Topical Bible: Temple: Herod the Great's Temple: Prophecies Concerning Its Destruction, by Daniel

◄ Temple: Herod the Great's Temple: Prophecies Concerning Its Destruction, by Daniel ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Herod the Great's Temple, often referred to as the Second Temple, was a grand reconstruction of the original temple built by Zerubbabel. Herod's ambitious project began around 20-19 BC and was completed long after his death, with the final touches finished in AD 63. This temple stood as a central place of worship and national identity for the Jewish people until its destruction in AD 70 by the Romans. The prophecies concerning its destruction are deeply rooted in the biblical texts, particularly in the Book of Daniel.

Daniel's Prophecies

The Book of Daniel, written during the Babylonian exile, contains several prophecies that have been interpreted as foretelling the destruction of Herod's Temple. Daniel 9:24-27 is a key passage often cited in this context. This passage, known as the "Seventy Weeks" prophecy, outlines a timeline for significant events in Jewish history, culminating in the destruction of the city and the sanctuary.

Daniel 9:26 states, "Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed." This verse is interpreted by many as a reference to the Messiah's death ("the Anointed One will be cut off") and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans ("the people of the prince who is to come").

Interpretation and Fulfillment

Conservative Christian scholars often view this prophecy as having a dual fulfillment. The "Anointed One" is understood to be Jesus Christ, whose crucifixion occurred around AD 30. The "people of the prince who is to come" are seen as the Roman forces under General Titus, who besieged and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70. This event marked a significant turning point in Jewish history and fulfilled the prophetic words of Daniel.

The phrase "desolations are decreed" is interpreted as the ongoing struggles and conflicts that would characterize the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem following the Temple's destruction. This interpretation aligns with historical events, as Jerusalem has experienced numerous conflicts and changes in control throughout the centuries.

Theological Implications

The destruction of Herod's Temple is seen as a pivotal moment in biblical prophecy, emphasizing the transition from the old covenant, centered on the Temple and sacrificial system, to the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. The absence of the Temple underscored the belief that the ultimate sacrifice had been made through Christ, rendering the physical temple and its rituals obsolete.

Daniel's prophecy, therefore, is not only a foretelling of historical events but also a theological statement about the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus. The destruction of the Temple serves as a reminder of the impermanence of earthly structures and the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people through Christ.

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Daniel 8:11-15
Yes, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.
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Daniel 11:30,31
For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
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