REVIVED SANHEDRIN DISCUSS TEMPLE REBUILDING

Revived Sanhedrin discusses Temple
Posted: February 17, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Hal Lindsey
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

Two remarkable developments took place recently that are extremely relevant to students of Bible prophecy.

For the first time in 1,600 years, the Israeli Sanhedrin was re-established. It occurred in Tiberius, the site of the Sanhedrin's last meeting in AD 425.

On Jan. 20, IsraelNN.com reported:

A unique ceremony – probably only the second of its kind in the past 1,600 years – is taking place in Tiberius today: The launching of a Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish-legal tribunal in the land of Israel.

The Sanhedrin, a religious assembly that convened in one of the Holy Temple chambers in Jerusalem [before AD 70], comprised 71 sages and existed during the Tannaitic period, from several decades before the Common Era until roughly 425 C.E.

Details of today's ceremony are still sketchy, but the organizers' announced their intention to convene 71 rabbis who have received special rabbinic ordination as specified by Maimonides.

These religious authorities believe it was necessary to re-establish the Sanhedrin because only this properly ordained body of sages can authenticate a Messiah when he comes. There is a growing expectation of the long-awaited Messiah to appear among devout Jews. The rebirth of the Jewish state and recapture of Jerusalem has increasingly influenced this conviction.

On Feb. 9, just a few weeks after the Sanhedrin's re-establishment, another enormously important development took place. The religious sages began to consider the rebuilding of the Temple and reinstitution of ancient animal sacrifices as prescribed in the Law of Moses.

The first step toward facilitating this monumental endeavor was to seek to determine the exact location of the Temple's foundation. Sanhedrin spokesman Rabbi Chaim Richman told Arutz-7:

It is appropriate that the Sanhedrin convened to discuss this lofty matter of the Temple's location this week ... the Sanhedrin continues to move toward strengthening the nation of Israel.

As all these things happen all around us, the Sanhedrin is researching ways to renew the deepest roots of our faith – to renew Temple service, reunite Jewish legal tradition and inspire the Jewish people to aspire to greatness. Our people have one path before us, and we will continue to march toward our destiny.

Sanhedrin member Rabbi Yisrael Ariel is the most ardent believer that the Temple is to be rebuilt in this generation. He is the former Yeshiva head, founder of the Temple Institute, and one of the paratroopers who took part in the 1967 liberation of the Temple Mount. He said:

People today ask, "Who are we in this generation to even consider building the Temple?" But in this week's Torah portion we see that the commandment to build a Temple was given to Jews who had just sinned and committed idolatry in the Sin of the Golden Calf. The fact is that what God requires in this world is for regular people to do their best. That is what we are trying to do.

The most difficult problem is to determine with certainty exactly where the previous Temple's foundations are. Muslims have not allowed Israeli archeologists to do archeological research on the Temple grounds. As a matter of fact, the Muslim custodians of this area, which they believe is their Third Holiest site, have systematically sought to destroy and remove any archeological evidence of Israel ever having a Temple there.

The Sanhedrin determined that there are only two viable theories as to where the Temple stood. One teaches that the Temple stood on the same basic site on which the Muslim mosque known as the Dome of the Rock was built.

The second theory (which I am convinced is the most accurate) is that the Temple was built north of the Dome of the Rock. Dr. Asher Kaufman developed this theory, using certain archeological evidences that he found before the Muslim's destroyed them. However, the most important archeological sign is the position of the Eastern Gate. According to ancient accounts of the Temple, its east-west centerline passed through the center of the Eastern Gate.

We have absolute evidence as to where the ancient Eastern Gate stood. I have viewed personally the remains of the ancient Eastern Gate, which is located under the modern Gate that was built on top of its ruins.

While photographing the area in 1983 for my book, "A Prophetical Walk Through The Holy Land," I sought to verify Dr. Kaufman's theory. I established the east-west centerline from the Eastern Gate. Then I received one of the most supernatural visitations of my life. My mind was suddenly flooded with a couple of verses that had been a mystery to me.

