2000 Years of Silence Come to an End:
Hakhel Ceremonies Performed on the Temple Mount and in the Old City of Jerusalem
Chag Sukkot
Tishrei 18, 5769/October 17, 2008
While the nations of the world are being rocked by financial turbulence and meteorological volatility, in the holy city of Jerusalem history is being written with a steady hand amidst increasing signs that the long awaited redemption is at last drawing near. October 15th, the first day of Chol Hamoed, (1st day of the intermediate days of Sukkot), the designated day for the Biblically commanded "gathering" ceremony:
The unique commandment recorded in the book of Devarim - Deuteronomy - known as the Hakhel (literally, "gather together") tells us that the King of Israel is to gather together the entire nation of Israel - men, women and children - to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem once every seven years, during the intermediary days of the Festival of Sukkot, at the conclusion of the seven year Sabbatical cycle. There, he is to read the Torah before the entire congregation, from selected passages in the book of Deuteronomy. The purpose of this special gathering is to inspire the people to walk in the ways of G-d and cling to His Torah:
"'At the end of [every] seven years, at an appointed time, in the Festival of Sukkot, [after] the sabbatical year, when all Israel comes to appear before HaShem, your G-d, in the place He will choose you shall read this Torah before all Israel, in their ears.'" (Deuteronomy 31:10)
After months of quiet but intensive behind the scenes meetings with Israel's Internal Security Minister, top Jerusalem police officials, members of Israel's Knesset, and relevant parliamentary committees, (all the tireless effort of Yehudah Glick the Temple Institute's Director), word went out across the length and the breadth of the land of Israel that a Hakhel ceremony would be taking place on Biblical schedule upon the Temple Mount.
On Wednesday morning over 1000 Jews arrived at the Temple Mount's Moghrabi Gate entrance in order to perform the once-in-seven years commandment. To learn more about this historic event and to see photographs, please click here.
At the very same time, while conducting an on-the-Temple Mount Hakhel ceremony for the first time in 2000 years, the Temple Institute's entire staff was also busy with last minute preparations for a second Hakhel gathering, this one in the Gan Tekuma park adjacent to the Jewish Quarter inside of Jerusalem's old city walls. This Hakhel ceremony included, along with the appropriate Hakhel readings from Deuteronomy, a presentation of many of the Institute's accomplishments from the past (5768) year.
Included were newly fashioned silver trumpets, the golden crown - tzitz - of the high priest, the first time wearing of bigdei kehuna - priestly garments for the lay priests, by five distinguished kohanim - priests, and the official unveiling of the just completed Kiyor Nechoshet - Brass Laver for the sanctification of the hands and feet of the priests before they begin their daily service in the Holy Temple. The two ton Kiyor had been transported by truck prior to the first day of Sukkot from the northern Israeli city of Akko, where it was manufactured by the Buchbut Metalworks Factory. It spent the night in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Choma. Following the conclusion of the first day of Sukkot the Kiyor was then delivered to the Temple Institute. Arriving in the old city at two in the morning, it was lowered by crane into Gan Tekuma, where it was guarded throughout the night by a number of dedicated volunteers.
Meanwhile, the sound and lighting systems and the main stage for the ceremony were being put in place. The ceremony was scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM, but already hours before curious onlookers, intrigued by the massive Kiyor, now covered by a blue tarp, began to gather round.
By the time the Hakhel ceremony began, thousands of spectators had already gathered, spilling out of Gan Tekuma into the adjacent open areas. The road above Gan Tekuma filled with people making vehicular traffic impossible. The old city wall which ran high above behind the stage likewise filled with onlookers.
A very moving evening ensued. Each of the five kohanim, (Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Avi Kahane, Menachem Cohen, Ariel Reigel and Micha Katz), took turns reading Hakhel verses from a Torah scroll, after which they stood and sounded the silver trumpets. The golden tzitz was placed upon the head of one of the priests. A description of the details of the priestly garments followed, and as a grand finale the Kiyor was unveiled.
The enthusiastic assembly crowded around the Kiyor. Children touched and explored the Brass Laver, while parents described to them how the laver works and how the priests much sanctify their hands and feet each day. The Hakhel ceremony had officially concluded, but for well over an hour people thronged around the Kiyor, savoring, as it were, the magic of the moment, beholding the unfolding of history, the march of destiny. To see photographs from the Hakhel ceremony, please click here.
After emerging from the cleansing, powerful experience of Yom Kippur, we enter into the Sukkah to experience the loving embrace of the Divine Presence. "Armed" with the unique commandment of the Four Species (etrog, lulav, hadasim and aravot), we celebrate the "season of our joy," a time of renewal and the ingathering of our strengths and potentials. But Sukkot is even more than all that it brings with it the promise of Divine Inspiration and even the renewal of prophecy. Join Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman in this special Sukkot edition of Temple Talk for a tour de force of this incomparable season of pure joy.
To learn how Sukkot is observed in the Holy Temple, please click here.
This week features the latest Bat Melech video teaching by Rabanit Rena Richman, entitled, "Rachav: Profile in Repentance, Part II: Rachav, the women of "ill-repute" who lived in the wall of Jericho not only hosted the two spies sent by Joshua, but used the opportunity their presence afforded her to repent of her past deeds, and become herself a righteous woman of valor." Click here to view.
Today also features the new Light to the Nations teaching by Rabbi Chaim Richman, entitled, "The Sukkot Special: Deep secrets of the joy that characterizes the holiday of Sukkot." Both part I and part II are currently online. Click here to view.
Chag Sameach - a joy filled Sukkot to all,
Yitzchak Reuven
THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 31876
Jerusalem, Israel 97500
http://www.templeinstitute.org/
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Sphinx Organization violates civil rights
The Sphinx Organization violates the rights of White children!
Re: Sphinx Organization isn't Racist?
Federal funds of $60,000 awarded to Sphinx in '04, it must be determined if they have since received even more.
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS PROCEDURES FOR FILING CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS
Who Can File An individual may file a formal complaint with the Office of Civil Rights if they believe that they have been discriminated against by an organization which has received Endowment funds, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disability and age. In order to be eligible to file a formal complaint with OCR, you must be a member or a representative for a "protected class." A protected class is comprised of persons who fit into any of the aforementioned categories. Thus, if you believe that you have been discriminated against on the basis of your race, color, national origin, disability, sex, or age, you are a member of a protected class. Federal law prohibits discrimination against any of these classes of individuals. http://www.nea.gov/about/Civil.html
Re: Sphinx Organization isn't Racist?
Federal funds of $60,000 awarded to Sphinx in '04, it must be determined if they have since received even more.
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS PROCEDURES FOR FILING CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS
Who Can File An individual may file a formal complaint with the Office of Civil Rights if they believe that they have been discriminated against by an organization which has received Endowment funds, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disability and age. In order to be eligible to file a formal complaint with OCR, you must be a member or a representative for a "protected class." A protected class is comprised of persons who fit into any of the aforementioned categories. Thus, if you believe that you have been discriminated against on the basis of your race, color, national origin, disability, sex, or age, you are a member of a protected class. Federal law prohibits discrimination against any of these classes of individuals. http://www.nea.gov/about/Civil.html
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Halloween
EACH YEAR millions around the world observe the strangest of all festivals, Hallowe'en.
What about this strange festival? CLICK HERE to find out more!
What about this strange festival? CLICK HERE to find out more!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Fox Report on PCG
A story on the PCG (Philadelphia Church of God) by Nick Winkler, a reporter at Fox 25 in Oklahoma City, will air in November.
Priestly Blessings
Tens of Thousands at Blessing of the Priests at the Kotel
by Hana Levi Julian
(IsraelNN.com) Thousands of Kohanim, Jewish men descended from members of the priestly class in the People of Israel, gathered at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem on Thursday morning for the traditional Birkat HaKohanim.
The Western Wall plaza was packed with some 50,000 Jewish worshippers who streamed into Jerusalem from all over the country and around the world especially for the event.
During the recitation of the blessing, the Kohanim gathered into groups spread their prayer shawls over their own heads, spreading out their arms over the congregation to form a small enclosure that prevented congregants from seeing them during the actual blessing. There is a custom for the congregants who are being blessed to avoid looking at the Kohanim during the blessing as well.
Kohanim have the tradition of being direct descendants of the first High Priest of the Jewish People, Aharon (Aaron), the brother of Moshe (Moses), and as such have a separate status in Judaism. All Kohenim are members of the Tribe of Levi by direct patrilineal descent, although not all members of that tribe are Kohanim. The Levites who were not Kohenim served as Temple assistants and provided the music and songs to accompany ceremonies, among other tasks.
Following the ceremony, Israel's Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger recited a prayer he composed especially for the occation, asking G-d to "rescue" Jonathon Pollard, imprisoned in America for more than 20 years on a single count of espionage for handing classified information to Israel, an allied nation, and kidnapped IDF St. Sgt. Gilad Shalit, held captive by Hamas terrorists in Gaza since June 25, 2006.
Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar followed with a supplication of his own composition as well, asking G-d to take away distress from the People of Israel, to end the numerous tragic motor vehicle accidents that have destroyed so many lives in the country over the past year and the sicknesses that have affected so many people, and finally to decimate Israel's enemies.
To both blessings, some 50,000 voices answered with a resounding, "Amen!" according to an eyewitness, who added that security officers were discreet but clearly present. "It wasn't an overwhelming presence, you didn't get the feeling they were imposing themselves on you, but you did see them everywhere," he said. "I saw one soldier up on a roof with binoculars."
by Hana Levi Julian
(IsraelNN.com) Thousands of Kohanim, Jewish men descended from members of the priestly class in the People of Israel, gathered at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem on Thursday morning for the traditional Birkat HaKohanim.
The Western Wall plaza was packed with some 50,000 Jewish worshippers who streamed into Jerusalem from all over the country and around the world especially for the event.
During the recitation of the blessing, the Kohanim gathered into groups spread their prayer shawls over their own heads, spreading out their arms over the congregation to form a small enclosure that prevented congregants from seeing them during the actual blessing. There is a custom for the congregants who are being blessed to avoid looking at the Kohanim during the blessing as well.
Kohanim have the tradition of being direct descendants of the first High Priest of the Jewish People, Aharon (Aaron), the brother of Moshe (Moses), and as such have a separate status in Judaism. All Kohenim are members of the Tribe of Levi by direct patrilineal descent, although not all members of that tribe are Kohanim. The Levites who were not Kohenim served as Temple assistants and provided the music and songs to accompany ceremonies, among other tasks.
Following the ceremony, Israel's Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger recited a prayer he composed especially for the occation, asking G-d to "rescue" Jonathon Pollard, imprisoned in America for more than 20 years on a single count of espionage for handing classified information to Israel, an allied nation, and kidnapped IDF St. Sgt. Gilad Shalit, held captive by Hamas terrorists in Gaza since June 25, 2006.
Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar followed with a supplication of his own composition as well, asking G-d to take away distress from the People of Israel, to end the numerous tragic motor vehicle accidents that have destroyed so many lives in the country over the past year and the sicknesses that have affected so many people, and finally to decimate Israel's enemies.
To both blessings, some 50,000 voices answered with a resounding, "Amen!" according to an eyewitness, who added that security officers were discreet but clearly present. "It wasn't an overwhelming presence, you didn't get the feeling they were imposing themselves on you, but you did see them everywhere," he said. "I saw one soldier up on a roof with binoculars."
Temple Congregation Ceremony
Thousands Gather for Temple Congregation Ceremony
by Hillel Fendel
(IsraelNN.com) The Temple Institute in Jerusalem's Old City succeeded on Wednesday in arousing a spirit of longing for the Holy Temple amongst a crowd of thousands that gathered for a re-enactment of the Hakhel ceremony.
Of the two once-every-seven-years Biblical commandments - Shemittah and Hakhel - the first lasts for a whole year, while Hakhel takes only an hour or two, but packs a great burst of inspiration into that short period. Binding only when the Holy Temple is standing, it involves a public Torah reading by the King of Israel for the entire nation - men, women, and children - for the purpose of rousing all to stand in awe of G-d and follow the Torah's statutes.
The word Hakhel (pronounced Hock-hel) literally means, in fact, "Gather the people together" (Deut. 31, 10-12).
The Temple Institute held a smaller-scale re-enactment of the event in an Old City park on Wednesday, the first day of the Intermediate Days of the Sukkot holiday following the Shemittah year. Though only 500 people had been expected, several times that amount arrived. The event began with a procession of Kohanim, wearing priestly garments of the type used in the Temple and sounding of silver trumpets of the type sounded in the Temple, making their way through Old City streets until their arrival at the central stage.
Following the afternoon Mincha prayer, Rabbi Yehuda Glick of the Temple Institute introduced the rabbi-priests who were to read from the Torah. Among them were Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat, Rabbi Menachem Cohen of Jerusalem's Nachlaot neighborhood, and Rav Avi Kahane, as well as Rabbi Azariah Ariel - the head of the Temple Institute's kollel - and Yeshivat Shilo head Rav Araleh Harel.
