A “third temple” in Jerusalem! Such has been the excited talk among Jewish leaders and laymen alike who, over the years, have been preparing themselves for restored temple worship. Likewise, many in “Christendom” are sympathetic to the Jews’ aspirations. They believe that before Jesus returns to earth, the Jews will restore their sacrificial system and, therefore, there has to be a “third temple” to be constructed in Jerusalem in the near future. Among several end-time Bible prophecies, both these people would point to Ezekiel 40-48 as talking about this “third temple.”
Why a “third temple?” This, of course, presupposes the fact that there had been a first temple and then a second temple.