In a review of activities surrounding Israel’s efforts to have a Jewish Temple built in Jerusalem, there is much activity on the Temple Mount and in Jewish society in the year 2010. On my last search about a year ago, it was limited to some disorganized extremist groups holding demonstrations in the “City of Peace”. Every couple of years since 1967, some passionate group or individual will stage a demonstration on the Temple Mount, only to be arrested by authorities for violating the agreement made by Moyshe Dyan with the Palestinians and Arabs, after the Six Day War. However, up to now the small groups or individuals have not enjoyed the support of any organized groups in the wake of their demonstrations. Today, there are much larger groups organizing in and out of Israel, and working together to lobby the Israeli government to permit them to begin building a new Temple. In fact, the groups have begun advertising in support of the Temple rebuilding project on billboards and on public transit vehicles.

The obstacles to the rebuilding are The Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque and the barriers imposed by the Israeli government in an effort to keep the peace with the Muslim world. There have been a number of television shows on cable channels, usually confined to speculation on how the Biblical prophecies could be realized without removing the Dome of the Rock and the Mosque. Other sources believe that these Muslim Holy sites will have to be removed, in a variety of ways, to clear the way for the Temple. Still others i.e. Catholic Church representatives and other historians, try to make a case for the second Temple being the fulfillment of the prophecies in the Old Testament coupled with an effort to discredit what is contained in Revelation.

Since the beginning of this year, 2010, there has been a great deal of activity on Mt. Moriah, the former and future site for the Jewish Temple. The announcement of the re-opening of the Hurva Synagogue in East Jerusalem has brought unrest with Palestinians and criticism from Islamic clerics. Concerns come because in addition to the Synagogue opening, it was also announced that two tombs were being opened as significant Israeli heritage sites on Mt. Moriah, including Rachel’s tomb. Islamic clerics are claiming that Israel will use this opportunity to further encroach on their holy site, the Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosque. One allegation is that Jews may take the opportunity to lay a cornerstone for the proposed Temple.

March 15th marked the Re-dedication of the Hurva Synagogue, which is only 400 meters from the Aksa Mosque and it was met with resistance from Palestinians, as expected. On the 16th, the activist groups promoting the rebuilding of the Temple staged The International Temple Awareness Day. Groups such as the Temple Mount Faithful, The Temple Institute, The Nascent Sanhedrin, Temple Mount Advocacy Council, Americans for a Safe Israel, Children of Holocaust Survivors, and others joined forces to apply pressure on the Israeli government and other authorities to stop prohibiting Jews from the Temple Mount, and to give consideration to ambitions for rebuilding the long awaited Temple on the mount where King David had built an altar three thousand years ago and his Son Solomon had erected the first Temple for the service and worship of God.

Reading a number of publications on the subject and watching the TV programs speculating on how this might come to pass, it can be discovered that there are three distinct schools on how to get the Temple built in present-day Jerusalem.

The conservative or orthodox view is that it must be built on the site where the Dome of the Rock is currently in place. This group includes many evangelical Christians, which has been so often assumed that it has taken on the power of fact in Evangelical realms. Many folks fully expect that God will take the Dome of the Rock out in an act of vengeance. i.e. war or natural disaster, or terrorist act. I can imagine that even an act of God would result in conspiracy theories and accusations against Israel by the Islamic world. But since Israel is told in God’s word that they will be a rock of offense to the whole world something like the destruction of the Dome of the Rock to build a Jewish Temple over the site would be a means to further fulfill this prophecy.

The second view is that perhaps the site of Solomon’s Temple is in fact not where the Dome of the Rock is at all. It could very well be close by but could easily be built in the projected site without encroaching on the al Aksa Mosque or the Muslim’s Holy site. I have even seen on television an Israeli archaeologist explaining, satellite imaging, showing what they believe is the real site of Solomon’s Temple. It is out of the way of the Islamic holy site and poses no structural obstacles to the project. Even if this is true, I doubt that they could begin rebuilding tomorrow without meeting tremendous resistance from Israel’s surrounding Islamic neighbors, and other interested nations, including the United States. Although the United States has been a long time supporter of Israel, we have applied intense pressure on them to not do anything that would destabilize the Middle East for obvious economic reasons.

