Ezra 1:1-11 KJV
1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
9 And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
10 Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

A long time ago according to legends, if someone need a house everyone come out and build a house for newcomers and even young folks getting married. It became a community affair. The needs of a home, and a need of not having another mouth to feed in one's family with an already crowd home. The one building would get together the supply of wood that they would chop down themselves and eveyone would come with hammers and either use real nails or wood nails to nail it together. The new family in town or the newlyweds then would move in it once it was all finished. A tiny home never takes long to build, but a huge house would. Imagine traveling home to the promise land out of exile to help in the rebuild of the house of God.

King Cyrus was commisioned by God to rebuild his house. The commission had to come from the king, because the people had been exiled to his land back at the time of Nebuchadnezzar who had place God's holy vessel in his idol temples in his land. People were told to supply the Israelites with gold and silver to help not only in their journey but the rebuilding of the temple. God had been with the remnant of Israel in Babylon. They were being sent home to no longer to be in captive. They had permission to stop what they were doing and return to israel help to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

God is the only one that could commission someone to send supplies, as well for a structure that size to be built in Jerusalem called the Temple. This is not a small temple for there was Gentile court, Treasurery, woman's area, the mens area, the enter court for the Jewish congregation and the Holies of Holies. The first house built back was going to be the House of God. It would shelter those that would be establishing business back, and homes. It was going to start with making a place for God first.

Most of us can not even imagine being exiled 70 years to then have the opportunity to return with everything needed for the journey. It was prophesied that it would happen by Jeremiah. Cyrus claimed that God had given him power over the world as they knew it way back then, and God wanted him to build a temple in Jerusalem. This first part is the part that we might have trouble with, but by sending God's people to rebuild the temple, he was also setting them free from the bondage of captivity. The enslavement of the Jewish people changed to freedom at the appointment of the proclamation to Babylon by the King. Freedom for every Jew willing to help in the rebuilding of God's Temple. Freedom for the people of faith.

Israel had been exile more then once. The first time because of the famine and Joseph wanted his family to come and live in Goshen because they were herds men. We get this image of freedom coming out of slavery. Freedom coming because of faith. Since World War II Israel have been returning to Israel. The exit to Israel during different time periods were not always such a grand exit homeward. Yet today the temple mount is controlled by Islam. Right now there is new commission of the third temple being built by the Jewish people. This has been going on since February 2023. The temple mount hold three temples. Each temple representing different time period. The first Temple being built at the time of King Solomon. The second Temple being built at the time of the return from Babylon and the ushering in of the Messiah. The third Temple is to be built for the Jewish Messiah. Christians believe the Messiah already came with the building of the second temple. The true temple is the spiritual temple. What is the Spiritual temple but the human body, us being the third temple. We are called a living temple. When the third temple is built in structure, there will be a falling away from the church, because Jews are looking for the coming of Christ at the time of third temple, making ready for the antichrist. Who is on the temple mount right now in Jerusalem Islam/muslim world and they think they are in control.

God declares something you can guarantee it going to happen. However we got to remember that the first holocaust ushered in the freedom of Israel and then Jews lost control of the Temple mount, and I got to watched it on the news while Obama was President of our land, this very event. Those that have been aware of all that going on but watching from the sidelines are now watching the third temple being built. Our temple is our earthly body, we worship in Spirit and in truth as believers in Christ. The things we see going on in the Holy Land of Israel is prophesy that is to come. Is God still in authority though the enemy is on the mount In Jerusalem. Can you be friends with Islam.

I want to share two things we need to know who in control of the world. The anti christ will not stand, he will rise up but he will be destroyed. Either on the side of God he will stand as Cyrus or he will be destroyed. Only for a Christian to observe Jerusalem today and the temple is to hear the word of the God and the prophesy concerning the things that we see. God is still using Jerusalem as a prophetic point to the world of what day and time it is. Keep looking to Jesus.

When Christ does return, he will rapture or take us up to be with him. We will leave this world behind and the judgment of God will come. The seven year ruler will rule for seven years. You need to be ready when the rapture takes place, because the next time the dead rise it is for the final judgment of God. If you are not ready today, tomorrow when ever tomorrow truly comes there is only salvation in Christ Jesus. Some believers are experience the rise of the antichrist already.

God is the one that sets the captive free, God is the one to deliver his people. God is the one to rely on. God is the one who establish his word, for us to believe his prophecy concerning the Messiah Jesus Christ the anointed. Our nation is celebrating the 4th of July once again this year, but is it really free? Or are we in a state of holding on the world view and events and trusting in what others say and not reading what God's word says about Christ return. Christian's if you feel persecuted now it will be getting worse. Yet what we do know our rights are still protected by law, but that never stop the enemy of God from doing what they were allowed to do by God. Our laws are designed to protect all people's faith. We must require our government to hold the enemy accountable for violation of our freedoms. Yet we must begin in prayer and seeking God will be done in our life and life of our world. We must continue in faith in Christ and beleive what God says. We want our captivity to be over on this earth, then we got to hold to the truth of His word and to know the antichrist is arising. God will allow him to arise to tear him down. We, in the thick of persecution of faith, must rely on the word of God for survival. Until the coming of the Lord as we learn to trust in God's word he going to do great things among his people.

Christ took the captives of hell from the grave and set them free, he going take his people home by the will of His Father. Let us hold to the precious hope today. We must hold and continue to wait on the coming of the Messiah. And the words free at last Thank God I am free at last will echo in our hearts and with our voice in triumph over our enemies. It should already be echoing those words because of salvation. For believer are the true temple of God, who receive Jesus Christ as Lord. For all that believe we are Christ's temple.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to hold to faith as we see the antichrist arising in our land and around the world even in Jerusalem. We know that you will one day set the captives of this earth free. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Ephesians 4:8-10 KJV
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Revelation 11:1-3 KJV
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.