by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 11, 2026 | Israel and Bible Prophecy |
Daniel, Jesus, and Paul All Point to the Same Event
Part 2 of the Temple Debate series examines Daniel, Matthew 24, and 2 Thessalonians together.
In the previous post we asked a simple question:
Does the Bible say there will be a Third Temple?
Several passages strongly suggest that a temple will exist in Jerusalem during the final events of history. But this conclusion does not come from speculation or political opinion. It comes directly from Scripture itself.
One of the most important things believers must recognize is that three separate witnesses in Scripture point to the same future event:
- Daniel prophesied it
- The Lord Jesus confirmed it
- The apostle Paul explained it
When we allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, the picture becomes remarkably clear.
Daniel’s Prophecy: The Abomination of Desolation
The foundation for understanding the future temple begins in the book of Daniel.
Daniel 9:27
“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate…”
Daniel describes a future ruler who will:
- confirm a covenant
- stop the sacrifices
- commit an act called “the abomination of desolation.”
This prophecy assumes something very important:
A functioning temple with sacrifices taking place.
You cannot stop sacrifices if they do not exist.
You cannot desecrate a sanctuary that is not there.
Daniel’s prophecy clearly describes a future moment when temple worship is interrupted by a blasphemous act of desecration.
But the most important confirmation of Daniel’s prophecy comes from the Lord Jesus Himself.
Jesus Confirms Daniel’s Prophecy
Nearly six hundred years after Daniel wrote his prophecy, the Lord Jesus referenced it directly.
Matthew 24:15
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…”
Notice what Jesus does here.
He does not reinterpret Daniel.
He does not spiritualize Daniel.
He does not say Daniel was symbolic.
Instead, the Creator of the universe simply says:
Daniel was right.
Jesus tells His disciples that a future event will occur when the abomination of desolation stands in the holy place.
The phrase “holy place” is unmistakably temple language.
In other words, the Lord Himself confirms that Daniel’s prophecy concerns a future act of desecration connected to the temple.
To deny this requires doing something very dangerous.
It requires twisting the plain words of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Author of Bible.
Paul Explains What Happens in That Temple
The apostle Paul gives even more detail about the same event.
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4
“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,
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.”
Paul describes the same blasphemous ruler that Daniel warned about.
He calls him:
“the man of sin”
“the son of perdition.”
And what does this man do?
Paul says he sits in the temple of God and claims to be God.
The language could not be more straightforward.
There is no allegory here.
No symbolism is required.
Paul simply describes a man entering the temple of God and declaring himself divine.
Daniel, Jesus, and Paul All Point to the Same Event
When these passages are placed side by side, the connection becomes obvious.
| Writer |
Passage |
Event |
| Daniel |
Daniel 9:27 |
Abomination of desolation stops temple sacrifice |
| Jesus |
Matthew 24:15 |
Confirms Daniel’s prophecy |
| Paul |
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 |
Man of sin sits in the temple claiming to be God |
Three witnesses.
One prophetic event.
Scripture interpreting Scripture.
Why This Matters
This discussion is not about political activism or prophetic speculation.
It is about honestly reading what the Bible says.
Most of Christendom teaches that there can be no future temple because Christ fulfilled the sacrificial system. But that argument confuses two completely different issues.
Christ absolutely fulfilled the sacrificial system.
His sacrifice was once and for all.
Hebrews 10:12
“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
But the existence of a temple in the last days would not validate those sacrifices.
It would simply show humanity continuing in unbelief, exactly as prophecy foretold.
The Danger of Rewriting Scripture
The real danger is not believing what the Bible plainly says.
The real danger is explaining it away.
When Daniel says a ruler stops temple sacrifices…
When Jesus says the abomination stands in the holy place…
When Paul says the man of sin sits in the temple of God…
…it takes extraordinary interpretive gymnastics to claim there is no temple involved at all.
At some point, we must ask a serious question:
Are we letting Scripture speak for itself?
Or are we forcing it to say something more comfortable for our theology?
Final Thought
Believers today are not called to build temples or fulfill prophecy.
We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the gospel.
But when Scripture clearly describes events that will occur in the future, the wisest response is simple:
Believe what God said.
Daniel recorded it.
Jesus confirmed it.
Paul explained it.
And Scripture never contradicts itself.
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 10, 2026 | Devotionals |
A Devotional on 1 John 5:4
1 John 5:4
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
Context
John wrote to believers living in a hostile world system. The pressures were real—false teaching, persecution, and the constant pull of the world’s values.
Yet John declares something astonishing: those who are born of God overcome the world.
Not by political strength.
Not by cultural dominance.
But by faith.
‘But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.’
Hebrews 11:6
The World System
In Scripture, “the world” often refers to the system of values that stands opposed to God. It promises fulfillment while leading people away from truth.
