Since 1967, when Israel regained control of the Temple Mount, and 1987, when the Temple Movement began preparations to rebuild the Jewish Temple, steady progress has been made.
The Temple Institute and Temple Mount Faithful organizations in Israel have manufactured ritually approved utensils for Temple service and trained men whom they believe descend from the priestly and Levitical lines to be both priests (kohanim) and Levites to perform the sacred duties of Temple service—including renewing the sacrificial system.
To this end, they reconvened the Sanhedrin that oversees Temple activities and created blueprints for constructing the Temple. And each year, at major Jewish holidays connected to the Temple, they enact the burnt offering on a portable altar near the Temple Mount and hold music concerts related to Temple service.
In addition, and perhaps most important, Jewish groups have obtained qualified red heifers, whose ashes are required to purify the priests and ritual vessels in order to begin Temple construction and service (Num. 19). Some have staged trial burnings of disqualified heifers to practice for the expected day of the red heifer ceremony.
Since the recent war with Hamas and other Islamic jihadist factions supported by Iran and Turkey—who both declare they plan to seize and secure the Temple Mount exclusively for Islam—Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jews have ascended the Mount to pray. Those in the Temple Movement, supported by some in the current Israeli government, have announced plans to assert Jewish sovereignty over the Temple Mount and begin rebuilding the Temple.
How close these groups may be to accomplishing their goals will depend on the larger political agenda. That agenda involves the Abraham Accords and whatever compromises are made to prevent actions that would enflame the Islamic authorities deemed crucial to making peace in the Middle East.
Regardless of what happens with the current political situation, the signs of the coming of the Tribulation Temple are falling into place for the time the Lord has determined.
Dr. Randall Price is an author, world-renowned archaeologist, the founder and president of World of the Bible Ministries, and a board member of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.
