Breaking News: Temple Institute Announces Efforts to Raise a Pure Red Heifer in Israel

The Temple Institute announces plans to raise
a pure red heifer in Israel.
(Image source: The Temple Institute newsletter.)

Last week a friend shared with me a notice that The Temple Institute in Jerusalem was planning a major announcement on July 12th.

Here, in part, is the announcement that came via email:

Tammuz 25, 5775/July 12, 2015

After 2,000 years, with great thanks to the Almighty, we are pleased to announce: 

The Temple Institute is raising red heifers in Israel. For the first time in 2000 years, the restoration of Biblical purity is within reach... the prerequisite for building the Holy Temple. Click HERE to watch this video and learn how to participate in this historic project.  

The future is in our hands!

 Blessings from the holy city of Jerusalem,
 Rabbi Chaim Richman
The Temple Institute

The announcement included a fundraising link to raise the funds needed to accomplish this goal. More information is given on the fundraiser page. Here are a few pieces of information I found interesting:

What is a Red Heifer? 

The Red Heifer is a female cow, three years of age, with perfect consistency of a particular reddish hue, having not even two hairs of any other color. The heifer also may never be used for any type of labor, and must be totally blemish-free.  The ordinance of the para aduma, the Red Heifer, is found in the Torah, in the book of Numbers Chapter 19, and elucidated in the teachings of the Sages of Israel... 

Here's a bit more info:

What's the Difference Between an Ordinary Red Cow, and a Proper Red Heifer? 

Red cattle can be found throughout the world, and are not uncommon. However, raising a perfect red heifer in accordance with Biblical requirements for the fulfillment of the Numbers Ch. 19 commandment is a daunting task requiring advance planning, exacting preparation and constant supervision. In order for a heifer to be considered kosher for the Biblical use, it must literally be raised from birth under specific circumstances and in a controlled environment.  

The Project Has Begun: A Change in Conception 

In the past the people of Israel waited for the birth of a potential Red Heifer. But with Torah knowledge and advanced science, the Temple Institute has now begun to actively pursue this commandment.  For this unprecedented project, the Temple Institute has joined forces with an experienced cattle rancher here in Israel. This expert in the science of animal husbandry, under the halachic supervision and guidance of the rabbis of the Temple Institute, is utilizing the technique of implanting the frozen embryos of Red Angus cattle in Israeli domestic cattle.  The end result of this program will be the introduction of the Red Angus breed into Israel. This method, authorized and approved by Israel's Ministry of Agriculture, has already proven successful with the birth of a number of male Red Angus. The location and other details of the cattle ranch will remain undisclosed to the general public during the initial stages of the project. The Temple Institute will release periodic progress updates. 

And finally this is interesting because it differs from what I've always heard:

Myths:

• The appearance of a Red Heifer is miraculous...
• A Red Heifer cannot be prepared without first obtaining the ashes of the original Red Heifer 

Facts: 

• There is nothing miraculous about the birth of a red cow; they exist in plenty. But raising and preparing a heifer to be a potential candidate for fulfilling the Biblical commandment requires know-how:  halachic, scientific and animal husbandry expertise,  The Temple Institute's partnership with an expert Israeli cattleman represents the perfect synthesis of Torah knowledge and scientific expertise... and faith. A true religious-Zionist enterprise! ...
• There is no halachic prerequisite that requires the original ashes

Finally, here is the short video included with the announcement:

I've written on this blog my understanding from what I've been taught about the red heifer in these Related Posts: 

• February 12, 2015: Check out this Red Heifer born in Texas. Is it connected to Bible Prophecy? – Video Post

• April 18, 2015: Did the "Dig" TV Show Get it Right? - The Bible Prophecy of the Red Heifer

Tweetables:

Temple Institute announces plans to raise a #RedHeifer in #Israel. #Prophecy (Tweet that!)

Experts say ashes of original #RedHeifer are not required to purify the #Temple in Jerusalem! #EndTimes (Tweet that!) 

Did the "Dig" TV Show Get it Right? - The Bible Prophecy of the Red Heifer

"Dig Panel at Comic-Con 2014" by chrisjortiz - IMG_9185.
Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons  

This week we've been looking at some intriguing topics brought up by the TV show Dig. In the first episode, as a matter of fact if I remember right it was the first scene of the first episode, we saw traditional Jewish men arriving at a snowy farm in Canada to inspect a newly born calf.