The passages read aloud included Deut. 1 ("Behold, I have given you this Land; come and inherit this Land promised to your forefathers to give their descendants"), Deut. 11 (about the rewards for fulfilling the Torah and the negative consequences of not doing so), and others.
New Temple Vessel Serves 12 Priests at Once
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the just-completed Kiyor HaNechoshet, the water source to be used for washing by the Priests several times a day. Built to replicate the Kiyor used in the Holy Temple, it is about nine feet high, weighs two tons, and is made mostly of copper. It comes complete with a computerized system that enables heated water to be used on weekdays, and non-heated water on Sabbaths and festivals, when heating the water is not permitted. Twelve priests can wash their hands and feet at once; each one presses one of two buttons to indicate whether he wants a large amount of water, such as after completing preparing an animal offering, or a small amount to merely purify his hands and feet.
The kiyor was built by Moshe Buchbut, a budding Torah scholar and a member of the family that owns Buchbut Metal Industries in the city of Akko (Acre). He repeated his explanations countless times to the many excited vistitors who asked how he built it and how it works. The Buchbut's decided to build the kiyor during the Second Lebanon War. "From the moment we made the decision," a family spokesman said, "we have been blessed, both in terms of Katyushas that seemed to stop hitting us during the war, and financially."
The actual faucets are expected to be installed in the coming weeks. The kiyor is now standing in a plaza in the Jewish Quarter, and is expected to be placed inside a protective glass container, as is the Temple Institute's Menorah. It had been hoped that the kiyor would be placed in the Western Wall Plaza, but this will apparently not occur in the near future.
A short film describing the Simchat Beit HaShoevah water pouring festival - a mainstay of the Sukkot ceremonies in the Holy Temple - was also screened. The film was prepared, as were the Temple vessels and clothing, by the Temple Institute.
Not Consecrated
Rabbi Glick explained that though the vessels were prepared in fulfillment of the Biblical commandment to fashion them - "we even recited the blessing 'He Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to fashion the tzitz [Priestly headplate],' for instance" - the vessels have not been consecrated to the Holy Temple and may therefore be used for other purposes, such as education.
by Hillel Fendel
(IsraelNN.com) The Temple Institute in Jerusalem's Old City succeeded on Wednesday in arousing a spirit of longing for the Holy Temple amongst a crowd of thousands that gathered for a re-enactment of the Hakhel ceremony.
Of the two once-every-seven-years Biblical commandments - Shemittah and Hakhel - the first lasts for a whole year, while Hakhel takes only an hour or two, but packs a great burst of inspiration into that short period. Binding only when the Holy Temple is standing, it involves a public Torah reading by the King of Israel for the entire nation - men, women, and children - for the purpose of rousing all to stand in awe of G-d and follow the Torah's statutes.
The word Hakhel (pronounced Hock-hel) literally means, in fact, "Gather the people together" (Deut. 31, 10-12).
The Temple Institute held a smaller-scale re-enactment of the event in an Old City park on Wednesday, the first day of the Intermediate Days of the Sukkot holiday following the Shemittah year. Though only 500 people had been expected, several times that amount arrived. The event began with a procession of Kohanim, wearing priestly garments of the type used in the Temple and sounding of silver trumpets of the type sounded in the Temple, making their way through Old City streets until their arrival at the central stage.
Following the afternoon Mincha prayer, Rabbi Yehuda Glick of the Temple Institute introduced the rabbi-priests who were to read from the Torah. Among them were Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat, Rabbi Menachem Cohen of Jerusalem's Nachlaot neighborhood, and Rav Avi Kahane, as well as Rabbi Azariah Ariel - the head of the Temple Institute's kollel - and Yeshivat Shilo head Rav Araleh Harel.
The passages read aloud included Deut. 1 ("Behold, I have given you this Land; come and inherit this Land promised to your forefathers to give their descendants"), Deut. 11 (about the rewards for fulfilling the Torah and the negative consequences of not doing so), and others.
New Temple Vessel Serves 12 Priests at Once
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the just-completed Kiyor HaNechoshet, the water source to be used for washing by the Priests several times a day. Built to replicate the Kiyor used in the Holy Temple, it is about nine feet high, weighs two tons, and is made mostly of copper. It comes complete with a computerized system that enables heated water to be used on weekdays, and non-heated water on Sabbaths and festivals, when heating the water is not permitted. Twelve priests can wash their hands and feet at once; each one presses one of two buttons to indicate whether he wants a large amount of water, such as after completing preparing an animal offering, or a small amount to merely purify his hands and feet.
The kiyor was built by Moshe Buchbut, a budding Torah scholar and a member of the family that owns Buchbut Metal Industries in the city of Akko (Acre). He repeated his explanations countless times to the many excited vistitors who asked how he built it and how it works. The Buchbut's decided to build the kiyor during the Second Lebanon War. "From the moment we made the decision," a family spokesman said, "we have been blessed, both in terms of Katyushas that seemed to stop hitting us during the war, and financially."
The actual faucets are expected to be installed in the coming weeks. The kiyor is now standing in a plaza in the Jewish Quarter, and is expected to be placed inside a protective glass container, as is the Temple Institute's Menorah. It had been hoped that the kiyor would be placed in the Western Wall Plaza, but this will apparently not occur in the near future.
A short film describing the Simchat Beit HaShoevah water pouring festival - a mainstay of the Sukkot ceremonies in the Holy Temple - was also screened. The film was prepared, as were the Temple vessels and clothing, by the Temple Institute.
Not Consecrated
Rabbi Glick explained that though the vessels were prepared in fulfillment of the Biblical commandment to fashion them - "we even recited the blessing 'He Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to fashion the tzitz [Priestly headplate],' for instance" - the vessels have not been consecrated to the Holy Temple and may therefore be used for other purposes, such as education.
God-given Names
God-given Names
I was born David A. Hoover on January 10, 1960 in Bowling Green, Ohio. However, I legally changed my name to David Ben-Ariel (with the help of my Jewish lawyer) during the Spring of 1989. It cost me $300.00.
It also required that I take out a small ad in a newspaper announcing my intentions 30 days beforehand. I placed my ad in the Bowling Green Sentinel.
I also had to appear before a judge (it depends on what county you were born) for him to privately question my motivations. He was assured by my lawyer that I wasn’t running from the law or trying to escape some outstanding debt, but that my reasons were religious in nature. The judge accepted that but wanted to impress upon me that I could have "trouble" with that name in America, without elaborating. I felt he meant because it was Jewish and/or could be difficult for some to know how to pronounce. I told him I wasn’t concerned about it since I planned on moving to Israel anyway.
My reasons for changing my name were religious in nature. Why? Because I honestly feel that Ben-Ariel is a God-given name. And why would I feel that way? Because after a Hebrew class where my teacher mentioned how many people change their names when they move to Israel, I went home wondering what surname I would have in Israel, knowing my first name is already Hebrew.
I had always liked the Hebrew last name of Ben-Ammi, after reading it in Leon Uris’ book Exodus, since it means "son of my people," but while thinking about it and wondering what name my father would’ve given me, if he would’ve given me a Hebrew name, I didn’t know. I then knelt down in prayer and asked God what name, IF ANY, would He give me since He's my Heavenly Father, and I couldn’t ask my dad because he died when I was twelve.
I expected God to perhaps lead or guide or influence me to like a particular name, but immediately ARIEL flashed into my mind and immediately I rejected it. Why? Because it means "the Lion of God" and I felt such a name only belongs to Jesus Christ, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. While wondering about the name of Ariel, I remembered that Israel’s defense minister was Ariel Sharon (whom I’ve since met in Jerusalem and Hebron). I reluctantly decided to keep the name in reserve (since it was really impressed upon me!) until God or circumstances might lead me to accept another, and went to bed.
The Bible mentions MANY INCIDENTS where God chose to change someone’s name or to name them before their birth. It is unusual but it’s not unscriptural. There was Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac (Gen. 17:5, 15, 19); Ishmael (Gen. 16:11); Solomon (I Chron. 22:9) and Solomon’s nickname Jedidiah (2 Sam. 12:25); Cyrus (Isa. 44:28; 45:4); John the Baptist (Lk. 1:13); Jesus (Matt. 1:21); Peter and the two brothers James and John whom Jesus nicknamed "sons of thunder" (Mk. 3:16-17); just to name a few.
God promises to give us each a new and unique name in the Kingdom, either in place of or in addition to our current one (Rev. 2:17), as well as sharing Jesus’ new name and bearing the Father’s name as Priest-Kings (Rev. 3:12, 14; Ex. 28:36; Lev. 8:9). God has many name or titles, descriptive of His wonderful qualities and characteristics (Isa. 9:6). The Jews even teach that God’s Hebrew name Elohim (literally Gods) is plural due to the fact that God is too great to be constrained to one name, and is used in the sense of the royal "We." That’s why Elohim said "let us...." We understand that it’s also because there’s presently two God-Beings in the one Kingdom of God, like Adam and Eve were two separate people who both shared the surname Adam as one family unit (Gen. 2:24; 5:2; John 10:30).
God has His reasons why He would change someone’s name and who are we to question Him? The April 1980 issue of The Good News magazine (published by the Worldwide Church of God) carried an article called "History of the Church" that helps us to understand why Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter: "...and He gave him a surname prophetic of the moral and spiritual strength he would eventually demonstrate. Jesus bestowed upon him the new name, before he had earned it that it might be an incentive to him to realize what Jesus had expected."
After going to bed, about to fall asleep, Isaiah 29:1 flashed into my mind. What’s amazing is that I had never memorized that Scripture! It reveals that Ariel is a nickname for JERUSALEM!I now understand why God the Father had chosen Ariel for me. Anyone who knows me knows that Jerusalem is always on my mind (Jer. 51:50), especially after my first visit there to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in 1980, as mentioned in From Toledo to Jerusalem and Israel Work History (Worldwide Church of God).
God has shown me that He’s stirred me up and given me a burning desire for Jerusalem and Israel (Isa. 62:1, 6-7). I finally realized that God was calling me a "SON OF JERUSALEM."I got out of bed, got down on my knees with tears in my eyes, and thanked God for truly knowing us inside and out, just like His Word says, and embraced the new name God had given me! I also accepted it as a SPIRITUAL GOAL: to live worthy of one named after holy Jerusalem and all that it ideally represents.
I end my prayers facing Jerusalem every night with "Yerushalayim shel Zahav" (Jerusalem of Gold), a plea for Jerusalem to fulfill its calling (2 Chron. 6:38-39; Dan. 6:10).
Later, I began to understand how Ariel can also refer to Judah and King David. Since my family tree is traced back to the British and Scottish Royal Families (the Royal House of David) it’s also befitting that Ben-Ariel can mean "son of David" and "son of Judah" (whose tribal emblem is the lion).
I’m convinced that the God of the Bible, the God of Israel, and the God of my forefather David, has blessed me with the name of Ariel. Even if I chose Ariel for myself -- which I did not, I originally objected to it -- there wouldn’t be any harm in that since such a practice is Biblical: "One shall say, I am the LORD’S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel" (Isa. 44:5).
God surnamed me Ariel back around 1982, however it wasn’t until 1989 that I finally changed my name legally. I knew that even though God had given me the name that I didn’t necessarily have to change my name. I was also hesitant to do so because I am the only son and the only Hoover males alive (that I’m aware of) were my grandfather and myself. I didn’t want the name to die out, not that I’m married and have any sons anyway (although God assures His spiritual "eunuchs" that we’ll be given excellent and eternal names - Isa. 56:5). I began to see that Hoover was possibly an Anglicized form of the German Huber (since many immigrants changed their names upon arrival in America).
I also didn’t want to hurt or offend my grandfather (Arthur Hoover of Risingsun, Ohio) or possibly get disinherited, but I made up my mind that since I was about to seek citizenship in Israel, starting a new chapter in our family history, I was going to take the lead and change my name. My grandfather ended up dying about four months before the fact, unaware of what I planned to do. So now I’ve been David Ben-Ariel for years and my family and friends are used to it.
My God-given name is ESTABLISHED BEFORE GOD who mentions Jerusalem twice in it: the City of David and Ariel.
I was born David A. Hoover on January 10, 1960 in Bowling Green, Ohio. However, I legally changed my name to David Ben-Ariel (with the help of my Jewish lawyer) during the Spring of 1989. It cost me $300.00.
It also required that I take out a small ad in a newspaper announcing my intentions 30 days beforehand. I placed my ad in the Bowling Green Sentinel.
I also had to appear before a judge (it depends on what county you were born) for him to privately question my motivations. He was assured by my lawyer that I wasn’t running from the law or trying to escape some outstanding debt, but that my reasons were religious in nature. The judge accepted that but wanted to impress upon me that I could have "trouble" with that name in America, without elaborating. I felt he meant because it was Jewish and/or could be difficult for some to know how to pronounce. I told him I wasn’t concerned about it since I planned on moving to Israel anyway.
My reasons for changing my name were religious in nature. Why? Because I honestly feel that Ben-Ariel is a God-given name. And why would I feel that way? Because after a Hebrew class where my teacher mentioned how many people change their names when they move to Israel, I went home wondering what surname I would have in Israel, knowing my first name is already Hebrew.
