Mount of Contention

“And beside the border of Judah, from the east side to the west side, shall be the allotment which you shall set apart, 25,000 cubits in width, and in length like one of the portions, from the east side to the west side; and the sanctuary shall be in the middle of it. “The allotment that you shall set apart to the LORD shall be 25,000 cubits in length and 10,000 in width. “The holy allotment shall be for these, namely for the priests, toward the north 25,000 cubits in length, toward the west 10,000 in width, toward the east 10,000 in width, and toward the south 25,000 in length; and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in its midst.     Ezekiel 48:8-10  NASB

  

As most are by now aware, one of the largest flashpoints and point of contention between Muslims and Jews is access to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  The movement to rebuild the Jewish Temple seems to grow stronger by the day, and lately it also seems that it has begun to evolve from a solely religious movement to a political one as well.  By now many have begun to notice that the subject of rebuilding the temple is gaining traction in Israel with more and more calls for that to happen appearing in the news.  Politicians as well as the general public are beginning to speak out about the importance of having their own national place of worship.  Here are a few of the headlines from just this past week that attracted the attention of many.

Simmering Tensions Over Ancient Jerusalem Site Nearing a Boil

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/israel/simmering-tensions-ancient-jerusalem-site-nearing-boil-rcna351747

The Signs Of The Coming Of The Tribulation Temple

https://harbingersdaily.com/the-signs-of-the-coming-of-the-tribulation-temple/

It’s Time: Red Heifer Organization Calls for National Temple Movement

https://israel365news.com/419246/its-time-red-heifer-organization-calls-for-national-temple-movement/

Breaking: Major Update on Red Heifer Program and National Training Push

https://israel365news.com/419279/breaking-major-update-on-red-heifer-program-and-national-training-push/

While the Jews may be anticipating the rebuilding of the Temple, you can rest assured that the muslim population does not share in that enthusiasm.  Many scholars believe that the only person capable of solving the conflict surrounding a Jewish temple to the satisfaction of both sides is the coming world leader known as the antichrist.  After the defeat of Israel’s enemies by God, which is revealed to us in Ezekiel 38-39, it is believed that as part of the peace agreement enforced by the antichrist, Israel will be allowed to rebuild their temple and resume their worship according to Old Testament law.   The generally accepted school of thought is that this temple will be built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem sharing space with the existing Muslim shrines, and will be defiled by the antichrist after three and one half years eventually to be destroyed at the end of the Great Tribulation when the Temple Mount is split in two by a great earthquake.

"And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south."        Zechariah 14:4  NKJV

This destruction will naturally require a fourth temple to be built, which is the one we find described by Ezekiel in chapters 40-48 which scholars refer to as the “Millennial Temple”.  It is a massive structure much larger than the original temple, and according to the description given in the passage above, is located not in Jerusalem but north of the city “beside the border of Judah”.  By studying scripture and comparing the geographical descriptions of the different areas revealed in this passage, many believe that the location of the temple will be where the ancient city of Shiloh was located.  There is historical precedent for this location because this is where the Tabernacle stood for close to 400 years before the Israelites made Jerusalem their capital.

As I studied the subject of the temple, and began to search the scripture for passages relating to temples past and present, I noticed a few things that made me wonder if there was something we might be missing if we follow the accepted school of thought concerning four temples.  First of all, the Bible only speaks of three temples, not four.  Nowhere are we told of a third temple being built on the Temple Mount, rather it has simply been assumed that one will be.  The only temples revealed in scripture are Solomon’s temple, Zerubbabel’s or Herod’s temple, and the Millennial temple.  

Now you might think that in itself may not be enough to cause those who advocate for four temples to rethink their position, and I would agree.  So let’s look at something else that might be cause to reconsider.  Most understand that the antichrist will defile the temple after three and a half years have elapsed after the peace agreement, an event referred to as the “abomination of desolation”.

"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  NKJV

We also know that this has happened once before in 167 BC by Antiochus IV Epiphanes.  This resulted in a revolt by the Jews and eventually to a cleansing and rededication of the temple which is celebrated to this day by the Jewish holiday Hanukkah.  So what is my point?  There is a saying by biblical scholars which states; “pattern is prologue”.  The study of typology in the scripture has shown that much of what has happened throughout the Bible was setting a pattern that would be repeated at a later date.  My question is this; if the antichrist defiling the temple is a repeat of the first “abomination of desolation”, wouldn’t it be logical to assume that the future temple will be cleansed and rededicated rather than destroyed?

I want you to look closely at a verse from this same chapter from Daniel, which contains a phrase that I believe may be overlooked by many.

“Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place."             Daniel 9:24  NASB

This verse relates what has come to be known as the prophecy of Daniel’s seventy weeks.  It reveals God’s plan for the nation of Israel from that time until the end when He will return to earth.  It also lists six things which will be accomplished at the end of those seventy weeks.  Did you catch that last phrase, “and to anoint the most holy  place”?  This phrase in the Hebrew is “mashach qodesh qodesh” , which is translated “to Anoint; to smear, anoint, spread a liquid”.   Anoint what?   Scholars and commentators agree that the most holy (place) is the temple.  If this is the case, doesn’t it seem logical to assume that it is not destroyed, but rather consecrated for millennial worship?   Are we being told here that there are just three temples, not four?  This phrase was used in the book of Exodus as well and was also referring to anointing the Tabernacle.

"And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy."    Exodus 40:9   NKJV

Again, this might not be enough for some to change their belief in how many temples there will be, but I want to suggest that this scenario is a very believable one in light of the current situation that exists between the Muslims and the Jewish people.  It seems much more believable that the antichrist could get the Islamic world to allow a temple to be built in Shiloh rather than on the Temple Mount.  With the authority of the prophecy of Ezekiel, it seems reasonable that the Jewish people would agree as well.  As I have studied this subject, I have found that there are others who have asked this same question and written their own take on this possibility.  One whom you might be familiar with is Jack Kelley of gracethrufaith.com. I would highly recommend that if you are interested in this idea, visit his website and read his conclusions about the temple in Shiloh.

https://gracethrufaith.com/end-times-prophecy/the-coming-temple/

Whatever God’s plans for the temple mount are, it appears that we will know very soon just what they are.  Of course, let’s not forget that as believers in Jesus Christ, and having accepted His sacrifice for our sins, we will watch these events from the comfort of our heavenly home.  If you are reading this and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Father, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Keep watching.

The Overlooked Sign

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!“See! Your house is left to you desolate; “for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’”   Matthew 23:37-39  NKJV

As a watcher of many years, I have often found it curious when individuals talk about the many signs of the end that we should be looking for yet consistently fail to mention what I believe will be one of the most overlooked signs.  As many understand, the punishment for rejecting Jesus as their messiah was the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 70 AD and the scattering of the Jews throughout the world in what has become known as the diaspora.

Diaspora: noun

The dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles after the Captivity.

Any similar dispersion.

A group so dispersed, especially Jews outside of the land of Israel.

https://www.wordnik.com/words/diaspora

According to Pew Research, in 2020, 46% of the worlds Jews lived in Israel while 39% lived in the United States.  That leaves only 15% living in all the other countries around the world, so obviously the majority of Jews not living in Israel reside in the United States.  In the passage above we see Jesus use the analogy of a mother hen wanting to gather her chicks close to her to nurture them and keep them safe, yet the Jews rejected that offer.  As we watch the rise of antisemitism around the world it’s not surprising that we see many Jews making the decision to move back to Israel where they feel safe.  The choice to return to their homeland is called “Aliyah”, a Hebrew word meaning ascent.

Aliyah: (US: /ˌæliˈɑː/, UK: /ˌɑː-/; Hebrew: עֲלִיָּה, romanized: ălīyyā, lit. 'ascent') is the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to, historically, the geographical Land of Israel or the Palestine region, where (in the 20th century) the State of Israel was established. Traditionally described as "the act of going up" (namely, toward the Jewish holy city of Jerusalem), moving to the Land of Israel or "making aliyah" is one of the most basic tenets of Zionism. The opposite action—emigration by Jews from the Land of Israel—is referred to in the Hebrew language as yerida (lit. 'descent').^[1] The Law of Return that was passed by the Israeli parliament in 1950 gives all diaspora Jews, as well as their children and grandchildren, the right to relocate to Israel and acquire Israeli citizenship on the basis of connecting to their Jewish identity.                                                                   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliyah#External_links

While the desire to return to Israel is increasing, obviously there is still a very sizable population of Jews living in the United States.  This brings me to the subject of the overlooked sign that is so often either ignored or many are simply unaware of.  Although God scattered the Jews throughout the world, a time is coming when He chooses to regather them all back to Israel in what I believe will be a massive and unmistakeable sign of the approaching tribulation.  He will fulfill His desire from the passage above and gather His people to Himself just as a mother hen gathers her chicks.

