Spiritual or Literal Temple

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Nov 23, 2013
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#1
Is this the spiritual temple (us) or a literal temple (building)? Use scripture to prove either way if possible.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJV
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come , except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
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#2
Is this the spiritual temple (us) or a literal temple (building)? Use scripture to prove either way if possible.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJV
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come , except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
I think it has the spiritual meaning (church).

Reason:
The literal temple is meant only in gospels when people were talking about the building that is destroyed now.

In the letters, however, the meaning is always spiritual except of when talking about the Law and its symbols (like 1Cor 9:13). In such cases it is never called "the temple of God", but "temple" only.

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"Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?"
1Cor 3:16
"God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple."
1 Cor 3:17
"And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God."
2 Cor 6:16
"In case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God."
1 Tim 3:15
"For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us..."
1Pt 4:17

---------------------

There is, however, always a possibility of some kind of merge between the spiritual and literal. Like for example some kind of false Christianity propagating the literal temple in Israel and then trying to serve for it and waiting for the "Jewish Christ".
 
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Nov 23, 2013
13,684
1,212
113
#3
I think it has the spiritual meaning (church).

Reason:
The literal temple is meant only in gospels when people were talking about the building that is destroyed now.

In the letters, however, the meaning is always spiritual except of when talking about the Law and its symbols (like 1Cor 9:13). In such cases it is never called "the temple of God", but "temple" only.

---------------------

"Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?"
1Cor 3:16
"God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple."
1 Cor 3:17
"And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God."
2 Cor 6:16
"In case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God."
1 Tim 3:15
"For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us..."
1Pt 4:17

---------------------

There is, however, always a possibility of some kind of merge between the spiritual and literal. Like for example some kind of false Christianity propagating the literal temple in Israel and then trying to serve for it and waiting for the "Jewish Christ".
I see it this way also and you brought up a good point at the end. False Christianity propagating a literal temple. Do you think a false temple would be considered "the temple of God" in the bible? In other words could 2 Thes 2 be talking about this false temple?
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,195
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#4
Today we are the living stones of the Temple of God. The Chief and the Corner Stone is our Lord, Jesus Christ.

At this point in prophecy there stands not one stone yet upon another. All of
this began with the Chief and the Corner Stone being rejected by non-believing men ,
and It was taken to heaven until His return.

When He returns He will gather all of the stones of the Temple of God and it will remain forever, a living Temple of God.

Do you think this has explained it all? No, not really but at least it explains why we are so very scattered; it is
in God's will.

Surely He is returning soon! Come Jesus, come, amen.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,417
3,468
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#5
Is this the spiritual temple (us) or a literal temple (building)? Use scripture to prove either way if possible.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJV
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come , except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
In context of the passage it is a physical temple.. The One referenced is a Physical ""That man""" therefore the temple must also be a physical temple..
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
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#6
In context of the passage it is a physical temple.. The One referenced is a Physical ""That man""" therefore the temple must also be a physical temple..
If we are the temple of God then I suppose it is a physical temple, sort of.
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
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#7
Today we are the living stones of the Temple of God. The Chief and the Corner Stone is our Lord, Jesus Christ.

At this point in prophecy there stands not one stone yet upon another. All of
this began with the Chief and the Corner Stone being rejected by non-believing men ,
and It was taken to heaven until His return.

When He returns He will gather all of the stones of the Temple of God and it will remain forever, a living Temple of God.

Do you think this has explained it all? No, not really but at least it explains why we are so very scattered; it is
in God's will.

Surely He is returning soon! Come Jesus, come, amen.
Where does the bible say he will gather all the stones together?
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
1,212
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#8
In context of the passage it is a physical temple.. The One referenced is a Physical ""That man""" therefore the temple must also be a physical temple..
That's another good question, who is the man of sin? How do we know this is the antichrist? There are many people right now that sit upon the spiritual throne.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
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#9
It is both depending on context.

