Temple Institute’s given reason to build another temple is not biblically valid

Temple Institute entrance
(Photo by Bob Thiel)

The Temple Institute had the following in its latest newsletter:

Marcheshvan 12, 5781/October 30, 2020

Why the Holy Temple? Why should we want to build it? Why do we need it? How will it be good for the Jews? How will it be good for the world? “Any prayer, any supplication, which will be made by any man, or by all Your people Israel, who shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house.” (I Kings 8:38) The Holy Temple is the Place to pray and the Place where your prayer will be answered!

But, while people often like to pray in specific buildings, a building is not needed to pray. Praying in a Jewish temple is not a guarantee of prayers being answered. That is a false assertion by the Temple Institute.

Notice something from the New Testament:

19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:18-24)

The Samaritan woman looks to have been pointing to the temple in Jerusalem as the place to pray according to the Jews. At that time, Samaritans were essentially only allowed on the outskirts of it, whereas the Jews could come in the temple to pray.

Instead of supporting a temple to pray, Jesus emphasized that it was important to worship God is spirit and in truth. Those who fail to do so are not truly worshiping God, nor do they tend to understand God’s plans for His creation or their lives (which is spelled out in the free online book: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? ).

Sadly, because they have rejected Jesus as the Messiah, Jews have a major blind-spot, if you will, regarding the truth. This is despite the fact that if the Jews would believe the Hebrew scriptures (which we commonly call the Old Testament), they should realize that Jesus is the Messiah.

Getting back to the Samaritan woman, John’s account continues with:

25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:25-26)

If modern Jews would believe their scriptures, as well as select writings of some of their prominent rabbis, they would conclude that Jesus is the Messiah. This is laid out in our free online book: Proof Jesus is the Messiah.

As far as prayer goes, we have a free online booklet.

PRAYER Book Cover - Front Final

Here is a link: Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?

As far as another temple goes, the Temple Institute believes that regular animal sacrifices are needed and that it would be best to have another temple in order to do so. Whereas Christians point to the blood of Jesus to cleanse, therefore we do not need animal sacrifices (Hebrews 9-10). Since it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins (Hebrews 10:4), another temple for that purpose is not needed.

Jesus takes away sins (John 1:36). All interested in the remission of sins, should repent of their sins and accept Jesus. And that includes those at the Temple Institute.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists’ Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but … These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book. We also have the book translated in the Spanish PRUEBA de que JESÚS es el MESÍAS and French PREUVES QUE JÉSUS EST LE MESSIE languages.
Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? This free booklet contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.
Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required, who is ‘the temple of God” in the New Testament? Does the Bible require a rebuilt Jewish Temple? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Por qué no se requiere un templo judío en Jerusalén? Here is a link to a sermon titled The Temple, Prophecy, and the Work.
Nascent Sanhedrin and Prophecy The reconstituted Sanhedrin wants the reimplementation of animal sacrifices. A related video is titled Sanhedrin pushing animal sacrifices. And a newer one is: Sanhedrin makes burnt offering to dedicate altar!
The Red Heifer, Jewish Beliefs, and the End of the World The Temple Institute is watching a ‘red heifer.’ Why might this be important in the sequence of end time events? Here is a related link in the Spanish language Novilla roja descubierta en EE.UU. e Instituto del Templo está interesado en ella. Here are links to two related videos in English: Red Heifers and the Fate of the World and The Red Heifer and the End of the World.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is a link to a related sermon: Could God be Calling You? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.