Topical Bible: Temple: The Second: Prophecies of Its Restoration

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The Second Temple, also known as Zerubbabel's Temple, holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy. Following the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, the Jewish people were exiled to Babylon. The restoration of the Temple became a central hope for the exiled community, and several biblical prophecies foretold its reconstruction.

Prophecies of Restoration

1. Jeremiah's Prophecy: The prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the fall of Jerusalem, prophesied the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple. In Jeremiah 29:10, the Lord declares, "For thus says the LORD: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill My good promise to bring you back to this place.'" This prophecy set the stage for the eventual return and rebuilding efforts.

2. Isaiah's Vision: Isaiah, though he prophesied before the exile, spoke of a future restoration. In Isaiah 44:28, God refers to Cyrus, the Persian king, as His shepherd who will fulfill His purpose: "He will say of Jerusalem, 'Let it be rebuilt,' and of the temple, 'Let its foundations be laid.'" This prophecy was remarkably fulfilled when Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4).

3. Ezekiel's Temple Vision: While Ezekiel's vision in chapters 40-48 is often seen as an idealized or eschatological temple, it provided hope and a blueprint for restoration. Ezekiel 43:10-11 states, "As for you, son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities, and let them measure the plan." This vision inspired the exiles with a vision of future glory.

4. Haggai's Encouragement: The prophet Haggai played a crucial role during the actual rebuilding process. After the initial return under Zerubbabel, the work on the Temple stalled. Haggai exhorted the people to resume construction, promising God's presence and blessing. Haggai 2:9 declares, "The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, says the LORD of Hosts. And in this place I will provide peace."

5. Zechariah's Assurance: Zechariah, a contemporary of Haggai, also encouraged the builders with visions and prophecies. Zechariah 4:9 states, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you." Zechariah's prophecies assured the people of divine support and the ultimate success of their efforts.

Fulfillment and Significance

The prophecies concerning the Second Temple's restoration were fulfilled when the exiles returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest. The foundation was laid in 536 BC, and despite opposition and delays, the Temple was completed in 516 BC, exactly seventy years after the destruction of the First Temple, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy.

The Second Temple became the center of Jewish worship and life, playing a crucial role in the religious and cultural identity of the Jewish people. It was during this period that many of the traditions and practices that defined Second Temple Judaism were established. The prophecies of its restoration not only provided hope and motivation for the returning exiles but also underscored the faithfulness of God to His promises and His people.

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Isaiah 44:28
That said of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, You shall be built; and to the temple, Your foundation shall be laid.
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Daniel 8:13,14
Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said to that certain saint which spoke, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
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Haggai 1:1
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
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Haggai 2:1
In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,
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Zechariah 1:16
Therefore thus said the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, said the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth on Jerusalem.
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Zechariah 4:8-10
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
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Zechariah 6:12-15
And speak to him, saying, Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
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Zechariah 8:9-15
Thus said the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, you that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
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Malachi 3:1
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, he shall come, said the LORD of hosts.
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Library

Theophilus.
... its inconsistencies, 111. Prophecies, 108. ... Sibyl, 94, 97, 106, 108. Temple, antiquity
of, 117. ... his account of, 93. writes second book to Autolycus, 94. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/theophilus.htm

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... day of the second month of that second year, they ... the Sanhedrim; and the structure
of the temple was with ... brought to a conclusion, by the prophecies of Haggai ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... The deeds deposited."Baruch writes Jeremiah's prophecies."He reads ... in the closing
chapters of the second book of ... one of the courts of the Temple, and that ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

The Eve of the Restoration
... of gold, silver basons of a second sort four ... in the supposition that the prophecies
concerning him ... is singular"the inventory of the Temple vessels returned ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the eve of the restoration.htm

Brave Encouragements
... to receive riches,' even as other prophecies have foretold ... In that true Temple the
glory of the Shechinah, which was wanting in the second, for ever ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/brave encouragements.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... the former" (2:1-9). This promise was fulfilled in a material way in the second
temple as renewed ... To the second part belong the prophecies contained in ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... xviii.) these prophecies are clearly ... Had expositors noticed that this was the second
Vision of what takes ... The "court" of the Temple and the city is given over ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
... the first,' and that further propagated, the second' degree ... passage in full in the
Appendix on Messianic Prophecies. ... and the destruction of the Temple the real ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv second journey through.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... and in the fulness of his prophecies concerning the ... to show that the whole of the
second part (chaps ... When Solomon had dedicated the temple, and his kingdom was ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... Several temple-psalms were also composed; a part of ... To Zechariah's authentic prophecies
were added the earlier ... times; the first and second divisions proceeding ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm