November 5, 2009

Today was great day out, but many of the people missed out because they were sick. We had about 6 or 7 people sick today. We spent the whole day in the Jewish quarter. My favorite place that we visited today was the Temple Institute. The people in the Temple Institute have been doing lots of research on what the 2nd temple looked like so that they can build the 3rd temple. They research what the temple looked like inside, the traditions in the temple, how many priests there are, what each object in the temple looked like and how it was constructed. So, many items inside the temple mount are gold plated and then there are two items that are solid Gold. They have a manikin that has the traditional dress of the high priest and his solid gold crown. The other solid gold item is the Menorah. The people inside the Temple institute are so passionate about the idea of rebuilding the third temple. They were saying that God would destroy the Dome of the Rock; they will have no part of destroying the Dome of the Rock. Everything inside the Temple Institute will go into the third temple when it is built. Also, they believe the Ark of the Covenant is buried under the Temple Mount. They believe there is no need to make another Ark.

Show bread is miracle bread. If you look at the picture to the left you will see that it looks like a fig Newton with the inside taken out and cut straight down the middle. If it was regular bread the bread would collapse, but the showbread is not suppose to collapse and it suppose to stay warm as though it was just taken out of the oven 7 days prior. If they actually build another temple, I can’t wait to hear that their showbread has fallen and it is not warm after a full week of being inside the temple.

Their passion for rebuilding the Temple was getting me all excited though for a new temple. I know though that we no longer need a temple to give a sacrifice. Jesus came here to be that perfect Sacrifice. Praise the Lord!

The idea of a third temple is very controversial. There are Jews that believe that a third temple will be built, there are other Jews that believe they do not need a third temple because the messiah will come to earth and save them. The Muslims are threatened by the Jews for wanting to rebuild the third temple. They do not want them to destroy the Dome of the Rock for the purpose of rebuilding the temple.

The whole experience was very interesting…it was great hearing and see the passion of the people. We can look at their passion and relay it back into our lives. Sometimes the passion for God and his people can die if we do not seek after him. Seeking after him can definitely rekindle the passion.

I wish you could see all the beautiful things that are in the Temple Institute, but they had asked us not to take any pictures. Maybe someday you can go see it for yourself.