However, it should be noted that there is a growing rift between the United States Government and the current Israeli government led by Netanyahu. He and President Obama do not at all see eye to eye about developments in East Jerusalem and the Old City and the tensions are increasing daily as the rhetoric goes back and forth. The reason I can believe this as a scenario for getting the Temple rebuilt is that it will take the genius and craft of the Antichrist to pave the way for this to happen. Having his covenant in hand would surely embolden Israel to get the Temple built. However, this scenario leads me to the third school of thought which is a whole new view in Jewish Law.

The third view comes from an article published in 2007 by Yoav Frankl in the Jewish Law Journal, Tehumin. Mr.Frankl is a director of an initiative at the Interfaith Encounter Association who sponsors it. This idea may not be his exclusively but it seems to be gaining support with organizations like the Temple Institute and the Movement to Restore the Temple, and certain Rabbis, including one from the revived Sanhedrin, Adin Steinsaltz. The view from this group is that upon the emergence of an authentic prophet, the rebuilding of the Third Temple can be designated within a peaceful proximity to The Dome and the Aksa Mosque and even the Christian shrines. That means the Temple can be built anywhere the prophet designates, regardless of long time Jewish traditions insisting it be built on the Dome of the Rock site. Mr. Frankl’s view is based on the assumption that the prophet will be given a divine revelation giving Israel approval to build the Temple.

At this point in time, the majority of Israelis do not share this view. Conservative Jews insist on the first view, that it must be built on the site of the Dome of the Rock. They also believe that it is unlawful for Jews to be on the Temple Mount until the Messiah comes and therefore no Temple can be built until such time. Progressive Jews like Mr. Frankl and Rabbi Steinsaltz are inclined in a more ecumenical view for rebuilding the Temple. In their opinion the Temple Mount can be shared by Muslims, Christians and Jews and toward that end, it would not be unlawful to renew sacrifices and even rebuild the Temple on Mount Moriah, once a prophet comes forward to proclaim it. Unless the Lord is behind this, then the dissenting voices of both Muslims and conservative Jews remain, with those who do not share this view as part of
God’s plan.

However, to those who are “prophetic watchers” this does present some interesting possibilities. If the emerging prophet is one in allegiance with the Antichrist or even is him in the flesh, then this is a possible avenue of support for his plans. The fact that the proponents are of this plan are of an ecumenical persuasion makes it viable, since this will lead the world to the single religion of “tolerance” that the Antichrist and the False Prophet will champion. This new push from more liberal minded Jewish authorities may very well facilitate the purposes of the Antichrist. If this is not the case, this too is going to be met with nothing but resistance until it is the time appointed by God.

If you check the Jerusalem Post or other Publications that keep up with events in Israel, you can find a news story on the Temple on a daily basis. The Temple Institute has already completed at least 37 items needed for reinstituting the Levitical Priesthood. Just recently, the High Priest’s attire was completed when they attached the Ephod to the breastplate. This was considered a newsworthy item by The Temple Institute, so that they issued a press release, to the effect. Last year, The Temple Institute dedicated and opened a specialized tailor shop, that will specialize in the approved priestly garments for the priests who will serve in the next Temple. The head tailor is a Rabbi, approved and appointed by the newly revived Sanhedrin in Israel. You can see photos of the dedication at the Temple Institute web site.

The Jewish Sanhedrin, the priestly Supreme Court, was reestablished in October of 2004, in Tiberias. This was the location where the last Sanhedrin was disbanded, as a point of interest. Many Jews feel that the Sanhedrin had to be established to pave the way for the coming prophet who will usher in the coming of the Messiah. Many Jews feel that the time is at hand for these things to come to pass and they are waiting for the word to rebuild the Temple, so that the Messiah can come. Will the word come by a political edict or maneuver, or will it come by supernatural means in the voice of a “prophet” or some brokered deal through the Man of Perdition? Keep your eyes on Israel, church, the stage is set.

Note: The Temple Institute and others submitted a petition to the Israeli government to allow them and their followers to go and sacrifice on the Temple Mount for Passover this year, 2010. They were turned down.           We wait – We watch.

