The tribe of Levi and the coming ‘Third Temple’
I received this from Koinonia House in my email box a few days ago.
THE TRIBE OF LEVI AND THE COMING THIRD TEMPLE
A group of Jews believed to be members of the ancient tribe of Levi gathered in Jerusalem last week to edify one another and to bless Israel. There is more to the gathering than a simple family reunion, however. Moses and Aaron were Levites, and the sons of Aaron were called to be the priests of Israel and to minister in the Temple. These descendants of the priestly line of Israel cannot gather together without awakening the hope for rebuilding the Temple.
The Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and, ever since, the priests of Israel have felt a keen hole in their calling. The sons of Aaron were given the job of ministering in the Temple and serving as priests to Israel, not just for a set period, but forever:
“…and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.” -Exodus 29:9
“And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.” - Numbers 25:13
Yet, for nearly 2000 years there has been no Temple in Jerusalem, and the Dome of the Rock sits on the Temple Mount. Yet, certain groups like the Temple Mount Faithful and members of the Tribe of Levi wait with hopeful expectation for the day when the Temple will be rebuilt.
When that day comes, the Aaronic priests, a “Cohen” in Hebrew, will be necessary to minister in the Temple. They also serve another vital function; no Jew will be able to enter the Temple to worship without first going through ritual purification, which can only be accomplished by a Cohen.
The Cohen-Levi family members who gathered in Jerusalem last week believe that they are direct descendants of Aaron, qualified to perpetuate the priestly holy calling once the Temple is rebuilt. They point to DNA research that has demonstrated that members of the Cohen family scattered across the world have a common set of genetic markers on the Y chromosome - which is passed from father to son without recombination.
Certain religious Jews note that there are many problems still standing in the way of building the Temple, not the least of which is Muslim opposition. There are also questions about the exact location of the First and Second Temples, the precise spot to put the altar, the ability to assemble a Sanhedrin to appoint a high priest, and other vital issues.
They, like us, await the arrival of Elijah and the Messiah, who will answer all questions and put everything right.
The lack of a Temple in Jerusalem is no difficulty for the Christian. Paul pointed out that our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). We have a High Priest who has passed through the heavens, and who sits on the right hand of God interceding for us (Heb. 4:14; 7:25-28; 8:1). We do not need the blood of lambs and goats to cover our sin, for we serve the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29; Heb. 9:12-14).
We do await, however, the rebuilding of the Third Temple. The Bible indicates it will be will be defiled by the Man of Sin (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess 2:4) before Christ returns to set up his Millennial Kingdom. There is still a future purpose for the Temple in the service of the LORD, as the throne of the Messiah.
I have posted my thoughts on the Sanhedrin’s role in the building of the third temple before:
Also Carla has given me a link to an article called ‘The Rebirth of the Sanhedrin‘ by Dr. David R. Reagan. Where he says:
One member, Rabbi Chaim Richman of Jerusalem, stated that many “cardinal issues” were being placed on the council’s agenda, including moral issues like abortion and agunot (estranged women whose husbands refuse to give them a divorce). Other issues to be considered in the future included the following:
- Determining the council’s decision-making procedures.
- Renewing the annual Passover sacrifice. (I have previously posted on this)
- Determining the precise length of the biblical cubit.
- Determining the precise location of the Temple. (I have previously posted on this)
- Ruling on the legality of the proposed disengagement from Gaza and Samaria.
- Considering the status of “lost” Jewish tribes.
- Unifying Shephardic and Ashkenazi religious practices.
- Restoring the Davidic monarchy.
To think that before 1948 all of this was just a pipe dream and now there are serious considerations about the building of the third temple. To think that the ‘Sanhedrin‘ has after 1600 years convened in the very same generation that witnessed the re-birth of Israel, is of amazing prophetic significance.
Some people say that it will be the return of ‘Ark of the Covenant‘ that will be the precusor to the building of the temple. Some say that Ethiopia has the ‘Ark of the Covenant’, while others say it is under the temple mount. Some say a copper scroll found in the qumran caves in 1952 say that the Ark may be in the valley of the kings.
Who knows where it is, or even if it will be found? One thing for sure — if it is found — it would certainly make world headline news!
I am looking for my Levi relatives in the USA and Isreal.
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