Les Feldick Bible Study

Will God's presence rest on the temple Israel rebuilds?

No, God's presence will not rest on the temple Israel rebuilds. The rebuilt temple will be a man-made religion for the most part, not as the original tabernacle where God's presence was indicated. Because Israel is far from God, He cannot manifest His presence with them in that temple.

Les explains that the Ark of the Covenant was the very indication of God's presence in early Israel, but when Israel rebuilds their temple in the next few years, God's presence will not sit over it. It will be a man-made religion for the most part, not as it was originally. Because Israel is so far from God, there is no way He could manifest His presence with them now or in the near future. The context also describes the tabernacle furnishings—the acacia wood covered with gold, the altar of incense, the seven-tiered candlestick, and the laver of cleansing—but the rebuilt temple will lack God's manifest presence.