I have read with dismay several news articles this week suggesting the possibility of PM Ehud Olmert giving away the Temple Mount to the Palestinians. My question is this: From a Scriptural, prophetic viewpoint, would the LORD allow the temple mount to be given away?
Personally, I think the Lord has no further use for the current Temple Mount. It’s been defiled beyond reclamation. That said, even a cursory look at recent history will demonstrate that He has had a strong and immediate reaction every time any of his land has been given to foreigners.
Many voices are calling for the Jews to give up the Temple Mount as a way of further sidelining Hamas and other extremist groups, while strengthening “moderate” Palestinians. Some of these are from influential elements of Jewish society. Their philosophical ancestors counseled the same thing in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes and Caesar, all in the name of appeasement. It didn’t work then and it won’t work now.
But if they do allow it to pass into the hands of foreigners, it will lend credence to my view that the next Temple will be built just north of Jerusalem in Shiloh.