This is what I was shown. "I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, 'Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.'" (Revelation 11:1-2 NIV) So I measured off the distance from the centerline to the point where the wall of the inner court would stand. There was at least 6 meters clearance from the nearest points of the Dome of the Rock and the Temple inner-court wall. The Apostle John clearly predicts that "the outer court was not to be included in the rebuilt Temple, because it was given to the Gentiles."

So what does all this mean? The Temple can be rebuilt and stand alongside the Dome of the Rock without disturbing it. And since the outer court, also known as the Court of the Gentiles, is given to the Gentiles in this period just before the Messiah comes, it infers that there would be a Gentile building there, i.e., the Dome of the Rock.

The fact that a re-established Sanhedrin is now considering the rebuilding of the Temple after 2,000 years is extremely important to students of Bible prophecy. I believe that we are very near the final climactic events that end with the Second Coming of Christ.

Hal Lindsey is the best-selling non-fiction writer alive today. Among his 20 books are "Late Great Planet Earth," his follow-up on that explosive best seller, Planet Earth: The Final Chapter," and "Everlasting Hatred: The Roots of Jihad." He writes this weekly column exclusively for WorldNetDaily. Be sure to visit his website, where he provides up-to-the-minute analysis of today's world events in the light of ancient prophecies.

AWAITING THE COMING APOCALYPSE

Awaiting the Coming Apocalypse - Jack Kinsella - Omega Letter Editor – www.omegaletter.com



In November, Iranian president Ahmed Ahmadinejad startled the world when he announced that felt 'the hand of Allah' entrancing world leaders as he delivered a speech to the UN General Assembly last September.



According to Ahmadinejad, during his UN address, he suddenly felt himself surrounded by light. It wasn't the stage lighting, he said -- it was light from heaven. Ahmadinejad related his otherworldly experience in a videotaped meeting with a prominent ayatollah in Tehran.



(A transcript of his comments and sections of the videotape wound up on a hardline, pro-regime internet site, baztab.com.)



According to the transcript, Ahmadinejad said a member of his entourage at the UN meeting first told him of the light. "When you began with the words 'In the name of God', I saw a light coming, surrounding you and protecting you to the end (of the speech)," the member said.



Ahmadinejad confirmed sensing a similar presence. "I felt it myself, too, that suddenly the atmosphere changed and for 27-28 minutes the leaders could not blink ... They had their eyes and ears open for the message from the Islamic Republic," he told Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli.



Ahmadinejad's "vision" at the UN could be dismissed as political posturing if it weren't for a string of similar statements and actions that suggest he believes he is destined to bring about the "End Times" -- the end of the world -- by paving the way for the return of the Shia Muslim messiah.



In a November 16 speech in Tehran to senior clerics who had come from all over Iran to hear him, the new President said the main mission of his Government was to "pave the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance)".



The mystical 12th Imam of Shia Islam disappeared as a child in 941AD, and Shia Muslims have awaited his reappearance ever since, believing that when he returns, he will reign on earth for seven years, before bringing about the Last Judgment and the end of the world.



In order to prepare for the Mahdi, Ahmadinejad said, "Iran should turn into a mighty, advanced, and model Islamic society". Iranians should "refrain from leaning toward any Western school of thought" and abstain from "luxurious lives" and other excesses.



Scared yet? It gets worse. Ahmadinejad is rumored to have ordered his cabinet to sign a loyalty pact with the 12th Imam and throw it down a well near the holy city of Qom, (where they believe the imam is hiding).



In a December article called "Waiting for the Rapture in Iran," the Christian Science Monitor's Scott Peterson wrote that Ahmadinejad has earmarked $17 million for the Jamkaran mosque, supposedly built on the Mahdi's orders.



"Officials deny rumors," Peterson said, that when Ahmadinejad was mayor of Tehran, he "secretly tasked the city council... to prepare a suitable route for the Mahdi's return."



That the leader of Iran believes that these are the last days is one thing -- for him to base national nuclear policy on that belief is another. Ahmadinejad not only believes the 12 Iman's appearance is imminent; he believes that it is his mission to bring about the apocalypse in order to force his early return.



