From the Elder's Pen "Temple" Part III 07/28/02 Past/Future Articles

 The Jews had become discontented with Zerubbabel’s Temple, which had been in existence for about five hundred years, because it did not have the prestige of the Temple Solomon built.  There was growing antagonism of the Jews against Herod.  He feared the Jews would make an appeal to Rome against him, so to secure their good will he promised them a new Temple.  To oversee the work Herod appointed a thousand priest having architectural skill.  As we stated last time before Zerubbabel’s Temple was taken down, the materials for the new Temple were gathered.  After ten years in construction, the Temple could be used and was dedicated.  However, it was many years after the dedication that the work was fully completed.
 Herod was the name of a number of Palestinian rulers, but the most famous was Herod the Great, King of Judaea.  He was the most jealous of his power and killed many, even his sons, because he feared they would take his throne.  It was into this atmosphere our Lord was born.  When Herod heard that the king of the Jews had been born, he ordered the death of all male children two years old and under so that Jesus might be destroyed.  (Matt. 2:16)  (Thought Question, CAN A MAN FIGHT GOD?  Can a man with the help of satan deter God’s plan?  I think not!!  The death, burial, and resurrection, of our Lord and Saviour stand as a memorial that nothing can destroy the plan of God.)
 It was this Herod that promised to build the Jews a new Temple.  Work on the Temple began in 19 B. C.  After eighteen months, the main building was constructed; however, the entire work, including the building and courts, was not completed until about A. D. 64 or six years before it was destroyed in the fall of Jerusalem.  It was the costliest, the greatest, and most magnificent of the three temples.  It was the Temple of the New Testament times and to it Jesus was brought as an infant.  (Lk. 2:22-24)  Later, He taught in it.  (Mk. 14:49)  This Temple was the scene of the driving out of the money-changers by Jesus.  (Matt. 21:12-14, Jo. 2:13-16)  It was around these Temples the Jewish religion pivoted.
 However, there was a greater day looming on the horizon for mankind.  A day when the heart of man would be Christ’s throne.  A day when there would be forgiveness of sins and salvation of souls with God as always ruling supreme for all who would accept and obey His word.  Therefore, there would be no more need of an earthly temple, for God would rule in His spiritual Kingdom, the church.  We are privileged to live in this time.  So take heed and above all else, serve God!!