Dear friends and readers,
Today is the Ninth of Av on the historical Jewish Calendar. This is the day in history that both Temples were destroyed, the first by the Babylonians and the second by Rome. While this article is not specifically about this infamous day, it is fascinating that big time changes have been happening surrounding the ancient Temple Mount, upon which both Jewish Temples sat.
First, much advance planning has been happening by groups in and around Jerusalem for many years to begin building a third Temple. The corner stone was even cut several years ago and right now awaits the day that construction begins. Also, the Temple institute has recreated many of the costumes (exactly according to Biblical command) for the next High Priest and a large group of Jews from the line of Aaron (Moses brother) are being trained, who will one day oversee future Temple worship and sacrifice.
At the same time the ancient SANHEDRIN has been reestablished. That was the ruling body of ranking religious Jews headed up by the High Priest during the time of Jesus walk upon this earth. It was primarily made up of Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes. Much more could be added here but the bottom line is;
THE JEWISH PEOPLE WANT THEIR TEMPLE REBUILT! And we know that will happen someday because according to the Prophet Daniel, the eventual antichrist will defile the third Temple.
Many people believe that in order to build a third Temple, the Muslim Shrine (Dome) of the Rock must first be torn down because for many, common belief is that the original Holy of Holies was located exactly over the very same rock upon which the Muslim Shrine currently exists. NOTE: I do not believe that and do believe that both the third Temple and the Muslim Dome of the Rock can and probably will coexist someday because it is very possible that the original Temple was located further north on the Temple Mount and the Dome may well be located within the original "COURT OF THE GENTILES". I cannot be dogmatic about that because I cannot prove it but I continue to search for the evidence.
While according to Daniel a form of peace treaty will someday be arranged by the antichrist and agreed to by Israel and her neighbors (for a period of seven years), I cannot see even a remote possibility that the Muslim world would agree to tear down the Dome of the Rock. But I can see a peace treaty that allows worship by both Jews and Muslims in separate Temple/Shrine facilities.
But for today, recent news articles are intriguing and should tell us that whatever timing God has decreed for the fulfillment of these prophecies, may be drawing near. An article by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz printed in an recent edition of "Breaking Israel News", states that last year was a record breaker for the number of Jews who visited the Temple Mount. Further that this week (the week of the Ninth Of Av) broke even that record of last year. Many think that the uptick in Jewish interest and awareness for the Temple Mount may be an indicator which paves the way for the Third Temple. The article further notes a quote from Elisha Sanderman, spokesman for the Temple Mount activist organization "Yera'eh" that so far this year 22,566 Jews has ascended the Temple Mount. Then goes on to speculate that today, the Ninth of Av, may well be yet another record breaker. Last year on this date only 2,264 visited the Temple Mount so tomorrows news is eagerly awaited.
We are coming into the annual time of both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur which will come in the Fall of the year. These coupled with Sukkoth are considered to be the HIGH HOLY DAYS! Therefore it is believed the reason that many Jews visit the Temple Mount on the Ninth of Av is for the purpose of repentance since their ancient forefathers had rebelled against God and that was what brought on both Temple destructions.
For Christians it is "SPECULATED ON" that Rosh Hashanah could well equate to the Rapture of the church in some future year (note: the Rapture is an IMMINENT event and therefore could happen in the next 5 minutes---nothing prophetical has to happen before that Trumpet blows). My advice is, do not get caught up by false prophets who try and predict the date if the Rapture because scripture clearly tells us that no one knows.
Then some "SPECULATE" that YOM KIPPUR (Day of Atonement) could relate to the second coming to earth of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Then comes SUKKOTH which "SPECULATION" believes might signal Tabernacles or the establishment by Messiah of His 1000 year Reign upon this earth. To me this scenario make sense but then I am not God. While this speculation is most certainly tantalizing to think about, it is after all merely speculation.
Why is the "SPECULATION" even thought of or made? After all we really cannot hang our theological hats on any Biblical prophecy until it is an established fact. In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, God decreed that there should be 7 Biblical feast days (or days of repentance). The three we have already discussed are among those but significantly four more are decreed for the Spring of the year. They are 1). "PASSOVER"---Jesus chose to die as the Lamb of God EXACTLY on Passover. 2). Jesus chose to be buried EXACTLY on "UNLEAVENED BREAD" 3). He was risen from the grave EXACTLY on "FIRST FRUITS" and 4). 50 days later on EXACTLY the day of "PENTECOST" the Holy Spirit fell upon the church (Acts chapter 2).
How is that significant? According to established tradition the day Moses received the LAW from God on Mount Sinai, was also the day of Pentecost. So, thousands of years later again on PENTECOST, at the advent of the NEW COVENANT, the LAW was replaced by "Salvation by the Grace of God".
So the thinking is (again only speculatory until it actually happens) that if Christ perfectly fulfilled the first four feast days in the Spring of the year, perhaps He will choose to fulfill the events of His second coming exactly on the event of the Fall High Holy Days in some future year.
But back to the Temple Mount. I have been to Jerusalem on several occasions and only twice were myself and my tour group allowed to go up to the Temple Mount and normally groups of Jews are not allowed there at all at least in previous years. That seems to be changing and many are once again speculating that these kinds of events could signal the soon coming of Messiah.
That would be nice wouldn't it? In fact many rabbis and some pastors are announcing signs such as blood moons and Jubilee years as sure signs of the coming of the end. The problem with that is simple. I cannot find those specific events in the Bible. Oh yes the scriptures do certainly speak loosely about signs in the heavens. But we must be very careful that we base our beliefs upon scripture itself rather speculation, as fun as that might be.
Lastly today I would like to ask everyone to REALLY keep an eye open for what is happening In Israel and particularly between Israel and both terror organizations of HAMAS and HIZBOLLAH.
Hizbollah has untold thousands of rockets and missiles pointed at Israeli cities. They are located on Israel's northern border within Lebanon and are a puppet, proxy army funded by Iran (ancient Persia). Israel is currently preparing for a war footing against Hizbollah forces. Within GAZA to Israel's west are located the forces of another puppet proxy army of Iran's, HAMAS. At this moment it is believed that yet another war might break out between Hamas and the IDF of Israel, who's Defense Minister has declared publicly that Israel's "gloves are coming off"! This could get very nasty in days to come.
The travesty of it all? You will find very little coverage of these events on any of the nightly news channels within the United States. Apparently it's more fun to report the constant infighting between our own political parties. How sad!
Stay tuned folks, The Lord is on the move.
God bless,
Pastor Rance.
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