My question refers to Israel AFTER the rapture of the church. You mention (which I believe) that the battle of Ezekiel will be used to once again “wake up” Israel and turn their hearts back to the Lord and put a desire back in their hearts to rebuild the temple, but here is where my confusion begins. After the battle, it is mentioned that they will rebuild the temple and begin the sacrifices in the temple again because they are back in old covenant relationship with God. At what point will they see and accept the Messiah, Jesus, and STOP the sacrifices? Will it be at the 2nd Coming? I’m just confused about the starting of the sacrifices again and I’m not sure when they will finally see and accept Jesus as Messiah and realize His sacrifice is sufficient. Thank you so much.
I think the Battle of Ezekiel 38 will usher in the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, a 7 year period called “a week of years” that take place immediately preceding the 2nd Coming. Some time in the first half of the week the Jews will build a Temple and begin sacrificing animals again. Daniel 9:27 says that the anti-Christ will cause the sacrifices to cease in the middle of the week. Toward the end of the week, the Lord will open the eyes of the Jewish people to the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10) in preparation for His return.
But when the Lord returns, animal sacrifices in the Temple will begin again and will continue all through the Millennium (Ezekiel 40-46) as a memorial to the Lord’s death.