Violent protests in the streets of Jerusalem have continued this week amid heightened tensions over the Temple Mount. The fighting began several weeks ago on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Hebrew calendar, when Muslims began throwing stones at a group that was visiting the site. The Muslims accused Israel of allowing Jews into the compound to pray on the Day of Atonement, something that the Israeli police forbid on the grounds that it could cause offence to the Islamic Waqf that administer the site. Israel denied that any religious group was planning to pray on the Mount, and believe that the violence was purposely orchestrated to coincide with the Jewish holy day. Last week Israeli police entered the Temple Mount in order to arrest stone-throwers and to bring an end to the rioting which threatens to destabilize the peace process. Jordan expressed concern over the Israeli intervention on the Mount, claiming it was a flagrant violation of international law, while Syria accused the Jewish state of attempting to destroy the al Aqsa Mosque. Hamas declared that only war will resolve the contention over Jerusalem. Some Orthodox Jewish groups have called for protests against the Muslim rioters by ascending the Temple Mount, while others have asked their followers to stay away from the area, believing that it is forbidden for any Jew to set foot on the Mount for fear of accidentally entering the place where the Holy of Holies once was. Professor Hillel Weiss, of the Organization for Human Rights on the Temple Mount, has called for the immediate rebuilding of the Jewish Temple itself.
Quote:"In a move that may heighten tensions in the capital, the Organization for Human Rights on the Temple Mount (OHRTM) called for Jews to visit the east Jerusalem compound, which houses the al-Aqsa Mosque. During a rightist event held in Jerusalem Sunday evening, just hours after Muslims rioted in and around the Temple Mount amid reports that Jewish extremists were planning to visit the site, Professor Hillel Weiss said, "The (third) temple must be built now. The mosques do not have to be destroyed in order for us to do this."
There are of course diverging opinions in Judaism as to whether or not the Dome of the Rock would need to come down in order to build the Third Temple. Some believe that the Temple should be constructed opposite the present Eastern Gate, which would place a rebuilt Temple slightly to the north of the Dome of the Rock. Others believe that the bedrock underneath the Dome of the Rock was the original bedrock where the Holy of Holies once stood, and that the rebuilding of the Temple would necessitate the Dome's destruction. Incidentally, the Dome of the Rock, also known as the Mosque of Omar, is actually a Muslim shrine and not a mosque. Muslims revere the al Aqsa mosque, which is located at the far end of the Temple courtyard, as the place where Mohammed ascended into heaven (even though Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Qur'an). But the Dome of the Rock is less revered than the al-Aqsa mosque itself. And as we have seen lately, even a prominent Muslim author has already gone on the record in calling for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. Under the present political conditions, Israel could not go ahead and rebuilt the Temple. But religiously speaking, there is little preventing them from doing it. The Bible seems to indicate that it may be the Antichrist who will open up the way for the rebuilding of the Temple, under the pretext of achieving unity between the world's religions.
I have been talking this past week with some friends of mine who are preterists, who believe that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ occurred in 70 AD and that the Jewish Temple was destroyed never to be rebuilt again. I won't go into the rights and wrongs of their views. But I believe the Temple will one day be rebuilt. The Temple mentioned in Ezekiel 40-48 has never been constructed. There are many structural and ceremonial differences between the Temple that was built by Ezra and later expanded upon by Herod and the Temple that is mentioned in Ezekiel 40-48. Whether or not the Temple mentioned in the book of Ezekiel is the Temple that the Antichrist will defile, I do not know. But I do know that preparations are now being made for the rebuilding of the Temple, and that can only mean one thing, that Jesus Christ is coming back. Micah had this to say concerning the rebuilding of the Temple and the return of Christ to this earth.
Micah 4:1-3 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
One day the House of the Lord will be established in the top of the mountains of Jerusalem. And only then, when the Prince of Peace returns, will there be true peace on Earth and goodwill to all men (Isaiah 9:6-7). But you can know this peace now. Jesus Christ said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid". This peace comes through the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ died for you. He was the Lamb of God who bore away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He was the one upon whom the Father laid the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). And through believing on Him for salvation, you can know your sins forgiven, and have eternal life in heaven. Why don't you turn away from your sins, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
This link from my friend Darrell. A delegation of the Jewish Sanhedrin, the rabbinical court which was re-established in 2005 for the first time in fourteen hundred years, have met with a prominent Muslim author to discuss the prospects of peace in the Middle East. Adnan Oktar, a Turkish author who has written books on creation and morality, and campaigns against atheism and materialism, invited the Sanhedrin to visit him to discuss how their shared vision could herald a new age of peace and prosperity in the world. Oktar touched on the common beliefs held by both Jews and Muslims, while the Sanhedrin emphasized the shared heritage of all mankind, and how unity between religions might be found in their adherence to the seven Noahide laws. Both parties published statements at the conclusion of the meeting. Oktar spoke about the need for a global Islamic union based on the Turkish democratic model, which would foster religious tolerance, and the Sanhedrin called for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, which they claim will help to bring about an era of world peace. Oktar was later interviewed by Christian writer, Joel Richardson, who is the author of a controversial new book which claims that the fourth beast of Daniel is really the Ottoman empire and that the Antichrist spoken of in the book of Revelation will be a Muslim leader. During that interview Oktar remarked that many Jews, Muslims and Christians would be in favour of the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple, and he reckoned it could be accomplished within a very small timescale, possibly within a year at the most.