Again, I thought it was intriguing that the folks behind the TV show Dig portrayed the red heifer needed to fulfill Bible prophecy. (Tweet that!)

A heifer is defined as:

A young female cow; especially: one that has not had a calf (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

I previously wrote a little bit about the red heifer in the Bible in my article:

• Check Out this Red Heifer Born in Texas. Is it connected to Bible Prophecy? – Video Post

I wanted to revisit the topic and give more information. Every few years I hear of a lot of excitement about another red calf that has been born followed by flurry of activity by Jewish authorities. (Tweet that!) Jewish authorities need to inspect any such calf to see whether the calf qualifies as being red enough (limited number of other-colored hairs) to be the red heifer needed for the ceremony to purify the rebuilt Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. (Tweet that!)

Just this past week a new article emerged talking about another red heifer which might be THE red heifer. (Tweet that!) The article sums up the information so well I'll let you read it rather than try to recap it here:

• Times of Israel: A Passover sign from God?

My question is, if this heifer is two years old, as this article says, why are we just now hearing about it? (Tweet that!)

Here's another article with the same title on a different blog:

• Jewish Voice Blog: A Passover sign from God?

Again, the TV show Dig has opened an opportunity to talk about some of the details that need to occur in order for Bible prophecies to be fulfilled.

Related Articles:

• Did the "Dig" TV Show Get it Right? – Training Temple Priests in Israel to Fulfill Bible Prophecy

• Did the "Dig" TV Show Get it Right? – Tunnels Under the Temple Mount in Bible Prophecy

• February 12, 2015: Check out this Red Heifer born in Texas.Is it connected to Bible Prophecy? – Video Post

Did the "Dig" TV Show Get it Right? - Tunnels Under the Temple Mount in Bible Prophecy

"Dig Panel at Comic-Con 2014" by chrisjortiz - IMG_9185. 
Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons  

In the previous post, Did the "Dig" TV Show Get it Right? – Training Temple Priests in Israel to Fulfill Bible Prophecy, I gave an introduction to the TV show Dig and some of the little known pieces of information about Bible prophecy portrayed in the show. (Tweet that!)

Another tidbit of information is about the extensive network of tunnels that exist under the Temple Mount. (Tweet that!) Some of the scenes in the show take place in these tunnels.

I wrote an article about the Temple Mount tunnels previously on this blog here:

A Unique Glimpse: Tunnels Under the Temple Mount (May 27, 2014)

One very interesting belief about these tunnels is that this may be where the currently-missing Ark of the Covenant is located. (Tweet that!) Here is a portion of an article on the Temple Institute's site titled "Israeli Institute Prepares Priests for Jerusalem's Third Temple" (April 9, 2014):

Everything is ready, then, except two additional, small matters. The easy one, you'd be surprised, is the Ark of the Covenant. "The Second Temple didn't have an ark, either," Segel reminds me, and Friedman adds, "There are 10 studies about the location of the Ark of the Covenant. We read them and studied all of them, and reached the conclusion that the right answer is that it's buried in the tunnels under the Temple Mount. When the day comes, we will get to it."

(Tweet that!)

Image from IMDb.com 

I haven't been able to determine if the scenes portrayed in the tunnels were actually filmed in the tunnels under Jerusalem's Temple Mount (Tweet that!), but if so, it was very fun and intriguing to see some of these tunnels.

Related Article:

• Did the "Dig" TV Show Get it Right? – Training Temple Priests in Israel to Fulfill Bible Prophecy

Did the "Dig" TV Show Get it Right? – Training Temple Priests in Israel to Fulfill Bible Prophecy

"Dig Panel at Comic-Con 2014" by chrisjortiz - IMG_9185. 
Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons  

Have you been watching the new TV show Dig? It airs on the USA Network and the first episode ran March 5, 2015.

I was incredibly intrigued because the previews showed glimpses of Old Jerusalem.  So of course I had to watch and check it out.

Here is the recap of what the show is about from IMDb.com:

Peter, an FBI agent stationed in Jerusalem who, while investigating a murder of a young female archaeologist, uncovers a conspiracy 2000 years in the making.