Most pagan religions share a vision of a coming apocalypse with Christianity. The Buddhists are awaiting the appearance of the 'Lord' Matreya.



The Hindus await the 'natural ending of the world' during the 'Kali' Age. Note the similarities between the Hindu description of the Kali Age and the Apostle Paul's description of end-times society.



"All kings occupying the earth in the Kali Age will be wanting in tranquillity, strong in anger, taking pleasure at all times in lying and dishonesty, inflicting death on women, children, and cows, prone to take the paltry possessions of others, with character that is mostly vial, rising to power and soon falling. They will be short-lived, ambitious, of little virtue, and greedy. People will follow the customs of others and be adulterated with them; peculiar, undisciplined barbarians will be vigorously supported by rulers. Because they go on living with perversion, they will be ruined." - Upanishad



"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2nd Timothy 3:1-5)



In Israel, Jews are preparing for the coming of the Jewish Messiah. Secular Israelis call it 'Messianic fever' but the so-called 'fever' is mainstream enough for Israel to reconsititute its Sanhedrin after a 1600-year absence. (Only the Sanhedrin can officially announce the Messiah's return)



The 'end of the world' is a recurring them throughout the world's religions, including Baha'i, the New Age, Omega, 2012 Unlimited, Hale-Bopp, the Raelians, and so on.



In addition, there are secular think-tanks like the "Millennium Institute" which claims to take a 'holistic' approach to the coming apocalypse. The Millennium Institute is an NGO, or "non-governmental organization" with Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.



Among the MI's clients are; General Motors Corporation, Action Aid, World Bank, UN Development Program, The Carter Center, developing country governments, and so on.



Visions of the apocalypse are also becoming part of American pop culture. ABC has two new end-of-the-world-themed programs for this season. On the CBS docket, the post-apocalyptic programs are called “Four Horsemen” (a plague drama) and “Jerico” (life in a small town after America is destroyed).



Hollyweird is also concerned about the end. Consider some of the following movies: The Matrix, End of Days, Dark City, Armageddon, Deep Impact, the Postman, Contact, The Fifth Element, Jerusalem, The Stand, The Day After . . . it is a long list. These are just a few.



The expectation of a coming apocalypse is deeply ingrained in the human psyche; it isn't merely religious, although most religions have some expectation of it. It isn't merely cultural, although most cultures are looking for some kind of world-ending cataclysm.



It isn't merely scientific, although most scientists agree that the world faces existential threats from pollution, global warming, an expanding or contracting universe, solar flares, meteor strikes and the like.



More importantly, it is unique to this generation. Previous generations, particularly in the religious world, expected the world to end 'someday'.



In this generation, it seems everybody is looking for some kind of messiah, whether it is Jesus, the 12th iman, Matreya, the Jewish Messiah, the Kali Age, or Arnold Schwartzeneggar doing direct combat with the antichrist, or Hollyweird's obsession with 666.



In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul writes of a universal "God-conscience" shared by all humanity.



"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" (Romans 1:18-20)



The point is this. All humanity, whether it wants to admit it or not, knows instinctively that God exists. They know instinctively of sin and righteousness, and they know instinctively than mankind has fallen short of God's righteousness.



That gives rise to the instinctive knowledge of Divine accountability -- even the lost recognize a world as sin-sick as this one cannot evade judgment much longer -- even as they deny the existence of the One to whom they know mankind is accountable.



"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." (Romans 1:22-23)



The whole world knows that Jesus is coming, whether or not they want to admit His identity to themselves. The recognition of a Divine standard of righteousness is universal, as is the universal recognition of mankind's inability to attain it.



Not only that, but the whole world also recognizes that He is coming soon.



"And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?"



This was a fairly direct and specific question, and Jesus' reply was equally direct and specific. He outlined the events that would identify the generation of the end, but notice the very FIRST thing He said in reply:



"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:3-5)



The Lord IS coming. He is coming soon. The Bible says so.



So do the newspapers.

