Seventy Sevens, Babylon, and the Beast
By Richard Schurz
(Tampa Bay, Florida, USA)
The question posed in this work is: What are the Four Beasts in Daniel’s visions; and
will the Revived Roman Empire and 666 rule every nation in the world for Seven Years or
1260 days?
The prophet Daniel envisioned Four Beasts that came out of the sea in the first year of
the reign of Belshazzar, king of Babylon. Belshazzar was co-ruler with his father, Nabonidus.
The Four Beasts represent Four Empires: the Babylonian Empire, the Medio-Persian Empire, the
Greek Empire, and the Roman Empire.
The Babylonian Empire
Daniel said, “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of
heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up
out of the sea” (Dan. 4:2-3).
Daniel saw the great sea (the Mediterranean Sea) stirred up by the four winds of the
sky; and out of the sea came Four Beasts. The Mediterranean Sea is symbolic of the population
of the world (See Rev. 13:1; 17:1). The Four Beasts are four kingdoms which rule the known
world. The four winds could be symbolic of the Holy Spirit (See John 1:8). That could also mean
that the Holy Spirit is causing these four kingdoms to carry out God’s plans for the world.
However, if the four winds are not symbolic of the Holy Spirit, we should not be
concerned because we know that God is in complete control of all the kingdoms of the world.
The \Lord enables kings and kingdoms to rise; and puts an end to them when he pleases (See
Dan. 2:37; 4:17, 25, 32; 5:21 & Rom. 13:1).
The kingdoms of the world are referred to as Beasts because those kingdoms are cruel
as wild beasts. They are vicious and ruthless.
Later, Daniel said, “The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I
watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two
feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it” (Dan. 7:4).
The lion is symbolic of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom of Babylon. The transformation of
beast to a man could depict Nebuchadnezzar’s spiritual conversion. The king lived for many
years like a wild beast, but then came to understand that God, as deity, is the highest truth –
and it is he who rules over the kingdoms of the world (See Dan. 4:29-37).
The Medio-Persian Empire
“And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It raised up on one side, and had
three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: Arise, devour much flesh!”
(Dan. 7:5).
The Second Beast resembled a bear that was lying on its side, raised up on one side, and
three ribs of teeth. This beast is commanded to arise and devour much meat. The phrase,
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“raised up on one side,” is symbolic of the Persians being more powerful than the Medes. The
three ribs are symbolic of the three key victories the Medio-Persian Empire had: (1) the defeat
of King Croesus by Cyrus the Great and the conquest of the Sardis, the capital of Lydia in 547
B.C.; (2) the conquest of Egypt by Cambuses of 525 B.C. and the suppression of the Ionian revolt
by a number of cities in Asia Minor (Turkey) from 499-593 B.C.; and (3) the conquest of the
Babylonian Empire in October 455 B.C. This kingdom was commanded to take over and
conquer more territory.
The Greek Empire
“After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four
wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it” (Dan. 7:6).
Compare this with Daniel 8:8: “The goat (Alexander the Great) became very great, but at
the height of his power his large horn was broken off (Alexander died); and in its place four
prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven” (Dan. 8:8). After the death of
Alexander, four generals ruled over the four kingdoms of the Greek Empire.
Out of the four kingdoms came another evil king in the Syrian Greek Empire:
“Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the
south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land…
“It (Antiochus) set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host, it took away the daily
sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. Because of the rebellion, the
host of the saints and the daily sacrifice was given over to it. It prospered in everything it did,
and truth was thrown to the ground.
“Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, ‘How long will it
take for the vision to be fulfilled – the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that
causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled
underfoot?’ He said tome, ‘It will take 2300 evenings and mornings (1150 days); then the
sanctuary will be re-consecrated’” (Dan. 8:9, 11-14).
“From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes
desolation I set up (140 days), there will be 1290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and
reaches the end of the 1335 days” (Dan. 12:11-12). It took forty five (45) days to cleanse and
rebuild the atrocities profaning God’s temple.