I had always liked the Hebrew last name of Ben-Ammi, after reading it in Leon Uris’ book Exodus, since it means "son of my people," but while thinking about it and wondering what name my father would’ve given me, if he would’ve given me a Hebrew name, I didn’t know. I then knelt down in prayer and asked God what name, IF ANY, would He give me since He's my Heavenly Father, and I couldn’t ask my dad because he died when I was twelve.
I expected God to perhaps lead or guide or influence me to like a particular name, but immediately ARIEL flashed into my mind and immediately I rejected it. Why? Because it means "the Lion of God" and I felt such a name only belongs to Jesus Christ, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. While wondering about the name of Ariel, I remembered that Israel’s defense minister was Ariel Sharon (whom I’ve since met in Jerusalem and Hebron). I reluctantly decided to keep the name in reserve (since it was really impressed upon me!) until God or circumstances might lead me to accept another, and went to bed.
The Bible mentions MANY INCIDENTS where God chose to change someone’s name or to name them before their birth. It is unusual but it’s not unscriptural. There was Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac (Gen. 17:5, 15, 19); Ishmael (Gen. 16:11); Solomon (I Chron. 22:9) and Solomon’s nickname Jedidiah (2 Sam. 12:25); Cyrus (Isa. 44:28; 45:4); John the Baptist (Lk. 1:13); Jesus (Matt. 1:21); Peter and the two brothers James and John whom Jesus nicknamed "sons of thunder" (Mk. 3:16-17); just to name a few.
God promises to give us each a new and unique name in the Kingdom, either in place of or in addition to our current one (Rev. 2:17), as well as sharing Jesus’ new name and bearing the Father’s name as Priest-Kings (Rev. 3:12, 14; Ex. 28:36; Lev. 8:9). God has many name or titles, descriptive of His wonderful qualities and characteristics (Isa. 9:6). The Jews even teach that God’s Hebrew name Elohim (literally Gods) is plural due to the fact that God is too great to be constrained to one name, and is used in the sense of the royal "We." That’s why Elohim said "let us...." We understand that it’s also because there’s presently two God-Beings in the one Kingdom of God, like Adam and Eve were two separate people who both shared the surname Adam as one family unit (Gen. 2:24; 5:2; John 10:30).
God has His reasons why He would change someone’s name and who are we to question Him? The April 1980 issue of The Good News magazine (published by the Worldwide Church of God) carried an article called "History of the Church" that helps us to understand why Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter: "...and He gave him a surname prophetic of the moral and spiritual strength he would eventually demonstrate. Jesus bestowed upon him the new name, before he had earned it that it might be an incentive to him to realize what Jesus had expected."
After going to bed, about to fall asleep, Isaiah 29:1 flashed into my mind. What’s amazing is that I had never memorized that Scripture! It reveals that Ariel is a nickname for JERUSALEM!I now understand why God the Father had chosen Ariel for me. Anyone who knows me knows that Jerusalem is always on my mind (Jer. 51:50), especially after my first visit there to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in 1980, as mentioned in From Toledo to Jerusalem and Israel Work History (Worldwide Church of God).
God has shown me that He’s stirred me up and given me a burning desire for Jerusalem and Israel (Isa. 62:1, 6-7). I finally realized that God was calling me a "SON OF JERUSALEM."I got out of bed, got down on my knees with tears in my eyes, and thanked God for truly knowing us inside and out, just like His Word says, and embraced the new name God had given me! I also accepted it as a SPIRITUAL GOAL: to live worthy of one named after holy Jerusalem and all that it ideally represents.
I end my prayers facing Jerusalem every night with "Yerushalayim shel Zahav" (Jerusalem of Gold), a plea for Jerusalem to fulfill its calling (2 Chron. 6:38-39; Dan. 6:10).
Later, I began to understand how Ariel can also refer to Judah and King David. Since my family tree is traced back to the British and Scottish Royal Families (the Royal House of David) it’s also befitting that Ben-Ariel can mean "son of David" and "son of Judah" (whose tribal emblem is the lion).
I’m convinced that the God of the Bible, the God of Israel, and the God of my forefather David, has blessed me with the name of Ariel. Even if I chose Ariel for myself -- which I did not, I originally objected to it -- there wouldn’t be any harm in that since such a practice is Biblical: "One shall say, I am the LORD’S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel" (Isa. 44:5).
God surnamed me Ariel back around 1982, however it wasn’t until 1989 that I finally changed my name legally. I knew that even though God had given me the name that I didn’t necessarily have to change my name. I was also hesitant to do so because I am the only son and the only Hoover males alive (that I’m aware of) were my grandfather and myself. I didn’t want the name to die out, not that I’m married and have any sons anyway (although God assures His spiritual "eunuchs" that we’ll be given excellent and eternal names - Isa. 56:5). I began to see that Hoover was possibly an Anglicized form of the German Huber (since many immigrants changed their names upon arrival in America).
I also didn’t want to hurt or offend my grandfather (Arthur Hoover of Risingsun, Ohio) or possibly get disinherited, but I made up my mind that since I was about to seek citizenship in Israel, starting a new chapter in our family history, I was going to take the lead and change my name. My grandfather ended up dying about four months before the fact, unaware of what I planned to do. So now I’ve been David Ben-Ariel for years and my family and friends are used to it.
My God-given name is ESTABLISHED BEFORE GOD who mentions Jerusalem twice in it: the City of David and Ariel.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Obama in the flesh
Obama in the flesh
I saw the Messiah today (if you believe Nation of Islam cult leader Louis Farrakhan) at the Maumee Bay State Park. My friend Carl and I had just finished walking the boardwalk (a great 2 mile stretch that meanders through woods and meadows near Lake Erie), and started to walk back to my car that was parked near the yellow-taped off area where all the Sheriff and Police are stationed for Obama's visit and Barack Obama was there shaking hands with tens of people. Looks just like he does on TV! ;-)
I walked right up and wanted to hand him one of my business cards (like I gave out yesterday to media, police and people), and was only 3 feet from him but that was when he was on the way out, was turning around to get into the waiting van, the Secret Service had open for him.
I wouldn't have shaken his hand, because that's a gesture you come in peace, without a weapon, and mean well. I don't believe Obama, a foreigner and fraud, means well for the United States. How could he after being indoctrinated by Jeremiah Wright and others in hateful Black Liberation Theology for over 20 years?
I don't hate Barack Hussein Obama, but I do despise the beliefs and the murderous and treacherous attitude of those Obama is known to surround himself with (from Jeremiah Wright to Louis Farrakhan to other Communists and Socialists and terrorists) since I love the United States of America and pray God Bless America. That being said, like the lady in Holland, Ohio told Obama this past Sabbath, "I won't vote for you, but I will pray for you." Amen.
*************
If Obama's the Messiah...
I saw the Messiah today (if you believe Nation of Islam cult leader Louis Farrakhan) at the Maumee Bay State Park. My friend Carl and I had just finished walking the boardwalk (a great 2 mile stretch that meanders through woods and meadows near Lake Erie), and started to walk back to my car that was parked near the yellow-taped off area where all the Sheriff and Police are stationed for Obama's visit and Barack Obama was there shaking hands with tens of people. Looks just like he does on TV! ;-)
I walked right up and wanted to hand him one of my business cards (like I gave out yesterday to media, police and people), and was only 3 feet from him but that was when he was on the way out, was turning around to get into the waiting van, the Secret Service had open for him.
I wouldn't have shaken his hand, because that's a gesture you come in peace, without a weapon, and mean well. I don't believe Obama, a foreigner and fraud, means well for the United States. How could he after being indoctrinated by Jeremiah Wright and others in hateful Black Liberation Theology for over 20 years?
I don't hate Barack Hussein Obama, but I do despise the beliefs and the murderous and treacherous attitude of those Obama is known to surround himself with (from Jeremiah Wright to Louis Farrakhan to other Communists and Socialists and terrorists) since I love the United States of America and pray God Bless America. That being said, like the lady in Holland, Ohio told Obama this past Sabbath, "I won't vote for you, but I will pray for you." Amen.
*************
If Obama's the Messiah...
Obama's not the Messiah
Barack Hussein Obama, that foreigner and fraud, spoke in Toledo, Ohio yesterday at the Seagate Center. Afterwards I went down and distributed a few of my business cards with my book (Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall) and website address (http://www.davidbenariel.org/) on it. Then I continued on to my favorite park in the area: Maumee Bay State Park.
I had just visited Maumee Bay State Park this past Sabbath with a Black brother, Baruch, who believes as I do (against the replacement theology of Sunday for Sabbath and pagan holidays for the biblical festivals, etc.) and joked with him folks would think I was Biden and he was Obama! LOL. We go there often to walk on the boardwalk and fellowship and enjoy God's good creation. We usually see some deer, besides a variety of birds.
At the Maumee Bay Resort & Conference Center I counted over 10 State Trooper and Sheriff vehicles, several police cars, a big trailor for what I reckon was a temporary Sheriff headquarters for the shindig, lots of secret service (who I discovered aren't allowed to take business cards), around 5 stationed golf carts (with a police officer in each) at angles of Maumee Bay Conference Center and some boat out in the water.
Inside the lovely Conference Center I was lounging in the lobby with some dignified senior citizens (one who had declined to be interviewed or photographed by the media), and I questioned aloud, "If Obama's the Messiah, why does he need all the security?" They chuckled and nodded in approval. What a waste of taxpayers' hard-earned money!
I continued, "And if Obama's the Messiah why is he staying at this expensive place rather than at the campground they provide, since this evening starts the biblical festival of Succot (Festival of Tabernacles) and he could set up a booth like Yeshua (Jesus) would do? Of course, those who haven't been Obamatized, who aren't under Obama's sway and haven't fall for Obama's demonic appeal, who aren't smitten with delusions of Obama's grandeur, know Barack Hussein Obama is not the Messiah.
I had just visited Maumee Bay State Park this past Sabbath with a Black brother, Baruch, who believes as I do (against the replacement theology of Sunday for Sabbath and pagan holidays for the biblical festivals, etc.) and joked with him folks would think I was Biden and he was Obama! LOL. We go there often to walk on the boardwalk and fellowship and enjoy God's good creation. We usually see some deer, besides a variety of birds.
At the Maumee Bay Resort & Conference Center I counted over 10 State Trooper and Sheriff vehicles, several police cars, a big trailor for what I reckon was a temporary Sheriff headquarters for the shindig, lots of secret service (who I discovered aren't allowed to take business cards), around 5 stationed golf carts (with a police officer in each) at angles of Maumee Bay Conference Center and some boat out in the water.
Inside the lovely Conference Center I was lounging in the lobby with some dignified senior citizens (one who had declined to be interviewed or photographed by the media), and I questioned aloud, "If Obama's the Messiah, why does he need all the security?" They chuckled and nodded in approval. What a waste of taxpayers' hard-earned money!
I continued, "And if Obama's the Messiah why is he staying at this expensive place rather than at the campground they provide, since this evening starts the biblical festival of Succot (Festival of Tabernacles) and he could set up a booth like Yeshua (Jesus) would do? Of course, those who haven't been Obamatized, who aren't under Obama's sway and haven't fall for Obama's demonic appeal, who aren't smitten with delusions of Obama's grandeur, know Barack Hussein Obama is not the Messiah.
Friday, October 10, 2008
WND Forums - We The People
http://forums.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=11
RE: RE: We The People - Stand up or get stomped on!
Posted by David Ben-Ariel on Oct 11, 2008 00:09
How bizarre that you say the Khazars are not Jews, when THEY - along with their other Jewish brethren - have fulfilled the prophecies concerning Jews being restored to the Jewish homeland of Israel. Many Israelites are professing Christians, British-Israelism is true, but we have our part to play and our Jewish brethren have their part to play and ultimately we will become One Nation Under God, a truly United Kingdom.
Augustine is NOT a Christian, and he promoted the replacement theology of the accursed Roman Catholic Cult, substituting Sunday for Sabbath and pagan holidays for biblical festivals, etc. Won't you let the plain truth set you free?
A Jewish Homeland
http://www.davidbenariel.org/israel/jewish-homeland.htm
Christian Zionists, Jews, and Israel
http://www.davidbenariel.org/israel/christian-zionists-jews-israel.htm
Reply to: corey
Reply to "We The People"- Yes, we Christians DO have "Hebrew Roots". HOWEVER, the "Israelites" spoken of in the "Book of Revelation" are NOT today's Jews. Those who call themselves "Jews" are, in fact, Khazars, converted to Judaism and who originated on the Russian Steppes. The "Israelites" in Revelation are now the Christians. This is called "Replacement Theology" and is NOT new. St. Augustine wrote of this in the 4th Century A.D.
RE: RE: We The People - Stand up or get stomped on!
Posted by David Ben-Ariel on Oct 11, 2008 00:09
How bizarre that you say the Khazars are not Jews, when THEY - along with their other Jewish brethren - have fulfilled the prophecies concerning Jews being restored to the Jewish homeland of Israel. Many Israelites are professing Christians, British-Israelism is true, but we have our part to play and our Jewish brethren have their part to play and ultimately we will become One Nation Under God, a truly United Kingdom.