Quote: "Out of a sense of collective responsibility for world peace and for all humanity we have found it timely to call to the World and exclaim that there is a way out for all peoples. It is etched in a call to all humanity: We are all the sons of one father, the descendants of Adam, and all humanity is but a single family. Peace among Nations will be achieved through building the House of G-d, where all peoples will serve as foreseen by King Solomon in his prayers at the dedication of the First Holy Temple. Come let us love and respect one another, and love and honour and hold our heavenly Father in awe. Let us establish a house of prayer in His name in order to worship and serve Him together, for the sake of His great compassion. He surely does not want the blood of His creations spilled, but prefers love and peace among all mankind. We pray to the Almighty Creator, that you hearken to our Call. Together - each according to his or her ability - we shall work towards the building of the House of Prayer for All Nations on the Temple Mount in peace and mutual understanding.[14]
In their statement calling for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple, the Sanhedrin quote many Scriptures on how the Temple is to become a house of prayer for all nations, and how there will be a new era of peace and prosperity in the Millennial Kingdom. But what they fail to realize is, the rebuilding of the Temple itself will not usher in this new age. The Bible predicts that rather than a new age of enlightenment for mankind, the rebuilding of the Temple will first bring about an unparalleled time of suffering for the nation of Israel, and tribulation for the world in general. The Lord Jesus Christ described it as a period of "great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be", Matthew 24:21. And the Lord said again in Luke 21:35 about that day, that, "as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth". You see, the nation of Israel rejected the Prince of Peace when He came at His first advent (Isaiah 9:6). The Lord said He had come in His Father's Name and they had refused Him, but one was coming in his own name whom they would receive (John 5:43). When the Lord Jesus Christ left the Temple for the last time, He said, "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", Luke 13:35. And for that reason there can be no Shekinah Glory - no presence of God - in the rebuilt Temple. Shortly following the rebuilding of the Temple, as described in Revelation 11:2, the one whom the nation will receive will enter the sanctuary (2nd Thessalonians 2:4). And for three and a half years he will persecute the Jewish people. This is the time the Lord prophesied of when He said, the nation of Israel would desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man and would not (Luke 17:22). After three and a half years of public ministry, the nation rejected the Shepherd of Israel (Genesis 49:24). And for three and a half years, the nation will suffer at the hands of the foolish shepherd (Zechariah 11:15). Only when the Jewish people have nowhere else to turn, will they look to the one whom they pierced and say, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord". That day is still future. But as you can see from today's news, it is drawing near. But what about you? Are you still rejecting Him? There can be no peace in this world until He reigns supreme (Isaiah 9:7). And there can be no peace in your heart until you accept Him as Lord and Saviour (John 14:27). Why don't you turn away from your sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The Temple Institute, an organization which has tasked itself with the construction of the Third Temple, has embarked on an ambitious project to recreate the altar of sacrifice. The Temple Institute celebrated Tisha B'Av, the anniversary on which both the First and Second Jewish Temples were destroyed, by laying the foundation stones for the altar. As it is currently forbidden for the Jewish people to build on the Temple Mount itself, the Temple Institute have decided to construct a smaller version of the altar of sacrifice, which can be transported to the site at a later date. Jewish rabbis took stones from the Dead Sea area, which should have never been tooled by man according to the Mosaic law, and laid them within a fenced area. They then poured a tar-like substance on top to bind the stones together. The Temple Institute have recreated many of the artefacts that will be used in the administration of the Temple. Two months ago, the Temple Institute announced they had just completed the manufacture of the golden censers, which are to be used by the priests in the administration of the temple. They have also manufactured the priestly garments, the High Priest's crown, the blue ephod, the golden menorah, and many other implements that will be used in the rebuilt temple. They are also working with the Sanhedrin on blueprints for the construction of the Third Temple, which according to their current calculations, should be built on the site presently occupied by the Dome of the Rock.
