Antichrist Takes His Seat Not In A Rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, But In The Christian Church Instead?

THE ANTICHRIST

I want to talk to you about the antichrist.

Beginning in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 3 it says…

“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the day of the Lord spoken about in the previous verse) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; NASB)

And let me just stop right there.

I want you to hold this thought: antichrist (the man of lawlessness) will take his seat in the “temple of God.”

Got it?

Most people think this temple will be a rebuilt temple in the Middle East in Jerusalem.

But I’d like to offer you a distinctly different possibility.

The “temple of God” is key.

What is the “temple of God”?

Hmm?

CONTEXT OF 1 CORINTHIANS 3

Go with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 3, beginning at verse 16.

And before we read, allow me to just give you the context of 1 Corinthians 3:1-23.

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is talking to pastors who are fellow workers with God in the building up of the church. (1 Corinthians 3:9)

Jesus will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

And He calls pastors to partner with Him in this endeavor.

Each of these pastors will give account to Jesus in the day of judgment as to how he builds. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

And so this is the context surrounding now 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 that talks about the temple of God.

Notice…

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

And so we have the “temple of God” referred to in the context of a chapter (1 Corinthians 3) talking about pastors who are fellow workers with God in the building up of the church and partnering with Christ in His building of His church.

THE TEMPLE OF GOD

And now in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, we find the “temple of God” being referring to.

And I would like you to keep in mind the “temple of God” in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 where the antichrist is predicted to take his seat “displaying Himself as being God.”

Who – or better put, WHAT – is the temple of God that is being referred to in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17?

I’ll let you think about it for a second while emphasizing the YOU in the passage…

“Do you not know that YOU are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in YOU? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what YOU are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

And so who – or better put, WHAT – is the temple of God?

Who (or what) is the YOU?

Is it a Christian (singular) or is it something else?

I think that’s how it’s most often been portrayed / interpreted here.

And if you are able to look at the English Standard Version of the Bible (which is the best interpretation as it has to do with the Greek by the way), here’s how the “you” in the verses are translated: “The Greek for you is plural in verses 16 and 17.”

Did you see that there?

Let me post it again.

“The Greek for you is PLURAL in verses 16 and 17.”

Go look it up yourself.

You’ll see I’m not making it up.

And so the “temple of God” in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 according to the context and the Greek is plural.

In other words, it stands for “you all” (say it like you live in Texas, “Ya’ll!”).

In other words, the “temple of God” in 1 Corinthians 3 stands for “you all” – the Christian church?!

Are you hearing where I’m going with this?

And could it be that the antichrist will take his seat in the temple of God as 2 Thessalonians makes clear – the Christian church?! – and not some rebuilt temple in the Middle East in Jerusalem as most people think?

The parade of false teachers that have infiltrated the church in our day tickling itching ears are doing a perfect job of paving the way.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24)

“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?'” (Luke 18:8b)

(Further resources: A Close Look at 1 Corinthians 3 by Chris Rosebrough)

(Antichrist and the Devil via wikipedia. PD-US)

You might also be interested in:

• Mark Of The Beast
• Pre-Tribulation or Pre-Wrath Rapture?

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