Third Temple on the Horizon?

In 2018, I wrote an article titled Red Heifer born in Israel signaling “final stage of redemption” and the following year, another one pertaining to the coming third temple. Both articles focused on the continued preparations needed for the third temple as well as what seemed to be an allowance of Jews to observe prayer on the temple mount, causing some to ask if this was one of many steps to the rebuilding of the third temple.

We find ourselves in 2020 and see much of the same enthusiasm coming out of Israel concerning not just the temple but also their messiah! Below, I share 3 different articles that don’t really relate to each other in terms of topic but yet in my opinion converge on one important point, being the third temple.

The articles serve to show us the general thought process and climate concerning the messiah and the third temple. It seems like every other week there’s another article about how preparations are coming under way for the third temple or how a particular Rabbi believes the messiah is right around the corner.

To add to this, news came out that the shofar may be blown on the temple mount on Rosh Hashanna (the feast of trumpets) for the first time since the destruction of the second temple! If that was to occur I believe it could further weaken the aggression towards Jews freely acting out their religious beliefs on the temple mount, possibly serving as yet another step for the rebuilding of the Jewish temple.

An important thing to note here is that Breaking Israel News is a Jewish news source and due to this, views bible prophecy differently than we do. Although they say “messiah”, as believers we know their messiah – Jesus Christ – already came 2,000 years ago. It’s very likely that the one who will be their “messiah” is none other than the antichrist himself. Am I saying the messiah WILL come by the end of the year or that the temple will be built within a few months?

No. In fact, I believe we need to take news like this with a grain of salt as we consider what the bible says on this. So why should we care then? Because this serves to show us the times we’re living in as cries for the building of the third temple grows and anticipation for their messiah increases. As usual, keep a watchful eye on the Middle East, and specifically on Israel.

Rabbi Inspects Red Heifer in Secret Location in Israel For Use in 3rd Temple

From Breaking Israel News: Rabbi Azaria Ariel, traveled to an undisclosed ranch in Israel to lead the Temple Institute’s efforts to raise a red heifer for the performance of the commandment of producing the purifying ashes of the red heifer. He recently inspected the current red heifer candidates and shared their status.

One of the two more mature candidates is still very viable, even though it has a few hairs which aren’t sufficiently red, as required by halacha (Jewish law). Two new candidates were born in the early months of 2020, and they are currently viable. The ordinance of the red heifer is described in the Bible: “This is the ritual law that Hashem has commanded: Instruct B’nei Yisrael to bring you a red cow without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which no yoke has been laid.” (Numbers 19:2)

The purifying power of the ashes of the red heifer posses the ability to overcome the spiritual impurity contracted via physical contact with a corpse or cadaver, known in Hebrew as טמא מת – tamei met. The renewal of the ashes of the red heifer would enable kohanim (Temple priests) today to achieve the highest level of spiritual purity, allowing them to resume their work in the Holy Temple.

This would eliminate one more stumbling block on the way to rebuilding the Holy Temple and renewing the Divine service. Rabbi Azaria also mentions just a few of the many other commandments whose performance will be enabled by or enhanced by the resumption of the ashes of the red heifer. Read More

Prominent Rabbi Breaks Silence: ‘Messiah Coming This Year!’

From Breaking Israel News: There have been 5,780 holidays of Rosh Hashanna since the creation of the world but if a prominent rabbi’s prediction proves true, in just a few short weeks, Rosh Hashanna number 5,781 will be quite special.

Rabbi Shalom Arush, an Israeli Breslov rabbi and founder of the Chut Shel Chessed Institutions, made an entirely uncharacteristic announcement: On September 18, Jews will be celebrating the last New Year without the Messiah.

“I am going to tell you with certainty that Hashem (God, literally ‘the name) will help us meet together after Rosh Hashanna,” Rabbi Arush said in an interview last week. “And remember well what I am telling you, that this Rosh Hashana will be the last one without Moshiach (Messiah). And it could very well be that on this Rosh Hashanna the Messiah will be revealed.” Read More

Ancient Species of Grapes Used in First Temple Have Just Been Revived in Hebron

From Breaking Israel News: The wine used 3,000 years ago in the Temple service was made from a rare species of grape that no longer exists…until now, That’s because one farmer nestled in the vineyards near the ancient city of Hebron is recreating that particular species of grape which could be used for the third Temple.

The grapes – Gurdali and Chardali are two species of grapes mentioned in the Talmud. Those two species of grapes are indigenous to the Hebron area according to the site’s vinter, Amichai Ariel, King David originally discovered the grapes in Hebron and the vineyard that he is reviving them is in the adjacent town of Kiryat Arba. Read More

Prophetic Implications

The significance of having an unblemished red heifer in relation to the third temple for the Jewish people can not be understated. The first article makes a critical point concerning the significance of a red heifer. It would essentially “eliminate one more stumbling block on the way to rebuilding the Holy Temple and renewing the Divine service”.

Likewise we’re told that the recreated grapes that ceased to exist for 3,000 years could also be used for the third temple. These various preparations shows us how ready they are for their temple. The necessary elements are being gathered so that once the go ahead is given, they can hit the ground running.

As we see these things occur, it should show us how close the tribulation period is. Daniel 9:27 tells us that the antichrist will confirm a covenant for a “week”, being 7 years. Half way through this 7 year period, he will break this covenant and put an end to the temple sacrifices. It’s at this point that the antichrist will declare himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

Jesus elaborates further on this event in Matthew 24:15-20 by first telling us this abomination of desolation will occur in the “holy place” – a specific area within the temple. After the Jews at the the time witness this event, he instructs them to flee as the antichrist will stop at nothing to persecute and wipe out the Jewish people (Matthew 24:15-22, Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17).

For these prophecies to come to pass there must first be a rebuilt temple and then a reinstating of the sacrificial system within the temple. And we’re seeing efforts made for these two things now. As we see growing enthusiasm and efforts towards the building of the third temple, logically it shows us the tribulation is near and even closer, the rapture of the church!

Sources

1. SANHEDRIN PETITIONS TO GOVT TO BLOW SHOFAR ON TEMPLE MOUNT FOR FIRST TIME SINCE TEMPLE DESTRUCTION (August 24th, 2020) – Breaking Israel News
2. PROMINENT RABBI BREAKS SILENCE: ‘MESSIAH COMING THIS YEAR!’ (August 23rd, 2020) – Breaking Israel News
3. ANCIENT SPECIES OF GRAPES USED IN FIRST TEMPLE HAVE JUST BEEN REVIVED IN HEBRON (August 20th, 2020) – Breaking News Israel
4. RABBI INSPECTS RED HEIFER IN SECRET LOCATION IN ISRAEL FOR USE IN 3RD TEMPLE (August 17th, 2020) – Breaking Israel News