I can't figure out why the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations, which I though investigated federal crimes here on U.S. soil, would have an agent or an office in Jerusalem, Israel. Don't think he'd have any jurisdiction in real life. Don't think he'd actually be "stationed" there in real life. But anyway, here at my house we watched the first episodes – I believe it was two and a half episodes.*

The opening of the pilot had me thrilled because the show started with what I thought might be little-known facts about the Bible even among Christians (Tweet that!), interesting tidbits that I've run across in my studies. For example these three items were portrayed:

• The training of priests from boyhood in a special location and their feet are not allowed to touch the ground. Ever.

• The extensive tunnels beneath the Temple Mount.

• And the red heifer.

These are things that I believe most people don't know about (especially #1 and #3). I think even most Christians who study the Bible faithfully may not know much about these details. (Tweet that!) So it caused me to wonder who is behind this TV show? It made me want to research that, which I haven't done yet. But I thought it would be interesting to talk a bit about these three items here on the blog, so we're doing that this week in this post and the next two.

I was amazed that the creators of the show had in place the training of a special priest who has been raised from birth to perform a certain function (not yet revealed on the show).  I had heard years ago that there is a school in Jerusalem that is training young boys to be priests and perform all the duties of the Jewish Temple (Tweet that!), should it be rebuilt or when it is rebuilt.

As you can imagine, a lot of training that would need to be done in order to properly perform all the sacrifices and ceremonies properly. These are jobs that have not been performed since 70 A.D. when the Herod's Temple (the Second Temple) was destroyed. (Tweet that!)

I also heard at that time years ago that for at least some of these young boys, and I'm not clear if this was all of them or just certain positions such as, perhaps, the High Priest, that these boys were never to allow their feet to touch the ground. They were to keep themselves that holy. I remember finding and reading an article about it at the time which I wanted to share with you here, but I was unable to find it. Perhaps that is now controversial as it is made to be considered abusive as it is portrayed in the TV show.

As a matter of fact, in the first episode one of the boys so longed to be outside and to walk on grass that he did, and then this young child was ruthlessly shot in the head by the weird, cult-ish, evil, homicidal "Christians." It was extremely sick how Christians are portrayed on the show, which unfortunately is not unusual for Hollywood. But no worries, they have another boy to take the first one’s place – an identical boy, no doubt a clone.

Anyway, back to real life: Here is one article I found about the training of priests to serve in the rebuilt Temple. (It does not mention the restriction from touching the ground though.)

• Hanukkah at Temple Institute: Working to Rebuild the Temple (Nov 25, 2013)

Image from IMDb.com 

At any rate, whoever is behind this TV show has done some deep research which I find fascinating. It's just too bad they are doing so much ugly with it.

*As I said, we watched two and half episodes. I'm pretty sure it was the third episode that opened with a sex scene (not the first one in the series) that was more graphic than we care to watch – between the main character/FBI Agent (Jason Isaacs) and his boss (Anne Heche). We sat through that reluctantly, but later in the same episode there was a short scene in a gay bar (yeah, in Jerusalem) followed by a scene where two men were ripping their clothes off and we didn't stick around to watch any more of that.

So we're done with the TV show Dig at my house and I can't recommend that you watch it. But it opened up a good opportunity to discuss some little known information about Bible prophecy of the rebuilt Temple. (Tweet that!) We'll talk about it more in the next post.

Will the “Framework Agreement” with Iran be the False Peace Treaty in Bible Prophecy?

"Negotiations about Iranian Nuclear Program - 
the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Other Officials 
of the P5+1 and Ministers of Foreign Affairs 
of Iran and EU in Lausanne" 
by United States Department of State
Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

I had a friend ask me the other day if the "framework for a deal with Iran," which seems to be coming to be known as the "Framework Agreement," which the Obama Administration has worked out via Secretary of State John Kerry could be the "false peace treaty" in Bible prophecy. (Tweet that!) I had to admit I was kicking myself that I had not thought of that possibility.

Let me explain what my friend was referring to. The Bible speaks of "weeks" which we understand to be "weeks of years," in other words 7-year segments of time. In Daniel 9:20-27 the prophet Daniel saw a vision of the angel Gabriel, whom Daniel had seen and met with before. This time, Gabriel gave Daniel insight and instruction about "seventy sevens." We understand these to be 70 weeks of years.

Then in Daniel 9:25 Gabriel speaks of "seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.'" That totals 69 sevens. Which means there is one more "seven" left: the 70^th seven, or one more "week of years," a 7-year period.