John does not tell believers to conquer the world through power.
He says faith overcomes it.
Faith anchors the believer in what God has already declared true.
Victory Through Faith
Faith is not wishful thinking. It is trust in the character and promises of God.
When believers trust Christ, they are no longer defined by the world’s standards. Their identity, hope, and future are anchored in Him.
This faith allows the believer to stand firm even when the world pressures them to compromise.
Word of Encouragement
The world may shout loudly, but it does not determine the final outcome.
Faith anchors you to a greater reality.
Because you belong to God, the system of this world does not ultimately define you.
Your victory is not found in winning arguments or gaining approval.
It is found in trusting the One who already overcame the world.
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 10, 2026 | Devotionals |
A Devotional on 2 Corinthians 2:14
2 Corinthians 2:14
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
Context
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians during a season of intense difficulty. His ministry was marked by hardship, persecution, misunderstanding, and constant pressure.
Yet in the middle of these challenges Paul makes a remarkable declaration:
“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.”
Paul was not denying hardship. He had already endured imprisonment, opposition, and suffering. But he viewed his life through a different lens—the victory of Christ.
Led in Triumph
Paul uses imagery from a Roman triumphal procession.
When a Roman general won a decisive victory, he would lead a parade through the city displaying the triumph. The conqueror would march at the head of the procession while the victory was publicly celebrated.
Paul takes this image and applies it to the believer’s life in Christ.
Christ is the victorious King.
And God leads His people in the procession of that victory.
The triumph does not originate with us. It originates with Christ.
Always
One word in this verse changes everything.
Always.
Paul does not say sometimes.
He does not say when circumstances cooperate.
He does not say when believers feel strong.
He says always.
This does not mean life is free from difficulty.
It means that every circumstance takes place under the umbrella of Christ’s victory.
The Fragrance of Christ
Paul continues by saying that through believers God spreads “the fragrance of His knowledge.”
In the ancient triumphal procession, incense would fill the streets as the victory parade moved through the city.
Paul uses that imagery to describe the believer’s life.
Wherever Christ’s people go, the knowledge of Him spreads.
Our lives become part of the testimony of Christ’s triumph.
Devotional Insight
Many believers assume that victory means the absence of hardship.
But Paul presents a different picture.
The believer’s life is not a series of isolated battles trying to determine the outcome.
The outcome has already been determined.
Christ has already triumphed.
Our lives unfold within that victory.
Word of Encouragement
If today feels difficult, remember this promise.
God is not abandoning you to the battle.
He is leading you through it.
And He is not leading you toward defeat.
He is leading you in the triumph of Christ.
Even when the road is difficult.
Even when the circumstances feel uncertain.
The victory of Christ still defines the journey.
And because you belong to Him,
He will always lead you in triumph.
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 10, 2026 | Israel and Bible Prophecy |
Why This Series Exists
Since October 7, 2023 there has been a noticeable and increasingly aggressive push within much of Christendom to deny that Bible prophecy includes a future temple in Jerusalem. Today, many pastors, theologians, and influencers now insist that all temple language in Scripture has already been fulfilled spiritually in the Church. At the same time, Christians who believe God is not finished with Israel—or who take passages about a future temple at face value—are often mocked, misrepresented, or accused of dangerous theology.
This series is not written to create division, but to provide clarity. Many believers who support Israel, take Bible prophecy seriously, or simply read these passages plainly are being challenged and do not know how to respond. The purpose of these posts is to examine what Scripture actually says and allow the Bible to speak for itself.
Part 1 – Does the Bible Say There Will Be a Third Temple?
The subject of a Third Temple in Jerusalem has suddenly become a major topic of discussion again. Some Christians insist it must be rebuilt. Others strongly oppose the idea and claim that believing in a future temple denies the finished work of Christ.
So what does the Bible actually say?
Instead of reacting emotionally or politically, the better approach is to ask a simple question:
Does Scripture indicate that a temple will exist again in Jerusalem before the Lord returns?
Let’s examine the passages.
First, the Bible Clearly Speaks of a Future Temple
Several New Testament passages describe events that occur in “the temple of God” in the last days.
The most direct reference comes from the apostle Paul.
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4
“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, 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.”
Paul describes a future event where the man of sin (the Antichrist) will sit in the temple of God claiming divine authority.
The most natural reading of this passage is that a temple exists at that time.
Paul wrote these words nearly twenty years before the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70, yet he still speaks about a future event involving a temple.
Jesus Also Referred to a Future Temple Desecration
The Lord Jesus referenced Daniel’s prophecy concerning the “abomination of desolation.”
Matthew 24:15
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…”
The “holy place” is temple language.
Daniel had already predicted that a ruler would desecrate the sanctuary.
