Enoch Lavender was born in Australia, raised in Norway, spent time living in China and is now based in Melbourne, Australia. He has been studying Hebrew and the Jewish roots of our faith for the past decade, and has a keen interest in the Middle East from a Bible prophecy perspective.
Recently Five Red Heifers were donated by Christians and sent to Israel for the purpose of preparing for the rebuilt Temple. In this video, John Enarson from Cry For Zion explains how it is seen in the Jewish world and how the red heifers are the ‘missing link’ in this fulfilment of Bible prophecy, and will potentially set the stage for the Thrid Temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt. How should we as Christians respond to this development of bible prophecy?
Enoch Lavender was born in Australia, raised in Norway, spent time living in China and is now based in Melbourne, Australia. He has been studying Hebrew and the Jewish roots of our faith for the past decade, and has a keen interest in the Middle East from a Bible prophecy perspective.
Many of us have grown up in Church with a theology that says that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, putting an end to the sacrificial system. While it is built on truth, its conclusions about the sacrificial system being done away with clashes directly with the practice of the early disciples.
For example, after he wrote most of his NT letters, Paul the Apostle headed back to Jerusalem and happily agreed to pay the costs of four believers who were completing their vows. This included the believers offering a range of sacrifices in the Temple – costing in todays terms literally thousands of dollars. Neither these believers, nor Paul himself had an issue with performing this service. In Acts 24:17 Paul further explains that his purpose of going to Jerusalem in the first place was to give alms and offerings (in the language of the day, this clearly meant to sacrifice in the Temple). The book of Acts highlights further that the disciples met regularly in the Temple and were in high esteeem with all the people (which would have been hard to do if they suddenly rejected the God-given sacrificial system). Furthermore, Acts 6:7 describes that a number of priests joined the faith, and again there is no mention of them ceasing their work in the Temple because of their new found faith.
In essence the sacrifice of Jesus is on a higher level and represents a higher priesthood and does not do away with the Aaronic priesthood, it just serves a higher function. After all, the Aaronic priesthood was never able to take away sins in the first place. Furthermore, the Aaronic priesthood appears to be coming back into action in the Millennium according to the prophecies of Ezekiel.
It is true that the Aaronic sacrifices pointed to Jesus and gave much light on what He did for us. As such, these sacrifices would have taken on extra deep layers of meaning for these early disciples.
I hope this helps you, and let’s all continue to explore for ourselves what the Bible says of this topic.
I explore a similar topic in this video – ‘Can Christians support the rebuilding of the Temple?’:
Enoch Lavender was born in Australia, raised in Norway, spent time living in China and is now based in Melbourne, Australia. He has been studying Hebrew and the Jewish roots of our faith for the past decade, and has a keen interest in the Middle East from a Bible prophecy perspective.
Enoch shares about the coming third temple, the 2 major obstacles hindering its rebuilding, dramatic progress in recent years towards the third temple and how we as Christians can pray concerning the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount.
Notes from message:
The Coming Third Temple
It is all about God’s presence
God’s Name, Eyes and Heart are there!
““For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My Name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”
2 Chr. 7:16
Why doesn’t Israel build the Temple?
Reason #1: – OIC – Organisation of Islamic Co-operation
– Organisation of Islamic Co-operation – founded in 1969 – has 56 member states and is the second largest intergovernment organisation in the world. Founded with the purpose of ‘protecting’ Al Aqsa mosque and liberating ‘Palestine’.
Reason #2: – Modern Judaism doesn’t need sacrifices
Building the Temple Seems Unrealistic
But Jesus refers to a Temple in the End Times:
15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Matt 24
His disciples would have understood this to refer to the Temple
The Return of the exiled Jews after 2000 years seemed unrealistic too
But with God’s promises + prayer and support from Christians – it happened!
It also seemed unrealistic for:
The Hebrew language to be restored (Zep. 3:9)
The desert land to bloom and fill the earth with fruit (Is. 27:6, 35:1)
God is the God of the impossible – if He has said there will be a temple – there will be one!
But we are called to partner with Him in prayer – remind Him of His promises and His Word
A Change in The Air
Rabbi Yehuda Glick
Little known activist
Assassination attempt October 29, 2014
March 2015 Election
#33 on Ballot Paper for Netanyahu’s Likud party
Netanyahu only expected to get 20 seats – but got 30
On May 25th 2016, he was sworn in to parliament
The rise of Yehudah Glick from the brink of death to the national spotlight, and now to the Israeli parliament is truly breathtaking.
