In Roman times, the historic records say the world's most beautiful city was Jerusalem. Amid the city, the Temple shone out in gold and white stone. About a million man-years were involved in its ingenious structure. It astounded the world. To the north lay the fortress city of Antonia, connected by a causeway. Another causeway crossed the ravine of the Kidron to the Mount of Olives. Worldwide the exiled tribes of Israel supplied vast quantities of gold and treasures. Millions came to worship. James the brother of Jesus had a throne inside the Temple. He prayed in the Holy Place. He followed in the steps of his father Joseph. Jesus had a far higher office than either. It is described both in the New Testament and early writers of the first centuries. The facts of the resurrection were so clear that Roman emperor Tiberius immediately proclaimed Jesus a God. Others like Caligula tried to destroy the Temple and Jerusalem. Rome also tried to destroy the real facts about Jesus, James and Joseph in the Temple.

In Roman times, the historic records say the world's most beautiful city was Jerusalem. Amid the city, the Temple shone out in gold and white stone. About a million man-years were involved in its ingenious structure. It astounded the world. To the north lay the fortress city of Antonia, connected by a causeway. Another causeway crossed the ravine of the Kidron to the Mount of Olives. Worldwide the exiled tribes of Israel supplied vast quantities of gold and treasures. Millions came to worship. James the brother of Jesus had a throne inside the Temple. He prayed in the Holy Place. He followed in the steps of his father Joseph. Jesus had a far higher office than either. It is described both in the New Testament and early writers of the first centuries. The facts of the resurrection were so clear that Roman emperor Tiberius immediately proclaimed Jesus a God. Others like Caligula tried to destroy the Temple and Jerusalem. Rome also tried to destroy the real facts about Jesus, James and Joseph in the Temple.

The temples of God are of profound historical and future significance to Jews, Christians, and all of humanity. The original temple was in the Garden of Eden, created not by man’s hands, but by God. After sin came to the Garden, Adam and Eve began the lineage of mankind and from their roots came Jacob’s twelve sons and the Hebrew tribes. King David was a descendant of the tribe of Judah, and his son, Solomon, built an amazing temple in Jerusalem. It was where God’s presence and glory would reside. God told Solomon he would reject the temple if he or his descendants did not live with righteousness. Solomon’s temple was ultimately destroyed. Following a tumultuous period of wars, the second temple was built in Jerusalem by the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon. It was not as ornate as the first, but its magnificence was prophesied—and then came the temple rebuild by Herod the Great. His role in mankind’s history, including his violent kingship and the Massacre of the Innocents, fulfilled prophecy. The birth of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection also fulfilled prophecy. His activities in the second temple were profound—including his prediction of the destruction of Herod’s temple and all of Jerusalem. The obliteration occurred in AD 70. Mankind’s history then passes through eras of wars and conquest, leading to the hope for a third temple. It will be built in Jerusalem just prior to the Tribulation. Like all the temples of the past, it is prophesied to be defiled and destroyed. At the end of mankind’s earthly history, the final temple will be built by God, after Jesus Christ’s second coming—it will be glorious beyond imagination. Jesus will reside there, with his chosen people. Who is among the chosen? 2

The New Testament provides abundant evidence that Jesus frequented the temple; according to Acts, so did his followers after his death. But the Gospels also depict Jesus in conflict with temple authorities, and questions about his attitude to the temple swirl around what the Gospels label false accusations from his opponents and around the dramatic but inconsistent accounts of Jesus "cleansing" the temple. Jesus' attitude toward the temple is at the center of current historical Jesus research, yet those discussions are often not current with the latest archaeological and related findings regarding the temple and its history, architecture, liturgy, and function. James H. Charlesworth here gathers essays from world-renowned archaeologists and biblical scholars to address the current state of knowledge regarding the temple and to consider anew vital questions about its significance for Jesus, for his followers, and for New Testament readers today--Back cover.

Among the numerous sects and churches of the present day, the Latter-day Saints are distinguished as builders of Temples. In this respect they resemble Israel of olden time. It is not surprising that great and widespread interest is manifest respecting this peculiarity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor that questions are continually arising as to the purpose and motive behind this great labor, and the nature of the ordinances administered in these modern Houses of the Lord. To answer some of these questions, and to place within the reach of earnest inquirers authentic information concerning the doctrine and practice of Temple ministration, this book has been written. By way of affording means of easy comparison between the Temple-building achievements of past and those of current time, a brief treatment of the sanctuaries of earlier dispensations has been included. While detailed information pertaining to ancient Temples and related sanctuaries is accessible to all, through cyclopedias, Bible dictionaries and works of more special scope, but little concerning the Temples of today and the sacred service therein rendered has been published in separate form. The official "History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" contains abundant data on the subject; but the information is distributed through many tomes, and is of access to comparatively few.

Among the numerous sects and churches of the present day, the Latter-day Saints are distinguished as builders of Temples. In this respect they resemble Israel of olden time. It is not surprising that great and widespread interest is manifest respecting this peculiarity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor that questions are continually arising as to the purpose and motive behind this great labor, and the nature of the ordinances administered in these modern Houses of the Lord. To answer some of these questions, and to place within the reach of earnest inquirers authentic information concerning the doctrine and practise of Temple ministration, this book has been written. By way of affording means of easy comparison between the Temple-building achievements of past and those of current time, a brief treatment of the sanctuaries of earlier dispensations has been included. While detailed information pertaining to ancient Temples and related sanctuaries is accessible to all, through cyclopedias, Bible dictionaries and works of more special scope, but little concerning the Temples of today and the sacred service therein rendered has been published in separate form. The official "History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" contains abundant data on the subject; but the information is distributed through many tomes, and is of access to comparatively few.