[Note: The Book of 2 Maccabees quoted below deals with the Jewish revolt against
Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the eventual defeat of the Syrian general Nicanor by Judas
Maccabeus, a Jewish leader. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches consider it part of the
Bible; and some Protestants include 2 Maccabees as part of the Apocrypha, but most do not
consider it as part of the Bible.]
“When these happenings were reported to King Antiochus, he thought Judea was in
revolt. Raging like a wild animal, he set out from Egypt and took Jerusalem by storm. He
ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy those whom they met and to slay those who
took refuge in houses. There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children,
a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of 3 days, eighty thousand were lost, forty
thousand meeting violent death, and the same number sold into slavery” (2 Maccabees 5:1114).
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The killing of Jews took 140 days; and the elimination of sacrifices took 1150 days, for a
total of 1290 days: - See Daniel 12:11 above.
To consolidate his empire and strengthen his hold over the region, Antiochus decided to
side with the Hellenized Jews by outlawing Jewish religious rights and traditions kept by
observant Jews; and by ordering the worship of Zeus as the supreme god (See 2 Maccabees 6:112). This was anathema to the Jews; and when they refused, Antiochus sent an army to enforce
his decree. Because of the resistance, the city was destroyed, many were slaughtered.
“They brought into the temple things that were forbidden, so that the altar was covered
with abominable prohibited by God’s laws. A man could not keep the Sabbath or celebrate the
traditional feasts; nor even admit he was a Jew” (2 Maccabees 6:5-6).
And then about 3½ years later: “Maccabeus with his men lead by the Lord, recovered
the temple and the city of Jerusalem. He demolished the altars erected by the heathen in the
public square, and the sacred precincts as well. When they had purified the sanctuary, they
consecrated another altar and offered sacrifices” (2 Maccabees 10:1-3).
This took 45 days as per Daniel 12:12 above.
The Third Beast of Daniel was described as being like a leopard with four wings and four
heads, representing the Greek Empire, which was divided into four parts after the death of
Alexander of Macedonia. The Greek army was the most efficient army up to that time.
Alexander the Great conquered all of Asia Minor (Turkey) in less than two years (334-333 B.C.)
with 48,100 soldiers, 6,100 cavalry soldiers and 120 ships. He defeated Darius III at the Battle
of Issus in November of 333 B.C., taking control of the Persian Empire. That is why it was
symbolized as a leopard with wings.
The Roman Empire
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible,
exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling
the residue with its feet; and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had
ten horns” (Dan. 7:7).
The Fourth Beast is very different from the others; and is not presented or symbolized
by an animal. It is called terrible and powerful and exceedingly strong with huge iron teeth and
ten horns. It totally devoured, crushed and trampled down the former kingdoms. This beast is
symbolic of the Roman Empire, which is the strongest and most wicked empire.
Rome conquered all of the Greek Empire by 30 B.C. and ruled from then to about 450
A.D., at which time it lost most of its dominance. At its height around 200 A.D., the ancient
Roman Empire included an area almost twice as large as the Greek Empire before it.
Then, we see a “Revived Roman Empire” which will rule every nation in the world
during the 1260 day Great Tribulation with the help of an all-powerful Roman Anti-Christ and
ten other powerful kingdoms:
“The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from
all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. The
10 horns are 10 kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise… He
will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints… the saints will be handed over to him
for a time, times and half a time (42 months, or 1260 days)
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“But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed
forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an
everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him” (Dan. 7:23-27).
“And the dragon (Satan) stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of
the sea. He had 10 horns and 7 heads… Men worshipped the dragon because he had given
authority to the beast, and they also worshipped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast?
Who can make war against him?’ (666 is called the “beast” 36, or 6x6 times in Revelation).
“The beast was given power to exercise his authority for 42 months (1260 days). He was
given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he will be given authority
over every tribe, language and nation. All the inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast –
all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb (Jesus)” (Rev.
13:1, 4-5, 7-8).
“I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names
and had 7 heads and 10 horns… The 7 heads are 7 hills on which the woman sits (Rome)… The
10 horns are 10 kings who receive authority as kings along with the beast… They will give their
power and authority to the beast. They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will
overcome them because he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings – and with him will be his called,
chosen and faithful followers!” (Rev. 17: 3, 9, 12-14).