Believers are the temple of God indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

There will be a literal temple from which Christ will rule and reign upon the earth during the millennium.

It is a priority that one be certain they are a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells. Leave to God the business of how He will deal with Israel in the end times.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,195
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#10
How is Christ to rebuild the Temple without gathering th stones thereof? Do you believe the Chief and the Corner Stonew will always be separated from the Living Stones? It will be glorious, a mystery, but glorious. Prasie God, amen.

Where does the bible say he will gather all the stones together?
 
Dec 2, 2016
1,652
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0
#11
Good question. The popular idea at the present among most bible teachers is that the Jews will build a physical temple of God, that idea has some major roadblocks. First, how could Jews out of the will of God(not saved) build an actual temple of God. Of course they could build a replica of the temple of God, however it could never be the temple of God, and Paul said temple of God. Paul used the word that he at times used for the church, which means the actual dwelling place of God. Anyway, I do not expect the Jews to be building a temple of God in this church age.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,195
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#12
The Jerusalem of this age, is but a staging ground for the fulfillment of the final days' prophecies. Anhy temple constructed there will be by the will of sinners and designed by the same in order to further the grip on what is observed by the supersitious as the etrnal Jerusalem.

The true Jerusalem New Jerusalem, will come down from God in its time. Not only are the saints the living stones of the Tempel, the saints also are the components of teh walss of the New Jerusalem......it is in the Book.
 

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
11,162
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#13
Morning samuel23,

Good question. The popular idea at the present among most bible teachers is that the Jews will build a physical temple of God, that idea has some major roadblocks.
Proof that the building of a literal, physical temple

1). The Sanhedrin has been reconvened

2). They have been in the process of teaching how to sacrifice according to the law

3). They have blue prints for the temple already drawn up and ready to go

4). Seventy seven year periods were decreed upon Israel and only sixty nine were fulfilled

5). After the church has been completed and gathered, God will pick up where He left off with Israel, including there being a temple and sacrifices

6). There must be a physical temple in order for the abomination to be set up in the holy place

7). There must be a physical temple for the antichrist in order for him to stand in it, proclaiming himself to be God

8). The seven year agreement by the antichrist will allow Israel to build her temple on the temple mount

The context should bear out whether the temple of the body or a physical temple is being referred to in the scripture. To ignore that and apply the temple as meaning the believers body, when it is clearly speaking of a physical temple establishes the basis for error.
 
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Mar 28, 2016
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#14
Is this the spiritual temple (us) or a literal temple (building)? Use scripture to prove either way if possible.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJV
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come , except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Satan as the father of lies, his motive of operation comes by the corruptible things seen .The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and pride of this life.

When the time of reformation came the temple, a shadow used for that temporal time period.It lost its usefulness as a shadow when the veil was rent .Stones falling late just confirmed their unbelief.

It was I believe reformed to previous time period when there was no outward representative and men walked by faith. I would say the period of Judges.

From my experiences the idea of a the first century reformation just does not work for some who want to put a difference between the flesh of a Jew and a Gentile. We are the lively stones that make up the spiritual house of God the church, as the temple of God.

Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.


To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:It was time to do away with the shadows and types.

The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure(parable) for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. Heb 9:8


This revealed to us that not all Israel is Israel ...only the inward Jew born again of the Spirit of Christ. If any man Jew or Gentile have not that spirit they simply do not belong to Christ. The others outward Jews pertaining to their sinful flesh refused to recognize the reformation, as in nothing changed.

A portion of that wall today is used in their idol worship as if the veil was not rent.

What time period do you think it was restored to?
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#15
7). There must be a physical temple for the antichrist in order for him to stand in it, proclaiming himself to be God
The many Antichrists were already there when the veil was rent. The kingdom of God could never be on this sin cursed corruptible planet. Not even a moment the twinkling of a eye.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:19
 

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
11,162
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#16
Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.


