Biblical conspiracy theorists believe the construction of a third Holy Temple in Jerusalem will precede the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Jewish eschatology concerning the end times claims the Holy Temple will rise up from the ground for the third time when the apocalypse nears. Talk of a third temple being built emerged this week in response to a letter penned by the powerful Jewish assembly of rabbis known as the Sanhedrin.
Jerusalem is heading into a mayoral election next week and the Sanhedrin urged both running candidates, Ofer Berkovich and Moshe Lion, to rebuild the temple.
The first two Holy Temples of Jerusalem were constructed on the city’s Temple Mount centuries ago but were razed to the ground by the Babylonians and the Romans respectively.
The Holy Temple plays a crucial role in Jewish tradition and is a central player in prophecies and tales concerning the apocalypse.
Christian pastor and doomsday preacher Paul Begley has now claimed the signs of the end times are coming to fruition.
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The Indiana-based preacher said: “The rabbis of the Sanhedrin court are calling both mayor candidates to include in their plans for this city the rebuilding of the third temple.
“Folks, this is as close to Biblical prophecy – I don’t know what else to say.
“That’s how close it’s getting and if you’re a Christian, you’re saying: ‘Wow, the Messiah is coming’
“There’s no doubt about it. Jesus of Nazareth, the saviour of the world, is going to return.”
Pastor Begley enthusiastically claimed we are now living “in the last days”.
According to Irvin Baxter of the EndTime Ministries, the third Holy Temple will be rebuilt in the last seven years of the world’s existence.
The doomsday preacher said this will happen in the first three years of the end times and will be the “most visible sign” of the end times finally arriving.
Mr Baxter said: “As that cornerstone is laid on the Temple Mount, every network on Earth will be televising this incredible event.”
And Rick Brinegar and Dave Robbins of the Endtime Ministries said: “The Bible prophesies, in many places, that a Third Temple will be built in the near future.
“In Matthew 24:1-2, Jesus tells His disciples that the Second Temple would be utterly destroyed.
“From Matthew 24:3 throughout the rest of the chapter, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Second Temple, while He prophesied of events that would occur near the time of His Second Coming.”
Fears of the world coming to an end were also sparked this week when a snake was seen slithering out of the Western Wall.
Conspiracists interpreted the snake’s arrival as the third of three unusual signs foretelling the apocalypse – the other two being the birth of a red heifer cow in Israel and fish returning to the Dead Sea.
Pastor Begley said: “Give your life to Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He is coming soon.
“I’ll be coming back with more. May there be peace in Jerusalem.”
Sheila Mitchell who saw Pastor Begley’s YouTube announcement said: “Let’s get ready our Lord and saviour is coming back, amen.”
And Stephanie Mytrosevich said: “I can’t even begin to express my longing for Christ’s return.”
There are, however, those who claim the end of the world cannot be predicted from holy scripture.
According to BibleInfo.com, the Bible outright states the date of Jesus’ return is not known.
Matthew 24:36 reads: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Matthew 24:42 later states: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
And finally, Matthew 24:44 reads: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