Return of the Lord and Judgment
All Post-tribbers believe that all of God’s saints will be resurrected on the Last Day of the
Great Tribulation when they will receive their heavenly bodies and then participate in the
marriage Feast of the Lamb. Events that will occur just after the marriage Feast of the Lamb on
the same Last Day are found in Revelation 19:7-21. This coming of Jesus with his saints to
conquer the evil ones is also mentioned in Jude 14-16, Revelation 2:26-27 and in Revelation
17:14. “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is
Lord of Lords and King of Kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers”
(See above: Rev. 17:3, 9, 12-14).
Now, according to John 12:48 and II Thessalonians, the lost will also be judged and
condemned on the same Last Day; and in Revelation 19:20, we read that 666 and his false
prophet will be thrown alive into hell on the same Last Day. We read that there will be, “two in
the field, one is taken (saint), and the other left (lost)” (Matt. 24:40); so apparently the lost are
resurrected, judged, condemned and thrown into hell with 666 on the same Last Day.
So, there will be two comings of Jesus on the Last Day. The first will be for his saints;
and the second will be with his saints immediately after the marriage Feast of the Lamb:
“The wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen,
bright and clean was given her to wear… I saw heaven standing open and there before me was
a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True… The armies of heaven were following
him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean…
“Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to
make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with
him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs
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he had deluded those who received the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. The two of
them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Rev. 19: 7-8, 11, 14, 19-20).
Seventy Sevens
“Seventy sevens (490 years) are decreed for your people to anoint the most holy, to
atone for wickedness, and to bring in everlasting righteousness… Know and understand this:
From the issuing of the decree (by Cyrus – See Isa. 44:28) to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed
One comes (Oct. 23, 29 A.D. ?) there will be 7 plus 62 7s (which is 69 7s, or 483 years)
“After the 7 plus 62 7s (actually 1260 days after April 3-5, 33 A.D.) the Anointed One will
be cut off but not for himself… He (the Anointed One) will confirm a covenant with many for one
‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ (after 1260 days) he (the Anointed One; not 666) will put an
end to sacrifices (atone for wickedness). (And then after a long pause) the abomination of
desolation (666) will come (for the 1260 day Great Tribulation) until the decreed end is poured
out on him” (Dan. 9:24-27) - on the Last Day of the last 7 (See Rev. 19:20).
So, the first half of the last 7 was already completed when Jesus put an end to all
sacrifices for sin; and gave us a New Covenant 1260 days after his anointing – which occurred
after 69 7s. When the Anointed One came, 69 7s, or 483 years, were 100% completed (See
Dan. 9:25 above) leaving just one 7 in the future, which will be totally used by those who
wrongly believe in a future 7-year Tribulation – which means that the “atonement for
wickedness” by Jesus about 3½ years after his anointing cannot be included in the 70 7s
prophecy.
However, God’s word clearly states that 70 7s are decreed “to atone for wickedness”
which occurred about 3½ years after the end of the 69 7s; and, therefore, the first half of the
last 7 has already been completed since there are only 3½ times left in the 70 7s. So, the Great
Tribulation and the rule of 666 will last exactly 1260 days, or 42 months, or 3½ times – which
agrees with God’s divine time periods found in Daniel 12:1-3, 7b; Dan. 7:25 & Rev. 13:5 above).
Three Passages in God’s Word
Here are the three passages in God’s word which shows that the Great Tribulation and
the Reign of 666 will last exactly 1260 days, or 42 (30-day) months:
1. “There will be a time of distress (the Great Tribulation) such as has not happened
from the beginning of nations until them. But at that time (the Last Day) your people
– everyone whose name is found written in the book (both OT & NT saints) – will be
delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to
everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt… It will be for a time,
times, and half a time (which is also 1260 days as per Rev. 12:6 & 14, or 42 (30-day)
months as per Rev. 13:5) all these things will be completed” (Dan. 12:1-2, 7b).