Augustine is NOT a Christian, and he promoted the replacement theology of the accursed Roman Catholic Cult, substituting Sunday for Sabbath and pagan holidays for biblical festivals, etc. Won't you let the plain truth set you free?
A Jewish Homeland
http://www.davidbenariel.org/israel/jewish-homeland.htm
Christian Zionists, Jews, and Israel
http://www.davidbenariel.org/israel/christian-zionists-jews-israel.htm
Reply to: corey
Reply to "We The People"- Yes, we Christians DO have "Hebrew Roots". HOWEVER, the "Israelites" spoken of in the "Book of Revelation" are NOT today's Jews. Those who call themselves "Jews" are, in fact, Khazars, converted to Judaism and who originated on the Russian Steppes. The "Israelites" in Revelation are now the Christians. This is called "Replacement Theology" and is NOT new. St. Augustine wrote of this in the 4th Century A.D.
We The People
We The People - Stand up or get stomped on!
We The People (Am Yisrael - the Nation/People of Israel) - White Israelite peoples (those Anglo-Saxon-Celtics and White peoples of NW European heritage) - must remember our Hebrew roots (Roots - they're not just for Black folk anymore!) and biblical responsibilities if we are to survive.
It is urgent that We The People remember our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities, and break the bonds that shackle our minds and keep us down and under the Gentile heel; We The People must cast off the politically correct yoke of bondage imposed upon us; We The People must utterly reject the replacement theology of the politically correct cultists who have imposed "White guilt" upon us and who engage in pyschological warfare against us daily by building up other races by tearing down the White race, always "advancing" them at our expense. The White Man's Burden has become too great. Charity begins at home. Let us look after our own, first and foremost, and refuse to surrender any more territory.
The choice before us is to stand up or get stomped on - we've already been walked all over with institutionalized reverse discrimination and trampled by flagrant double standards and now they're showing their true colors by coveting the highest office of the land (that the Bible forbids them from occupying*).
Notice Blacks clearly have no shame in promoting one of their own kind (which is somewhat understandable but condemned as backward, redneck and racist when White people do the same), but what is not understandable, what is most unnatural and insane, is how useful White idiots are aiding and abetting their terrorism against us! Let us never forget that We The People are our own worst enemies - not Blacks, not Asians, not Latinos.
We The People wouldn't be in this situation, found in these dire straights, stuck in this muck, if we were in our proper place with God (Daniel 9:11). When We The People remember our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities and act accordingly, when we get back in our place with God, they'll be put back into their place, so help us God!
* It's A Sin To Vote For Obama!
http://www.davidbenariel.org/
We The People (Am Yisrael - the Nation/People of Israel) - White Israelite peoples (those Anglo-Saxon-Celtics and White peoples of NW European heritage) - must remember our Hebrew roots (Roots - they're not just for Black folk anymore!) and biblical responsibilities if we are to survive.
It is urgent that We The People remember our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities, and break the bonds that shackle our minds and keep us down and under the Gentile heel; We The People must cast off the politically correct yoke of bondage imposed upon us; We The People must utterly reject the replacement theology of the politically correct cultists who have imposed "White guilt" upon us and who engage in pyschological warfare against us daily by building up other races by tearing down the White race, always "advancing" them at our expense. The White Man's Burden has become too great. Charity begins at home. Let us look after our own, first and foremost, and refuse to surrender any more territory.
The choice before us is to stand up or get stomped on - we've already been walked all over with institutionalized reverse discrimination and trampled by flagrant double standards and now they're showing their true colors by coveting the highest office of the land (that the Bible forbids them from occupying*).
Notice Blacks clearly have no shame in promoting one of their own kind (which is somewhat understandable but condemned as backward, redneck and racist when White people do the same), but what is not understandable, what is most unnatural and insane, is how useful White idiots are aiding and abetting their terrorism against us! Let us never forget that We The People are our own worst enemies - not Blacks, not Asians, not Latinos.
We The People wouldn't be in this situation, found in these dire straights, stuck in this muck, if we were in our proper place with God (Daniel 9:11). When We The People remember our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities and act accordingly, when we get back in our place with God, they'll be put back into their place, so help us God!
* It's A Sin To Vote For Obama!
http://www.davidbenariel.org/
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Yom Kippur observed in the Temple (Temple Institute)
To learn how Yom Kippur is observed in the Holy Temple:
Table of Contents
Preparations for the Day of Atonement
Intense Practice, Review and Study
Separation Seven Days in Advance
"Read Aloud Yourself"
The Eve of the Day of Atonement
The Elders of the Priesthood
An Oath Before Parting
The Immersion of the High Priest
The Immersion of the High Priest (continued)
The High Priest Sanctifies His Hands and Feet
Sanctifying the Hands and Feet
The Daily Incense Offering
The Courtyard Fills with People
The Yom Kippur Offerings
The Yom Kippur Service
The High Priest's Oral Confession
The Ineffable Name of G-d
The Scapegoat
The Two Goats and the Lottery Box
Drawing the Lots
"Raise Up Your Right Hand!"
The Fateful Lottery
Placing the Lots
A "Tounge of Crimson Wool"
The Miracle of the Crimson Wool
The Second Oral Confession
"Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom, for ever and ever."
The Bullock is Slaughtered
Coals for the Incense
The High Priest's Steps Bear Witness to the Greatness of the Day
The Incense Service
Entering into the Sanctuary
Between the Curtains
In the Holy of Holies
Placing the Coals Down: First Temple
Placing the Coals Down: Second Temple
The Most Difficult Task of All
Not Even One Grain May Fall
Placing the Incense on the Coals
The High Priest's "Short" Prayer
A Time for Brevity
Exiting - and Reentering
Sprinkling the Blood of the Bullock
Sprinkling the Blood of the Bullock (continued)
Sprinkling the Blood of the Bullock (continued)
Slaughtering the Goat Designated "For God"
Sprinkling Against the Curtain
Mixing the Two Together
"The Altar That is Before God"
Dispatching the Scapegoat
The Confession
Across the Bridge
"Take Our Sins and Go!"
Ten Booths
Ten Booths (continued)
To the Cliff
The Scapegoat Dies
The Scapegoat Dies (continued)
The Scouts' Signals
Reading from the Torah
The Burning of the Bull and Goat
Disposing of the White Vestments
A Celebration of Thanks
Ne'ilah: The Closing of the Gates
In Conclusion
Back to Study Tools
To access the Table of Contents from any page, click on the "three diamonds"at the bottom of each page.
Table of Contents
Preparations for the Day of Atonement
Intense Practice, Review and Study
Separation Seven Days in Advance
"Read Aloud Yourself"
The Eve of the Day of Atonement
The Elders of the Priesthood
An Oath Before Parting
The Immersion of the High Priest
The Immersion of the High Priest (continued)
The High Priest Sanctifies His Hands and Feet
Sanctifying the Hands and Feet
The Daily Incense Offering
The Courtyard Fills with People
The Yom Kippur Offerings
The Yom Kippur Service
The High Priest's Oral Confession
The Ineffable Name of G-d
The Scapegoat
The Two Goats and the Lottery Box
Drawing the Lots
"Raise Up Your Right Hand!"
The Fateful Lottery
Placing the Lots
A "Tounge of Crimson Wool"
The Miracle of the Crimson Wool
The Second Oral Confession
"Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom, for ever and ever."
The Bullock is Slaughtered
Coals for the Incense
The High Priest's Steps Bear Witness to the Greatness of the Day
The Incense Service
Entering into the Sanctuary
Between the Curtains
In the Holy of Holies
Placing the Coals Down: First Temple
Placing the Coals Down: Second Temple
The Most Difficult Task of All
Not Even One Grain May Fall
Placing the Incense on the Coals
The High Priest's "Short" Prayer
A Time for Brevity
Exiting - and Reentering
Sprinkling the Blood of the Bullock
Sprinkling the Blood of the Bullock (continued)
Sprinkling the Blood of the Bullock (continued)
Slaughtering the Goat Designated "For God"
Sprinkling Against the Curtain
Mixing the Two Together
"The Altar That is Before God"
Dispatching the Scapegoat
The Confession
Across the Bridge
"Take Our Sins and Go!"
Ten Booths
Ten Booths (continued)
To the Cliff
The Scapegoat Dies
The Scapegoat Dies (continued)
The Scouts' Signals
Reading from the Torah
The Burning of the Bull and Goat
Disposing of the White Vestments
A Celebration of Thanks
Ne'ilah: The Closing of the Gates
In Conclusion
Back to Study Tools
To access the Table of Contents from any page, click on the "three diamonds"at the bottom of each page.
"And Moses went..." (Temple Institute)
"And Moses went..."(Deuteronomy 31:1)Tishrei 8, 5769/October 7, 2008
"Vayelech Moshe - And Moses went..." Where did Moses go? These opening words of this past week's Torah reading, Vayelech, begin the very verses we read during the ten day period beginning with Rosh HaShana and concluding with Yom Kippur. This week, the week in which, more so than any other week of the Hebrew calendar, we focus our thoughts on repentance, on overcoming our weaknesses, correcting our mistakes, drawing nearer to G-d, this week more than ever we seek G-d's guidance as we stand before Him in judgment and beg His forgiveness.
This week, as we stand on the edge of the unknown, we seek certainty. Yet this week we read the words "And Moses went..." and nobody can tell us to where Moses went. To be sure, the classical Torah commentators seek the answer and even put forth various proposals, but all are in agreement: the verse itself does not provide the answer, neither directly nor indirectly. Not even a clue.
One commentator proposes that Moses went off to the Israelite encampments to take leave of his fellow Jews, bidding them farewell, as the day of his death has arrived. Another suggests that he excused himself from the assembled nation before whom he had been standing, in order to retire to the tabernacle. The Holy Ohr HaChaim describes the journey of Moses' soul to scout out its final resting place in heaven. Each of these propositions is reasonable, each teaching its own sublime message. Yet no one truly knows to where Moses is heading.
Similar ambiguity using the same word, "vayelech - and he went," occurs only one other time in Scripture: "A man of the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi." (Exodus 2:1) The man referred to is none other than Amram, the father of Moses. And the very next verse announces the birth of Moses. Yet, as is the case with "And Moses went..." this verse doesn't tell us where Amram went. Moses, whose history we follow throughout four of the five books of Torah, begins his life in ambiguity and ends his life in ambiguity.
We seek certainty, we seek clarity, we seek affirmation. And this week, this week of weeks which concludes with the most holy and solemn day of the year, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, G-d, in His infinite wisdom and in His infinite love for us His children, tells us that certainty isn't part of the program. We enter into this world with uncertainty, crying out to G-d. And at the end of the day we exit this world and enter into the next with uncertainty.
This entire life journey, from the moment we emerge from the womb, to the day we are placed in our tomb, is encapsulated in the twenty five hour Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur. After all, we stand before G-d as newborns, availing ourselves of this second chance G-d has given us, this second opportunity called teshuva - repentance and return, which allows us to wash ourselves of our sins and errors and cleanse ourselves of the distance that we have created between ourselves and G-d, and begin anew, pure and unencumbered. And yet we also stand before G-d wearing our white kittel, the very garment in which we will eventually be buried, for after all, we are instructed to repent the day before we die, and therefore should regard every day as the day to repent. So much more so, this the day of days.
We stand before G-d on this day of our life in which our entire life is on the line, both what was, and what is yet to be, and just like Moses, we are not told to where we are going. But one thing is for certain, the only thing, perhaps, in life which is: if we repent, if we do teshuva, G-d will certainly embrace us and grant us life. Teshuva is the foundation upon which all creation rests. Repentance is the principle upon which all life is predicated. But the question we ask: where are we heading? Are we returning to G-d? Are we returning to the person G-d intended us to be? To this question only we ourselves can provide the answer.
On this Yom Kippur, a day of trepidation and uncertainty as we take stock of ourselves, but also a day of great joy, we need, like Moses, and like his father Amram before him, to banish our fears, and step forward in the absolute certainty of G-d's love for us, and His eternal promise:
"Be strong and courageous! ... HaShem He is the One Who goes before you; He will be with you; He will neither fail you, nor forsake you. Do not fear, and do not be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
Tune in to this week's Temple Talk as Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven discuss the ten days of repentance, the Divine promise which awaits us on Yom Kippur, our seven year rendezvous with Moses coming up in next week's Hakhel celebration, and the powerful life messages of this week's Torah reading of Vayelech.
This week features the latest Bat Melech video teaching by Rabanit Rena Richman, entitled, "Rachav: Profile in Repentance, Part I: Rachav, the women of "ill-repute" who lived in the wall of Jericho not only hosted the two spies sent by Joshua, but used the opportunity their presence afforded her to repent of her past deeds, and become herself a righteous woman of valor. Part I of a two part study of teshuva - repentance." Click here to view.
Please note: The upcoming Bat Melech will air on Wednesday, October 15.
