Danger: Third temple almost ready. Is the time of AntiChrist near?

[Xavier]

The Apostles and the Fathers, the Prophets and the Lord Jesus Himself, tell us that one of the signs that the advent of Christ's greatest enemy is near is the attempted rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Animal sacrifice having been abolished by Christ's sacrificial death - and replaced by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, where the Lamb of God is offered on the Altar as a propitatory sacrifice - to attempt to re-start animal sacrifices is a mark of treason and open apostasy. Thoughts?

1. "There has been much debate about when and where the Third Temple will be constructed. Israelis have been working behind the scenes for years preparing for that occasion. Numerous websites have documented the alleged progress made toward restoring the Temple furniture and utensils.

In early November, the emergent reorganization of the Sanhedrin issued an invitation to 70 different nations, inviting representatives of each to attend the consecration of the replica of the altar upon which daily sacrifices were made on behalf of the Jewish people.

The occasion marks some of the first widely-public evidence that the Temple project is well underway."

https://missionsbox.org/news/sanhedrin-daily-offering-hanukkah/

2. Fisheaters has a compilation of historical records that describe what happened last time, and how it was miraculously prevented.

Socrates Scholasticus (ca. A.D. 379-450)
"Ecclesiastical History"
Book III, Chapter XX


The emperor [Julian the Apostate] in another attempt to molest the Christians exposed his superstition. Being fond of sacrificing, he not only himself delighted in the blood of victims, but considered it an indignity offered to him, if others did not do likewise. And as he found but few persons of this stamp, he sent for the Jews and enquired of them why they abstained from sacrificing, since the law of Moses enjoined it? On their replying that it was not permitted them to do this in any other place than Jerusalem, he immediately ordered them to rebuild Solomon's temple. Meanwhile he himself proceeded on his expedition against the Persians. The Jews who had been long desirous of obtaining a favorable opportunity for rearing their temple afresh in order that they might therein offer sacrifice, applied themselves very vigorously to the work. Moreover, they conducted themselves with great insolence toward the Christians, and threatened to do them as much mischief, as they had themselves suffered from the Romans. The emperor having ordered that the expenses of this structure should be defrayed out of the public treasury, all things were soon provided, such as timber and stone, burnt brick, clay, lime, and all other materials. necessary for building. On this occasion Cyril bishop of Jerusalem, called to mind the prophecy of Daniel, which Christ also in the holy gospels has confirmed, and predicted in the presence of many persons, that the time had indeed come 'in which one stone should not be left upon another in that temple,' but that the Saviour's prophetic declaration should have its full accomplishment. Such were the bishop's words: and on the night following, a mighty earthquake tore up the stones of the old foundations of the temple and dispersed them all together with the adjacent edifices. Terror consequently possessed the Jews on account of the event; and the report of it brought many to the spot who resided at a great distance: when therefore a vast multitude was assembled, another prodigy took place. Fire came down from heaven and consumed all the builders' tools: so that the flames were seen preying upon mallets, irons to smooth and polish stones, saws, hatchets, adzes, in short all the various implements which the workmen had procured as necessary for the undertaking; and the fire continued burning among these for a whole day. The Jews indeed were in the greatest possible alarm, and unwillingly confessed Christ, calling him God: yet they did not do his will; but influenced by inveterate prepossessions they still clung to Judaism. Even a third miracle which afterwards happened failed to lead them to a belief of the truth. For the next night luminous impressions of a cross appeared imprinted on their garments, which at daybreak they in vain attempted to rub or wash out. They were therefore 'blinded' as the apostle says, and cast away the good which they had in their hands: and thus was the temple, instead of being rebuilt, at that time wholly overthrown.

