The question has been brought up concerning animal sacrifices during the millennial kingdom. Scripture teaches that the temple will be rebuilt prior to or during the tribulation period. This is confirmed in the book of Daniel, when it states that the daily sacrifice will be ceased by Antichrist; Dan. 8:11, “…and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. “ We know that the temple will be erected during the middle of the tribulation period because that’s when Antichrist will stop the sacrificing; Dan. 9:27, “…he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease…” This temple is in the Tribulation Period. Do not confuse the Tribulation Period (7 years) with the Millennial Kingdom (1000 years).
Scripture tells us that at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom that a city will descend from heaven; Rev. 21:2, “…I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven…” This city is a holy city and it is called New Jerusalem. This is the city where God will dwell with the resurrected saints for one thousand years; Rev. 21:3, “…the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them…”
Now the plot thickens. In New Jerusalem, there wont be a temple; Rev. 21:22, “… I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it…” How can you offer animal sacrifices if there is no temple? Remember, New Jerusalem is where God dwells (heaven) and you cannot have flesh and blood in the presence of God; 1 Cor. 15:50, “…this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God…” Here is something else to consider. Under the Old Testament, animals were sacrificed. Under the New Testament Jesus was sacrificed. We cannot go back to animal sacrifices because Jesus was THE SACRIFICE; Heb. 10:10, “…will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
The idea that animal sacrifices will be offered in the Millennial Kingdom probably originated from the book of Ezekiel. Beginning in Ezekiel chapters 40 thru 47 there is a description of a temple complete with animal sacrifices and burnt offerings. This was not referencing the Millennial Kingdom. These sacrifices and offerings was with respect to the Children of Israel returning home from their Babylonian captivity and rebuilding the temple that was destroyed when King Nebuchadnezzar besieged it.
No, there will not be animal sacrifices in the Millennial Kingdom. That would be going backwards. When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of mankind, He eliminated blood sacrifices forever. To revert back to animal sacrifices is reverting back to the Law.
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