The Temple Institute is rehearsing the sacrifices and training up Levites and Priests from the Line of Aaron
In September 2016, the Sanhedrin moved to appoint its first High Priest since the temple was destroyed in A.D. 70
Rabbi Baruch Katane was chosen and is a stand-in ready to perform sacrifices with 2 weeks notice
but…there are ominous developments as well
Compromise with Islam?
Adnan Oktar, a prominent Islamic scholar and television host, invited Rabbi Glick to a Ramadan event in Turkey (7/8/2015). Adnan supports the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple as part of his Islamic End Times views
But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.Rev. 11:2
Why pray for a temple that will be defiled?
God can restore what the enemy defiles
The enemy is always trying to defile God’s house It is setting the stage for End Times
Reason #1. It is the missing piece of End Times Prophecy
“for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed… who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God… so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” 2 Thes 2:3
Reason #2: Jews need to return to sacrifices to understand Yeshua
Reason #3. God wants to dwell among His people
“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8
Reason #4: There is a spiritual battle over this site.If Israel gets anywhere near it, there is international uproar!
We need to partner with Israel in prayer for this to happen
Prayer Assignment
Ezek 36:2: “the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession”
Is. 14:13: “For you (Lucifer) have said in your heart:‘I will ascend into heaven,I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation (or mountain of divine appointment) On the farthest sides of the north;”
Enoch Lavender was born in Australia, raised in Norway, spent time living in China and is now based in Melbourne, Australia. He has been studying Hebrew and the Jewish roots of our faith for the past decade, and has a keen interest in the Middle East from a Bible prophecy perspective.
This video dives into the story of Hanukkah and examines the parallells between this ancient defiling of the Temple and a possible future fulfilment. Ultimately, the Battle for the Temple Mount is not only about a site – but about the worship of mankind. This message ends with a challenge to a renewed heart of worship of the One True God.
Notes from the video:
In modern Judaism, there is no need for a Temple. They are waiting for the Messiah to come and rebuild it.
However, the Temple activists are taking one step at a time in seeking to rebuild the Temple.
One of the Temple Mount activists Yehuda Glick was shot 4 times in the chest at close range – but he survived. Coming out of the hospital, he gave thanks ‘unto Him who raises the dead’.
This incident has helped strengthen the move for allowing Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount – orthodox rabbis are starting to be more supportive.
Why doesn’t Israel just build the Temple?
Described as the fuse of the dynamite keg which makes up the Middle East Conflict – Jews getting anywhere near the temple is an extremely sensitive issue, in particular to radical muslims.
Concen of International Backlash – Organisation of Islamic Co-operation – founded in 1969 – has 56 member states and is the second largest intergovernment organisation in the world. Founded with the purpose of ‘protecting’ Al Aqsa mosque and liberating ‘Palestine’.
With only 40% of Jews supporting equal prayer rights on the Temple Mount – and even less support for rebuilding the Temple, it is looking very unlikely in the natural.
And how would they build the temple without starting World War 3?
End Time Signs Include Temple Rebuilding
Despite all this and the efforts of Israeli politicians to keep a tenuous ‘status quo’ – I believe the Temple is going to be rebuilt.
To understand the coming headlines, we do not look to the situation around us – but find out what the Bible says about the rebuilding of the Temple.
Many scriptures in the OT put together the restoration of the people of Israel to their land with the rebuilding of the Temple. One example is found in the book of Amos.
Amos is written before any of the Jews had ever been exiled from Israel, before the Davidic Kingdom and the Temple had been destroyed.
But Amos is looking down the prophetic tunnel of history and foreseeing what will be happening in the end of days.
Amos 9:11-14 – Signs of the times – ‘that day’ = ‘End Times’
V14 – God will restore His people to the land and they will rebuild the waste cities. He foreshadows their exodus, but also their return. Their return to the land is a sign of the Times.
V9 – The Ten Tribes will return – there is some debate about this, but the Bible is clear that the ten tribes will not actually be lost but a remnant will return.
Examples: Ethiopia = tribe of Dan (recognised by Chief Sephardic Rabbi in 1973 – 9th century source claims descent also from Naphtali, Gad and Asher), Indian Jews = Manasseh
V11 – the Tabernacle of David will be restored. Ultimately I believe this is pointing to:
– the rebuilding of the Temple
– the restoration of the Davidic Kingdom
The word ‘Tabernacle of David’ refers both to the Temple and to the Kingdom. We are looking for the day when the Lord will restore His kingship to Israel – but it comes as the Temple is rebuilt. He is ‘enthroned’ on our praises and it is only as the praise and worship of God is in order that He can truly be reigning as our King.
