This media is not from a Christian viewpoint but highlights Jewish hope. The rabbi references the “return” of God; and probably, in his conception, indicates The Name’s (HaShem) Presence, similar to the cloud was at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting during the exodus from Egypt or the shekinah glory of Solomon’s Temple. I’m not sure how he thinks about Messiah’s coming, but probably as a conquering King. This was how Jesus’ disciples thought the Messiah would function also. In the disciples’ case, Jesus taught them about their need of a righteous High Priest and Savior. The bible speaks of God as comprehensive to human existence and fulfilling many different roles: For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us (Is. 33.22 NIV). Another rendering of the last clause: “become our Savior.”

This clip was posted on Tisha B’av commemorating the time of both temples’ destruction which happened, according to most, on the same calendar day. Here is a representative of Orthodox Union expressing hope for another temple connected to the second one destroyed in 70 C.E. I must admit, when he referred to the lost ark, he had me thinking Indiana Jones.

I took the tour of the Western Wall Tunnels a year ago but didn’t hear the significance of the theater until this video. Unlike the presentation, in real life, many tours are going on at different spots simultaneously and in different languages. Not all the guides are good English speakers either. The site’s features and layout indicates that the Jewish leaders would have to turn their backs to the temple to watch the theater. This harkens back to Ezekiel 8.16-18. I am not sure if the rabbi was indicating that this act was the reason for Herod’s Temple destruction. The video is an English-language posting but the presenter uses Hebrew terms when speaking specifically about the holy things (probably a religious requirement for him). We English speaking Christians shouldn’t be put off by technical, cultural/religious language from Hebrew speakers.

The Temple of God in Jerusalem, historically, was the greatest Jewish treasure and desire. This can be seen in Ezekiel 24.15-27 in the sign of Ezekiel’s wife’s death. God’s prophet was told not to mourn when his wife died (reason unknown). Just as Ezekiel didn’t mourn, the people would be too numb to afflict themselves when Solomon’s Temple was destroyed in 586 B.C.E. The reasons are described in the preceding verses. The poignant fact was, in the mind of the Babylonian exiles, that the sanctuary was a greater loss than their very children who were left behind in Jerusalem. The Babylonians used a method of exiling the leading men of countries they conquered. The remaining population, it was thought, would be too inexperienced to mount a revolt against their new overlords. Also, the elderly would be hostages and hopefully inspiring their children’s loyalty and tax revenue.

In both Ezekiel 24.21 and verse 25, the highest yearning is for the temple with the sons and daughters in second place. Why? Ezekiel 24.23 seems to give the reason, loss of the ability to have their sins forgiven. Jesus, in His person was greater than the temple in His day since He would present His blood in a heavenly sanctuary instead of the copy of it on earth: But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption (Heb. 9.11-12 ESV).

Jesus spoke to Daniel’s prophecy of destruction (see Dan. 9.24-27) by saying: See, your house is left to you desolate (Mt. 23.38 ESV). However, He also spoke of another temple at the end times where an abomination would take place: So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand) (Mt.24.15 ESV). Therefore, another temple seems inevitable and a lot closer. This should motivate Christians to pray and redouble our commitment to Him who will return as King soon after this event.