I’ve often said that Jerusalem is the hottest piece of real estate in the entire world. By that, I mean that no other single piece of land attracts so much attention from people of all nations and faiths. Many times that attraction is positive. Sometimes, it is violent and negative. However, there is a spot inside of Jerusalem that takes the volatility of the holy city to another level: the Temple Mount.
The Temple Mount is the site of the 1st and 2nd Temples, it is where Titus completed his conquest of Jerusalem, this is where Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, and the place that three faiths all claim as holy.
You could say that everything that happens in Jerusalem is part of the prophetic journey that will ultimately lead to the Messiah setting His feet on the Mt of Olives and the redemption being enacted. This week, an exciting new development occurred, not in Jerusalem, but at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv that is another step on this redemption process.
In an incredibly exciting development, five red heifers landed in Israel yesterday. According to rabbis and leaders in the Orthodox community, these heifers could be used to reinstate many of the practices of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, even before the 3rd Temple is rebuilt.
Zac Waller, the Executive Director of our organization HaYovel, was privileged to attend the welcoming ceremony at the airport, along with a group of Christians and Jews. Ironically, the search for these red heifers, as well as the process of bringing them to Israel, has been spearheaded by a Christian Zionist from Texas.
The Orthodox Jewish community was especially welcoming of the fact that those from the nations should indeed be involved in the process bringing the red heifers to Israel, an astounding view as this is part of the Jewish journey to restore the Temple services in Jerusalem. At the welcoming ceremony, the small group witnessed the unloading of the heifers, recited blessings of thanksgiving, sang and danced, enjoyed a l’chaim, and even blew the shofar to celebrate this momentous occasion.
As Israel approaches the beginning of the fall feast season, the heightening of good versus evil could not be more strongly felt. While Jews and Christians worked together to bring the first red heifers to Israel in more than 2,000 years, those who hate Israel have been making very concrete threats to enact riots and violence on the Temple Mount during Rosh Hashanah and the rest of the upcoming fall holidays.
While we’re moving ever closer to the time of redemption, the forces of evil are working overtime to stop God’s plans and purposes.
It’s incredible that several red heifers have been brought to Israel, and could potentially be used in the reinstatement of the Temple services in the near future. At the same time, as believers in the Bible and God’s prophetic plan for Jerusalem, we first have to care about, and advocate for the place where God chose to place His Name, and where He said a House would one day be restored as a House of Prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7).
Whether Jew or Christian, from Israel or from the nations, we cannot let the enemies of Zion win. This Rosh HaShanah or Sukkot, do your part, and ascend the Temple Mount so that those who want to see God’s plans destroyed will know for sure that God’s followers will not let them win this war. If you’re not able to be in Israel, tune in to those who are, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and specifically, that the most volatile piece of real estate in the world, the Temple Mount, would soon become a place where light will be sent forth from Zion.
Jerusalem and the Temple Mount will one day be restored as a House of Prayer for all nations. May it be soon and in our day.
So lifted up to hear of the red heifers. Jesus is coming be ready world