 

Temple Institute Publishes Blueprints for Third Temple

by Chris Perver
Prophecy in the News

Feb 8, 2011 – The Temple Institute, an organization which has tasked itself with preparing for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, has published the first set of blueprints for a small part of the building. Architects have completed work on an area known as the ‘Chamber of Hewn Stone’, the place where the 71 members of the Sanhedrin are to sit.

The Sanhedrin is a religious council that is made up of 71 of the most learned Jewish scholars in the land of Israel. The Sanhedrin, which presided over the trial of the Lord Jesus Christ, was dissolved in the year 358 AD. The council was officially reconvened on the 13th of October, 2004. Often in direct opposition to government policy, they have taken on various projects, such as planning for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple and anointing a king to replace the democratically elected Knesset. They have in the past attempted to reinstate the sacrificial system, which the Bible prophesies will recommence just prior to or during the tribulation period (Daniel 9:27).

“No land can be prepared, no foundation can be laid, no wall can be erected without a detailed architectural plan first being drawn up, approved by engineers and presented to the appointed site manager. The plans you are viewing on this page fulfill every requirement necessary for the immediate commencement of work on this aspect of the Holy Temple complex.

The Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone is but a single chamber in the northern wall of the Holy Temple. It was chosen as the initial focus of the blueprint project, not because of its architectural significance, per se, but because of its overwhelming spiritual significance to the world. The seventy elders of the Sanhedrin have been vested with the authority of the seventy elders whom G-d commanded Moshe to appoint in the desert:”

“Then HaShem said to Moses, ‘Assemble for Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the people’s elders and officers, and you shall take them to the Tent of Meeting, and they shall stand there with You. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will increase the spirit that is upon you and bestow it upon them. Then they will bear the burden of the people with you so that you need not bear it alone.” Num 11:16-17

It is of course easy to be critical of the Sanhedrin. It is true that they did preside over the crucifixion of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. But there were members among the Sanhedrin who did believe, such as Joseph of Arimathaea, who did not consent unto the counsel and deed of them (Luke 23:50-51). And Caiaphas, the high priest, whether a believer or not, did prophesy that one man should die for the people that the nation perish not (John 11:49-50).

But as you can see from what is happening today, this rebuilding of the Temple is being done in unbelief. The very fact that the Sanhedrin have focused their attention on designing the building where they will sit, rather than on God’s dwelling place, shows just how full of self-importance they are. It seems that even God Himself must take second place to them.
Blueprints and Computer Animation of the Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone

Reading the article by the Temple Institute on the relevant Scripture portion in Exodus 25:8, they speak of how Moses was amazed that the Creator of the universe should desire to dwell in a house made with hands, and how the nation should be ready and willing to build the Temple in our days. But they are willingly ignorant of the fact that Lord went much further than that. For He came into the world that He had created (John 1:10). He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” Philippians 2:7. Praise God that He ever came. And John adds, “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” John 1:14. What grace and glory the Temple of the Son of God displayed here on earth compared to the monstrosities now being engineered by man!

The Lord referred to the Temple on three separate occasions throughout His earthly ministry. On the first occasion, when He drove the moneychangers out of the Temple, He said, “make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” John 2:16. On the second occasion the Lord says, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” Matthew 21:13. On the third and final occasion, it was no longer the ‘Father’s house’ or ‘My house’, but ‘your house’:

 “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” Lk 3:35

The same mindset still exists in the Sanhedrin today. This is still very much ‘their house’, and it will remain desolate until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This will be the house that the Antichrist will eventually defile during the tribulation period (2nd Thessalonians 2:4). Only when the Jewish people recognize the Lord Jesus as their Messiah, will the Lord return and set up His kingdom (Zechariah 12:10).

Praise God that we are alive to witness these events coming to pass. How close must be the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. At His first coming, John records that “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” John 1:11. The Jewish Sanhedrin and the nation in general did not recognize Christ at His first coming. But the Bible says that “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” John 1:12. Have your sins been forgiven? Have you believed on Jesus Christ for salvation? He came into this world the first time that He might “put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” Hebrews 9:26. And Hebrews 9:28 promises that “unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation“. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Turn away from your sin, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.