The true temple is “not made with hands”, William.
John 2:18-22....
“So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” (ESV)
What then was “the temple of his body”? It was not a physical body, but a spiritual one.
Paul confirmed that this was no earthly temple....
“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (ESV)
There is no need of another physical temple, as the heavenly one is indestructible and the ones serving there will never die.
This prophesy of Malachi was referenced by Jesus himself, identifying the one spoken about...
Matt 11:7-14...
“As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.” (ESV)
Why could Jesus say that about John B? How could John be ‘greater than any human born of women’, and yet be inferior to one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven?
The Bible answers these questions, but if you ask anyone in Christendom for those answers, all you will hear is ...*crickets*...No one has to say....”I think it means this or that” because the Bible answers for itself without contradiction.
No one simply reading the Bible will come to the correct conclusions, because we have to study it to unlock the truth.....Jesus said it’s like “hidden treasure” that requires effort to dig and bring to the surface....most people are either too lazy, or convinced that you need a degree in theology to understand it. Not so....none of the 12 apostles were educated men and this was used by the Pharisees to imply their inferiority.
Like God’s ancient servants, both Jewish and Christian....you just have to have the right teachers....and you will be horribly misled if you have the wrong ones......but don’t expect them to be scholars or to have degrees after their name......they will be a hated minority, quietly doing as Christ instructed.
The Master gave this warning....
John 15:18-21...
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (ESV)
The majority would reject his messengers, just as they rejected him....but some would listen despite the hateful things said about them. (Matt 5:11-12; Matt 7:13-14)
