LCoG Articles - The Temple

THE TEMPLE

IS THE END TIME TEMPLE YET TO BE BUILT?

WHO WILL BUILD THE TEMPLE OF GOD?

WHERE IS IT TO BE LOCATED?

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TEMPLE AFTER IT IS BUILT?

Whether or not there will be God’s temple on earth when Christ returns, has been a hotly debated subject for many years.

Many people have put forth some interesting points of view on the subject.

In these end times God has revealed new truths for His people on many subjects. God’s end time church will grow and continue to increase in knowledge. With these things in mind let us keenly seek out the new knowledge that God is giving to us regarding the Temple, let the reader understand.

Is the end time temple yet to be built?

The scriptures are very plain on this subject.

God thought very highly of David.

1Ki 8:16 ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’

The following scripture shows that David wanted to build a temple for God.

1Ki 8:17 Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

Even though God was pleased with David’s attitude regarding the temple, God wanted Solomon to build the temple.

1Ki 8:18 But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.

1Ki 8:19 Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’

The reason why David was not allowed to build the temple was that he was a man of war.

1Ch 22:8 but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.

God loved David and found him to be a man after His own heart.

Act 13:22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID THE SON OF JESSE, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART, WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL.’

God loved David greatly, even though he was a man of war in his lifetime. David obeyed, believed and loved God with all his heart. God has a wonderful reward for David, one of his rewards is that he will be King over Israel. Another is that God will allow David to build the end time temple of God.

This seems incredible to us, but this is what the scripture says. David will return as a spirit being, with the Father, together they will go and rescue Israel, who are being held captive. They will bring Israel back to Jerusalem.

Israel will have a completely repentant attitude, and because of this change of heart and mind, God will allow them to build the temple under the leadership of King David.

This story seems almost too fabulous to be true, but this is exactly what your Bible says. Let’s quickly turn to these scriptures and believe, and understand this great new end time knowledge. Look up these scriptures for yourself and prove everything yourself, do not just rely on us to tell you, check everything and prove these things.

Notice this scripture, which shows clearly that the Father brings Israel out of captivity.

Jer 31:6 For there shall be a day When the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, To the LORD our God.’ ”

Jer 31:7 For thus says the LORD: “Sing with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, The remnant of Israel!’

Jer 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child And the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there.

Jer 31:9 They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.

This above scripture is proof that the Father will rescue Israel from their captivity. He will not do this alone.

Notice the following scripture, David goes with the Father and brings Israel out of captivity.

Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.

Mic 2:12 “I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together like sheep of the fold, Like a flock in the midst of their pasture; They shall make a loud noise because of so many people.

Mic 2:13 The one who breaks open will come up before them; They will break out, Pass through the gate, And go out by it; Their king will pass before them, With the LORD at their head.”

Notice the last few lines of the above verses, and their king {David} shall pass before them, and the Lord {the Father} on the head of them.

These scriptures are new knowledge for us. Read them over and over until these great truths sink in.

Notice the following scripture for more proof that the Father rescues Israel. Notice especially verse 8.

Jer 23:7 “Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’

Jer 23:8 but, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.”

Just read verse 8 again…… the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country.

Eze 34:23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.

Eze 34:24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.

All these events are yet future, they occur after the time of Jacob’s trouble, at the end of Jacob’s trouble, 1/3rd of Israel will go into captivity. This is about 141,000,000 people.

These people suffer terribly in captivity. About 127,000,000 people die during this time.

Only 1/10th of Israel will survive and return from captivity.

There are approximately 424,000,000 people in the nations of Israel today. Only 14,000,000 will survive.

Amo 5:3 For thus says the Lord GOD: “The city that goes out by a thousand Shall have a hundred left, And that which goes out by a hundred Shall have ten left to the house of Israel.”

The whole purpose for Jacob’s trouble is to make Israel see that they are living their lives contrary to God’s laws, ordinances and statutes, and to bring on them just punishment for their behaviour and failure to repent.

Because they are a stubborn, stiff-necked nation, they will not listen to the prophets that God sends to warn them. Consequently, they will have to go through the horrors described above.

Whilst the Israelites are in captivity, God expects that His end time church will feed them and care for them, physically and spiritually.

Notice these following scriptures which show that the church should look after Israel. This verse is also referring to church members who have been put out of the church for the wrong reasons, or left the church for its unrighteous behaviour.