_________________________________________________________

WHY IS IT THAT THE KING IS COMING IS BAD NEWS?

Why is it that the King is Coming is Bad News?
By Jan Markell

I wasn’t born in the Bronze Age so I still recall wonderful prophecy conferences in my Baptist church some twenty years ago. But in the last ten to fifteen years the message that the King is coming has become a downer with implications that the issues surrounding it are “gloom and doom.” When did you last hear it preached in your church? When did you last hear radio or TV preachers talk about it unless they were an eschatology-related ministry?

Recently a Christian publishing house advised me that he had learned that most Christian houses were dropping newly-submitted Bible prophecy books with a few exceptions. LaHaye/Jenkins will likely continue to sell as well as Mark Hitchcock through Multnomah, and sadly, Hannegraff’s false Preterism books. Harvest House seems open only to Dr. J. Randall Price on Temple issues. Teachers like Hal Lindsey, Grant Jeffrey, and Dave Hunt have resorted to forming their own publishing houses.

I was also informed that some of the finest seminaries and Bible colleges/Institutes that shall remain unnamed but known for true Dispensational belief are backing down. The two most prominent with the spokesmen at the head of these organizations are now suggesting that we cannot know if this is Israel’s final re-gathering. Perhaps they will be scattered again. What kind of preachers will these outfits be turning out? Eschatology will finally be thrown on the ash heap of history. But you can be sure they will push the “seeker movement” and “church growth movement” which often downplays prophecy and for that matter, solid Bible teaching of any kind.

As my friend Bill Koenig reports on his site, and has had the story posted for months at www.watch.org, one hundred million church attendees in America who are a part of Catholic or Mainline Protestant churches have no understanding of eschatology. The silence in these churches is bad enough but even worse is the fact that false eschatological doctrines emanate out of these denominations: Amillenialism, Replacement Theology, Preterism (all prophecy happened in 70 AD with the destruction of Jerusalem), Dominion/Kingdom Now/Latter Rain, and more.

Over the last two to three years I have received hundreds of emails about this. Here are just a couple:

“It is surprising to me that there are so many people I have tried to talk to about prophecy who have brushed it off by saying that they consider it ‘doomsday talk.’ It is difficult to get anyone to even talk about it. Even my family doesn’t want to hear about it.”

“Your Web site is one of the few avenues available to someone like me who has been awaiting the Lord’s return since the onset of my Christian walk 28 years ago. My pastor will deal with it, but gets hardly any response. It is demoralizing for him and the ‘remnant.’”

So here we are likely in the last of the last days and the topic has vanished even though the “signs of the times” are screaming at us. As expressed above, try to share that and expect the ice box treatment.

The Bible predicted that in II Peter. In the last days people would scoff and say, “Where is the promise of His coming?” And naturally the devil loathes the topic because eschatology spells out his doom in deadly detail, pun intended. Thus he is waging a war against Bible prophecy to finish off eschatology, make it sound irrelevant, depressing, boring, and more, and even many evangelical pastors seem to agree.

So hang on to your prophecy resources because if this “ban on Bible prophecy” intensifies as it likely will, you’ll have to re-read your old books and articles as new information may be hard to find other than on Internet sites. But don’t give up! Keep spreading the truth. If just a few get their eyes opened it will be a victory.

The secular world has noticed and is running many prophecy-related TV specials in the last year, particularly since hurricane Katrina. Of course they have the issues all skewed, but isn’t it tragic that they have more curiosity than our churches today?

In the meantime prophecy lovers, keep looking up, for our Redeemer truly does draw nigh (Luke 21:28).

(Jan Markell is founder/director of Olive Tree Ministries. For more information, visit her Web site, www.olivetreeviews.org and specifically her category of “Prophecy Watch.”)

IF YOU THINK 2006" CAME IN LIKE A LAMB",THINK AGAIN

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1-3-06

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Chaplain 'starves himself' over Navy no-Jesus zone
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Prove Jesus exists, judge orders priest
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First TBN drops Lindsey, now Lindsey drops TBN