Quote: "The Temple Institute has already built several of the Temple vessels such as the Ark and the menorah, and has now embarked on an ambitious project to build the altar, which will ultimately measure 3 meters wide by 3 meters long and 2 meters tall. During Thursday’s ceremony, which took place in Mitzpe Yericho just east of Jerusalem, the Temple Institute laid the cornerstone for the altar and demonstrated how tar will be used to cement the stones together. The Institute plans on bringing the altar to its proper place on the Temple Mount when the Temple is rebuilt. "Today, Tisha B'av, is not just a time to mourn the destruction of the Temple," said Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, the head of the Temple Institute. “It is also a time to build."
The Ark mentioned here is simply a mock-up constructed by the Temple Institute for research purposes. There is debate as to the real ark's exact location, if indeed it still exists today. Israeli scholars believe it could be located in a maze of tunnels beneath the Temple Mount. But Islamic control of the site has largely prevented any extensive archaeological work being carried out. Without the Ark the Jews cannot have a Temple, because in the Old Testament the Ark and the Mercy Seat upon it represented the very presence of God (Exodus 25:22). But the Scriptures indicate that following the regathering of the Jews to the land, that the nation of Israel would no longer regard the Ark of the Covenant (Jeremiah 3:16). I don't think Judaism has an answer as to why that will be. We Christians, however, know the reason why that might be so. True believers in the Messiah are now under the New Covenant, which is not written on tables of stone, but on our hearts through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:31-33). The Ark of the Covenant contained the manna, which sustained the children of Israel during their time in the wilderness. Jesus Christ is the true bread, the Bread of Life, which came down from heaven (John 6:32-35). He is that true bread which came down from heaven, which if a man eat, he shall live forever (John 6:48-51). The Ark also contained Aaron's rod that budded, which proved that he was the one chosen by God to stand before Him and intercede for the people (Numbers 17:10). We have one who is representing us in Heaven today, the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ the Righteous (Hebrews 4:14-16). Aaron was to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering before the Mercy Seat in order to obtain forgiveness for the people. But Jesus Christ has offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, and has made our peace with God through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20). No wonder the Ark of the Covenant will not be visited when Israel turns to their Messiah for salvation. He is our Covenant (Isaiah 42:6).
A friend of mine sent me some verses relating to this latest development. According to the book of Ezra, there is a precedent for offering sacrifices upon the altar on the Temple Mount, even while the Temple itself has not yet been constructed.
Ezra 3:1-7 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening. They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required; And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.
Of course this would necessitate the cleansing of the site through the ashes of the red heifer, and the permission from the Israeli government to recommence the sacrificial system. The Bible seems to indicate that this could happen at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week, which commences the seven year rule of the Antichrist over the nation of Israel (Daniel 9:27). Revelation 11:2 indicates that a Temple will be constructed within the first three and a half years of the sacrifices being resumed, and that this will be the Temple that the Antichrist will subsequently defile (2nd Thessalonians 2:4). Whether this stone altar represents the beginning of the fulfilment of this particular prophecy, I couldn't say. But as you can see, a determined effort is being made by the Temple Institute and other organizations in Israel, to rebuild the Jewish Temple and restore its place in the nation. And that can only mean one thing, that the return of Christ is near. Are you under the blood of the New Covenant? Or are you trusting in something or someone which can never take away sins? Only Jesus Christ can forgive sins, because only He was sinless and only He gave His life for you upon the cross. Why don't you trust in Him for salvation today.
Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Peace Now, a left wing organization that opposes Israel's presence in east Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, is planning to distribute a flyer claiming that Israeli settlements will lead to the destruction of Zionism and ultimately the destruction of the Third Temple. The poster is to be distributed on Tisha b'Av, the anniversary of the destruction of both the First and Second Temples. It is likely to stir up controversy, for Peace Now would most certainly not support the rebuilding of a Jewish Temple on what they consider to be Palestinian land. The poster claims that the Jewish people were responsible for the destruction of their First and Second Temples, and predicts that Israel's eagerness to settle 'Palestinian land' will result in the destruction of the Third Temple. It also claims that Israeli settlement policy is to blame for the Middle East conflict.
