Hundreds of Jews gathered at the Maimonides Rabbinical Institution plaza in Kiryat Moshe yesterday to learn how to carry out a passover sacrifice. Kohanim, Jews belonging to the priestly tribe of Israel, attended the event dressed in the garments the Temple Institute has recreated for them according to the Biblical pattern. Musicians belonging to the Levitical tribe were also there. Organizations associated with the Temple Mount have held similar rituals in the past, but this is the first time that students belonging to the newly established school for priests participated in the event. Ten students have so far enrolled in the new school, with the hope that they will one day be able to serve in the rebuilt Jewish temple.

Quote: “This isn’t the first time that the "Association of Temple Organizations" will hold this activity, but this year the practice drill and re-enactment of the Passover sacrifice will be carried out by the students of the school for priests, Nezer Ha-kodesh, which started operating this year. The priest school intends to train the hundreds of priests that would be needed to work at the third temple; many Jews endeavor for its establishment in Israel today.

It is interesting that this year marks the first of four 'blood moons' which are to fall on Jewish feast days over the next couple of years. I'm not entirely sure how much significance to attach to these events. I do believe the heavens were created “for signs, and for seasons”, Genesis 1:14. And there is no doubt that unusual astronomical occurrences often accompanied events of prophetic significance in the Bible. But none of these lunar eclipses will be visible from Israel. The Scriptures do talk about the sun being “turned into darkness” and the “moon into blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31). But there is no suggestion in Scripture that these are regular astronomical events. Rather Revelation 6:12-13 links them with an earthquake of epic proportions and the stars of heaven being cast down to earth. The Lord adds in Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken”. This does not sound like an ordinary solar or lunar eclipse.

Having said that, I do believe that Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes, and that the return of the Messiah is drawing near. The book of Daniel predicted that the sacrificial system will recommence in the last days (Daniel 9:27). And 2^nd Thessalonians and Revelation in the New Testament also speak of a rebuilt Temple standing in Jerusalem. The fact that twelve organizations in Israel are actively preparing for the rebuilding of the Temple, and are training priests in its daily administration, shows us just how close we may be to the coming of the Lord.

The sad thing is, this news shows us that the nation of Israel still does not recognize the one that the passover sacrifice pointed to. Generally speaking the Jewish people are content to continue on in the mere shadow of things, performing the same rituals which could not save the people then, and will not save them now. Of course the sacrificial system was instituted by God. But it was merely a 'type' that would find a greater fulfilment in the Person of the Messiah. The death of the animal showed man the legal consequences of his sin. It also showed him his need for a 'sin-bearer', a substitute that was able take the place of the guilty and bear the punishment in his stead. But those animal sacrifices could never take away sin. The animal could not understand why it was dying. It could never be a willing substitute. The sin-bearer had to be human. He had to be sinless. He could not die for another person's sin if He had sin of His own. His substitution would have to be voluntary, and be accepted by the Divine Judge. He would have to know the full weight of sin for which He was giving His life, and also the mind of God in relation to its required punishment, otherwise there might be some doubt as to whether the sacrifice was sufficient. Praise God that the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMaschiach, fulfilled all these requirements. Isaiah could say of Him, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all”, Isaiah 53:6. Jesus Christ is Israel's Passover Lamb. He was that Lamb of God that bore away “the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He is Israel's Messiah. And praise God He is coming back again soon. Are you ready to meet Him? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today (Acts 16:31).

Acts 13:38-39
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Source Al Monitor