Book Review: THE COMING TEMPLE
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Book:        "The Coming Temple" - Center Stage for the Final Countdown
Authors:     Don Stewart and Chuck Missler
Publishers:  Dart Press, Box 6486, Orange, CA 92613. (800) 637-5177.
Price:       $9.95
Reviewed by: Anton W. Hein

When an internationally known author and apologist like Don Stewart,
and an equally well-known Bible teacher like Chuck Missler co-author
a book, you can be sure of at least one thing: The product will be
well-researched, well-documented, and presented in a clear, easy to
follow manner. That certainly is the case with "The Coming Temple".

Over the past ten years Stewart and Missler have befriended some of
the personalities in Israel who are involved in various movements
to initiate the building of a Third Temple. Both have also been
part of a scientific expedition that attempted to located the exact 
site of where the First and Second Temple stood. More important, 
the authors are veteran Bible teachers who are very familiar with 
what the Scriptures have to say concerning the subject of a future 
temple. 

While the book's introduction readily admits that "Some of the 
possibilities presented are little more than informed conjectures..",
the authors present a clear overview of the controversy surrounding 
the Temple Mount, the history of the Temple, and the current moves 
toward the rebuilding of the Temple. 

Basing their study on Biblical prophecies, Stewart and Missler are 
certain that the Temple will indeed be rebuild, and that it will be 
"the center stage for the final countdown".

While the entire book provides fascinating material for reading and 
study, among the best portions is a chapter called "What Does It 
All Mean?". Though brief, it discusses what the coming rebuilding 
of the Temple means for Israel ("...it is a reminder that God is 
not finished with Israel."), and what the role of Christians should 
be: Should Christians be involved in the efforts to rebuild the Temple? 
The authors say no: "Though we know from the New Testament that a 
Third Temple is predicted and will be built, Christians should not 
participate in its planning, promotion or construction. For one 
thing, they point out that the Scriptures declare the Temple will 
be built in unbelief of Jesus as the Messiah. The Third Temple will 
be the center stages for the activities of the Antichrist. (One of 
several highly informative appendixes lists Old and New Testament 
references to the Antichrist, a subject the authors promise to 
treat in a future book).
    
However, Stewart and Missler do say they see some legitimate causes 
with wich Christians can involve themselves, such as the search for 
the location of the previous Temple.

Another fine chapter, "Center Stage for the Final Countdown" 
relates the issues surrounding the rebuilding of the Temple to 
coming events.

"The Coming Temple" is illustrated with many maps, diagrams, and 
photographs (among which are pictures of the already finished 
Temple implements). Lots of footnotes, Bible references and a good 
bibliography make it easy to undertake a more indepth study into 
the subjects presented.

This is a highly recommended book, of interest not only to
Christians, but - in its sensitive treatment of the subject - also
to our Jewish friends.


Anton W. Hein - Co-Sysop of Abba II, A "Marketplace" of Information and
Resources for Christians. Call our Computer Bulletin Board at: 619/487-7746.

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