Eze 34:2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

The following Israelites have been through Jacob’s trouble, they desperately need the church to help them. The church will not seek after Israel, this verse also applies to the church members who are now the lost flock.

Eze 34:4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.

The church will only be interested in feeding itself, they will not care about Israel nor lost members of the church.

Eze 34:8 “As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”

Because the church will not go after Israel or lost members of the church, and try to find them and help them, God the Father has to do it Himself.

Eze 34:11 ‘For thus says the Lord GOD: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

God provides both physical and spiritual food and drink for His church, but they do not pass on these things.

Eze 34:18 Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet?

The church will not care about giving Israel the best of the food and water, they take that for themselves. This also applies to the members of the church.

Eze 34:19 And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet.”

David, is God’s trusted servant, and he will feed them. Both David and the Father rescue Israel from captivity.

Eze 34:23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.

Once Israel have been through the captivity, their heart is changed to God.

Eze 34:30 Thus they shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord GOD.’ ”

While Israel is in captivity, Elijah goes to them and turns their hearts to the Father and the Father’s heart is then turned to them.

Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Mal 4:6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

The word curse, in the above verse means utter destruction.

God wants Israel to have a changed mind, let’s notice the following scriptures.

Lev 26:39 And those of you who are left shall waste away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; also in their fathers’ iniquities, which are with them, they shall waste away.

Lev 26:40 ‘But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me,

Lev 26:41 and that I also have walked contrary to them and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt

Lev 26:42 then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham I will remember; I will remember the land.

If Israel will confess their iniquities, and the fact that they have walked contrary to God, if they will humble themselves and accept their punishment then God will remember His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

So now the big question is, will Israel repent and see that Jacob’s trouble had to occur for their ultimate benefit? Will they have a change of heart? Let us see the answer to this question. Remember this is the remnant of Israel only 14,000,000 survivors of the horrendous Jacob’s Trouble. Let’s see what their attitude will be.

Eze 43:10 “Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.

Eze 43:11 And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple and its arrangement, its exits and its entrances, its entire design and all its ordinances, all its forms and all its laws. Write it down in their sight, so that they may keep its whole design and all its ordinances, and perform them.

Eze 40:4 And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see.”

The above scripture is amazing, and the scripture below shows that God will live with Israel forever, so we know that they will repent.

Eze 43:7 And He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places.

Now to answer the question at the beginning of the article. Is the end time temple yet to be built?

Yes, it will be built at the end of Jacob’s trouble.

Who will build the temple of God?

We have almost answered this question above, however we will now go into greater detail in describing who will build the temple of God at the end of Jacob’s trouble.

As stated above, Israel had to have a total change of attitude and heart, they even acknowledge that Jacob’s trouble had to happen in order to bring about this change of mind.

Eze 6:9 Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations.

Eze 6:10 And they shall know that I am the LORD; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them.”

Eze 14:22 Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it.

Eze 14:23 And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it,” says the Lord GOD.

The following scripture shows that God gives the plan of the temple to Israel for them to build. This construction will take place under the supervision of King David and the Father, which will be proven later in this article.

Eze 43:10 “Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.

The above scriptures show that Israel will build the temple when they have a changed attitude.

The scripture below shows that David is the Branch.

Zec 6:12 Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD;

Jer 33:15 ‘In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

This is the correct translation of Jer 33:15, In those days and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up. David shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

Some of the words are not inspired and have been put in by the translators.

Jer 23:5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

Jer 23:6 In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

David was a king and will be a king over all Israel. When the saints return to this earth, one of their duties will be judgment. He, along with the Father, rescue Israel and Judah from captivity. The last few lines of the above verse should be translated as follows, and this is the authority who says this, the Lord our Righteousness.

David, along with Israel will build the temple.

Zec 6:15 Even those from afar shall come and build the temple of the LORD. Then you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”

The following scriptures show that God the Father entered the temple.

Eze 44:2 And the LORD said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the LORD God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut.

Eze 43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east.

Eze 43:2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.

Eze 43:3 It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw like the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city. The visions were like the vision which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face.

Eze 43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east.

Eze 43:5 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

Eze 43:6 Then I heard Him speaking to me from the temple, while a man stood beside me.

