A model of the Second Temple.
“Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.” (1 Chronicles 29:16)
An Internet-based crowdfunding campaign between the Ninth of Av and Rosh HaShanah surpassed its 60-day goal of $100,000, as almost 900 investors pitched in to rebuild the Beit HaMikdash (בית מקדש, God’s Holy Temple).
Drawing $104,814 from its first ever Indiegogo campaign, the Temple Institute stated the 882 pledged contributions would pay for the complete work-up of the future Temple’s architectural plans.
The only non-Muslim entrance to the Temple Mount is through a wooden bridge leading up to the Mughrabi (Moor’s) Gate on the far south-eastern corner of the Western Wall Plaza.
With Temple enthusiasts longing to see the splendor of Solomon restored with a rebuilt Temple, the complex, which is yet to come as envisioned by the prophet Ezekiel, is being planned with a contemporary twist to include “underground parking, heating and computerized washing stations that minimize water waste,” writes a press release from the Temple Institute.
A YouTube video connected to the campaign shows a computerized portrait of the site with rooms reminiscent of scenes taken from Temple artwork, expressed through modern resources.
“The architects will fuse Jewish law with modern technology to prepare for a fully modern third Temple, Kosher to the letter of the law,” states the Temple Institute’s international director, Rabbi Chaim Richman.
“This is not about one group or organization, it’s about bringing about a spiritual reunification of mankind,” Richman added, in response to the campaign. (JP)
“And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to My covenant—these I will bring to My holy mountain and give them joy in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:6–7)
The reunification of mankind is still only a hope, since the Temple Mount in Jerusalem remains a stumbling block for the nations who desire to remove it from the sovereignty of Israel (Zechariah. 12).
Although Israel gave the Jordanian waqf administrative privileges over this holy site in 1967, the Mount remains legally under Israeli rule; however, opponents of Israel deny its legal authority.
Israeli police keep the peace on the Temple Mount.
Ingrid Jaradat Gassner of the Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem and co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, issued a plea to Indiegogo to cancel the Institute’s campaign:
“Indiegogo should be informed that this is an illegal campaign as defined by their terms, violating international law and human rights, resulting in the destruction of property, inciting for religious intolerance, hatred and violence,” she said.
Her plea did not move Indiegogo, which recognized the successfully completed campaign. (JP)
The Muslim Dome of the Rock currently occupies the spot where many believe the Holy of Holies stood on the Temple Mount during the time of Yeshua. Some have suggested that the Third Temple could be built on an alternative location on the Mount, which is about 36 acres.
While architectural planning is underway, the reality is that Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority appealed to the United Nations last week to set a deadline for Israel to withdraw from all of the West Bank. This would include all of East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. This week, he apparently circulated a document suggesting that this should be accomplished by 2016.
Muslims consider the Temple Mount holy because they believe the prophet Mohammed ascended to Heaven from there in his alleged Night Journey. They consider the entire Mount to be the Noble Sanctuary and claim sovereignty to the area, denying that Solomon’s Temple or Herod’s Temple ever stood there. In doing so, they suppress and reject the overwhelming weight of historical and archaeological evidence.
To guard the Mount’s nobility, the Jordanian waqf has refused to allow Jews to pray on the Mount, even silently, arresting those who do. Arab children are being paid monthly salaries by Hamas to harass Jewish pilgrims on the Mount, and riots often erupt against Jewish visitors, causing the one wooden bridge that Jews are allowed to use to enter the Mount to be closed. (Times of Israel)
For example, on a Ramadan holiday on July 24, Arab rioters burned and looted the nearby police station. In all, 492 were arrested and 188 indicted. (JPost)
Muslim women and children on the Temple Mount.
To help bring peace to the Mount, the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) is discussing various solutions to the problem, such as allowing Jews and Muslims to enter at different times or allocating separate areas for each with a 100 meter buffer zone. All such plans are condemned by the Palestinian Authority who wants to see the Jewish presence removed completely.
It seems impossible that a Temple could be built under the current political climate, especially since the Muslim Dome of the Rock has occupied the spot where the Temples once stood since AD 691.
Yet, we know from prophetic Scriptures in Ezekiel 40–48 that a Temple will be rebuilt for the Messiah’s return. But before He comes, we also know that the Abomination of Desolation that Daniel spoke of will make a covenant of peace in the land and stand in the Temple (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15), claiming to be God (2 Thessalonians 3–4), so a Temple must exist for him as well.
These are signs to watch for as we prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits for our redemption, which is drawing very near indeed.
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” (Daniel 9:27)
