Hardly.
Paul was not speaking figuratively. He was giving precise information to those Thessalonian Christians who needed factual information at the time.
It is a temple of the Jews. How could you say otherwise, once it's built by them in their own land at the correct location?
It would be denial.
And that makes conversation so difficult
I don't know enough about eschatology to argue fine points of some of these scripture. I can only say what it cannot be based upon in regards to other theological truths. The scriptures call Christians the temple of God. We, as Christians serve as priests in this temple. Our Lord Jesus is our "high priest" who, like in the Old Testament, was the only one allowed in the Holy of Holy before the face of God the Father to make intercession for us. And as priests we minister to the unbelieving world around us.
I know much is often built around 2 Thess 2. This is Hal Lindsey popular scripture. For some reason this is the scripture that keeps popping up after everything else is hashed out so here we are. Paul talks about a "man of lawlessness" who will "display himself as God". But verse 7-8 is ignored that states "the mystery of lawlessness is already at work" and "then that lawless ONE will be revealed". So he's already here according to Paul. Well if the lawless ONE was already at work during Paul's time before the temple was destroyed either he must have entered the existing temple of that time or he must be incredibly old. Strangley Hal nor other premil don't discuss these verses.
They also ignore "God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false" (v 11). Unless you're a Calvinist how in the heck do you interpret this verse? I thought God wanted EVERYONE saved? At least that is what we constantly hear. Why would God send a "deluding influence" so that they will "believe what is false"? Sadly Hal doesn't go into any of these scriptures.
Quite frankly I believe what Paul is talking about, without looking at the various eschatology positions, is the tares of the church who, while they have entered the church, are the false prophets and teachers holding themselves up as God in subtle ways through their teachings. God not only allows the tares but He allows people to believe such nonsense for His own purpose.
Eschatology IS confusing. It IS difficult to talk about it. There ARE many interpretations. However, there are core fundamental biblical truths apart from eschatology. You can either form your eschatology around these biblical truths or you can form you biblical understanding around your perceived eschatological views.
In my mind it is a dangerous practice to form fundamental beliefs based upon uncertain ideas.
Why would the first century Thessalonian Christians need to know about a specific man taking God's seat in the Temple at a specific time (speaking here in dispy premil terms), if the event in question won't happen in that Temple, and not for several more millennia, long after those Thessalonian Christians have died?
Your argument would make more sense, if Paul was warning them of the (impending) destruction of Jerusalem.
cc to a whole bunch of people that xzins pinged.