Quote:"The poster, that is certain to stir up controversy in the capital, reads: "Why was the First Temple destroyed? Because of three things – idolatry, incest and bloodshed. Why was the Second Temple destroyed? Because there was unfounded hatred. And what, heaven forbid, will lead to the destruction of the Third Temple? The settlements, fanaticism and occupation." "For this I mourn," the poster continues," for the settlements that were built in the heart of Palestinian territory and that keep peace and quiet from our land. For the settlements that were built, with or without permit, and that turn us into the loathsome scum among the nations. "For the outposts that were built by deception and by turning blind eyes. For Jerusalem, the joy of the land, that has been turned into a city of strife and quarrel. For the continued investment and construction in the settlements, that will ultimately lead to one state for two people – and thus put an end to the Zionist enterprise." The poster was signed, "Seek peace, and pursue it. Not Obama's, not the world's. The settlements are our problem."
Of course what Peace Now fail to point out is that Arab and Islamic refusal to recognize Israel's existence is what brought about the conflict in the first place. Nor do they disclose the fact that Palestinian terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Fatah still refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist period. And no amount of concessions or 'land for peace' deals are going to change that. Nor do they explain why there was no peace from 1948 to 1967, when Israel was in possession of none of the lands now contested by the Palestinian Authority. In reality Israeli settlements are not an obstacle to peace. Rather it is Israel's existence that is the obstacle. Unfortunately the international community has chosen to take the side of the Palestinians, despite them having no political, historical or religious claim to the land. But the poster does make a few interesting statements concerning the destruction of the First and Second Temples. It is true that it was idolatry which led to the destruction of the First Temple at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 25). It is also true that it was unfounded hatred which resulted in the destruction of the Second Temple by the armies of Titus in 70AD. And there can be no greater an unfounded hatred than that which was showed the Son of God. Forty years after His rejection as the Messiah of Israel, the Roman armies surrounded the city of Jerusalem and commenced what we know today as the Diaspora. Christ accurately predicted the destruction of the Second Temple, and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people into all the nations of the world.
Luke 19:41-44 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Luke 21:20-24 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Unfortunately it will not be the settlements, fanaticism and occupation that will lead to the destruction or desolation of the Third Temple. Rather it will be the continuing refusal of the nation of Israel to recognize their own Messiah as Lord and Saviour. As the Lord Jesus Christ prophesied, He came in His Father's Name and they refused Him, but there is one who is coming in his own name who they will accept (John 5:43). But praise God that the Stone which the builders rejected will soon become the Chief Corner Stone (Psalm 118:22). It is sad to say that Israel as a nation has still not reached that point of recognizing their Messiah. It will take a great calamity to occur in the land before that will happen. But many individuals are accepting Him as their Lord and Saviour today. And you can accept Him too. 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. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.
I have been thinking over the past few days about the return of Christ to this earth at His Second Coming. My thoughts have been on those verses in Zechariah 12, in which the prophet foresees the return of the Lord to the Mount of Olives. I was searching the internet for data on exactly where the fault line lies underneath mountain, but so far I haven't been able to find anything specific. The Bible mentions that the valley which will be created as a result of the earthquake at Christ's return will set in motion a chain of events that will dramatically change the topography of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea region. What is interesting is that Jerusalem lies adjacent to the Jordan Rift Valley, a deep trench which has formed in the earth's surface as a result of two continental plates moving in opposite directions. The prophecy of Zechariah states that one half of the Mount of Olives will move north, and the other half of the mountain will move south, and that a very great valley will be formed (Zechariah 14:4-5). This valley will provide a route of escape for the persecuted of Israel to flee from the Antichrist and his armies. The Bible states that this valley of the mountains will reach unto Azal. I'm not sure whether this is a real place or not, or whether it should be translated as 'nearby' in the Hebrew (see Strong's H681). Some speculate that the valley could reach as far as Petra in Jordan, which lies on the other side of the Jordan Rift Valley to the south. This ancient city could provide a safe haven for the Jewish people prior to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, if this valley of the mountains turns out to be the Jordan Rift Valley. But there is a problem with that. This would place the Jewish people running away from the Messiah at the Second Coming. Perhaps the valley of the mountains will extend in a different direction, and will provide a safe route of passage for the Jewish people to travel straight to their Messiah. What a day that will be, when many people in Israel and indeed the world, come face to face with the One who they have for so long rejected. In light of all of this, I have put together a small video for you to enjoy. The music is by Johnny Cash on the same subject, the images are taken mostly from Google Earth, and the Scriptures are taken mostly from the Old Testament bearing witness to the fact that Jesus Christ is none other than Israel's promised Messiah. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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This link from my friend Darrell. A delegation of the Jewish 
The Temple Institute, an organization which has tasked itself with the construction of the Third Temple, has embarked on an ambitious project to recreate the