“When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations,‘then they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer.‘And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.”  Ezekiel 39:27-29. NKJV

There are approximately 6.3 million Jews living in the United States at the present time.  When God decides to fulfill this prophecy from Ezekiel and bring the Jews back to Israel, it will be the largest relocation of a population in the history of the world.  If we are, in fact, as close to the start of the tribulation period as many believe, there exists a very short time in which this prophetic Aliyah must take place.  Many, if not most scholars believe that the Ezekiel 38-39 war occurs just before the start of the tribulation, and if that is indeed the case then we are looking at what could be an extremely short window of time for millions of people to leave this country.

“Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children.”  Exodus 12:37. NKJV

As this passage reveals, approximately 600,000 men left Egypt during the Exodus.  Since this is only the number of men, estimates of the total number of people including women and children would range from somewhere between two to three million.  A modern day exodus from the United States would easily double that figure and I find it difficult to understand logistically just how that would be accomplished as well as wondering exactly how God plans to do it.

“For the LORD of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, And who will turn it back?”  Isaiah 14:27. NKJV

There is no question in my mind that this is going to happen just as God has prophecied, yet I would be lying if I claimed to know just how God is going to pull this off.  So many different scenarios have occurred to me, yet all seem almost inconceivable to produce an exodus of over six million Jews leaving the United States en masse.  I would also have to add that absolutely none of those scenarios are pleasant to consider.  I am very much afraid that whatever it is that occurs which prompts such a move by such a great number of people is going to be horrendous.

While I believe this will occur before the start of the tribulation, I have no idea when it will occur in relation to the rapture of the Church.  Although this is, in my opinion, an overlooked sign of the end, I certainly would not wait to see it before I made a decision that will affect my life in eternity. If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to allow Jesus Christ to come into your heart, and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by simply praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered all of us by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

Keep watching.

Peace and Security?

“While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”   1 Thessalonians 5:3  ESV

“Trump says deal with Iran completed, ‘will bring peace and security to the whole region’”

https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/trump-says-peace-deal-with-iran-completed-will-bring-peace-and-security-to-the-whole-region

“The burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. "And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”     Zechariah 12:1-3 NKJV

Once again the headlines inform us of yet another attempt at forging a "mideast peace agreement" which, according to the Word of God, will end in failure. If you are a student of Bible prophecy this should certainly come as no surprise. As this passage from Zechariah makes clear, any effort to bring peace between Israel and its enemies is doomed to failure. Why you ask? Because what we are seeing is the groundwork being laid for the fulfillment of yet another well known prophecy in the Bible, this one from the book of Daniel.

“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 NKJV

As most know, this verse refers to the coming world leader referred to most often as the "antichrist". When he appears on the scene he will "confirm", (a word meaning "enforce"), a peace agreement between Israel and its enemies. Why "enforce"? Simply because what we are being told is that it proves impossible for the parties to agree to any sort of peace on their own. As the passage from Zechariah tells us, anyone (other than the coming antichrist) who makes an attempt at forging a peace agreement will fail. The phrase translated to "be cut in pieces" also can be translated "tattooed", which I actually find very interesting. If you think about it, every president in recent memory who has tried to involve himself with the "peace process" comes away "tattooed" with his failure. 

Time will prove that President Trump is also going to be tattooed when his attempt at forging a peace will fail as all others have.  Although this attempt is courageous, the earth, and especially the Middle East, will never see peace until Jesus arrives at His second coming.  I also found it interesting to read several commentaries which suggested that this so called peace agreement is actually opening the door for the fulfillment of the Ezekiel 38,39 prophecy, or the Gog- Magog War. 

“And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. “Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means.”  Daniel 8:23-25  NKJV

The truth is, what we are witnessing today occurring all around the world is Satan preparing the way for the emergence of his lackey, the antichrist.  Somehow this coming man of sin will rise to power by deceit and cunning while at the same time managing to broker and enforce a peace when so many before him have failed.  If we are as close to the end as many believe, this man is currently active on the world stage and being positioned by Satan. 

When discussing the coming antichrist, many have made the point of describing all of the attributes listed in God’s Word about this man as a way of explaining how he is able to somehow achieve the impossible. While not disagreeing about their importance I would like to suggest one simple explanation which may often be overlooked.  You see, in the passage above from Daniel we are told that although this coming world leader will be extremely strong, “his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power”.  So the question which follows is simply this; “if it’s not his power, who’s power is it?”  If we look at it this way, I believe the answer is clear as to where his power originates. 

If you have never taken the time to read and study the book of Zechariah, I invite you to start today. Often overlooked, the book is one of the "Minor Prophets" of the Old Testament, a name given to twelve books because of their small size, not their importance. In fact, next to Isaiah, there are more prophecies concerning the coming Messiah in it than any other book in the Old Testament. There are also plenty of prophecies concerning the time in history in which we find ourselves today. Oftentimes this book is referred to as the "Apocalypse of the Old Testament" because of the prophecies it contains concerning the future of Israel.

