Who knows now how the "controversy of Zion" will be settled? Here are some facts to consider...
The pope is the only man in the world who rules over a two-headed world body of power: the dual dominion of the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican State. A ruler of both worlds, every ruling pope is self-declared as higher than any king. The title, King of Jerusalem, was retired to the Vatican when Otto von Hapsburg was forced to give up the title in order to return from exile a number of years ago. His vacated crown for a short while rested in the Roman Church's hand. The pope claims the right to give titles to whomever he pleases to, whenever he chooses. This right, understandably, has not been exercised for a good number of years. Vatican policy is now of a quiet ecumenical nature; it does not wish to aggravate with its political ambition by any overt action of a misguided "right."
The point being, the title, "King of Jerusalem" is not one that will be rightfully bestowed upon any man except a Jew. In the prophecy of Ezekiel 21:26-27, it is written concerning the crown of Israel, "...it shall be no more until he comes whose right it is, and I will give it..."
So the title is held in reserve by the God of the heavens for His own giving to the rightful claimant. This controversy about "right" is a major incompatibility between Hebrew and Christian doctrine, which teaches about the identity of the Messiah of Israel.
Secondary matters concern other doctrines which are held by the mainstream Christian comunity. These doctrines mostly are derived from non-Hebrew ideology and have no real bearing on the question before us, except in one aspect. This aspect concerns the nature and the location of the kingdom of God, (which is also comparatively referred to as the kingdom of heaven in the Holy Scriptures).
The understanding of what the kingdom of God was in times past poses no problem at all for the Jew. For, the Old Testament Scriptures are quite explicit that the nation of Israel in the promised land was the temporal dominion of God. It was the earthly kingdom which was ruled under the presence of the glory of the LORD of the heavens.
Israel, under the rule of the kings and the priests, was the kingdom of God. After the destruction of the nation and of the temple in 586-585 B.C., the realm was gradually removed from the land. Until 70-73 A.D., when the removal was made total. The temporal kingdom was destroyed under the powers of Rome. But this is the dominion which the papacy aspires to regain.
Each of the three religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, does acknowledge Jesus Christ in some manner, but not always honorably. Many Christian and Jewish people do not accept that the true Christian is a "wild" branch grafted onto the Jewish root and branch of the kingdom. They are unaware that a time comes when "the call of the nations" ends, and that Israel is regrafted in again among the nations of the land -- as indeed happened in 1948.
When a time comes for making a final judgment, will Christians acknowledge their Jewish "stock?" Or will either group avow or disavow the graft at the Second coming?
The New Testament is quite explicit about the Jewish rejection of Jesus Christ as the true Messiah. Their rejection lasts only until "the fulness of the nations" be come in. So there is a time remaining for further decision on the part of both Jews and Christians independent of all other considerations.
According to Isaiah, God has a controversy with the nations, the dispute is about the holy places. Daniel also alludes to an "abomination" which sits there. Since 1948 the Jews have settled much of the land promised to Abraham. With each war fought against them since then, they have emerged with enlarged borders.
Points to consider...
Israel is openly hated by all the nations surrounding the land now occupied by the people. Israel has claimed all the territory for her southern border. It is precisely what Ezekiel describes that it should be. However, the land east of the Jordan, Gilead, is not secured. Some part of the Golan is under Israel's precarious control. The country of Jordan impedes expansion toward the true eastern border. Problems of control over the West Bank hinders Israel. The troublsome northern border is neither secured, nor secure. The promised northern border lies in the country of Lebanon, near the south of Syria. Damascus and Beirut remain as desolated and troubling spots. More war can be expected in that area before the north border is finally secure. Syria's humiliation is still future; it is a place of Babylonish influence. In ancient days the Syrians allied with the northern lands against Israel. Iraq, Turkey, Iran are opposed to Israel's expansion toward the specified north border limits. After forty years of existence, Israel has finally been recognized as a nation by the Vatican State, on December 31, 1993. Why, after so long? Because, the Church claims to be the true kingdom of God. It teaches that Christians are the only chosen people of God, that the Church has replaced Israel in the purpose of God. Why, the change of diplomacy so recently? The obvious answer seems to be that the whole world can now see that the nation was not replaced nor cut off forever! Israel had become an embarrasment to the Church's teaching and to the policy of the Vatican State. There is still the conflict over the Temple Mount. Although, in 1994 in Israel's treaty with Jordan, she recognized King Hussein's "special status concerning the holy sites." This right of ownership over the mountain site must be weighed against the word of the Hebrew prophets. When God deposed Zedekiah, He then stated that He would give Israel's crown and throne to the rightful heir when "he comes." Will the Islamic and Christian priests be content to wait for this event? Or will they propose other measures for government of the holy places? Then too, the Jewish people must acknowledge a new covenant with God before Eretz Israel is assured to them forever. How long must they wait before Elijah comes, and to do his instruction? All the nations of the world will be affected by the activity of the Treaty of Rome and its European signatories. Both the United States and the newly emerging northern countries of the former Soviet bloc will protect their trade interests in the Middle East. The key to the solution of all these problems is held by Israel.
The pope, during his world travels, consolidates his bases of power, ecclesiastical and political.
The economic stability of Europe will depend upon peace in the Middle East. Israel's "problems" cannot be permitted to embroil the world in war. As worldly pressures mount against the nation, she will face terrifying adversities. How can she retain power over the holy places when the surrounding nations ally with "the fierce king" of the latter days? Who is this "man of sin" who will claim, as God, the seat in the temple?
Both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian New Testament Scriptures teach that the Jews will be the true witnesses of the work of God.
The disciples of Jesus asked him, "Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Jesus replied only to the time of his kingdom's actual rule. His words to Pilate not only affirmed his right to the throne but also affirmed the time: "...but now my kingdom is not from here." "Now" today is closer by nearly 2,000 years!
Isaiah prophesied, "Let all the nations be gathered together and let the people be assembled," saying, "Ye are My witnesses ... that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. No God was formed before Me, nor shall any be after Me..."
However, the "son of perdition" one day will sit down in the temple, declaring himself to be God -- according to 2 Thessalonians 2:4, but the Lord will then consume "that wicked one" with "the spirit of His mouth and shall destroy his with the brightness of His coming." "The lie" will have been revealed but not without bringing a "strong delusion" upon the many others who follow his lead, and will be destroyed along with him! Being a "false prophet" he tries to destroy the people by means of a holy war against the nation. His evil working brings a great day of judgment upon all the rebels against God's Word.
What relevance do these prophecies have to do with a need for this little book about the prophecy of Ezekiel's temple plan? ..."Lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of My people, Israel and Judah, saith the LORD; and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it..." This Word has come true; the nucleus of the people are returned to the land since 1948.
Does Israel now have problems? Assuredly, for some strange things have happened since that day of May 23, 1948; and other strange things are still prophesied to come to pass.
The vision itself came to Ezekiel fourteen years after the destruction of the city, Jerusalem, during the Passover in 586 B.C. At the time of the vision, Nisan 10, 572 B.C., the temple mount was burnt and left barren. Jerusalem was left a ruin.
This particular vision followed two prior, pertinent, ones:
With these two visions already in mind, Ezekiel is shown this third vision.
It is the vision of the mountain, Zion, where Ezekiel is taken by the Spirit. There he sees all the patterns of the buildings on the site - the temple at the innermost center - as he is guided all around the site by a peculiarly described angel. He is shown the pattern of the sanctuary of the LORD's house with its buildings only in outline forms. All is prepared for the day of construction when the LORD's people at last repent of their disobedience and turn back to Him in true faith.