There are, of course, different ideas about this, but many (if not most?) scholars believe there was an indeterminate gap of time between the 69^th week in Daniel and the 70^th week. And this final 70^th week of 7 years will be the final 7 years of history on earth as we know it now.

Then Daniel says this about that 70^th week of years:

"He [that is the Antichrist] will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." (Daniel 9:27, NIV 1985)

As you can see, there is a covenant with "many." I believe most scholars think this is the Jewish people. I wonder if it isn't the majority of people on the earth?

This covenant is for one seven-year period. But in the middle of this seven – in other words, at the 3½ year point – the Antichrist breaks the covenant. (Tweet that!) This means the Antichrist never really meant for there to be lasting peace and so it was a "false peace." (Tweet that!)

We know the Jewish Temple has been rebuilt on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem at this point because sacrifices are going on, and that is the only place Jewish sacrifices can take place. (Tweet that!)

Then, in the middle of this seven-year so-called peace deal, the Antichrist puts an end to sacrifice, meaning he stops the Jewish sacrifices going on at the Temple.

When he, the Antichrist, breaks that covenant at the half-way point through the seven years, all hell breaks loose quite literally. The Antichrist sets himself up as God in the Jewish Temple or "on a wing of the temple" and this attempt to usurp God's rightful place as King of kings and Lord of lords is the last straw: the abomination that causes desolation.

So, for prophecy watchers, we are watching for these two things:

• the Temple to be rebuilt on the Temple Mount where sacrifices resume for the first time since 70 A.D., and

• the start of a “peace” deal which we know will be killed after 3½ years.

So the question is, could this so-called deal with Iran that the United States and other nations are painfully claiming to be negotiating with Iran be that Biblically prophesied false peace deal? And furthermore, considering the previous post, I’m wondering might this "peace deal" be made on the 9^th of Av? (Tweet that!) It's something to watch.

Related Article:

• Previous post: Can this Date be Biblically Prophetic? Important Events in Jewish History on the 9th of Av

Will the Muslim Caliph Rule from the Temple Mount? - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 6 -- Plus Easter Moments Countdown Days 25 & 24

End Times Eyewitness:
Israel, Islam and the Unfolding
Signs of Messiah's Return

This is Part 6 post of a 9-part series on what Islam teaches about "End Times" prophecy. (Tweet that!) It amazes me that Islam even has prophecies of the "End Times" and I wonder if it did from its beginning (the 7th century A.D.). (Tweet that!) It's so clear to see how the End Times prophecies in the Bible have been stolen and twisted into something close but different...and yet the same because the "messiah figures" of Islam have written themselves right into the Bible prophecies of the Antichrist and his False Prophet -- the agents of evil. (Tweet that!)

Satan's mission is to steal, kill, and destroy and he thinks that by "stealing" the Bible prophecies -- which were actually written about him -- twisting them into something that looks attractive to some, he can kill the people who truly love God and destroy God's prophecies of the End Times. But the fact is the End Times prophecies will play out just as God has said and God is the Victor, not Satan. (Tweet that!)

I am presenting this series of blog posts to inform Christians (because I know you'll be fascinated as I am!), and to educate those who do not know about these things (Tweet that!) so you will not be taken in by the twisted lies but will see the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ -- and therefore will follow him only. (Tweet that!)

If you have not read the previous posts in this series, you will find links to them under "Related Posts" at the bottom of this post.

My thanks to Joel Richardson and his team for creating this enlightening DVD. Here's another piece of interesting information form the DVD:

Joel Richardson introduced this section of the DVD with this: "To discuss the Muslim expectations concerning their two primary Messiah figures, I sat down with two Muslim leaders. The first was Adnar Oktar of Istanbul. And the second was Sheikh Ekrima Said Sabri. Sabri is the President of Quranic and Islamic Studies at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem...."

Continuing a bit later on the DVD:

Joel Richardson: "...according to Islamic prophecy, the Mahdi will be a Muslim Caliph, or a global Muslim leader, together with the Muslim Jesus, will actually establish his seat of Islamic authority on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem." 

[Sabri,explaining Muslim beliefs as translated in captions on DVD:] "The Mahdi will be Caliph for the Muslims. The Muslims will follow him and his rule. Due to the fact that Jerusalem and Palestine are the center of the Islamic world, there can be no question that the Muslims and the Mahdi will be established there during that period of time. When Mahdi will come at the end of days his rule will not stand only in Jerusalem or Palestine but in all the world."

