History and Truth of the Temple

David wanted to build a temple for God (2 Samuel 7:1-17), but God said that Solomon would be the one to do so (v.13).

The first temple was built by Solomon (1 Kings 5-9). It took 7 years.

Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52), and set fire to the temple (v.13).

The first temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.

The captivity of the Jews in Babylon for a period of 70 years took place.

Daniel lived during the captivity.

Over 100 years before he was even born, Cyrus was prophesied to rebuild Jerusalem—by name (Isaiah 44:28-44). He gave the command to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4) and restored all the temple vessels (vv.5-11).

The second temple was built under the prophets Ezra and Nehemiah. It took 49 years (Daniel 9:25).

The Jews said it took 46 years to build (John 2:19-21).

Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (Matthew 24:1-14; Mark 13:1-32; Luke 1-24), prophesying over Jerusalem that their temple was being left to them desolate [lonesome, waste, desert, empty] (Matthew 23:37-39). God would no longer be found in that place.

Titus and the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70.

No prediction was ever made of it ever being rebuilt ever again in the future. 

If another temple was ever to be built again, it would be in vain because God would not inhabit it. Re-instituting sacrifices would be in vain because Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices and that the former sacrifices were merely types and shadows of Christ. The passages quoted for support of these supposed re-instituted sacrifices are all past-history passages, specifically stating "to make atonement." There's nothing stated about "memorials."

Various passages in the Old Testament, Zionists/Dispensationalists attempt to quote and apply to a future third temple. No such prophecies were ever made. If you look at history, when these men existed and what took place at that time, and you see who their contemporaries were, they are all speaking with regard to the second temple. After the Babylonian captivity, God would call them back to the land, when they had repented with their whole hearts, and they would rebuild the temple. Period!

Joel, Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, and Zephaniah (in that order) all wrote prior to the Babylonian captivity. Any prophecies about returning to the land and rebuilding the temple had to do with AFTER this period.
Jeremiah lived prior to and during the Babylonian captivity. Any prophecies about returning to the land and rebuilding the temple had to do with AFTER this period.
Daniel, Ezekiel, and Obadiah were written during the Babylonian captivity. Any prophecies about returning to the land and rebuilding the temple had to do with AFTER this period.
Ezra wrote during Cyrus' reign, before and during the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Haggai, and Zechariah wrote during Darius' reign, before or during the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah wrote during and after the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Amos 9:11 says, "In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old." Amos was written BEFORE the Babylonian captivity. This prophecy has to do with the building of the SECOND temple. However, James quotes this passage in Acts 15:15-17 in connection with something Peter had said. In 1 Peter 2:4-5, Peter clearly acknowledges the church as the temple of God.

Ephesians makes it clear that we, the church, are the new temple (vv.19-22). God does not dwell in temples made by human hands (Acts 7:48; 17:24). He indwells us.

There will never be another physical God-ordained temple!