The stage is being set for the appearance of the antichrist. No one has had any success at forging any type of peace between Israel and her enemies, and according to the Bible, no one will. Until of course, the "man of sin" enforces a treaty which ushers in the seven year period of time we know as the Tribulation. So how close could that be?  Many believe that time is in the immediate future as the signs we have been told to watch for are appearing all around us.  Of course, if that is truly the case then there is one very important event we should all be watching for.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."                                          1 Thessalonians 4:16-18  NKJV

“But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”    1 Thessalonians 5:1-6  RSV

In this passage we see the subject Paul is discussing is the rapture of the Church, and it is here we find that Paul makes a very interesting statement when he tells us that as “children of light, and children of the day,” we will not be surprised when Jesus returns and takes us away to be with Him.  As I thought about this passage, one of the first things that I began to consider was why Paul uses the difference between day and night to show us why we will not be surprised.  As I began to think more about this, there were a couple of things that seemed obvious, but possibly overlooked, that I had not really considered before.

The first one is that in the daylight it is much easier to not only see what surrounds us, but also to see what in fact, is right in front of us.  Now if that seems to be an oversimplification simply try walking down a strange hallway in the dark when a few chairs have been scattered about.  Yet turn on a light and it’s a very simple exercise to avoid bumping into any of them.  So in truth, what Paul is telling us about the rapture of the Church is that those of us who are believers and have accepted the salvation offered to us by the death of Jesus on the cross will not be surprised by the rapture because we will see it coming!

Now if that sounds a little strange to you, consider how Paul also uses the illustration of a thief in the night to explain why believers won’t be surprised.  A thief loves to use the cover of darkness simply because it makes it harder for people to see him, and therefore allows him to come and steal without you knowing he has been there.  So it comes as a surprise to awaken and see what has happened under the cover of darkness.  If the thief tried to break into your house in the middle of the day while you were awake and at home, how far would he get before you recognized what was happening?  If you were watching and knew what to look for, I think you would have probably called the police long before he approached your door.

I believe what Paul is telling us here is that in the very same way, believers will not be surprised at the rapture because we will recognize “the times and the seasons”.  How is that possible you ask?  The answer to that is found in the phrase Paul uses in verse two where he says that we “know perfectly”.  In my mind, when I examined the meaning of this phrase in the Greek, I immediately thought back to the illustration of the chairs in the hallway.

 

As I see it, the advantage to walking down the hall with the light on is that you can see with both perception and recognition.  To my way of thinking, perception is seeing and knowing what is in front of me while recognition is the understanding of how to carefully deal with what I see.  So I was surprised to find that the definitions of these two words seem to say that very thing.  The word “know”, eido, means…to see, to perceive with the eyes, to perceive with any of the senses, to perceive, notice, discern, discover.  The word “perfectly”, akribos, means…exactly, accurately, diligently, from the root word akribes…exactly, carefully.

So in essence Paul is telling us that when it comes to the “times and seasons” of the rapture of the Church, believers, as children of the day, will not be surprised because we will “know perfectly” or perceive and recognize that our blessed hope is near.  When I first graduated from college my intent was to pursue a career as a coach.  One of my first experiences was learning how to scout the next opponent of our team, and I was paired up with a coach who had more than forty years of experience doing just that.  His method of teaching me was to constantly ask me what I was looking at and what I saw.  I quickly learned from him, and knew I had learned well when I began to watch and see the same things he did.

There is no doubt in my mind, based on what I see that the rapture of the Church could happen at any moment.  I am willing to say that anyone else who believes that is definitely a member of the “children of light, and children of the day,” that Paul speaks about.  When Paul called us children of the light, he meant we’ve been given the knowledge to understand what’s coming. Is the end in sight?  When so many in the body say they see the same thing, don’t you believe it’s a reasonable conclusion?  As one very prominent Christian speaker has said, the more you know about the subject of Christ’s return, the more you recognize how close it is.

Attempting to forge “peace and security” in the Middle East is doomed to fail, yet I believe it is an important sign of where we are on God’s timeline for this earth.  It certainly seems to myself and many others in the body of Christ that virtually every week we are being treated to more and more signs that the rapture of the Church is close at hand. If you have never made the decision to accept the gift of eternal life offered by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ I urge you to do it today.  Simply tell God you accept His Son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and turn your life over to His control.

 Father, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

Keep watching.