Today also features the new Light to the Nations teaching by Rabbi Chaim Richman, entitled, "The Yom Kippur Experience: The sublime joy of repentance. Seen by some from the "outside" as a day of doom and gloom, Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, is described by our sages as the happiest day of the year. What could possibly be more joyful than being given the Divine gift of being able to "come clean" before G-d? What happier moment could occur than the experience of G-d erasing our past sins and granting us the opportunity to begin again as righteous ones before Him?" Click here to view.
Please note: The upcoming Light to the Nations two-part teaching, entitled, "The Sukkot Special," will air on Sunday, October 12.
To learn how Yom Kippur is observed in the Holy Temple, please click here to view.
A few days before their planned Sunday, September 28 visit at the Temple Institute's exhibition of Temple vessels in Jerusalem's Old City, the Institute received a phone call from the travel agent representing a group of 200 Indian tourists. There was nothing unusual about the agent's confirmation call, as the Temple Institute enjoys many visitors from India. Nothing unusual except for one thing: Although it was clear he was referring to the 200 Indian tourists the Institute was expecting, the travel agent kept referring to them as the "Jordanian" group. Where, indeed, were our guests coming from? For the answer, please click here to view.
"Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! And let the earth hear the words of my mouth!" (Deuteronomy 31:2) The word of G-d from Mount Sinai speaks to us constantly, day and night, calling upon us to repent. It is up to us to hear this voice. Man himself has a heavenly, spiritual side to whom G-d addresses: "Listen, O heavens, and I will speak!" And man has an earthly, physical side which can weigh him down, to which G-d speaks, "And let the earth hear the words of my mouth!" G-d loves both aspects of man. His voice can be heard, if we but choose to listen. Click here to view Rabbi Richman's short teaching on parashat Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 31:2-35:52).
Gemar chatima tova - may we all be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life,
Yitzchak Reuven
THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 31876
Jerusalem, Israel 97500
http://www.templeinstitute.org/
"Vayelech Moshe - And Moses went..." Where did Moses go? These opening words of this past week's Torah reading, Vayelech, begin the very verses we read during the ten day period beginning with Rosh HaShana and concluding with Yom Kippur. This week, the week in which, more so than any other week of the Hebrew calendar, we focus our thoughts on repentance, on overcoming our weaknesses, correcting our mistakes, drawing nearer to G-d, this week more than ever we seek G-d's guidance as we stand before Him in judgment and beg His forgiveness.
This week, as we stand on the edge of the unknown, we seek certainty. Yet this week we read the words "And Moses went..." and nobody can tell us to where Moses went. To be sure, the classical Torah commentators seek the answer and even put forth various proposals, but all are in agreement: the verse itself does not provide the answer, neither directly nor indirectly. Not even a clue.
One commentator proposes that Moses went off to the Israelite encampments to take leave of his fellow Jews, bidding them farewell, as the day of his death has arrived. Another suggests that he excused himself from the assembled nation before whom he had been standing, in order to retire to the tabernacle. The Holy Ohr HaChaim describes the journey of Moses' soul to scout out its final resting place in heaven. Each of these propositions is reasonable, each teaching its own sublime message. Yet no one truly knows to where Moses is heading.
Similar ambiguity using the same word, "vayelech - and he went," occurs only one other time in Scripture: "A man of the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi." (Exodus 2:1) The man referred to is none other than Amram, the father of Moses. And the very next verse announces the birth of Moses. Yet, as is the case with "And Moses went..." this verse doesn't tell us where Amram went. Moses, whose history we follow throughout four of the five books of Torah, begins his life in ambiguity and ends his life in ambiguity.
We seek certainty, we seek clarity, we seek affirmation. And this week, this week of weeks which concludes with the most holy and solemn day of the year, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, G-d, in His infinite wisdom and in His infinite love for us His children, tells us that certainty isn't part of the program. We enter into this world with uncertainty, crying out to G-d. And at the end of the day we exit this world and enter into the next with uncertainty.
This entire life journey, from the moment we emerge from the womb, to the day we are placed in our tomb, is encapsulated in the twenty five hour Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur. After all, we stand before G-d as newborns, availing ourselves of this second chance G-d has given us, this second opportunity called teshuva - repentance and return, which allows us to wash ourselves of our sins and errors and cleanse ourselves of the distance that we have created between ourselves and G-d, and begin anew, pure and unencumbered. And yet we also stand before G-d wearing our white kittel, the very garment in which we will eventually be buried, for after all, we are instructed to repent the day before we die, and therefore should regard every day as the day to repent. So much more so, this the day of days.
We stand before G-d on this day of our life in which our entire life is on the line, both what was, and what is yet to be, and just like Moses, we are not told to where we are going. But one thing is for certain, the only thing, perhaps, in life which is: if we repent, if we do teshuva, G-d will certainly embrace us and grant us life. Teshuva is the foundation upon which all creation rests. Repentance is the principle upon which all life is predicated. But the question we ask: where are we heading? Are we returning to G-d? Are we returning to the person G-d intended us to be? To this question only we ourselves can provide the answer.
On this Yom Kippur, a day of trepidation and uncertainty as we take stock of ourselves, but also a day of great joy, we need, like Moses, and like his father Amram before him, to banish our fears, and step forward in the absolute certainty of G-d's love for us, and His eternal promise:
"Be strong and courageous! ... HaShem He is the One Who goes before you; He will be with you; He will neither fail you, nor forsake you. Do not fear, and do not be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
Tune in to this week's Temple Talk as Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven discuss the ten days of repentance, the Divine promise which awaits us on Yom Kippur, our seven year rendezvous with Moses coming up in next week's Hakhel celebration, and the powerful life messages of this week's Torah reading of Vayelech.
This week features the latest Bat Melech video teaching by Rabanit Rena Richman, entitled, "Rachav: Profile in Repentance, Part I: Rachav, the women of "ill-repute" who lived in the wall of Jericho not only hosted the two spies sent by Joshua, but used the opportunity their presence afforded her to repent of her past deeds, and become herself a righteous woman of valor. Part I of a two part study of teshuva - repentance." Click here to view.
Please note: The upcoming Bat Melech will air on Wednesday, October 15.
Today also features the new Light to the Nations teaching by Rabbi Chaim Richman, entitled, "The Yom Kippur Experience: The sublime joy of repentance. Seen by some from the "outside" as a day of doom and gloom, Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, is described by our sages as the happiest day of the year. What could possibly be more joyful than being given the Divine gift of being able to "come clean" before G-d? What happier moment could occur than the experience of G-d erasing our past sins and granting us the opportunity to begin again as righteous ones before Him?" Click here to view.
Please note: The upcoming Light to the Nations two-part teaching, entitled, "The Sukkot Special," will air on Sunday, October 12.
To learn how Yom Kippur is observed in the Holy Temple, please click here to view.
A few days before their planned Sunday, September 28 visit at the Temple Institute's exhibition of Temple vessels in Jerusalem's Old City, the Institute received a phone call from the travel agent representing a group of 200 Indian tourists. There was nothing unusual about the agent's confirmation call, as the Temple Institute enjoys many visitors from India. Nothing unusual except for one thing: Although it was clear he was referring to the 200 Indian tourists the Institute was expecting, the travel agent kept referring to them as the "Jordanian" group. Where, indeed, were our guests coming from? For the answer, please click here to view.
"Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! And let the earth hear the words of my mouth!" (Deuteronomy 31:2) The word of G-d from Mount Sinai speaks to us constantly, day and night, calling upon us to repent. It is up to us to hear this voice. Man himself has a heavenly, spiritual side to whom G-d addresses: "Listen, O heavens, and I will speak!" And man has an earthly, physical side which can weigh him down, to which G-d speaks, "And let the earth hear the words of my mouth!" G-d loves both aspects of man. His voice can be heard, if we but choose to listen. Click here to view Rabbi Richman's short teaching on parashat Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 31:2-35:52).
Gemar chatima tova - may we all be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life,
Yitzchak Reuven
THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 31876
Jerusalem, Israel 97500
http://www.templeinstitute.org/
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
South Africa Ruined by Black Marxists (ANC)
Once the jewel of Africa, this nation is now going the way of the rest of the continent. A new president won’t help matters.
South Africa's Lame-Duck President
South Africa's Lame-Duck President
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Gay and Jewish?
Some anonymous American-Israeli Jewish guy who goes by the good name of "David" has written about his personal struggles with homosexuality...
The Straight Path Home
The Straight Path Home
Thursday, October 02, 2008
PARSHAT VAYELECH
BS"D
YESHIVAT HARA'AYON HAYEHUDI
[The Jewish Idea]
Jerusalem, Israel
HaRav Yehuda Kreuser SHLIT"A, Rosh Yeshiva
PARSHAT VAYELECH
5 Tishrei 5769/3-4 October 2008
GATHER TOGETHER THE PEOPLE
"Gather together the people - the men, and the women, and the small children, and the stranger who is in your cities - so that they will hear and so that they will learn, and they shall fear Hashem your G-d and be careful to perform all the words of the Torah."
Unique among the commandments of the Torah is the Mitzvah of "Hakhel",gathering the people to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem once in seven years to hear the king read a portion from the Torah. Our Rabbis explain to us that the men came to study, the women to listen - and the small children, why did they come? To give reward to those who brought them.
But why would we have infants brought to the Temple? It is a known halacha/law that infants and small children who are prone to disturb services in shul should not be brought so as not to disturb those that are praying; why, then, would we bring tens of thousands of infants to the Temple whose cries would drown out the king from reading the Torah portion? More, why are the women obligated to come to the Temple? For this is certainly a commandment which is regulated by time, and every commandment which is regulated by time, women are exempt from observing. As we find with the commandment of Succoth/Tabernacles, which is a time-related holiday of seven (or in the exiles, eight days), women are exempt from sitting in the succoth. Why, then, on this time-related commandment of "Hakhel" are womenobligated to come up to the Temple in Jerusalem?
The answer, I believe, lies not in the makeup of this particular commandment, which is certainly time-related, but in the fact that it took place in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is a unique place on earth and has its own physical laws that govern it. The Mishna relates to us that ten levels of holiness descended to the world; eight of these levels are on the Temple Mount. So packed with holiness is this small area of 250 meters by 250 meters, that its not really in this world. This fact is manifested that one-third of the Torah's commandments - two hundred - can be done only in the Temple. The intensity of holiness is so great that only certain people, and only under certain conditions, can go there.
Because the physical laws that govern this world do not govern the Mount, we find that on Yom HaKipurim/the Day of Atonement - the most holy of days, that the Israel courtyard would be full to capacity, so much so that the feet of the people would not be able to touch the ground due to the large numbers of people there, but when they bowed down during the service, the floor miraculously extended and each man had four amot/two meters to himself. Another example to show that the physical laws did not rule in the Temple was the fact that the Holy Ark in the Holy of Holies did not take up any physical space. For the Holy of Holies was 20 amot long, and one measurement from the wall on one side to the Ark in the middle of the room was ten amot; the measure from the other side of the Ark to the opposite wall was also ten amot, meaning that the Ark itself took up no physical space!
It is clear from here that the commandment of Hakhel was meant to bring the women and the small children to this ongoing miracle called the Temple. The intensity of this holy spot obligated the women to also come up and participate in this commandment, and also miraculously kept the youngsters quiet during this important service. How fortunate was the one who saw all this and was able to partake in this great ceremony. But as in years gone by, today, too, we can enjoy some of this great holiness, if only we will it. For one who lives in the Land of Israel already enjoys a level of holiness far above the rest of the world, as the Mishna teaches us: The land of Israel is holier than the rest of the world. How tragic it is, then, to still see the majority of the Jewish people wallowing in the tumah/uncleanness of the exiles. In years gone by, there was no choice for the Jew but to be in the exiles. Today, however, easily enough one can come home to the Land of holiness, of greatness, where Jewish destiny is unfolding and calling him. At any rate, one way or another, willingly or not, the Jew will be coming home, for the lights of the exiles are slowly going out.
With love of Israel,
Levi Chazen
********************
Today we all know that Rabbi Kahane was right! Help spread the Jewish Idea
-Join the Jewish Idea's E-mail list and spread the word! jidea@netvision.net.il
YESHIVAT HARA'AYON HAYEHUDI
[The Jewish Idea]
Jerusalem, Israel
HaRav Yehuda Kreuser SHLIT"A, Rosh Yeshiva
PARSHAT VAYELECH
5 Tishrei 5769/3-4 October 2008
GATHER TOGETHER THE PEOPLE
"Gather together the people - the men, and the women, and the small children, and the stranger who is in your cities - so that they will hear and so that they will learn, and they shall fear Hashem your G-d and be careful to perform all the words of the Torah."
Unique among the commandments of the Torah is the Mitzvah of "Hakhel",gathering the people to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem once in seven years to hear the king read a portion from the Torah. Our Rabbis explain to us that the men came to study, the women to listen - and the small children, why did they come? To give reward to those who brought them.
But why would we have infants brought to the Temple? It is a known halacha/law that infants and small children who are prone to disturb services in shul should not be brought so as not to disturb those that are praying; why, then, would we bring tens of thousands of infants to the Temple whose cries would drown out the king from reading the Torah portion? More, why are the women obligated to come to the Temple? For this is certainly a commandment which is regulated by time, and every commandment which is regulated by time, women are exempt from observing. As we find with the commandment of Succoth/Tabernacles, which is a time-related holiday of seven (or in the exiles, eight days), women are exempt from sitting in the succoth. Why, then, on this time-related commandment of "Hakhel" are womenobligated to come up to the Temple in Jerusalem?
