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There are many among us today that say the Antichrist will sit in a stone temple, on the temple mount, in Jerusalem, proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thes 2:4). Will this event happen as so many seem to think?
Bear with me for a brief moment as I would like to use an example, the "mark (CHARAGMA) of the beast", which we see as an ever evolving technology to enslave mankind, which it may very well do, to illustrate my point. Often times we look at the definition of the word "mark" (CHARAGMA) to enhance our position as to it being a literal mark.
CHARAGMA (khar'-ag-mah); a scratch or etching, i.e. stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue)
This is offered as grist for the mill. (something to think about) I offer these passages of scripture that will define themselves within context. Apply the same logic to the word "temple" as we do to the word "mark"
There are two words in the New Testament translated temple NAOS and HIERON
1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple (NAOS) of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (KJV)
Eph 2:19-21 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple (NAOS) in the Lord: (KJV)
Mark 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple (HIERON) teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. (KJV)
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple (HIERON) at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. (KJV)
II Th 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple (NAOS) of God, shewing himself that he is God. (KJV)
So the question is, does it have to be a stone temple?
Can a "new" stone temple become holy? Would the ritualistic ceremonies performed according to tradition make it holy? Since according to 1 Cor 6:19 your body is the temple (NAOS) of the Holy Ghost, how could a person standing in a stone temple (HIERON) proclaiming himself to be God be more profane to God than the Papacy claiming to be the "Vicar of Christ".