוֺתַי, חֻקּוֹתַי וְתוֹרֹתָי.	5 because that Abraham hearkened to My Voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My Torah.’

 

Zecharaiah 14

ה …; וּבָא יְהוָה אֱלֹהַי, כָּל-קְדֹשִׁים עִמָּךְ.

5 … and HaShem my God shall come, and all the holy ones with Thee.

 

Malachi 3

א  הִנְנִי שֹׁלֵחַ מַלְאָכִי, וּפִנָּה-דֶרֶךְ לְפָנָי; וּפִתְאֹם יָבוֹא אֶל-הֵיכָלוֹ הָאָדוֹן אֲשֶׁר-אַתֶּם מְבַקְשִׁים, וּמַלְאַךְ הַבְּרִית אֲשֶׁר-אַתֶּם חֲפֵצִים הִנֵּה-בָא–אָמַר, יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת.

1 Behold, I send My Messenger, and he shall clear the way before Me; and the Lord, whom ye seek, will suddenly come to His Temple, and the Messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in, behold, He cometh, saith HaShem of Hosts.