The answer, I believe, lies not in the makeup of this particular commandment, which is certainly time-related, but in the fact that it took place in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is a unique place on earth and has its own physical laws that govern it. The Mishna relates to us that ten levels of holiness descended to the world; eight of these levels are on the Temple Mount. So packed with holiness is this small area of 250 meters by 250 meters, that its not really in this world. This fact is manifested that one-third of the Torah's commandments - two hundred - can be done only in the Temple. The intensity of holiness is so great that only certain people, and only under certain conditions, can go there.
Because the physical laws that govern this world do not govern the Mount, we find that on Yom HaKipurim/the Day of Atonement - the most holy of days, that the Israel courtyard would be full to capacity, so much so that the feet of the people would not be able to touch the ground due to the large numbers of people there, but when they bowed down during the service, the floor miraculously extended and each man had four amot/two meters to himself. Another example to show that the physical laws did not rule in the Temple was the fact that the Holy Ark in the Holy of Holies did not take up any physical space. For the Holy of Holies was 20 amot long, and one measurement from the wall on one side to the Ark in the middle of the room was ten amot; the measure from the other side of the Ark to the opposite wall was also ten amot, meaning that the Ark itself took up no physical space!
It is clear from here that the commandment of Hakhel was meant to bring the women and the small children to this ongoing miracle called the Temple. The intensity of this holy spot obligated the women to also come up and participate in this commandment, and also miraculously kept the youngsters quiet during this important service. How fortunate was the one who saw all this and was able to partake in this great ceremony. But as in years gone by, today, too, we can enjoy some of this great holiness, if only we will it. For one who lives in the Land of Israel already enjoys a level of holiness far above the rest of the world, as the Mishna teaches us: The land of Israel is holier than the rest of the world. How tragic it is, then, to still see the majority of the Jewish people wallowing in the tumah/uncleanness of the exiles. In years gone by, there was no choice for the Jew but to be in the exiles. Today, however, easily enough one can come home to the Land of holiness, of greatness, where Jewish destiny is unfolding and calling him. At any rate, one way or another, willingly or not, the Jew will be coming home, for the lights of the exiles are slowly going out.
With love of Israel,
Levi Chazen
********************
Today we all know that Rabbi Kahane was right! Help spread the Jewish Idea
-Join the Jewish Idea's E-mail list and spread the word! jidea@netvision.net.il
God is in the Details: Tabernacle and Temple Plans
David Ben-Ariel on the post " Solomon's Temple The article should give cause to...":
You are either in denial of the Word of God or woeful ignorance of it. God gave Moses and David HEAVENLY BLUEPRINTS and Moses built the tabernacle as commanded and David, as commanded, gave the heavenly blueprints for the temple to his son Solomon whom God had chosen to BUILD HIS HOUSE (that you slander, as the spies slandered the Land).
1 Chronicles 28
2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it. 3 But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name... and of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons) He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father... [then David speaks to Solomon]10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.” 11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat; 12 and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, of all the chambers all around, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things; 13 also for the division of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD. 14 He gave gold by weight for things of gold, for all articles used in every kind of service; also silver for all articles of silver by weight, for all articles used in every kind of service; 15 the weight for the lampstands of gold, and their lamps of gold, by weight for each lampstand and its lamps; for the lampstands of silver by weight, for the lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand. 16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of the showbread, for each table, and silver for the tables of silver; 17 also pure gold for the forks, the basins, the pitchers of pure gold, and the golden bowls—he gave gold by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls, silver by weight for every bowl; 18 and refined gold by weight for the altar of incense, and for the construction of the chariot, that is, the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19 “All this,” said David, “the LORD made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.” 20 And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. [contrary to those who have slandered Solomon and the holy House of God that God inspired to be built and inspired the details and inspired its contruction]21 Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.”
The Word and Will of God is clear: God chose Solomon to build His House, His Sanctuary, His Temple, and God gave David inspired plans for the Temple of God and David delivered them to Solomon who built God's House and God was with Him in its construction. Thus said the word of the Lord, and yet you slander the holy house of God and contradict the Word of God for your idolatrous ideas!
Your ridiculous notion that Yeshua was speaking of the people of Judah instead of the physical temple when He called it, "My Father's House" is really stretching it in a vain attempt to justify your false teaching. Yeshua proved what house He was speaking of when He cleaned house and drove the moneychangers out of it! Stop handling the Word of God deceitfully and learn to rightly divide the Word of truth or leave it alone rather than condemn yourself.
God has His national and physical reasons for His physical temple, even as the spiritual temple serves its own ordained purpose. They complement each other, they're not in competition, as the early Church of God loved to continue to fellowship and worship in the physical temple. It's not either/or for those who have prayerfully studied this holy subject.
We also know that the New Jerusalem that has no temple is after the initial thousand year reign of Yeshua, how the Earth will have been purified, and made ready for the Father - after the Third Temple has served its holy purpose, as well as the flesh will have fulfilled its purpose, because at that time you'll either be divine or dust.
David Ben-Ariel said...
You've proven you're dishonest and deceitful, failing to address the legitimate questions asked you and failing to post my BIBLICAL PROOF that you're slandering David, Solomon, and the holy blueprints for the Temple (1 Chron. 28).
I would have hoped and prayed you would REPENT of your hateful slander against the Word and Will of God, and holy people and Temple of God, but you haven't and obviously prefer your idolatrous ideas and self-righteous notions, so I won't waste my time with this polluted site any further.
************
Thankfully, Banner Kidd relented and published my post that exposes his darkness on this subject by the light of God's Word, the error of his traditional thinking against God's Word and Will for the Temple, but instead of submitting to the Word of God, acknowledging his dangerous slander against David, Solomon and the holy blueprints for the Temple, he vainly attempts to justify his sinful position! Definitely not like the noble Bereans!
Banner Kid doesn't teach Torah or what the Bible or New Testament instruct about the Temples, but promotes his own idolatrous ideas wrapped up with some truth like Satan to mislead others. It saddens and angers me to see the hardness of his heart, his proud and stubborn refusal to submit to the Word that he may keep his own traditions. At least he's a blessing in disguise by providing me an opportunity to address these issues. I hope and pray he repents and rejoices with me in the imminent Third Temple.
Hopefully, at least others can read and see for themselves God clearly called for the construction of the tabernacle and temples and wonderfully inspired the tabernacle and the temple plans (God is in the details) and appreciate they have their place in God's plan and serve a great purpose, then and now.
************
Will the pope act like Belshazzar or Cyrus?
The Vatican Must Return the Temple Treasures
A House of Prayer For All Peoples?
Major Upheaval in Israel?
Third Temple Coming Soon to Jerusalem!
The Temple of God in Holy Jerusalem
Where's the Temple On the Temple Mount?
You are either in denial of the Word of God or woeful ignorance of it. God gave Moses and David HEAVENLY BLUEPRINTS and Moses built the tabernacle as commanded and David, as commanded, gave the heavenly blueprints for the temple to his son Solomon whom God had chosen to BUILD HIS HOUSE (that you slander, as the spies slandered the Land).
1 Chronicles 28
2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it. 3 But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name... and of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons) He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father... [then David speaks to Solomon]10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.” 11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat; 12 and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, of all the chambers all around, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things; 13 also for the division of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD. 14 He gave gold by weight for things of gold, for all articles used in every kind of service; also silver for all articles of silver by weight, for all articles used in every kind of service; 15 the weight for the lampstands of gold, and their lamps of gold, by weight for each lampstand and its lamps; for the lampstands of silver by weight, for the lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand. 16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of the showbread, for each table, and silver for the tables of silver; 17 also pure gold for the forks, the basins, the pitchers of pure gold, and the golden bowls—he gave gold by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls, silver by weight for every bowl; 18 and refined gold by weight for the altar of incense, and for the construction of the chariot, that is, the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19 “All this,” said David, “the LORD made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.” 20 And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. [contrary to those who have slandered Solomon and the holy House of God that God inspired to be built and inspired the details and inspired its contruction]21 Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.”
The Word and Will of God is clear: God chose Solomon to build His House, His Sanctuary, His Temple, and God gave David inspired plans for the Temple of God and David delivered them to Solomon who built God's House and God was with Him in its construction. Thus said the word of the Lord, and yet you slander the holy house of God and contradict the Word of God for your idolatrous ideas!
Your ridiculous notion that Yeshua was speaking of the people of Judah instead of the physical temple when He called it, "My Father's House" is really stretching it in a vain attempt to justify your false teaching. Yeshua proved what house He was speaking of when He cleaned house and drove the moneychangers out of it! Stop handling the Word of God deceitfully and learn to rightly divide the Word of truth or leave it alone rather than condemn yourself.
God has His national and physical reasons for His physical temple, even as the spiritual temple serves its own ordained purpose. They complement each other, they're not in competition, as the early Church of God loved to continue to fellowship and worship in the physical temple. It's not either/or for those who have prayerfully studied this holy subject.
We also know that the New Jerusalem that has no temple is after the initial thousand year reign of Yeshua, how the Earth will have been purified, and made ready for the Father - after the Third Temple has served its holy purpose, as well as the flesh will have fulfilled its purpose, because at that time you'll either be divine or dust.
David Ben-Ariel said...
You've proven you're dishonest and deceitful, failing to address the legitimate questions asked you and failing to post my BIBLICAL PROOF that you're slandering David, Solomon, and the holy blueprints for the Temple (1 Chron. 28).
I would have hoped and prayed you would REPENT of your hateful slander against the Word and Will of God, and holy people and Temple of God, but you haven't and obviously prefer your idolatrous ideas and self-righteous notions, so I won't waste my time with this polluted site any further.
************
Thankfully, Banner Kidd relented and published my post that exposes his darkness on this subject by the light of God's Word, the error of his traditional thinking against God's Word and Will for the Temple, but instead of submitting to the Word of God, acknowledging his dangerous slander against David, Solomon and the holy blueprints for the Temple, he vainly attempts to justify his sinful position! Definitely not like the noble Bereans!
Banner Kid doesn't teach Torah or what the Bible or New Testament instruct about the Temples, but promotes his own idolatrous ideas wrapped up with some truth like Satan to mislead others. It saddens and angers me to see the hardness of his heart, his proud and stubborn refusal to submit to the Word that he may keep his own traditions. At least he's a blessing in disguise by providing me an opportunity to address these issues. I hope and pray he repents and rejoices with me in the imminent Third Temple.
Hopefully, at least others can read and see for themselves God clearly called for the construction of the tabernacle and temples and wonderfully inspired the tabernacle and the temple plans (God is in the details) and appreciate they have their place in God's plan and serve a great purpose, then and now.
************
Will the pope act like Belshazzar or Cyrus?
The Vatican Must Return the Temple Treasures
A House of Prayer For All Peoples?
Major Upheaval in Israel?
Third Temple Coming Soon to Jerusalem!
The Temple of God in Holy Jerusalem
Where's the Temple On the Temple Mount?
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
The Philadelphia Church of God
Philadelphia Church of God Leads the Laodicean Era (Part 1)
When Gerald Flurry wasn't anything in his own sight or mind God used him and now, unfortunately, it appears to have gone to his head, all the new revelation (simply a deeper understanding of some things), and he forgets that all truth is from and belongs to GOD and that God can use a donkey to deliver it (1 Cor. 4:7). Gerald Flurry has become so swollen in his own imagination that he fails to see that he is the leader of LAODICEA! He knows what warning God is giving the Laodiceans, of which he is chief! He had better heed his own words...
Philadelphia Church of God Leads Laodicean Era (Conclusion)
"It's certainly not my place to determine if what you believe God has shown you is true or not, but would you mind presenting Mr. Flurry with an abbreviated version of what you feel is inspired... as I highly doubt that he would have time to read your whole book."
Stephen Flurry and The Philadelphia Church of God
Stephen Flurry, son of Gerald Flurry, pastor general of the Philadelphia Church of God (based in Edmond, Oklahoma), has published a book that Amazon sells, Raising the Ruins: The Fight to Revive the Legacy of Herbert W. Armstrong.
The Work of God Must Go Forward!
The Work of God must go forward. The only work that's left to do now is focus on the NATIONAL LEVEL. We must get out God's ultimatum and fast! Europe is on the rise and Jerusalem is getting international attention (Zech. 14:2). Soon God's two witnesses will rise and shine in a world of darkness (Isa. 60:1-2). God's about to restore His lamp to the Middle East! (Rev. 11:3; 1 Kgs. 11:36; Amos 9:11; Zech. 12:8).
PCG: Carrying on "Business as Usual
"If you truly saw what is coming on this Earth, and had a vision of tomorrow, you would know that the Gathering Storm darkens as you sip champagne and boast that you're rich and in need of nothing, woefully ignorant that the Two Witnesses will soon be wearing sackcloth and fasting, not wining and dining at black tie dinners!