It may appear strange to some that God the Father comes and goes to the earth. However, this is what the scripture states. The Father is the God of the Old Testament, and has come to earth and returned to heaven many times. When the temple is complete, the Father enters the temple and later returns to heaven. Notice the following scripture which confirms the fact that the Father comes and goes from earth to heaven.

Pro 30:4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know?

The above verses make it very clear that God the Father and David rescue Israel from captivity, then Israel and David build the temple. God the Father then enters the temple.

This is not some wild idea of ours, this is what God is telling us through the scriptures.

Where will the temple be located?

God will dwell in His temple forever, and the temple is located in Zion.

Psa 132:13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:

Psa 132:14 “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

Isa 2:3 Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Joe 3:17 “So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, And no aliens shall ever pass through her again.”

Psa 48:1 A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain.

Psa 48:2 Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King.

Psa 48:3 God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.

Psa 48:8 As we have heard, So we have seen In the city of the LORD of hosts, In the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah

Psa 48:9 We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple.

Psa 48:10 According to Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.

These above scriptures show clearly that God’s temple will be built in Zion

What happens to the temple after it is built?

Once the temple is built, God the Father and David return to heaven.

Eze 7:22 I will turn My face from them, And they will defile My secret place; For robbers shall enter it and defile it.

Notice the last two lines of the verse below.

Once the Father returns to heaven, it does not take long for the church to fall into disloyalty.

Eze 8:12 Then He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, ‘The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.’ ”

The resurrected firstfruits are waiting in heaven for the time of their return to earth. They are preparing for their return to earth with the Father.

Firstly though we see the judgment of the firstfruits.

Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.

Then they are given white robes.

Rev 6:9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Rev 6:11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

The above scripture has to be explained. When David is resurrected to come to earth with the Father to build the temple, the other firstfruits are also resurrected. Notice in the above verses that they are alive, cry out, and are given white robes. This is the resurrection of the firstfruits. They are told to rest a little season, until their fellow servants should be killed.

They wait in heaven, until David returns with the Father. Then when the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, are killed and the number is fulfilled they shall return to earth. As we know from other scriptures, there are 144,000 firstfruits. Once the number is fulfilled the firstfruits will return to earth with the Father.

Jud 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,

Back to the temple.

When the Father and David go to heaven, those who forsake the holy covenant, {church members} defile the temple of God and set up the abomination of desolation. They also have intelligence with the little horn.

Dan 11:30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. “So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.

Here we see a force, which is on the side of the little horn, and pollutes the sanctuary.

Dan 11:31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.

The temple is defiled.

Psa 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; Your holy temple they have defiled; They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

Notice this scripture, showing that the church were in charge of the temple until it was taken over by the little horn. Also note that some in the church are also on the side of the little horn, and are a party to the defiling of the temple.

Isa 63:18 Your holy people have possessed it but a little while; Our adversaries have trodden down Your sanctuary.

Eze 5:11 ‘Therefore, as I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have any pity.

The following scripture shows that the group which forsakes the covenant is then corrupted by flatteries. These people are church people who do not believe the truth and do not have the love of the truth.

2Th 2:10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2Th 2:11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

2Th 2:12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Dan 11:32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

Eze 44:7 When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it My house and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations.

2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

2Th 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

In Daniel 11 v 32 is a clear difference between two groups of people in God’s church at the end time. The 1st group, does not believe the truth and is bought off and easily swayed into harlotry by the little horn, he deceives them with flatteries. They forsake the holy covenant.

The 2nd group are the people who love the truth, they know their God and are strong and do exploits.

Let’s look at the abominations which are committed in God’s temple by these false brethren.

Firstly we see this image of jealousy.

Eze 8:5 Then He said to me, “Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance.

Then look at the entrance of the court.

Eze 8:10 So I went in and saw, and there every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls.

Because the Father has returned to heaven with David, these church people think that God is so limited that He cannot see what they are doing. They feel this way because He is no longer with them. They have no understanding of the mighty God of Israel.

Look at this disgusting display by the women in the church.

Eze 8:14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.

Now we see sun worship.

Eze 8:16 So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.

Eze 8:17 And He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose.

These people are wiped out by God for their total disregard for His temple, laws and statutes, they have no love for God. They profess to, but they were bought off by the little horn, and are happy to play the harlot.

Notice the result of their ways,…begin at my sanctuary.

Eze 9:4 and the LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”

Eze 9:5 To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity.

