(NOTE: These answers are not presented in a particular order, just in the approximate order that they arrived from our contributors. Feel free to add your comments. If you have a burning question send it to steve@saltshakers.com or if you feel able to answer these type of questions email us to join our panel of "messianic rabbis".)

SANDRA JEFFERY answers ...

When Jesus spoke of the destruction of the temple, he told those present that some would be alive to see it happen, and some of them were alive the 37 years later in 70 A.D. when it did happen. Because, according to scripture there is no remission of sin without animal sacrifice, Jesus fulfilled this required sacrifice once and for all, and unlike the priests in the Temple in Jerusalem who were always daily sacrificing animals, Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father having completed this requirement for all the sins of mankind. Therefore, there was and is no further need for the Temple. However, I can certainly understand the Jews who do not believe in Yeshua being the Messiah of the Torah, wanting to rebuild the temple because of the anti-Semitism in the world that is also among the unlearned Christians and Muslims, and this may be their only hope for peace and reconciliation to Almighty God for their sins in their thinking.

RABBI JOSEPH KRESEFSKY answers ...

Well, we know from Scripture that is says there will be a future Temple in the book of Ezekiel. Also it says in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 concerning the lawless one, “… so that he takes his seat in the temple of G_d, declaring himself to be G_d.” According to Scriptures the third temple has to be built; however, the good news is, in the end, according to Revelation 21:22 the only temple that remains is G_d and the Lamb - “I saw no Temple in the city, for Adonai, G_d of heaven's armies, is its Temple, as is the Lamb.”

BOB DOTY answers ...

There is no Scripture in the N.T. that says that the Temple is going to be rebuilt. This idea is based on a misunderstanding of II Thess. 2:3, 4 where the Bible says, "The son of perdition (presumably the anti-Christ) will sit on his throne in the Temple and declare himself to be god." Since there is presently no Temple, logic would dictate that one would have to be built. The problem with this scenario is that the anti-Christ (Mr. 666 of Revelation) was Nero Caesar, who has been dead for several hundred years. I do believe that Yeshua will rebuild the Temple at His second coming.

EVETTE LEWIS answers ...

It's understandable, probably achievable, but not necessary. We are each the Temple when we commit ourselves to the Lord. But this is from the perspective of a Christian.

So many wars have been fought and still could be, over this small piece of Holy land that is so dear to us all, and no doubt, many would be prepared to put their lives at risk to try to rebuild the Temple.

I think the desire is strong, but as the curtain was torn in two as Yeshua died on the cross for all, this is His Testament to us that there is no need for bricks and mortar - you have access to Him, no matter where in the World you are, and no matter what time of the year, day or night it is. When the Temple was rebuilt, there were huge choirs ministering on the walls, and when they went home, they were recalled. Yeshua is the Song, and we can sing along, anywhere.

RABBI CRAWFORD answers ...

I believe the temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem is a prophetic sign. The beast power will attempt to be the priest and receive worship, although this is at least a dual prophecy. It will, in part, cause the divisions necessary for the rest of prophecy to be fulfilled.

HENRY BRINKMAN answers ...

I think the temple needs to be rebuilt, but not for the purpose most people think. According to Revelation we will see a new Jerusalem come down from heaven to replace the one that GOD will destroy along with earth. For it also states that we will see a new heaven and a new earth. A new temple will be built, but we cannot go back to the old covenant ways of sacrifices since Yeshua died for our sins and there is now no way to the Father except through Him. The laws of sacrifice have been fulfilled by Him, who died. I think the purpose of the new temple is to test the people of GOD and to have the ruler of this world defy the Kingdom of GOD. To once again lead the people of GOD astray to try and make them follow a false god. The book of Revelation speaks about the time coming when we will see the new Jerusalem come down from heaven, and that there is really no more need for a temple. GOD will be ruling the earth, and all will be His.