2. “The beast will be given a mouth to utter blasphemies and to exercise his authority
for 42 (30-day) months (not 7 years)… He will be given power to make war against
the saints and to conquer them” (Rev. 13: 5-7).
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3. “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints. The saints will be
handed over to him for a time (12 months), times (24 months), and half a time (6
months) – (Not 7 years)” (Dan. 7:25).
Jesus says, “If the Lord had not cut short those (Tribulation) days, no one would survive.
But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them” (Mark 13:20). The
first 69 7s were 365 day years (7 years = 2557 days); but the last 7 has been shortened to 360day years and two 1260-day periods, or 2520 days. So, God has shortened the last 7 of the 70
7s from 2557 days to two 1260-day periods, or 2520 days. And, God has shortened the Great
Tribulation from 3½ years of 1278 days to 3 ½times, or 1260 days.
The City on Seven Hills
What city built on seven hills that is a great seaport will be the headquarters of 666
during the 1260-day Great Tribulation? (666 is called the Beast 36 or 6x6 times in the Book of
Revelation.)
“The beast (666) will exercise his authority for 42 (30-day) months (or 1260 days)… And
he will be given power to make war against the saints and conquer them” (Rev. 13:5 & 7 – Also
see Dan. 7:25).
“I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast (666) with 7 heads and 10 horns… This title
was written on her forehead, ‘Mystery: Babylon the Great: Mother of prostitutes and of the
abominations of the earth.’ I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the
blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. The beast, which you saw, once was (alive), now is
not (alive in 96 A.D.), and will come out of the abyss (hell) and go to his destruction (See Rev.
19:19-20).
“This calls for a mind with wisdom. The 7 heads are seven hills (Rome) on which the
woman sits (or reigns)… The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who will give their authority to the
beast (666)… The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth” (Rev.
17:3, 5-6, 8-9, 12-13 & 18).
“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living
from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was
there ever a city like this great city?’ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and
mourning cry out, ‘Woe, woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich
through her wealth.
“In one hour she has been brought to ruin! Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice saints and
apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you… In her was found the
blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth” (Rev. 18:17, 20 &
24).
Most Bible scholars believe that the Book of First Peter was written shortly after the
beginning of Nero’s Roman persecution of Christians in 64 A.D. because of I Peter 4:12-13 &
5:8-9. We know that Peter and his wife were living in Rome at this time. Peter was inspired to
write I Peter 5:13: “She (Peter’s wife) who is in Babylon (nickname for Rome) sends you her
greetings, and so does my son Mark.”
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Apparently some Christians, including Peter, were inspired to call Rome “Babylon: after
Nero’s terrible persecution of Christians starting in 64 A.D. This is very interesting since the evil
city of the End Times is called “Babylon” 6 times in Revelation 14:8, 16:19, 17:5, 18:2, 10 & 21.
All encyclopedias agree that Babylon was completely evacuated in 275 B.C. and
completely destroyed by 141 B.C. The Wikipedia encyclopedia states, “By 141 B.C., when the
Parthian Empire took over the region, Babylon was in complete desolation and obscurity.”
The only question that remains is: Was Babylon rebuilt so that there could be people
living in Babylon around 65 A.D. when Peter wrote I Peter 5:13?
This leads us to the promises of God in Jeremiah 50: “This is the word the Lord spoke
through Jeremiah concerning Babylon… Babylon will be captured… A nation from the north will
attack her and lay waste her land. No one will live in it; both men and animals will flee away!”
(Jer. 50:1-3, 13). And also read Jeremiah 52:52, 61-64.
God always keeps his promises. If you check out the latest Iraqi Tour Guides, you will
notice the following statement: “Today, Babylon lies completely in ruins. A large and splendidly
carved stone lion is all that remains of its former glories.”
I was a missionary in Jerusalem – and Jerusalem was never known as the city on 7 hills.
It has always been known as the city on 6 mountains, not hills, as stated in Wikipedia under the
heading “Jerusalem Mountains,” which are (1) Mount Herzi, (2) Mount of Olives, (3) Mount
Zion, (4) Mount Scopus, (5) the Temple Mount, and (6) Har Menuchot.