Eze 9:6 Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.

Eze 9:7 Then He said to them, “Defile the temple, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” And they went out and killed in the city.

What a dreadful outcome for the temple of God. Here we have seen that the temple will be built by repentant Israel, upon their return from captivity. David will be in charge of construction. God the Father will enter the temple.

When the Father and David return to heaven to prepare for their return with the firstfruits, the church is put in charge of the temple.

As we know by scripture the Laodicean church is lukewarm, these are the people who will be in charge of the temple. They are only half hearted and lukewarm. So it is not too difficult to imagine that some will be happy to give in to flatteries of the little horn.

Sounds a lot like the golden calf incident to me.

Back to the scriptures and more information about the temple……

During this time when the temple is defiled the martyrdom of saints will occur.

Mat 24:9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

Mat 24:10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

Rev 11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

Rev 11:2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

Dan 11:33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.

Dan 11:34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue.

Dan 11:35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.

Rev 13:6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.

Rev 13:7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.

Then will be the heavenly signs, heralding the return of the Father.

Rev 6:12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.

Rev 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.

Rev 6:14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,

Rev 6:16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

Rev 6:17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Joe 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Joe 3:15 The sun and moon will grow dark, And the stars will diminish their brightness.

Joe 3:16 The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel.

Joe 3:17 “So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, And no aliens shall ever pass through her again.”

Joe 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

During this time, we see the temple of God is measured and that the court which is outside the temple is left out, it is trodden under foot for 3 ½ years.

Rev 11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

Rev 11:2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

Once the martyrdom has begun, the heavenly signs have been seen then the Father will return to the earth with His saints. The Father returns to avenge His temple amongst other things.

Isa 34:8 For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion.

Jer 50:28 The voice of those who flee and escape from the land of Babylon Declares in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, The vengeance of His temple.

God will raise up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, He is going to destroy Babylon and uses the Medes to do it.

Jer 51:11 Make the arrows bright! Gather the shields! The LORD has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it, Because it is the vengeance of the LORD, The vengeance for His temple.

When more of God’s saints are martyred and the number of God’s firstfruits is complete, and reaches 144,000 then we see the Father return to earth with His saints, the firstfruits.

This happens during the martyrdom of saints.

Dan 7:21 “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them,

Dan 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

Zec 14:5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You.

Deu 33:2 And he said: “The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came with ten thousands of saints; From His right hand Came a fiery law for them.

Deu 33:3 Yes, He loves the people; All His saints are in Your hand; They sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words.

One of the many duties for the firstfruits upon their arrival to earth will be judgment.

Jud 1:15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Once the day of the Lord gets into full swing the saints will have serious duties.

Isa 13:3 I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have also called My mighty ones for My anger Those who rejoice in My exaltation.”

The Father musters His enemies for battle.

Isa 13:4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, Like that of many people! A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together! The LORD of hosts musters The army for battle.

The time for talk and warning has past, God is now going to act, these people will witness the anger of the Lord of Hosts.

Isa 13:5 They come from a far country, From the end of heaven The LORD and His weapons of indignation, To destroy the whole land.

Jer 46:10 For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, A day of vengeance, That He may avenge Himself on His adversaries. The sword shall devour; It shall be satiated and made drunk with their blood; For the Lord GOD of hosts has a sacrifice In the north country by the River Euphrates.

After all of the above events then the temple will be cleansed.

Dan 8:13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”

Dan 8:14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”

After the cleansing of the temple then we see Christ will return to the temple.

Mal 3:1 “Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the LORD of hosts.

When the day of the Lord is over and the temple is cleansed, we see that Israel is finally settled in the land that God promised to them so many years before.

Jer 32:42 “For thus says the LORD: ‘Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them.

Jer 32:43 And fields will be bought in this land of which you say, “It is desolate, without man or beast; it has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.”

Jer 32:44 Men will buy fields for money, sign deeds and seal them, and take witnesses, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South; for I will cause their captives to return,’ says the LORD.”

Even though there are many hard times ahead for the nation of Israel, and the church, if we go to the back of the book, to quote Mr. Armstrong, we will see that it all turns out well for Israel and the loyal people of God who form His church.

The kingdom under the leadership of the Father and Christ with all of the firstfruits and saints will be a glorious place, Israel will blossom like a rose, and Zion will be the dwelling place of God.