The Church of God Must Warn the World!
We know that certain prophecies were not to be fulfilled until these "last days." Therefore their sealed messages weren't to break their silence until the appointed time (Dan. 12:9). With the advent of the nuclear age, we've been living, for the first time in history, with the weapons of mass destruction that can erase all life from off planet Earth! (Matt. 24:21-22).
Politics in the Church of God Hinders Progress
Gerald Flurry refused to go forward with Beyond Babylon and fell backwards, treading old ground and is now going in circles, business as usual, as Europe rises and Judah and Israel have yet to be warned.
Worldwide Church Of God All Over Again?
Let’s see to it that Philadelphia Church of God (Judah) doesn’t go the way of the Worldwide Church of God (Israel). These biblical principles still apply: don’t put undue trust in men; work out your own salvation, it’s not a group affair; beware the scholarly approach that demands you rely on men - not God’s Spirit or personal Bible study.
The Watchmen
"I have set Watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem"God has called us to do a Work! Anyone can and should do good works in private, but God has called us collectively to COME OUT OF THE CLOSET and deliver His Message! We're to help save individuals and nations from the coming Holocaust!
When Gerald Flurry wasn't anything in his own sight or mind God used him and now, unfortunately, it appears to have gone to his head, all the new revelation (simply a deeper understanding of some things), and he forgets that all truth is from and belongs to GOD and that God can use a donkey to deliver it (1 Cor. 4:7). Gerald Flurry has become so swollen in his own imagination that he fails to see that he is the leader of LAODICEA! He knows what warning God is giving the Laodiceans, of which he is chief! He had better heed his own words...
Philadelphia Church of God Leads Laodicean Era (Conclusion)
"It's certainly not my place to determine if what you believe God has shown you is true or not, but would you mind presenting Mr. Flurry with an abbreviated version of what you feel is inspired... as I highly doubt that he would have time to read your whole book."
Stephen Flurry and The Philadelphia Church of God
Stephen Flurry, son of Gerald Flurry, pastor general of the Philadelphia Church of God (based in Edmond, Oklahoma), has published a book that Amazon sells, Raising the Ruins: The Fight to Revive the Legacy of Herbert W. Armstrong.
The Work of God Must Go Forward!
The Work of God must go forward. The only work that's left to do now is focus on the NATIONAL LEVEL. We must get out God's ultimatum and fast! Europe is on the rise and Jerusalem is getting international attention (Zech. 14:2). Soon God's two witnesses will rise and shine in a world of darkness (Isa. 60:1-2). God's about to restore His lamp to the Middle East! (Rev. 11:3; 1 Kgs. 11:36; Amos 9:11; Zech. 12:8).
PCG: Carrying on "Business as Usual
"If you truly saw what is coming on this Earth, and had a vision of tomorrow, you would know that the Gathering Storm darkens as you sip champagne and boast that you're rich and in need of nothing, woefully ignorant that the Two Witnesses will soon be wearing sackcloth and fasting, not wining and dining at black tie dinners!
The Church of God Must Warn the World!
We know that certain prophecies were not to be fulfilled until these "last days." Therefore their sealed messages weren't to break their silence until the appointed time (Dan. 12:9). With the advent of the nuclear age, we've been living, for the first time in history, with the weapons of mass destruction that can erase all life from off planet Earth! (Matt. 24:21-22).
Politics in the Church of God Hinders Progress
Gerald Flurry refused to go forward with Beyond Babylon and fell backwards, treading old ground and is now going in circles, business as usual, as Europe rises and Judah and Israel have yet to be warned.
Worldwide Church Of God All Over Again?
Let’s see to it that Philadelphia Church of God (Judah) doesn’t go the way of the Worldwide Church of God (Israel). These biblical principles still apply: don’t put undue trust in men; work out your own salvation, it’s not a group affair; beware the scholarly approach that demands you rely on men - not God’s Spirit or personal Bible study.
The Watchmen
"I have set Watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem"God has called us to do a Work! Anyone can and should do good works in private, but God has called us collectively to COME OUT OF THE CLOSET and deliver His Message! We're to help save individuals and nations from the coming Holocaust!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
God commands Israel to build Temple!
God commands Israel to build Temple!
Both the apostle Paul prophesied of the Temple of GOD (not just the Jews) in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 and the apostle John testifies it's the Temple of GOD (not just the Jews) in the Book of Revelation 11:1. Will we believe the testimony of these two witnesses (writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) that God claims the Temple as His own?
We must warn the Jews to beware Europe's imminent wannabe divine emperor who would pollute the Temple just like Antiochus Epiphanes did, although after it was cleansed, it was rededicated and Yeshua referred to that cleansed, rededicated Temple as "MY FATHER'S HOUSE." Regardless of whatever "guarantees" of peace and security Europe will undoubtedly offer to seduce our Jewish brethren, Israel must not trust them or let their guard down or the walls of Israeli sovereignty will come tumbling down!
As far as the commanded sacrifices go (even though Yeshua fulfilled their meaning, they're still commanded for now), prayerfully consider:
The Ezekiel Temple by Jan Willem van der Hoeven, director of the International Christian Zionist Center in Jerusalem. Regardless that Mr. van der Hoeven is a Protestant, what he writes that is true remains true and we should be able to glean from his article as we are able to glean from many secular sources which we do on a regular basis, and not foolishly limit ourselves.
If the former Worldwide Church of God members could understand how Ambassador Auditorium, a concert hall in Pasadena, California, could formerly serve as "God's House," how can some be so proud and stubborn and blind to fail to RECOGNIZE that God would place His Name where He only and always has: on the TEMPLE Mount(Zechariah 1:16)? God says He'll accept the Temple, so why shouldn't we? (Haggai 1:8).
It ought to be understood that since GOD has restored Israel to the Land (part of the prophesied restoration and process of redemption of the Land and lives of Israel), Israel must build the Temple. After all, IT IS A COMMAND: "And let them make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8).
God has never revoked that command for NATIONAL ISRAEL (Malachi 4:4). It is the greatest national command, the grandest mitzva that is woefully ignored!
The Temple serves as a unifying national symbol, a central focus for the knowledge and worship of the true God (Micah 4:2). It encourages us to remember to keep the biblical festivals of God, and to send representatives to Jerusalem to celebrate before the LORD, following the letter and the spirit of the Law and the Prophets (Deuteronomy 16:16; Zechariah 14:16).
But how can Israel reclaim the Temple Mount without starting a war? Presently that most holy site is under a militant Muslim occupation that forcibly forbids any Jew or Christian from praying or reading the Bible there. This shameful situation continues despite the fact that Israel supposedly guarantees "freedom of access" to religious sites according to their 1967 Law for the Protection of the Holy Places.
Israeli "leaders" continue to look the other way as the Muslims practice blatant religious discrimination daily. Israel must stop taking into "protective custody" those who seek to exercise their religious rights upon the Temple Mount and instead REMOVE THE THREAT.
I was arrested on Simchat Torah (the Last Great Day) in 1995 to protect me from the mad Muslims, as related in a "House of Prayer for ALL nations?"
As written in a letter of mine published in The Jerusalem Post: "The Temple Mount is not in our hands, because it is not in our hearts and minds. This is to the shame of our political and religious leaders. I doubt that Jews prayed for 2,000 years to return to Zion and pray at a wall."
Of course, on an individual level we must welcome God into our hearts and minds, our personal lives, to find a loving home (Isaiah 66:1-2). But on a NATIONAL LEVEL, on a physical plane, we need a physical building to serve as the "Embassy of the Eternal." We shouldn't become so "spiritual" that we forget our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities as a NATION, since the vast majority of us aren't just spiritual members of the Church of God but physical members of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel and even some are from Judah!
Physical Preparation for Messiah
Herbert W. Armstrong asked whether Christ would return to a nonexistent throne, knowing full well David's throne continues to this day, as prophesied. In the same sense, we should ask: WILL CHRIST BE HOMELESS? Of course not! We should reflect upon how "breathtakingly beautiful... the Temple [will be] in which Christ will dwell" (Mystery of the Ages, pg. 322).
Mr. Armstrong began to touch upon spiritual things that he didn't fully understand, but he recorded it for us in his autobiography. He wrote that there is a "PHYSICAL PREPARING, as well as spiritual, in preparing the way for Messiah's coming!" (emphasis mine, Autobiography of HWA., Vol. II, pg. 470). God's apostle began to see and know and understand God has given us a MIDEAST COMMISSION!
The vast majority in God's Church still don't get it! Why haven't any of the Church leaders taught this? Why do they attempt to ignore it? We need to understand that part of the prophesied physical preparation is:
1) the return of a significant number of Jews to Jerusalem and Israel, representative of all Twelve Tribes, and
2) their literal clearing of the way (by reclaiming the land), that will ultimately result in the restoration of the Temple Mount as the TEMPLE Mount, culminating in Messiah's Coming! (Isaiah 57:14, 62:10).
Those zealous for God's House set an example for everyone else to follow, and help direct our energies and attention where it belongs! (Jeremiah 50:50). We must help God's Church and Israel to "PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD!" (Amos 4:12).
Mr. Armstrong wrote in a Good News article that it was significant that he was of the House of David and made reference to Zechariah 12:8. He expressed a desire to spend more time in Jerusalem. And he will - at the resurrection! But meanwhile another converted descendant of David must fulfill that vital role.
The leading spokesman between the Two Witnesses will hail from David's Royal House. In the mighty spirit of Elijah he'll identify the Messiah to Israel and introduce Him to Judah (Isaiah 40:2,9). That involves far more than producing television programs for outside Christian consumption or broadcasting into Israel from afar! Such efforts are a start in the right direction but are clearly insufficient for the task at hand. God's Work Permit and Contract requires an INSIDE JOB to take place in Zion and on and near the Temple Mount! (Joel 2:1).
GOD - not some Church official - will soon SEND His apostle to the Middle East (Isaiah 41:27; 52:7). The Two Witnesses have a burning desire to see Jerusalem fulfill her calling and they won't rest their case until they've won (Isaiah 62:1, 6-7). This focus on Jews, Jerusalem and Israel appears as a tedious preoccupation to some, but others recognize it as an inspired occupation: God's Mideast Work and Church Commission!
A Faithful Few
A dedicated few cleansed the Temple Mount during the days of the Macabbees. (Hanukkah commemorates their miraculous victory. Yeshua kept the "Feast of Dedication" - John 10:22). They didn't wait for every last Jew to repent before they acted upon their convictions. They put their faith into practice - and GOD WAS WITH THEM!
After they took action, others joined with them and rallied to the cause (Daniel 11:32). That was God's Work in those days. Jewish spiritual survival was at stake! The occupying enemy forces, in league with Jewish traitors, were bent on destroying what truth God had preserved among Judah. The Sabbath, circumcision, dietary laws and other embers of divine revelation were banned upon penalty of death! The Temple itself was polluted with pig's blood and an idol! Thankfully, a holy remnant, "Gideon's army," the Macabbees, rose up and fought back! They saved the nation, cleansed the Temple, and enabled Messiah to later appear there right on time (Malachi 3:1).
Yeshua's presence gave God's Temple a GREATER GLORY than Solomon's Temple ever enjoyed (Haggai 2:9). And the Second Temple was only prophesied in one place. Isaiah spoke of Cyrus - an unlikely, pagan Gentile king (Isaiah 44:28; 45:9) - whom nevertheless GOD would raise up for this purpose (and who are we to question His wisdom?). And, interestingly enough, the Temple Zerubbabel built wasn't based on Ezekiel's vision! Some could've opposed it on those grounds, lacking vision, but they didn't - at least it's not recorded.
We have several strong indications, if we'll only believe what the Bible says, that there will be a Temple in Jerusalem before King Messiah's return from Heaven in full view of all mankind.
Satan, in his insane jealousy, will move his counterfeit king of kings, Europe's last emperor, to take up residence where he ought not (Mark 13:14). Will the pope, Europe's false prophet, help install him in the Holy of Holies? (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Daniel 11:45). They'll have crossed the line and their days will be numbered, because God will give Jerusalem over to the fascist EU as part of the punishment of Judah's sins, but God decrees the holy Temple Mount and holy Temple are off-limits! (Revelation 11:1-2).
The pope doesn't claim to be God; he'll prepare the way and proclaim Europe's EMPEROR as divine (Ezekiel 28:2). He's the Catholic "Elijah." The Bible labels him the false prophet, not the false Christ. The true prophets of God, in the spirit of Elijah, will meet them head on in Jerusalem! The Two Witnesses' testimony before a world court will sound throughout the universe! They'll be bold as lions and braver than the Maccabees!
Meanwhile, we should wholeheartedly support the biblical efforts of those dedicated to building the Temple and physically preparing for Messiah's coming (Isaiah 62:1). The Church of God used to have a designated "building fund." What greater NATIONAL PROJECT THAN OUR TEMPLE TASK?
And we should help warn Judah of the consequences they'll suffer for despising their inheritance. If they're so weak and willing to sinfully surrender land to the Gentiles, and tolerate the continued Nazi-Muslim occupation of the Temple Mount - the only designated site for God's House - God will despise His inheritance (Israel) and give up Jerusalem to Gentile occupation, permitting Jewish land and lives to be violated, and their homes and personal property looted! (Zechariah 14:2).
