Normalization of the Temple Mount Around the Corner?

As we’re witnessing Arab nations normalize relations with Israel, the temple mount is also coming into the picture. Some are of the belief that it may now be time to normalize the temple mount as well. In my opinion, if the temple mount was “normalized” in some way, allowing for the Jews to pray on it, it would further add to the steps being taken to the building of the third temple!

Right now, Jews are not allowed to worship on the temple mount and disruption of this status quo could lead to violence from Muslims. However, if Jews are allowed to do so, it only follows that the third temple will be brought into the discussion even more.

I briefly touched on the significance of the temple mount and how it could be another step to the eventual construction of the third temple here. This is being brought into discussion right as when other preparations for the third temple are being made, and expectation for the Jewish messiah (the antichrist) is at an all time high. Things are getting interesting to say the least.

Is it time to ‘normalize’ the Temple Mount?

From the Jerusalem Post: Normalization is the buzzword of the moment. We are now normalizing things that had been abnormal for far too long. It is no coincidence that the deal to normalize relations between the State of Israel and the United Arab Emirates is called the “Abraham Accords.” The patriarch, common to both Judaism and Islam, is revered by both as the progenitor of both religions and peoples.

Both Jews and Muslims believe that Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, while commentators differ on the identity of the son. Jews of course believe that the binding of Isaac was a scene set on the Temple Mount that earlier was the point of creation and later became the location for the two greatest houses of worship for the Jewish nation.

Isaiah prophesied the Temple Mount in the future “will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”Perhaps it would be prudent to finally realize this prophecy by allowing Jews and Muslims to pray on the Temple Mount in harmony and accord, without one trampling on the rights and liberties of the other.

Unfortunately, since Israel retook the Temple Mount in 1967, it has not allowed Jewish worship on its holiest site. While retaining full national sovereignty on the Temple Mount and its environs, religious sovereignty was handed to the extremist Wakf Islamic religious trust, which has sought to throw out Jews for the mere moving of lips, holding Hebrew literature or the sheer mentioning that there was a Temple on the mount.

This “status quo” has been kept because Israeli leaders did not want to stoke widespread global Islamic anger and riots. It has been openly stated by Israeli authorities that this is a security issue, and upsetting the current order on the Temple Mount could provoke violence.However, we are now living in unprecedented times. Read More

Israel normalisation may partition Al-Aqsa: Analysts

From Al-Jazeera: A statement embedded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain normalisation agreements with Israel, brokered by the United States, may lead to the division of the Al-Aqsa compound because it violates the status quo, analysts say. According to a report by NGO Terrestrial Jerusalem (TJ), the statements mark a “radical change in the status quo” and have “far-reaching and potentially explosive ramifications”.

Under the status quo affirmed in 1967, only Muslims can pray within al-Haram al-Sharif, also known as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which consists of 14 hectares (35 acres). Non-Muslims can visit but cannot pray at the site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed this status quo in a formal declaration in 2015. However, a clause included in the recent accords between Israel and Gulf Arab states indicates this may no longer be the case.

According to the joint statement between the US, Israel, and the UAE released on August 13 by US President Donald Trump: “As set forth in the Vision of Peace, all Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem’s other holy sites should remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths.”

But Israel defines Al-Aqsa as the structure of the one mosque, as does the statement, the TJ report clarified. “According to Israel [and apparently to the United States], anything on the Mount that is not the structure of the mosque is defined as ‘one of Jerusalem’s other holy sites’ and open to prayer by all – including Jews,” the report said. Read More

Prophetic Implications

In Daniel 9:27, we’re told that the antichrist will confirm a covenant for a period of 7 years or a “week”. It’s this covenant that begins the 7 year tribulation. Half way through the tribulation, the Antichrist breaks this covenant and will “bring an end to sacrifice and offering”, “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate,” (Daniel 9:27).

For the sacrificial system to be put to a stop, it presupposes that the system was restarted or brought back, and for this to occur there must be a third temple in which said sacrifices will take place. When we go to Matthew 24:15-22, Jesus tells the disciples about the abomination of desolation prophesied to occur by Daniel in Daniel 9:27 and gives a series of warnings to take heed of once this event takes place,

Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:15-22)

For what Daniel and Jesus spoke about (the abomination of desolation) to occur, there must be a rebuilt third temple at least before the midpoint of the tribulation. Therefore, as we’re seeing an increased fervor for the building of the third temple and preparations being made in speedy fashion, how much more should that show us of the nearness of the tribulation period and the rapture of the church? This should excite us and cause us to use the little time we have left to warn others of what’s to come and share the gospel to a lost and dying world!

Sources

1. Israel normalisation may partition Al-Aqsa: Analysts (September 14th, 2020) – Al Jazeera
2. Is it time to ‘normalize’ the Temple Mount? (September 9th, 2020) – The Jerusalem Post