V12-13 – c.f acts 15:17 “So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name”
God’s purpose in restoring the Tabernacle of David is that all nations should worship him. These scriptures foreshadow a great harvest of God among the Gentiles – and we are seeing the first fruits!
Summary:
Amos foresaw signs of what God will do in the End times including:
– Regathering of Israel
– Revival among the Gentiles
– Rebuilding of the Temple
– Culminating in the re-establishing of Davidic Dynasty
Enoch Lavender was born in Australia, raised in Norway, spent time living in China and is now based in Melbourne, Australia. He has been studying Hebrew and the Jewish roots of our faith for the past decade, and has a keen interest in the Middle East from a Bible prophecy perspective.
Part 2 of 4 – Ps. Enoch examines the past, present and future conflict surrounding the Temple Mount.
This video dives into the story of Hanukkah and examines the parallells between this ancient defiling of the Temple and a possible future fulfilment. Ultimately, the Battle for the Temple Mount is not only about a site – but about the worship of mankind. This message ends with a challenge to a renewed heart of worship of the One True God.
Notes from Video:
Is.14:13 – Satan’s ambition involves sitting on the ‘mount of appointment’.
This is therefore the site of an epic battle for the worship of mankind as we approach the End Times.
But to understand this battle for the Temple Mount and what it looks like, we must go back in time.
Battle for the Temple in the Past
We need to go back to what is known as the story of Hanukkah – which took place 170 years before Christ.
How many of you have heard of Hanukkah?
Some think of it as the Jewish version of Christmas.
Same time of the year – some similar traditions with lights and presents.
But like the message of Christmas has been buried in the paraphernalia, so the message of Hanukkah is often lost as well.
It is a story of courage and sacrifice, persecution and ultimate victory.
It is referred to extensively in the Bible:
– book of Daniel devotes chapter 8 and 11 to it,
– Jesus refers to it in His end time prophecies in Matt 24
– Paul refers to it in Thessalonians when describing end times
– NT debate over food sacrificed to idols and Paul and Peter’s debate over Jews eating with Gentiles came from events of Hanukkah.
I will give you an introduction to the story – but it is worth studying the story in more detail for yourselves.
Dan 8:17 – This chapter describes in great detail the events of Hanukkah – but is very clear that the description applies to the ‘end of days’. In other words, what happened at Hanukkah was a prophetic foreshadowing of the end times – as we go through the story, keep an eye out for the links between that time and what lies ahead of us.
Story of Hanukkah
– Dan 8:8 – Alexander the Great conquered known world – and after his death, his kingdom was divided between 4 generals. The two prominent kingdoms known as ‘king of the north’ and ‘king of the south’
– Israel under pressure – Israel was a small nation looking for an alliance or covenant that would protect it and bring peace
– Great falling away in Israel – many were leaving the faith to be ‘more like the world’. Greek culture was a seductive force everywhere
– High Priest of Israel – Onias – was faithful to the faith, but his brother Jason wanted Israel to be just like the other nations around them.
– 170bc:, Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes. Treaty with Jason made him the new High Priest – Jason built a perverse idol temple and a gymnasium
After 3 years he:
– broke the covenant
– attacked Jerusalem killing 80’000!
– Dan 9:27 – put an end to sacrifices in the temple.
– Built a fortress next to the temple to control its activities.
– 6 months later, he erected an idol with his image in the holy place. ‘Epiphanes’ means the God-man – and he thought he was God.
– He sacrificed pig on the altar of the temple. He sprinkled the blood of the pig in the holy of holies, and poured swine broth over the scrolls of the bible.
Daniel 11:31 – they shall take away the daily sacrifice and place there the abomination of desolation. This scripture refers to the future and to the past!
Why is it ‘an abomination of desolation’? It was a play on its name – it was called ‘Baal Shamayim’ Lord of the Heavens – but orthodox Jews called ‘baal’ ‘shiqqus’ meaning abomination. So the name for the idol became a word play – ‘shiqqus shomem’ abomination of desolation.
It was in truth an abomination that caused desolation – as it was only when it was erected that the very worst persecution broke out.
Jews were forbidden to practice their faith in God on pains of death- and house to house searches were conducted to enforce this measure.
If sabbaths were kept, circumcision or food laws, or scrolls of the law found, the whole family was put to death. Babies were hung around their mothers necks, and women were thrown from the walls of the cities.
Enoch Lavender was born in Australia, raised in Norway, spent time living in China and is now based in Melbourne, Australia. He has been studying Hebrew and the Jewish roots of our faith for the past decade, and has a keen interest in the Middle East from a Bible prophecy perspective.
