We live at a time when the signs of the last days are literally being fulfilled right in front of our eyes. One of the most exciting signs that Bible prophecy students love to keep an eye on are preparations for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. In a previous article, we discussed how the Temple Institute in Jerusalem took a giant step towards the rebuilding of the Temple by beginning to rebuild the sacrificial altar. Now it has been revealed that the Temple Institute has already spent approximately 27 million dollars on preparations for the rebuilding of the Temple, and that the Temple Institute intends for this future Temple to be a house of prayer for all “monotheistic religions”.
The executive director of the Temple Institute, Yehuda Glick, says that a large portion of the financial support for the Temple Institute actually comes from evangelical Christians…..
”There are 70 million evangelical Christians around the world, and most of them have become Israel’s strongest supporters.”
So what have all these funds gone towards so far? Well, the truth is that the Temple Instituted has been extremely busy. The Temple Institute Museum in Jerusalem’s Old City contains solid gold service vessels, trumpets made of silver, garments to be worn by future priests made from golden thread, copper urns and many, many other items that have been painstakingly designed to Biblical specifications for use in the future Temple.
So when will this Temple be built?
According to Glick, it will depend on when the Messiah shows up…..
”It could well be tomorrow, but it might be another 100 years, or even 400 years.”
Most Christians understand that Judaism believes that the third temple will be built upon the arrival of the Messiah, but what most Christians do not realize is that the Temple Institute envisions a future Temple that will be “a house of prayer open to all believers in the monotheistic faiths” – Christians, Muslims or Jews.
In fact, Glick says that the Al-Aqsa mosque does not need to be removed for the new Temple to be built.
”Al-Aqsa can stay,” Glick is quoted in The Age as saying. ”It’s not even on the Temple Mount proper. But we intend to just build over the Dome of the Rock. We might be able to find a way to include it in the third temple.”
As surprising as this may be to many evangelical Christians, the truth is that Glick is far from alone in this belief.
For example, A stunning article that was published in the leading journal of religious law in Israel envisioned a scenario under which a “holy revelation” is given to an “authentic prophet” who would authorize that the Temple be rebuilt in peaceful proximity to the Al-Aqsa mosque and nearby Christian shrines. This article echoed Glick’s sentiments by discussing the potential for turning the Temple Mount into “God’s Holy Mountain” – a “house of prayer” for all people (Isaiah 56:7).
In fact, there is even a Jewish website promoting a vision of “God’s Holy Mountain” where all faiths would worship together:
This website depicts a harmonious future for the Temple Mount where Muslims, Christians and Jews mingle and pray between the Dome of the Rock and a rebuilt Jewish Temple.
This project is headed up by Jewish members of the Interfaith Encounter Association. This organization is actively encouraging all three religions to adopt a new theological outlook which would allow all three faiths to worship on the Temple mount.
Of course those of us who study the Scriptures know what God would think about such plans.
But could the Antichrist someday pose as the Jewish Messiah and use such expectations to promote the use of the rebuilt Temple for his one world religion?
It is something to think about.
In any event, preparations for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple are heating up as never before, and as students of the prophecies of the last days this is something that we need to continually keep an eye on.
What do you think about all of this? As always, we welcome your comments and your questions…..
Pingback: Prophecy News For 12/03/2009 : The Omega Report()
Pingback: The Temple Institute In Jerusalem Has Spent Approximately 27 Million Dollars On Preparations For The Rebuilding Of The Jewish Temple «()
Pingback: The Temple Institute In Jerusalem has spent approximately 27 million dollars on preparations for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple | Battalion of Deborah()