Do not be deceived. This is not the true Jesus. (Tweet that!) This is the Antichrist and his False Prophet who have come to deceive the whole world (if that were possible). His mission is to steal the position of King that the real Jesus truly owns, to kill and destroy the people who love the true Jesus. (Tweet that!) The Antichrist and his False Prophet will be able to wreak havoc in this world, but ultimately they will not succeed. (Tweet that!)

So who will you follow? Can you tell the difference between the players? (Tweet that!) Between the real Jesus and this masked impostor called the "Muslim Jesus"? (Tweet that!)

Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. (Mark 13:5-6)

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. (Luke 21:7-8) 

Related Articles:

• Amazing Bible and Islamic Prophecy Parallels - Part 1
• Muslims' Teach the Lie that Jesus Will Deny the Cross! -Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 2
• All Inhabitants of the Earth Will Worship the Beast - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 3
• Peace, When There is No Peace - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy -Part 4
• Sacrifices Being Performed at the Rebuilt Jewish Temple - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 5

Easter Moments:

• Countdown Day 25: Jesus Your Scapegoat

• Countdown Day 24: Jesus was The LORD's Goat

(Tweet that!)

Sacrifices Being Performed at the Rebuilt Jewish Temple - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 5 -- Plus Easter Moments Countdown Days 27 & 26

In this segment, Joel Richardson continues his discussion of the Muslim expectations concerning their two primary Messiah figures with Adnar Oktar of Istanbul, Turkish Muslim Leader, a controversial television host.

Mr. Richardson asks Mr. Oktar about the Muslim view of important Bible prophecy about the resumption of sacrifices at the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. (Tweet that!)

[Joel Richardson speaking on the DVD]: "I also asked Mr. Oktar about his belief that during the time of the Mahdi's reign, sacrifices and offerings will be reinstated on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. His response was very revealing." 

[Adnar Oktar, Turkish Muslim Leader, Television Host, translated and captioned on DVD]: "At this moment in time, neither Christians, nor Jews, nor Muslims can slaughter their sacrifices there. At the time of the Mahdi -- and we believe that we are at that time -- both offerings and sacrifices will be freely performed there. This will be among the first acts of Mahdi; the rebuilding of Prophet Solomon's House of Worship so that all believers may freely offer their sacrifices, offerings and prayers there."

This is the first I have heard of Islam religion having any kind of sacrifices. What are the Muslim sacrifices anyway? Is there any such thing? (Tweet that!) There are not different sacrifices for different religions doing whatever sacrifices they want on the Temple Mount. Doing such a thing is a perversion. (Tweet that!)

Of course this also reveals the ignorance of a Muslim leader who thinks Christians offer sacrifices on the Temple Mount. Christians do not. We do not because Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb slain for us. (Tweet that!)

For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7

All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. Revelation 13:8, (emphasis added)

Bible prophecies do state that in the End Times, the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and sacrifices will resume there temporarily...until the Antichrist puts a stop to them. (Tweet that!) The Antichrist will confirm a 7-year covenant but will break it half way through, after three and a half years. That prophecy is found here:

He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” 
Daniel 9:27

“His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.

Daniel 11:31

Here are some important realities:

• The pattern of the Tabernacle (in Moses' day) and the later Temple (in David's son Solomon's day) in Jerusalem is a working picture of the Messiah's work to redeem mankind from sin to the One True God. 

• The picture of the Temple was completely fulfilled in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ when He, Who is God come in flesh, came. (Tweet that!)

• This same Temple will be rebuilt and the Hebrew/Jewish sacrifices will resume just before the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in flesh to the Temple Mount. This is Bible prophecy. (Tweet that!)

(I taught more about the Temple and the sacrifices picturing the Lord Jesus Christ in my book Prophecies Fulfilled in the Life of Jesus. There are still a few copies of that book available. To get yours, follow that link, click "See All Buying Options," and purchase from Connect Books.)

Any other sacrifices -- other than those given to the Jewish people to perform in the Old Testament of the Bible -- are a perversion and an abomination. (Tweet that!)

Related Articles:

• Amazing Bible and Islamic Prophecy Parallels - Part 1
• Muslims' Teach the Lie that Jesus Will Deny the Cross! -Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 2
• All Inhabitants of the Earth Will Worship the Beast - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 3
• Peace, When There is No Peace - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy -Part 4

Easter Moments:

• Countdown Day 27: They Hate Him Without Reason

• Countdown Day 26: All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us…!"