Israel's Missed Opportunities
Israel has had the Cornerstone for the Third Temple since the 1980's, thanks to the Temple Mount Faithful Movement who quarried the stone from Mitzpeh Ramon (in southern Israel) and sanctified it with the appropriate Levitical blessings. But the Israeli government and Jewish people have REJECTED THE CORNERSTONE! (Psalms 118:22). Israel could've begun immediate construction for the Third Temple. Instead they've shown a serious lack of interest or ungodly fear of Gentile threats. Both the spiritual and physical cornerstone, as prophesied, have been rejected!
Every Israeli has seen the Cornerstone since it's brought out on a flatbed truck during the Temple Mount Faithful's frequent demonstrations, especially during the biblical festivals, but they've failed to recognize its importance. Regardless of Israel's temporary blindness to God's Purpose and timid or treacherous Jewish leaders, the Cornerstone will be put in place - laid upon the Temple Mount! Wasn't the second Temple built despite fierce opposition? (Ezra 4:4).
We must encourage Jerusalem: "You shall be built; and to the Temple, Your foundation shall be laid" (Isaiah 44:28), and join with those faithful Jews who HERALD THE HEADSTONE'S ARRIVAL (Hosea 11:12). Soon God will remove the mountain of opposition that blocks my return to Zion (Isaiah 45:2; Zechariah 4:7; Matthew 21:21). My unjust deportation will have served it purpose and be history. Once again in Jerusalem, by God's grace and Spirit, I shall continue to build upon the foundation that God has laid for His end-time Work in Israel and it'll be as if I had never left! Back to the future!
Yes, "He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20). May we feel privileged to help PREPARE THE WAY!
************
The Scriptures clearly command the Temple to be built and it will be; the prophecies reveal the restoration of animal sacrifices and they will be; and all this will be whether or not we perfectly understand.
To help folks understand:
How should Christians view efforts to build the Temple?
The Ezekiel Temple
Both the apostle Paul prophesied of the Temple of GOD (not just the Jews) in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 and the apostle John testifies it's the Temple of GOD (not just the Jews) in the Book of Revelation 11:1. Will we believe the testimony of these two witnesses (writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) that God claims the Temple as His own?
We must warn the Jews to beware Europe's imminent wannabe divine emperor who would pollute the Temple just like Antiochus Epiphanes did, although after it was cleansed, it was rededicated and Yeshua referred to that cleansed, rededicated Temple as "MY FATHER'S HOUSE." Regardless of whatever "guarantees" of peace and security Europe will undoubtedly offer to seduce our Jewish brethren, Israel must not trust them or let their guard down or the walls of Israeli sovereignty will come tumbling down!
As far as the commanded sacrifices go (even though Yeshua fulfilled their meaning, they're still commanded for now), prayerfully consider:
The Ezekiel Temple by Jan Willem van der Hoeven, director of the International Christian Zionist Center in Jerusalem. Regardless that Mr. van der Hoeven is a Protestant, what he writes that is true remains true and we should be able to glean from his article as we are able to glean from many secular sources which we do on a regular basis, and not foolishly limit ourselves.
If the former Worldwide Church of God members could understand how Ambassador Auditorium, a concert hall in Pasadena, California, could formerly serve as "God's House," how can some be so proud and stubborn and blind to fail to RECOGNIZE that God would place His Name where He only and always has: on the TEMPLE Mount(Zechariah 1:16)? God says He'll accept the Temple, so why shouldn't we? (Haggai 1:8).
It ought to be understood that since GOD has restored Israel to the Land (part of the prophesied restoration and process of redemption of the Land and lives of Israel), Israel must build the Temple. After all, IT IS A COMMAND: "And let them make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8).
God has never revoked that command for NATIONAL ISRAEL (Malachi 4:4). It is the greatest national command, the grandest mitzva that is woefully ignored!
The Temple serves as a unifying national symbol, a central focus for the knowledge and worship of the true God (Micah 4:2). It encourages us to remember to keep the biblical festivals of God, and to send representatives to Jerusalem to celebrate before the LORD, following the letter and the spirit of the Law and the Prophets (Deuteronomy 16:16; Zechariah 14:16).
But how can Israel reclaim the Temple Mount without starting a war? Presently that most holy site is under a militant Muslim occupation that forcibly forbids any Jew or Christian from praying or reading the Bible there. This shameful situation continues despite the fact that Israel supposedly guarantees "freedom of access" to religious sites according to their 1967 Law for the Protection of the Holy Places.
Israeli "leaders" continue to look the other way as the Muslims practice blatant religious discrimination daily. Israel must stop taking into "protective custody" those who seek to exercise their religious rights upon the Temple Mount and instead REMOVE THE THREAT.
I was arrested on Simchat Torah (the Last Great Day) in 1995 to protect me from the mad Muslims, as related in a "House of Prayer for ALL nations?"
As written in a letter of mine published in The Jerusalem Post: "The Temple Mount is not in our hands, because it is not in our hearts and minds. This is to the shame of our political and religious leaders. I doubt that Jews prayed for 2,000 years to return to Zion and pray at a wall."
Of course, on an individual level we must welcome God into our hearts and minds, our personal lives, to find a loving home (Isaiah 66:1-2). But on a NATIONAL LEVEL, on a physical plane, we need a physical building to serve as the "Embassy of the Eternal." We shouldn't become so "spiritual" that we forget our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities as a NATION, since the vast majority of us aren't just spiritual members of the Church of God but physical members of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel and even some are from Judah!
Physical Preparation for Messiah
Herbert W. Armstrong asked whether Christ would return to a nonexistent throne, knowing full well David's throne continues to this day, as prophesied. In the same sense, we should ask: WILL CHRIST BE HOMELESS? Of course not! We should reflect upon how "breathtakingly beautiful... the Temple [will be] in which Christ will dwell" (Mystery of the Ages, pg. 322).
Mr. Armstrong began to touch upon spiritual things that he didn't fully understand, but he recorded it for us in his autobiography. He wrote that there is a "PHYSICAL PREPARING, as well as spiritual, in preparing the way for Messiah's coming!" (emphasis mine, Autobiography of HWA., Vol. II, pg. 470). God's apostle began to see and know and understand God has given us a MIDEAST COMMISSION!
The vast majority in God's Church still don't get it! Why haven't any of the Church leaders taught this? Why do they attempt to ignore it? We need to understand that part of the prophesied physical preparation is:
1) the return of a significant number of Jews to Jerusalem and Israel, representative of all Twelve Tribes, and
2) their literal clearing of the way (by reclaiming the land), that will ultimately result in the restoration of the Temple Mount as the TEMPLE Mount, culminating in Messiah's Coming! (Isaiah 57:14, 62:10).
Those zealous for God's House set an example for everyone else to follow, and help direct our energies and attention where it belongs! (Jeremiah 50:50). We must help God's Church and Israel to "PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD!" (Amos 4:12).
Mr. Armstrong wrote in a Good News article that it was significant that he was of the House of David and made reference to Zechariah 12:8. He expressed a desire to spend more time in Jerusalem. And he will - at the resurrection! But meanwhile another converted descendant of David must fulfill that vital role.
The leading spokesman between the Two Witnesses will hail from David's Royal House. In the mighty spirit of Elijah he'll identify the Messiah to Israel and introduce Him to Judah (Isaiah 40:2,9). That involves far more than producing television programs for outside Christian consumption or broadcasting into Israel from afar! Such efforts are a start in the right direction but are clearly insufficient for the task at hand. God's Work Permit and Contract requires an INSIDE JOB to take place in Zion and on and near the Temple Mount! (Joel 2:1).
GOD - not some Church official - will soon SEND His apostle to the Middle East (Isaiah 41:27; 52:7). The Two Witnesses have a burning desire to see Jerusalem fulfill her calling and they won't rest their case until they've won (Isaiah 62:1, 6-7). This focus on Jews, Jerusalem and Israel appears as a tedious preoccupation to some, but others recognize it as an inspired occupation: God's Mideast Work and Church Commission!
A Faithful Few
A dedicated few cleansed the Temple Mount during the days of the Macabbees. (Hanukkah commemorates their miraculous victory. Yeshua kept the "Feast of Dedication" - John 10:22). They didn't wait for every last Jew to repent before they acted upon their convictions. They put their faith into practice - and GOD WAS WITH THEM!
After they took action, others joined with them and rallied to the cause (Daniel 11:32). That was God's Work in those days. Jewish spiritual survival was at stake! The occupying enemy forces, in league with Jewish traitors, were bent on destroying what truth God had preserved among Judah. The Sabbath, circumcision, dietary laws and other embers of divine revelation were banned upon penalty of death! The Temple itself was polluted with pig's blood and an idol! Thankfully, a holy remnant, "Gideon's army," the Macabbees, rose up and fought back! They saved the nation, cleansed the Temple, and enabled Messiah to later appear there right on time (Malachi 3:1).
Yeshua's presence gave God's Temple a GREATER GLORY than Solomon's Temple ever enjoyed (Haggai 2:9). And the Second Temple was only prophesied in one place. Isaiah spoke of Cyrus - an unlikely, pagan Gentile king (Isaiah 44:28; 45:9) - whom nevertheless GOD would raise up for this purpose (and who are we to question His wisdom?). And, interestingly enough, the Temple Zerubbabel built wasn't based on Ezekiel's vision! Some could've opposed it on those grounds, lacking vision, but they didn't - at least it's not recorded.
We have several strong indications, if we'll only believe what the Bible says, that there will be a Temple in Jerusalem before King Messiah's return from Heaven in full view of all mankind.
Satan, in his insane jealousy, will move his counterfeit king of kings, Europe's last emperor, to take up residence where he ought not (Mark 13:14). Will the pope, Europe's false prophet, help install him in the Holy of Holies? (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Daniel 11:45). They'll have crossed the line and their days will be numbered, because God will give Jerusalem over to the fascist EU as part of the punishment of Judah's sins, but God decrees the holy Temple Mount and holy Temple are off-limits! (Revelation 11:1-2).
The pope doesn't claim to be God; he'll prepare the way and proclaim Europe's EMPEROR as divine (Ezekiel 28:2). He's the Catholic "Elijah." The Bible labels him the false prophet, not the false Christ. The true prophets of God, in the spirit of Elijah, will meet them head on in Jerusalem! The Two Witnesses' testimony before a world court will sound throughout the universe! They'll be bold as lions and braver than the Maccabees!
Meanwhile, we should wholeheartedly support the biblical efforts of those dedicated to building the Temple and physically preparing for Messiah's coming (Isaiah 62:1). The Church of God used to have a designated "building fund." What greater NATIONAL PROJECT THAN OUR TEMPLE TASK?
And we should help warn Judah of the consequences they'll suffer for despising their inheritance. If they're so weak and willing to sinfully surrender land to the Gentiles, and tolerate the continued Nazi-Muslim occupation of the Temple Mount - the only designated site for God's House - God will despise His inheritance (Israel) and give up Jerusalem to Gentile occupation, permitting Jewish land and lives to be violated, and their homes and personal property looted! (Zechariah 14:2).
Israel's Missed Opportunities
Israel has had the Cornerstone for the Third Temple since the 1980's, thanks to the Temple Mount Faithful Movement who quarried the stone from Mitzpeh Ramon (in southern Israel) and sanctified it with the appropriate Levitical blessings. But the Israeli government and Jewish people have REJECTED THE CORNERSTONE! (Psalms 118:22). Israel could've begun immediate construction for the Third Temple. Instead they've shown a serious lack of interest or ungodly fear of Gentile threats. Both the spiritual and physical cornerstone, as prophesied, have been rejected!
Every Israeli has seen the Cornerstone since it's brought out on a flatbed truck during the Temple Mount Faithful's frequent demonstrations, especially during the biblical festivals, but they've failed to recognize its importance. Regardless of Israel's temporary blindness to God's Purpose and timid or treacherous Jewish leaders, the Cornerstone will be put in place - laid upon the Temple Mount! Wasn't the second Temple built despite fierce opposition? (Ezra 4:4).
We must encourage Jerusalem: "You shall be built; and to the Temple, Your foundation shall be laid" (Isaiah 44:28), and join with those faithful Jews who HERALD THE HEADSTONE'S ARRIVAL (Hosea 11:12). Soon God will remove the mountain of opposition that blocks my return to Zion (Isaiah 45:2; Zechariah 4:7; Matthew 21:21). My unjust deportation will have served it purpose and be history. Once again in Jerusalem, by God's grace and Spirit, I shall continue to build upon the foundation that God has laid for His end-time Work in Israel and it'll be as if I had never left! Back to the future!
Yes, "He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20). May we feel privileged to help PREPARE THE WAY!
************
The Scriptures clearly command the Temple to be built and it will be; the prophecies reveal the restoration of animal sacrifices and they will be; and all this will be whether or not we perfectly understand.
To help folks understand:
How should Christians view efforts to build the Temple?
The Ezekiel Temple
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