“Babylon” (nicknamed Rome by Peter) is called a great seaport in Revelation 18:17-19
just like Rome; and unlike Babylon whose ruins are now 4 miles from the very shallow
Euphrates River; and unlike Jerusalem which is 2000 to 3000 feet above sea level and 35 miles
from the Mediterranean Sea. Babylon is also completely flat whereas the End Time “Babylon”
will be a city built on 7 hills just like Rome!
“The woman you saw (Rev. 17:3 – who sits with the beast with 7 heads) is the great city
(Rome – nicknamed Babylon in I Peter 5:13 – and also see Rev. 17:5a) that will rule over the
kings of the earth” (Rev. 17:18).
The headquarters of 666 will be destroyed about 2 weeks before the Last Day (See Rev.
16:10-16).
The mention of “seven hills” in conjunction with the Harlot Woman (Rev. 17:9) is often
seen as an allusion to seven hills known to be associated with Rome. The Rome view is also
built upon the assumption that the seven hills of Revelation 17:9 identify the topography of the
ancient city of Rome. Because literature of the ancient world contains dozens of references to
the seven hills of Rome, the ancient city of Rome was universally known as the city of the seven
hills. Thus, such a topographical would immediately suggest Rome in the minds of John’s
original audience. This suggestion is especially true given the fact that the seven hills were the
nucleus of the city on the left bank of the Tiber River; and given the fact that an unusual festival
called the “Septimontium” received its name because of this topographical feature.
Rome has always been known as the city built on 7 hills by Romulus from whom Rome
gets its name. The following is a quote from Wikipedia Encyclopedia: “The Seven Hills of Rome
(Italian: Sette colli di Roma) east of the river Tiber form the geographical heart of Rome, within
the walls of the ancient city. The seven hills are: Aventine Hill, Caelian Hill, Captoline Hill,
Palantine Hill, Quirinal Hill, Esquiline Hill, and Viminal Hill.”
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According to Wikipedia, Rome is in the Lazio region of central Italy on the Tiber River
(Italian: Tevere). The original settlement developed on hills that faced onto a ford beside the
Tiber Island; the only natural ford of the river in this area. Modern Rome is also crossed by
another river, the Aniene, which flows into the Tiber north of the historic center. Although the
city center is about 24 kilometers (15 miles) inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea, the city territory
extends to the shore where the south-western district of Ostia is located.
In addition, the notion that John’s audience would have understood the imagery of
Revelation 17 as referring to the topography of Rome seems strengthened by the discovery of
the “Dea Roma” coin minted in 71 A.D. in Asia Minor. One side of the coin contains the portrait
of the emperor. The reverse side of the coin depicts Rome, a Roman pagan goddess, sitting on
seven hills seated by the waters of the Tiber River. There are obvious similarities between the
“Dea Roma” coin and the imagery of Revelation 17.
In both cases, the goddess and the harlot are seated on seven hills and are seated either
on or by the waters. In addition, the name of the goddess was thought by many Romans to be
“Amor,” which is “Roma” spelled backwards. “Amor” was the goddess or love and sexuality.
Thus, both the woman on the coin and the woman in Revelation 17 represent harlotry.
Furthermore, the coin equates “Roma” with the power of the Roman Empire, which was active
in persecuting Christians of John’s day. The placement of Emperor Vespasian on one side of the
coin and “Roma” on the other makes this connection. The goddess is also pictured as holding a
sword, which may depict Rome’s imperial power. This imagery parallels with the woman of
Revelation 17 who is said to be drunk with the blood of the saints (See Rev. 17:5 & 9).
End Time Temple of God
Does a Jewish temple with Biblical specifications have to be built in the End Time?
Some End Time groups who wrongly interpret Daniel 9:27a, and who believe in a 7-year
Tribulation (starting with a new Jewish temple) are now spreading false rumors that religious
Jews are now building a temple – or planning to tear down the Muslim Dome of the Rock in
order to re-build a Jewish temple to Biblical specifications and then reinstitute animal sacrifices.