Sozomen (ca. A.D.375-447)
"Ecclesiastical History"
Book V, Chapter XXII

Though the emperor [Julian the Apostate] hated and opressed the Christians, he manifested benevolence and humanity towards the Jews. He wrote to the Jewish patriarchs and leaders, as well as to the people, requesting them to pray for him, and for the prosperity of the empire. In taking this step he was not actuated, I am convinced, by any respect for their religion; for he was aware that it is, so to speak, the mother of the Christian religion, and he knew that both religions rest upon the authority of the patriarchs and the prophets; but he thought to grieve the Christians by favoring the Jews, who are their most inveterate enemies. But perhaps he also calculated upon persuading the Jews to embrace paganism and sacrifices; for they were only acquainted with the mere letter of Scripture, and could not, like the Christians and a few of the wisest among the Hebrews, discern the hidden meaning.

Events proved that this was his real motive; for he sent for some of the chiefs of the race and exhorted them to return to the observance of the laws of Moses and the customs of their fathers. On their replying that because the temple in Jerusalem was overturned, it was neither lawful nor ancestral to do this in another place than the metropolis out of which they had been cast, he gave them public money, commanded them to rebuild the temple, and to practice the cult similar to that of their ancestors, by sacrificing after the ancient way. The Jews entered upon the undertaking, without reflecting that, according to the prediction of the holy prophets, it could not be accomplished. They sought for the most skillful artisans, collected materials, cleared the ground, and entered so earnestly upon the task, that even the women carried heaps of earth, and brought their necklaces and other female ornaments towards defraying the expense. The emperor, the other pagans, and all the Jews, regarded every other undertaking as secondary in importance to this. Although the pagans were not well-disposed towards the Jews, yet they assisted them in this enterprise, because they reckoned upon its ultimate success, and hoped by this means to falsify the prophecies of Christ. Besides this motive, the Jews themselves were impelled by the consideration that the time had arrived for rebuilding their temple. When they had removed the ruins of the former building, they dug up the ground and cleared away its foundation; it is said that on the following day when they were about to lay the first foundation, a great earthquake occurred, and by the violent agitation of the earth, stones were thrown up from the depths, by which those of the Jews who were engaged in the work were wounded, as likewise those who were merely looking on. The houses and public porticos, near the site of the temple, in which they had diverted themselves, were suddenly thrown down; many were caught thereby, some perished immediately, others were found half dead and mutilated of hands or legs, others were injured in other parts of the body. When God caused the earthquake to cease, the workmen who survived again returned to their task, partly because such was the edict of the emperor, and partly because they were themselves interested in the undertaking. Men often, in endeavoring to gratify their own passions, seek what is injurious to them, reject what would be truly advantageous, and are deluded-by the idea that nothing is really useful except what is agreeable to them. When once led astray by this error, they are no longer able to act in a manner conducive to their own interests, or to take warning by the calamities which are visited upon them.

The Jews, I believe, were just in this state; for, instead of regarding this unexpected earthquake as a manifest indication that God was opposed to the re-erection of their temple, they proceeded to recommence the work. But all parties relate, that they had scarcely returned to the undertaking, when fire burst suddenly from the foundations of the temple, and consumed several of the workmen.

This fact is fearlessly stated, and believed by all; the only discrepancy in the narrative is that some maintain that flame burst from the interior of the temple, as the workmen were striving to force an entrance, while others say that the fire proceeded directly from the earth. In whichever way the phenomenon might have occurred, it is equally wonderful. A more tangible and still more extraordinary prodigy ensued; suddenly the sign of the cross appeared spontaneously on the garments of the persons engaged in the undertaking. These crosses were disposed like stars, and appeared the work of art. Many were hence led to confess that Christ is God, and that the rebuilding of the temple was not pleasing to Him; others presented themselves in the church, were initiated, and besought Christ, with hymns and supplications, to pardon their transgression. If any one does not feel disposed to believe my narrative, let him go and be convinced by those who heard the facts I have related from the eyewitnesses of them, for they are still alive. Let him inquire, also, of the Jews and pagans who left the work in an incomplete state, or who, to speak more accurately, were unable to commence it.