Daniel 9:27
“…And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate…”
Whether one interprets these events as future or partially fulfilled historically, the language still assumes a functioning temple context in Jerusalem. A person willing to twist the word’s of the Creator, the Author of all Scripture is on pretty thin ice.
The Book of Revelation Mentions a Temple in the Last Days
The apostle John was instructed to measure the temple during the Tribulation period.
Revelation 11:1–2
“Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles.”
John describes:
- a temple
- an altar
- worship taking place
- Gentiles trampling Jerusalem
Again, the language is very difficult to spiritualize without forcing the text away from its plain sense.
Believing a Temple Will Exist Is Not the Same as Supporting It
This is where much confusion enters the conversation.
Scripture often describes events that will occur without commanding believers to help make them happen.
For example:
- The Bible predicts the rise of the Antichrist.
- It predicts global deception.
- It predicts persecution.
But Christians are not commanded to assist those things.
In the same way, recognizing that a temple may exist in the prophetic timeline does not mean believers should be lobbying governments, funding temple projects, or attempting to force prophecy into existence.
Prophecy reveals what will happen, not what the Church must engineer.
Christ Fulfilled the Sacrificial System Completely
One point must be stated clearly.
The sacrifice of Christ is final and sufficient.
Hebrews 10:12
“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
Animal sacrifices can never take away sin.
Christ’s offering accomplished what the Levitical system never could.
Any future temple sacrifices would not replace or add to the cross. At best, they would represent religious activity carried out in unbelief.
God Is Not Finished With Israel
Another reason this discussion matters is because it touches a much larger issue.
Throughout Scripture, God made specific promises to Israel regarding:
- the land
- the nation
- the kingdom
Paul makes it clear that Israel has not been permanently cast aside.
Romans 11:1
“I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not!”
And later he explains that Israel is temporarily blinded during the present age.
Romans 11:25
“…blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”
God’s prophetic program with Israel is paused, not canceled.
The Key Point Christians Should Remember
The most important truth in this discussion is this:
The Church is not waiting for a temple to be built.
Believers today are waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The focus of the gospel is not Jerusalem architecture or prophetic speculation.
The focus is the finished work of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
That is the message that saves.
Final Thoughts
So does the Bible say there will be a Third Temple?
Yes. Based on the Scripture reference provided and from lips of the Lord Jesus Himself a temple will exist in Jerusalem during the final events of history.
But believing that prophecy may include a temple is not the same as supporting it, funding it, or attempting to bring it about.
Christians are not called to build prophetic events.
We are ambassadors for Christ, called to proclaim the gospel of grace to all.
And the gospel remains the same today as it was when Paul first proclaimed it:
Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 9, 2026 | Devotionals |
A Devotional on Colossians 2:15
Colossians 2:15
“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
Context
When Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae, many were being pressured by false teachings. Some suggested that believers needed additional spiritual protections, rituals, or intermediaries to deal with unseen spiritual forces.
Paul responds with a decisive truth: Christ has already defeated every spiritual authority that stands against God’s people.
The cross was not merely an act of suffering.
It was a triumph.
Disarmed
Paul uses the language of warfare.
To disarm an enemy means to strip away his weapons.
The spiritual powers that once held humanity under accusation and condemnation were stripped of their authority at the cross.
The enemy may still threaten.
He may still accuse.
He may still deceive.
But his legal authority over the believer has been removed.
A Public Triumph
Paul describes Christ making a “public spectacle” of these powers.
In the ancient world, a victorious king would parade defeated enemies through the streets as a display of complete conquest.
Paul uses this image to describe what happened at Calvary.
What appeared to be Christ’s defeat was actually the moment of His greatest victory.
The cross exposed the weakness of the powers of darkness and displayed the supremacy of Christ.
The Battle We Still Feel
Even though the victory has been secured, believers still feel the pressure of spiritual conflict.
Temptation remains. Because of our flesh is sinful but our inner man, is a new creation.
Accusation continues.
The world system still resists God’s truth.
But these battles take place under a new reality.
The decisive victory has already been won.
Devotional Insight
Many believers live as though they are fighting for victory.
But Colossians 2:15 reminds us that the decisive battle has already been fought.
Christ did not merely weaken the enemy.
He disarmed him.
The cross stripped the powers of darkness of their ultimate authority.
Because of that, the believer’s struggle is no longer a desperate fight for survival.
It is a stand in the victory Christ has already secured.
Word of Encouragement
If the spiritual battle feels heavy today, remember this truth:
The cross was not a temporary setback for darkness.
It was its decisive defeat.
Christ has already disarmed the powers that once held humanity in bondage.
And because you belong to Him,
that victory now defines your position.
Stand firm.
The One who triumphed at the cross still reigns.