The above has to do with the new Jerusalem on the new earth, of which there will be no temple, just as scripture states, which will take place after the great tribulation period, which is followed by the millennial period and then new heaven and new earth will come into being. It is at that time that there will be no temple in the new Jerusalem, which should not be applied to this present earth. Nor should there be any confusion between the body being the temple of the Lord for believers in Christ and the actual, physical temple that will be built on the temple mount directly related to literal Israel.

What is coming on this current earth however, is the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the nation Israel. Because they did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah, they are still waiting for their Messiah's first arrival and therefore consider themselves as still being under the law of Moses. They have desired to rebuild the temple, but have not been able to do so and that because the dome of the rock sits on the temple mount and is under Islamic control. Once that antichrist comes, he will appease both Islam and Israel, allowing Israel to build their temple on the temple mount. God will be picking up where he left off with Israel regarding that last seven years in fulfillment of the seventy seven year periods decreed upon them in Dan.9:24-27, complete with a new temple, sacrifices and offerings.

This last seven years will see the fulfillment of God's wrath leading up to the Lord's return to end the age and establish his millennial kingdom.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#17
That's another good question, who is the man of sin? How do we know this is the antichrist? There are many people right now that sit upon the spiritual throne.
The Antichrists, many, that are here for over two thousand years are shown as those who teach we do need a man to teach us.Because the antichrist (singular) Satan who has no form he uses it to his advantage to deny the work of Christ.

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.1Jo 2:19

The warning of his motive of operation a few verses below.

1These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.Jo 2:26

A good example of that kind of seducing teem work, knowing Satan has no form is shown in an example in Mathew 16:

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.But he turned, and said unto Peter, "Get thee behind me, "Satan": thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.Mat 16:21

No distinction between the things of men and those of God offends our God, just as it is written.(thou art an offence unto me)

Because Christ cannot deny he paid the wages of Peters sin in full ,he was reinstated over an over every time he denied Christ. Those who know not Christ will be sent a strong delusion so that they can continue to believe the lie.

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.2Ti 2:11
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#18


[/COLOR]The above has to do with the new Jerusalem on the new earth, of which there will be no temple, just as scripture states, which will take place after the great tribulation period, which is followed by the millennial period and then new heaven and new earth will come into being. It is at that time that there will be no temple in the new Jerusalem, which should not be applied to this present earth. Nor should there be any confusion between the body being the temple of the Lord for believers in Christ and the actual, physical temple that will be built on the temple mount directly related to literal Israel.

What is coming on this current earth however, is the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the nation Israel. Because they did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah, they are still waiting for their Messiah's first arrival and therefore consider themselves as still being under the law of Moses. They have desired to rebuild the temple, but have not been able to do so and that because the dome of the rock sits on the temple mount and is under Islamic control. Once that antichrist comes, he will appease both Islam and Israel, allowing Israel to build their temple on the temple mount. God will be picking up where he left off with Israel regarding that last seven years in fulfillment of the seventy seven year periods decreed upon them in Dan.9:24-27, complete with a new temple, sacrifices and offerings.

This last seven years will see the fulfillment of God's wrath leading up to the Lord's return to end the age and establish his millennial kingdom.
Was not the veil rent revealing Christ had come in the flesh according to his one time promise?

What would be the purpose of building another literal temple seeing we know longer know Christ after the flesh, as that seen.God is still not a man as us. The one time demonstration is over.. Why would we need to crucify him over and over exposing Him to public shame as if once was not enough?
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
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#19
I see that it's both too. Spiritual Israel, the kingdom of God with Jesus as Lord on the throne of our heart.

Physical Israel, the kingdom of God will come literally to them, Jesus as Messiah returning.

A time when the two come together.

But, KJV, not many see the man of sin spiritually. So kudos.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#20
Is this the spiritual temple (us) or a literal temple (building)? Use scripture to prove either way if possible.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJV
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come , except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

If a man of sin is sitting in a temple declaring himself to be God.

It could not be a spiritual temple could it?