However, there are several big problems with this scenario. All 21 Arab Muslim nations,
including Pakistan which has many nuclear bombs, would them immediately declare an all-out
holy war on Israel; and the Israeli government fully understands this. I know this because I was
a missionary in Israel. A Jewish temple build to Biblical specifications would take at least 7
years to build during this continuous war with the 21 Muslim nations.
Most of these same End Time groups also teach that a Pre-tribulation Rapture could
occur today (not at least 7 years from today) which, of course, makes the ridiculous “imminent”
Pre-trib belief (that Jesus could come today) a big joke.
Now, all those who believe in a 7-year Tribulation only because of the wrong
interpretation of Daniel 9:27a also believe that immediately following a concealed Pre-trib
Rapture of the Church saints, the Anti-Christ will make a covenant with Israel allowing the Jews
to make animal sacrifices in a Jewish temple built to Biblical specifications. They believe that, at
the end of 3½ years – in the middle of the 7 years, the Anti-Christ will put an end to all animal
sacrifices in this Jewish temple.
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However, for over 1000 years religious Jews have believed that when their Messiah
comes, he will bring with him the New Jewish Temple and the required Ark of the Covenant –
and then the Messiah will re-establish the Levitical priesthood which will them offer animal
sacrifices according to Old Testament law. For, according to OT law (See Numbers 3:5-10), all
Jewish priests must prove they are direct descendants of Levi – and the Levitical genealogies
were completely destroyed when the last Jewish temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Therefore,
no scriptural OT sacrifices could possibly occur before then; since no Jew can now prove that he
is a Levite.
So, if you are waiting for this Jewish temple to be built to Biblical specifications by Jews
who will then offer animal sacrifices, you are going to have to wait until this bogus Jewish
Messiah comes. Please do not hold your breath until that time!
Did Herod the Great completely destroy the 2nd temple, including its foundation,
around 17 B.C.?
The following is a quote from “Antiquities of the Jews” by Josephus, page 334,
paragraphs 1 & 3: “And now Herod, in the 18th year of his reign undertook a very great work,
that is, to build of himself the temple of God and make it larger in compass, and to raise it to a
most significant altitude, as esteeming it to be the most glorious of all his actions; and this
would be sufficient for an everlasting memorial to him… So Herod took away the old
foundations and laid others, and erected the temple on them. Herod’s 3 rd temple was 100
cubits (150 feet) long.”
The first two Jewish temples were both 60 cubits (90 feet) long as per II Chronicles 3:3
& Ezra 6:3. So, Herod’s temple was the 3rd temple, which according to John 2:20 took “46 years
to build.”
There are some who believe that a 4th Jewish temple built to Biblical specifications will
appear during the End Times; and is suggested in Revelation 11:1. The “temple in heaven” is
mentioned 12 times in Revelation where worshippers are present (Rev. 3:12, 7:15, 11:19 (2X),
14:15 & 17, 15:5, 6 & 8 (2X), and 16:1 & 17). The only other time that a temple is mentioned
where worshippers are present is in Revelation 11:1; so this could also be a reference to the
“temple in heaven.”
Let us compare Revelation 11:1 with Revelation 7:15 and Revelation 8:3-5:
“I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, ‘Go and measure the temple of
God and the altar, and count the worshippers there” (Rev. 11:1)
“They (martyrs as per Rev. 7:9-14) are before the throne of God and serve him day and
night in his temple” (Rev. 7:15).
“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given
much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.
The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the
angel’s hand” (Rev. 8:3-5).
“You are members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone (of the 4th and last temple). In him
the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him
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you too are being built (“Living stones” – I Peter 2:5) together to become a dwelling in which
God lives by his Spirit” (Eph. 2:19-22).
“For we are the temple of the living God” (II Corinth. 6:16) – (See Rev. 11:1 above).
“The God who made the world and everything in it… does not live in temples built by
hands” (Acts 17:24).
The “outer court” of the temple of God in Revelation 11:2 would be the saints on earth
who are also the Temple of the Living God.
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