2 Jewish Views on the Third Temple

"A TEMPLE OF FIRE OR A TEMPLE BUILT BY MAN?
A disagreement exists between apocalyptic and naturalistic messianic perceptions over the question of the establishment of the Temple.  The miraculous approach, based mainly on the rulings of Rashi, argues that the Temple will descend ready-made from the skies.  This is referred to as Mikdash shel Esh (a Temple of fire).  Adherents of the naturalistic approach prefer an approach that is ostensibly more activist, based mainly on the writing of Maimonides, according to which it is incumbent on humans to build the Temple.  They argue that it is unacceptable to wait for the Temple to be built by istelf in a miraculous form, and demand that every individual do all they can to construct the Temple.
     Numerous commentators have engaged in theological experimentation in an effort to fuse these two apparently dichotic perceptions regarding the establishment of the Temple.  Rashi's approach to the issue is rooted in the Midrashic literature, which notes that the Temple may be built instantaneously--even at night, and even on the Sabbath or a Holy Day.  Thus, the construction of the Temple is expected to be a miraculous and supernatural event. The Third Temple will descend ready-made from the sky, and it is impossible that it will be built by men:  'The Temple of the future that we anticipate is constructed and equipped; it will appear and come from the skies, as it is written:  'The Temple of the Lord Your hands will establish.'  This position was supported by the authors of the Toseftot in the tractates Sukkah and Shavuot.  A contrary position is presented in the writing of Maimonides (Mishneh Torah:  The Laws of Kings and Wars), where it is claimed that the King Messiah will build the Temple:  'The King Messiah will rise and restore the Kingdom of David to its former glory as a supreme government, and will build the Temple and ingather the far-flung of Israel and all the laws will return in his days as they were of old, and [they will] offer the sacrifices.'  Maimonides added this commandment to the 613 commandments, as appears in his Halachic work--Sefer Hamitzvot (Commandment 20) and in his essay Hayad Hahazaka (Laws of the Temple), and as formulated in his rulings:  'It is a positive commandment to make a House for the Lord, a Temple, and to be ready to make sacrifices there and celebrate thereto three times a year,'"
Jewish Fundamentalism and the Temple Mount, Motti Inbari, pgs 111-112