Current events in Jerusalem over a seemingly benign change outside the gates of the Temple Mount show clearly the extent of Muslim authority over the government of Israel when it comes to the administration to the most holy site in Judaism. Yet, the Bible indicates that a powerful non-Jewish leader will make an agreement with the Jews who worship on the Temple Mount presumably at a new temple (Daniel 9:27). How could such a structure come to exist considering that the al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock and the Dome of the Chain currently occupy the site?
Prior to the Jews return to Palestine the Temple Mount was open to all people except the Jews. Accounts and photographs document that the Temple Mount was lightly visited and in disrepair. It was after the formation of the state of Israel that the Temple Mount became a focal point for Muslim descent. When Israel captured Jerusalem in 1967 the Israeli government declared sovereignty over all Jerusalem but seeded the administration of the Temple Mount to Jordan. This agreement came with an understanding that there would be no unilateral changes to the status quo. What recent events show is that the real authority on the Temple Mount is firmly held by Muslims, in particular the Sunni Muslims of the Temple Mount Trust known as the Waqf. The destruction of any structures on the Temple Mount would only serve to strengthen Muslim belief that Israel is covertly planning to extend its authority unilaterally. The consequences for any destruction would squarely land on the nation of Israel with devastating effects to its global influence and economy and would certainly weaken any chance of a new Temple. Only a small minority of Jews seek a return to Temple worship. The vast majority of Israelis are not interested in baring the consequences of replacing the Waqf on the Temple Mount. But what if the consequences were minimal?
Iraq recently announced it prevented attacks against Shi’a shrines, in particular those in Najaf by presumably Sunni terrorists. Najaf is the city where the third most holy site for Shiites resides after Mecca and Medina. If such a plot were to succeed it would demand a response by Shiites. Where would such a response occur? Perhaps the third most holy site of Sunni Islam, the Temple Mount. A strike against the Temple Mount would shatter the status quo and Israel would not hesitate to assume the administration of the site. With the Jews entrenched on the Temple Mount and the world facing much graver concerns, Muslims could lose their relatively new found interest in the Temple Mount thereby opening a doorway to a new temple.
A strike on the Temple Mount by Shiites is pure speculation but it is an Interesting thought.
May God bless you in your study of His word.