(Tweet that!) 

Christmas Advent Day 5: The Bethlehem Shepherds and the Temple Sheep (Video Post)

I'm sure you remember the part of the Bible Christmas story where the angel, Gabriel, appeared to the shepherds tending their sheep on the hills near Bethlehem. (Tweet this!)

But have you ever thought about why shepherds were keeping their sheep on the hills near Bethlehem? (Tweet that!)

And why, of all the shepherds tending sheep in all of Israel, would Gabriel have come to those shepherds, the ones near Bethlehem? (Tweet that!)

I think there's a clue, if you think about what those sheep were for.

Find out more in today's Christmas story video.

The Scripture I refer to in today's video is Luke 2:8. Here is that verse with the surrounding context:

• Luke 2:8

"The Bethlehem Shepherds & the Temple Sheep" 

Christmas story vlog 

with Dianne E. Butts - 5 of 12

Related Articles: 

Catch up on this special series of Christmas Advent video posts here:

• Christmas Advent Day 1: And He Shall Be Called the Son of God (Video Post) 
• Christmas Advent Day 2: Jesus is a Descendant of Abraham (Video Post)
• Christmas Advent Day 3: The Virgin Birth (Video Post) 
• Christmas Advent Day 4: Was Jesus Born on the Feast of Tabernacles? (Video Post) 

Please come back on Thursday for the next Christmas Advent video. Invite a friend! Please share this with your social network buddies using the buttons below. See you Thursday.

Six Events that Must Happen Before the Rapture According to Bible Prophecy (Video Post)

Author John Shorey

In the previous post we heard from author John Shorey about fascinating calculations he has made from the Solar Eclipse coming next March 20, 2015, to the Feast of Trumpets in 2018. (Tweet that!) If you missed that, you can find a link at the end of this post.

Today, here's a short video with more information from author John Shorey.  He talks about six things that must happen before the Rapture. (Tweet that!)

Some of them have already occurred. (Tweet that!)

Most of these we have talked about on this blog. (Tweet that!)

Most people I know who believe in the Rapture believe it will happen before the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation Period, although there are other theories including the Mid-Tribulation theory. (Tweet that!) This means the Rapture would occur three and a half years into, or half way through, the Tribulation Period.  This is Mr. Shorey's position and he gives a compelling case for it. (Tweet that!)

I haven't read any of his books, but I admit I'm interested and am putting them on my to-read list.

Here is today's short video which took place on Pastor Jim Bakker's show with author John Shorey as a guest:

Jim Bakker with John Shorey

Posted October 3, 2014

Runs 2:19 

Scheduled for Tuesday: a recent statement from Jim Bakker posted October 30th, 2014.

Related Article:

• Israel turns 70 years old in 2018 - Signs in Bible Prophecy Must Be Significant (Video Post)

The "Abomination that Causes Desolation" Spoken of Through the Prophet Daniel - Part 4: What is it?

Morguefile.com 

I'm not sure we know exactly what the "abomination that causes desolation" is or what it will look like, but it seems to be when the Antichrist comes on the scene and then sets himself up in the Jewish Temple of God and claims that he himself is God. (Tweet that!)

That is the “abomination that causes desolation.”

It is an abomination because there is no god but the one true God! (Tweet that!)

This is what the Lord says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and the last; apart from me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6, NIV)

I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me... (Isaiah 45:5, NIV)

This causes desolation because the whole earth, meaning every nation, every people group, everyone, is gravely affected by what happens next. (Tweet that!)

This abomination begins at the time Daniel 11:31-32 tells us: 

His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

Verse 31 tells us "his" (that’s the Antichrist) armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress. (Tweet that!)

Secondly, he will "abolish the daily sacrifice" of sheep at the Temple. Again, this tells us the Temple must be standing on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, because that is the only place where the daily sacrifices of lambs by the Jewish people can take place.  (Tweet that!) (Can you imagine how many people will be against these sacrifices taking place, from the animal-rights people to other religions who find this repulsive?)

In order for this prophecy to be fulfilled -- that of the Antichrist putting a stop to the sacrifices -- the Temple must be standing and the Jewish sacrifices must be going on. Therefore, when the Temple is rebuilt on the Temple Mount, this is an extremely significant sign of the End Times which has not yet occurred in our day. (Tweet that!)

