Talk of Israel never really fades from the headlines. But lately, the focus has shifted beyond politics and war to something far more provocative: the renewed push toward temple worship and what it could mean prophetically.
In a recent Charisma Media interview, researcher and author Josh Peck explained why this moment deserves closer attention and why he believes the Bible points to events that are not symbolic but very real.
Peck’s argument is straightforward. Scripture means what it says.
A Literal Reading of Prophecy
One of the central questions Peck addresses is whether end-times prophecy should be taken metaphorically or literally. His position is unambiguous.
“I’m a literalist,” Peck said. “I take Bible prophecy literally.”
While acknowledging that Scripture contains poetry and symbolism, Peck noted that symbolic passages are usually explained within the text itself. When it comes to the temple, he said, the language leaves little room for abstraction.
“When it comes to the temple, it uses very literal language,” he said. “So I do believe that we are going to see, at least during the tribulation, a literal third temple of worship.”
Momentum Toward a Third Temple
Peck pointed to growing developments in Israel that suggest preparations are accelerating. From priestly training to sacred vessels, he said the groundwork is largely complete.
“Apparently, from what I understand, they have everything that they need to start it again,” Peck said, noting that the red heifer remains one of the final elements closely watched by prophecy observers.
He also tied the surge in global attention on Israel to a troubling parallel trend.
“The rise of antisemitism has been huge,” Peck said. “Which makes sense if God does have a future plan for Israel and if Satan knows that.”
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The Often-Ignored Fourth Temple
While many prophecy discussions focus on a third temple, Peck said Scripture actually provides more detail about what comes next.
“What’s really interesting is in the Bible, there’s more about the fourth temple than there is about the third,” he said.
Peck pointed readers to Ezekiel chapters 40 through 48, which describe a future temple with precise dimensions and specific functions.
“It’s like a blueprint in text,” he said. “To me, that’s extremely literal language.”
According to Peck, this fourth temple will exist during the millennial reign of Christ, after the tribulation and the defeat of the Antichrist.
“This actually occurs during the millennial reign of Christ,” he said. “He’s going to rule on earth for a thousand years, and part of that rule is this temple.”
History, Expectation and Modern Parallels
Peck also referenced non-canonical writings such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, not as Scripture, but as historical evidence of ancient Jewish expectations.
“What the Dead Sea Scrolls tell us is that this was in the culture at the time,” he said. “They all expected a millennial reign of the Messiah and a future temple.”
He drew a sharp comparison between ancient religious leaders who reinterpreted prophecy and modern readers who do the same.
“When you spiritualize everything, you can really make the text mean whatever you want,” Peck said.
Why This Conversation Is Growing Louder
Peck believes the renewed attention on temples, Israel and prophecy is not accidental.
“I see all these things coming together,” he said. “And I do believe that that’s going to culminate first in a literal third temple.”
For viewers who want the full context, detailed explanations and deeper biblical discussion, the complete interview with Josh Peck is available in the video above.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
