Details of the First Two Temples

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The First Temple

As previously noted, the first temple was constructed by King Solomon after the death of his father, King David. This temple was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar circa 587 bce. Evidence suggests that Nebuchadnezzar prevented temple worship as early as 600-598 bce. The illustration below is provided by Wiki Commons:

drawing of temple from wikimedia commons

This temple built by King Solomon was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. 2 Chronicles 36 describes how King Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, resulting in the destruction of the first temple:

2 Chronicles 36:19 And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.

King Nebuchadnezzar kept a record of his military exploits. They exist on clay tablets such as the Babylonian Chronicles and the Nebuchadnezzar Chronicles. The Babylonian records agree with the Bible accounts in 2 Kings 24, 2 Chronicles 36 and Isaiah 39. Bible accuracy is supported by archaeological discoveries! The following is a quote from Wikipedia:

The Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle, also known as Jerusalem Chronicle, is one of the series of Babylonian Chronicles, and contains a description of the first eleven years of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II. The tablet details Nebuchadnezzar's military campaigns in the west and has been interpreted to refer to both the Battle of Carchemish and the Siege of Jerusalem (597 BC). The tablet is numbered BM 21946 in the British Museum.

The Second Temple

Records state that this temple was built on the site of Solomon's Temple circa 516 bce. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 ce:

The Second Temple also known in its later years as Herod's Temple, was the reconstructed Jewish holy temple that stood on the Temple Mount in the city of Jerusalem between c. 516 BCE and 70 CE. It replaced the First Temple (built at the same location during Solomon's reign over the United Kingdom of Israel) that had been destroyed in 587 BCE by the Neo-Babylonian Empire during its conquest of the Kingdom of Judah; the fallen Jewish kingdom was subsequently annexed as a Babylonian province and part of its populace was held captive in Babylon. Construction on the Second Temple began some time after the conquest of Babylon by the Achaemenid Persian Empire, following a proclamation by the Persian king Cyrus the Great that enabled the Jewish return to Zion.

The Jewish Museum in Jerusalem includes a model of this second temple that was destroyed by the Romans. This image is taken from Wiki Commons:

The Second Jewish Temple. Model in the Israel Museum.

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and the Metal Giant.

The coming Messiah will construct the Third Temple in Jerusalem when he appears. For those who oppose this coming third temple, there is no point engaging in running battles with the current Israel. Those who want to fight to maintain the status quo need to prepare to fight Israel's coming Messiah who will expand Israel!

Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

But when will this Messiah appear? Again, Daniel gives as at least some information. Daniel 2 contains Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a metal giant.

The Second Jewish Temple. Model in the Israel Museum.

Nebuchadnezzar saw a metal giant in his dreams. This concerned him. Daniel interpreted the dream for Nebuchadnezzar.

The head of gold represented Babylon.

The silver chest represented the Medes and Persians.

The brass belly represented the Greeks.

The iron legs represented Rome.

The feet made of iron mixed with clay represent the last days of human rule before the stone from heaven destroys all human governments, establishing Jerusalem as the new world capital:

Daniel 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

This is the hope of Israel. God plans to make Jerusalem the world capital. This is described in Micah:

Micah 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Next: Cyrus, Trump and Temple Rebuilds