Hakal-HaShem

  
The Antichrist Seated in the Temple of God

This is part 2 of the discussion that we began in the last entry. In the previous post, we looked at the house of God, built by the Son of David, Jesus, which is a house, or temple, for the Father's name, Hakal HaShem. It is a place of miraculous, delivering, restoring, overcoming prayer for all nations. We are that living house, built out of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Jn. 2:18-22). This spiritual and living house, which we are, is built after the same prophetic pattern of the natural temple built by David's son, King Solomon (1 Kings 8). We should understand what scripture has said about that house, as we become built into the spiritual house after the pattern, so please read the previous entry. Jesus has great, even violent zeal for this house built from His blood and body (Mt. 21, Mk. 11, Lk. 19, Jn. 2). This living house worships God in Spirit and in Truth. This place for the Father's name, both in the earth, in the Spirit, and as we will see, in heaven, will become the focal point in the showdown between the holiness of God, and the eternal evil of Satan.
Both a natural temple, the spiritual temple, and the heavenly temple of the name of God, have important roles in the End Times, leading up to the return of Christ. We are living in that time, and we must become aware of our vital, spiritual role.
The Apostle Paul described the events that must take place before the day of Christ's return, and our gathering together to Him:
"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 (lawlessness) is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God....And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders..."   2 Thess. 2:3-9 (excerpt)
The goal of the one we know as the Antichrist, empowered by Satan, is to inhabit the physical temple of God, as God. Although sometimes we don't recognize the importance of the place of God's name, the Antichrist evidently will know and understand it, and desire it above all things. He reflects Satan's covetous desire in this (Isa. 14:12-15). This spirit of lawlessness is already at work in the earth (2 Thess. 2:7), as we can also plainly see as we look at the events of today. "Lawlessness" describes our times perfectly.
Those who are deceived by the antichrist succumb to that condition because they have chosen to turn away from the truth of God: "...because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (v. 10).
We may say that though the antichrist may seat himself in the earthly temple of God yet to be built, he will not be able to inhabit us, the living, spiritual temple of Christ. Actually, Jesus warns that the spiritual temple is in danger as well:
"Then if anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Christ!", or "There!" do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (eklektos: picked out, chosen by God to obtain salvation; choose out for one's self as Christ chose the disciples). See, I have told you before hand."  
                                                                                                      Mt. 24:23-25
As we, the chosen for salvation, turn further and further from the truth of God, as we are currently doing, we become very vulnerable to all spiritual lies and deceptions, and particularly this deception. Yes, it is very possible that the antichrist may try to inhabit even this living temple of God's name. If he cannot inhabit it by our permission, he is not averse to inhabiting it by force. We must be prepared against that. Paul exhorts the church in 2 Thess. 2 to "stand fast" and hold to what we have been taught (v. 13-15). If we doubt the elect's vulnerability, we can see it in the pitiful question that Jesus asked: "Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Lk. 18:8
The Book of Revelation, chapter 13, describes the antichrist as a "beast" (dangerous, venomous, wild animal, preparing destruction, and hunting for men as prey). Also said of the beast:
"Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme (speaking evil, slanderous, railing, abusively) His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven." v.6
He is allowed to make war on the saints, and to overcome them. Authority is given to him over every tribe, tongue and nation (v. 7).
What is the living tabernacle of God, the place of His name, to be doing in all this? I can tell you that the heavenly tabernacle is singing to the Lamb, Jesus, and declaring with all of their might:
"You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth...Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"  Rev. 5:9-12
This is what the heavenly temple of God is saying. This is to be our song and declaration as God's spiritual temple, as well. Like the heavenly temple, this living spiritual temple within us is the place where the Lamb of God is enthroned. Within this spiritual temple, miraculous intercessory prayer takes place, by which the Father sends the answer of all-powerful deliverance.
After the proclamation in the heavenly temple, all creation, every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea, also begins to proclaim the eternal rulership of Christ. And the judgment seals begin to be opened by Him.
As the persecution of the people of God becomes intense, as they are being chased down to be devoured (Rev. 12), again, we see the worship and praise in the heavenly temple calling forth the destruction of those who destroy the earth (Rev. 11:16-18). And then intercession of the temple of God:
"Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail."
                                                                                                            Rev. 11:19
God's people are miraculously delivered from the flood of destruction (Rev. 12:14-16).
Are we getting a picture of the enormous importance of the temple of God in all of these events?
Before the destruction of the beast, and the bloody system of wealth called Babylon, that sits upon him, the seven angels with the seven bowls full of the wrath of God, the seven last plagues that complete the wrath of God, are released. Yes, these angels are released by the song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb (Saved Israel and the Church together) that come froth out of the temple of God (Rev. 15:1-4).
"And after these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened....The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed."  Rev. 15:5, 8
The innermost Holy of Holies of the temple of God is opened to be seen by all.
Can we see the importance of our role as the living, spiritual temple, the place for God's name, hakal HaShem, built by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, cleansed by His zeal for His Father's name, the place where the Lamb of God is enthroned, the place filled with His Spirit and with His glory, with the Father's power of prayer, especially for the very days in which we live now, and will soon see? Can we understand how important it is for us to "stand fast" in the truth that we have been taught, as Paul instructed us to do? A great deal depends upon it.
This topic is huge, but alas, my space here is not! I have learned much in this sturdy, and I hope I have been able to share some of it with you in these last two posts.

Our Father has a living temple, on earth, in heaven, in us, built by His Son. AMEN!

"Bow Down and Worship Him"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ks05wY8m0s

"Worthy Is The Lamb"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAplJ0_jDFc

"I Bowed on My Knees"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc2xGXONv4I