The Curtain in the Temple Ripped In Two

Thanks Morguefile.com

In the Temple in Jerusalem, there were two rooms. The Holy Place was the front two thirds of the Temple and contained the Lampstand, the Table of Bread, and the Incense Altar. The back one third of the Temple was called the Holy of Holies and contained the Ark of the Covenant. These two rooms were separated by a large, beautiful curtain.

The Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant sat represented the very throne room of God where His presence resided. The great curtain separated—and protected—the people from the presence of God. This protection was necessary because sinful humans cannot just come into God's holy presence.

God cannot, or will not, tolerate sin in His presence. (We talked about that more on March 24 in the post "Jesus was The LORD's Goat," and March 25 in the post "Lifted Up Part 1.")

So sin must be dealt with before we sinful humans can enter the presence of God. (Tweet that!)

Dealing with the sin of every sinful human is what Jesus did on the cross. But he doesn't force that on us. It's available to everyone, but it's only applied to those who will reach out and grasp it and take it as their own. You gotta want it. If you do, salvation is available to you through Jesus. (Tweet that!)

Once Jesus paid the penalty for the sin of every human who ever lived with his blood shed on the cross, the way into the presence of God was opened. (Tweet that!)

This is why the great curtain ripped in two. The way to God was now open.

Scripture tells us the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Seeing how this curtain was around 60 feet tall, who do you think did the tearing? Who opened the way for you and me to enter God's presence?

Have you taken the option available to you through the death of Jesus to have your sins paid for so you can step into the presence of God? If not, why not do so today by telling Jesus in prayer that's what you want to do? (Tweet that!)

"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split" (Matthew 27:50-51).

Special Note:

You can read more about how the Temple in Jerusalem reveals Jesus' work to redeem us in my next book, book three in the "Prophecies Fulfilled" series, Prophecies Fulfilled in the Life of Jesus. (Release date not yet set. You can check for availability here: Dianne's Amazon Author Page, and watch for announcements on the "Prophecies Fulfilled Books" page by clicking on the tab at the top menu on this blog.)

Destroy This Temple and I Will Raise It Again in Three Days

Thanks Morguefile.com 

Early in his ministry, Jesus went to Jerusalem for Passover. When he visited the Temple, he found dishonest businessmen selling products needed for worship at the Temple and other goods doing their business right on the Temple grounds.

This angered Jesus not only because they were selling goods on the sacred grounds, but because their dishonesty and price gouging  on the items needed for worship hindered the ability of the people to freely worship God.

Jesus cleaned up this mess, turning over tables and chasing these businessmen off the Temple grounds.

The Jewish leaders demanded to know what authority Jesus had to do this. They wanted a miraculous sign to prove His authority. This is Jesus' response:

"Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days,' " John 2:19.

What the Priests and Jewish leaders did not know or grasp—although they could have if they had sought wisdom and understanding from God and His Word in the written scripture—is that Jesus was the Temple personified! (Tweet that!)

When Jesus said, "Destroy this temple," he was predicting that was exactly what they would do: destroy his person, his body.

When Jesus said he would "raise it again in three days," he meant his body, which was the personification of the Temple.*

The Jewish leaders, however, because they would not seek the truth from God, believed Jesus meant the earthly Temple would be destroyed—a horrifying thought because without the Temple, they thought they had no way of worshiping God.

This, this is the charge that convicted Jesus and won the Jewish leaders his death sentence in his trials. But the testimony that wrongly convicted him as an innocent man wasn't quite accurate.

"Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 'We heard him say, "I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man." ' Yet even then their testimony did not agree" (Mark 14:57-59).

The Jewish leaders called it blasphemy.

Yet the Jewish leaders successfully destroyed the Temple: Jesus.

But there was prophecy in Jesus' words. He predicted that after he was destroyed, he would raise on the third day. And that is exactly what he did (Tweet that!):

"Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, 'Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?'

"But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 

" 'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him' " (Mark 16:2-6).

Jesus, the personification of the Temple, was destroyed and then raised on the third day, just as he had predicted. (Tweet that!)

Amazing!

*You can learn more about how Jesus is the personification of the Temple in my soon-coming book, Prophecies Fulfilled in the Life of Jesus, due to be released soon from Pix-N-Pens. Check here for updates to availability: Dianne's Amazon Author Page.