Theodoret (A.D. 397-451)
"Ecclesiastical History"
Book III, Chapter XV

Julian, who had made his soul a home of destroying demons, went his corybantic way, ever raging against true religion. He accordingly now armed the Jews too against the believers in Christ. He began by enquiring of some whom he got together why, though their law imposed on them the duty of sacrifices, they offered none. On their reply that their worship was limited to one particular spot, this enemy of God immediately gave directions for the re-erection of the destroyed temple, supposing in his vanity that he could falsify the prediction of the Lord, of which, in reality, he exhibited the truth. The Jews heard his words with delight and made known his orders to their countrymen throughout the world. They came with haste from all directions, contributing alike money and enthusiasm for the work; and the emperor made all the provisions he could, less from the pride of munificence than from hostility to the truth. He despatched also as governor a fit man to carry out his impious orders. It is said that they made mattocks, shovels, and baskets of silver. When they had begun to dig and to carry out the earth a vast multitude of them went on with the work all day, but by night the earth which had been carried away shifted back from the ravine of its own accord. They destroyed moreover the remains of the former construction, with the intention of building everything up afresh; but when they had got together thousands of bushels of chalk and lime, of a sudden a violent gale blew, and storms, tempests and whirlwinds scattered everything far and wide. They still went on in their madness, nor were they brought to their senses by the divine longsuffering. Then first came a great earthquake, fit to strike terror into the hearts of men quite ignorant of God's dealings; and, when still they were not awed, fire running from the excavated foundations burnt up most of the diggers, and put the rest to flight. Moreover when a large number of men were sleeping at night in an adjacent building it suddenly fell down, roof and all, and crushed the whole of them. On that night and also on the following night the sign of the cross of salvation was seen brightly shining in the sky, and the very garments of the Jews were filled with crosses, not bright but black. When God's enemies saw these things, in terror at the heaven-sent plagues they fled, and made their way home, confessing the Godhead of Him who had been crucified by their fathers. Julian heard of these events, for they were repeated by every one.But like Pharaoh he hardened his heart.

[Miriam_M]

Well if so, it's just one more of many signs to me that the process of the End Times has started.  I have no sense of how long this phase will last (I don't think any of us are meant to know), but I don't know how one can avoid noticing at least a gradual but persistent momentum in the direction prophesied.

Overwhelmingly, though, rapid and steady deconstruction of the order of the universe and accompanying deterioration of man's spiritual state while the forces of evil progressively gain power -- those are the most visible and undeniable signs of End Times.  There have been many periods in history marked by sudden surges of depravity, apostasy, and moral/social rebellion, but until now they have not sustained themselves at this length. In larger numbers and in more significant realms, human beings are cooperating with the Devil, which is giving him and his minions a great deal of power against the forces of good on earth.

Fr. Ripperger's advice?  (I listened to it again last night)  Detach.  Become detached from anyone but God.  That's how he says we should prepare ourselves spiritually. That includes our relatives, spouses, children, occupations, property, everything.  Assign all of your emotional investment in those to God's sovereignty, and prepare your soul to acknowledge singular obedience to Him.

[Irishcyclist]

Every previous attempt to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem failed.

[awkwardcustomer]

Every previous attempt to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem failed.

And on each of those occasions the time wasn't right.

This doesn't mean the time isn't right now.

[awkwardcustomer]

If the time of the Antichrist is near, what about the 'Period of Peace'?

[Irishcyclist]

Every previous attempt to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem failed.

And on each of those occasions the time wasn't right.

This doesn't mean the time isn't right now.

My own view is that the temple at Jerusalem can never be rebuilt because those trying to rebuild it are the same as those who smashed and defiled the original covenant. Therefore, all attempts to rebuild the temple mock God, and God will not be mocked.

The nutjobs trying to rebuild the temple in this time are Jews and protestants.
In their idiocy and their hubris, they think that the temple refers to the ruins of the Jerusalem site. They are wholly incorrect in that conclusion. The temple is the Catholic Church instead.

The Catholic Church is the means and structure for redemption and sustenance of the covenant between God and man, as bequeathed by Jesus Christ ministry on Earth.

[awkwardcustomer]

My own view is that the temple at Jerusalem can never be rebuilt ....

St Cyril of Jerusalem doesn't agree with you, so there's obviously a difference of opinion on this issue.

From Cathechetical Lecture 15, para 15,

And again he says, Who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God, or that is worshipped; (against every God; Antichrist forsooth will abhor the idols,) so that he seats himself in the temple of God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 What temple then? He means, the Temple of the Jews which has been destroyed. For God forbid that it should be the one in which we are! Why say we this? That we may not be supposed to favour ourselves. For if he comes to the Jews as Christ, and desires to be worshipped by the Jews, he will make great account of the Temple, that he may more completely beguile them; making it supposed that he is the man of the race of David, who shall build up the Temple which was erected by Solomon. And Antichrist will come at the time when there shall not be left one stone upon another in the Temple of the Jews, according to the doom pronounced by our Saviour ; for when, either decay of time, or demolition ensuing on pretence of new buildings, or from any other causes, shall have overthrown all the stones, I mean not merely of the outer circuit, but of the inner shrine also, where the Cherubim were, then shall he come with all signs and lying wonders, exalting himself against all idols; at first indeed making a pretence of benevolence, but afterwards displaying his relentless temper, and that chiefly against the Saints of God. For he says, I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints ; and again elsewhere, there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation upon earth, even to that same time. Dreadful is that beast, a mighty dragon, unconquerable by man, ready to devour; concerning whom though we have more things to speak out of the divine Scriptures, yet we will content ourselves at present with thus much, in order to keep within compass.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310115.htm

[Vetus Ordo]

In order to rebuild the temple, the Jews would have to tear down the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Given the central importance these buildings have in Islam, Jews would probably have to extinguish Islam first in order to succeed. Not very likely.

[Gardener]

I was under the impression there was a belief they could build the temple without actually tearing those down, depending on orientation and size?

[GloriaPatri]

I was under the impression there was a belief they could build the temple without actually tearing those down, depending on orientation and size?

But don't the majority of observant Jews believe that the Dome of the Rock is where the Holy of Holies was located? I don't see how they could go about rebuilding their temple without including the original Holy of Holies.

[Vetus Ordo]

I was under the impression there was a belief they could build the temple without actually tearing those down, depending on orientation and size?

But don't the majority of observant Jews believe that the Dome of the Rock is where the Holy of Holies was located? I don't see how they could go about rebuilding their temple without including the original Holy of Holies.

Of course.

Not to mention that rebuilding the temple without including actual the temple mount would be pointless. Unfortunately for them, the temple mount is the third holiest site in Islam so that's not going to happen.

[Gardener]

I was under the impression there was a belief they could build the temple without actually tearing those down, depending on orientation and size?

But don't the majority of observant Jews believe that the Dome of the Rock is where the Holy of Holies was located? I don't see how they could go about rebuilding their temple without including the original Holy of Holies.

I suppose when the Antichrist false-Moshiach comes, he could probably direct it such that false unity is achieved in order to ape Christ and gather all to himself.

[clau clau]

I have prophecy fatigue.

[TomD]

Fr. Ripperger's advice?  (I listened to it again last night)  Detach.  Become detached from anyone but God.  That's how he says we should prepare ourselves spiritually. That includes our relatives, spouses, children, occupations, property, everything.  Assign all of your emotional investment in those to God's sovereignty, and prepare your soul to acknowledge singular obedience to Him.

Of course there can be an unhealthy attachment to relatives, spouses, children, and other things as well. And of course Christ teaches us that we must leave everything for him. That said, there can be an equally problematic detachment from these things, at least when it concerns the people. Christ said people will know we are his disciples by the way in which we love one another. If we cannot love our relatives, spouses, and children because we have become so emotionally detached from them, this is extremely spiritually dangerous and wrong.

[Elizabeth]

+JMJ+
In this time after the **Abdication**
(and Gorgeous George has always frightened me) (not to mention human cloning, abortion, euthanasia, transsexuals, global pornography addiction, etc.)

St. Lucy, pray for us.