My husband and I were in Jerusalem some years ago and visited the Temple Institute. I am confused as to why the Jews stopped sacrificing, (I heard that it had to do with the ribbon on the goats no longer turning white) which is a good explanation. Why then would they be ready to “sacrifice again” by getting ready the temple parts and apparently could start sacrificing in less than a day if needed. Can you explain this?
The Jews maintained their daily sacrifice right up to the time of the Temple’s destruction, although the ribbon had stopped turning white over 30 years earlier. According to historical accounts, the priests paid Roman soldiers to bring them lambs even after no one was allowed to enter or leave the Temple.
At the Temple Institute you should have seen a model of Ezekiel’s Temple. It’s a Temple that’s never been built yet, but that Ezekiel said would be built for use in the Millennium. Jews call Ezekiel’s Temple the 3rd Temple, meaning it’s the one they are preparing to build next. Solomon’s Temple was the first and Herod’s was second.
Some Christians believe another Temple will be built first, for use during Daniel’s 70th Week. Daniel 9:27 mentions a Temple, and both Jesus (Matt. 24:15) and Paul (2 Thes. 2:4) link a Temple to the beginning of the Great Tribulation. John confirmed the existence of a “Tribulation Temple” in Rev. 11:1-2.
I believe the Jews will build Ezekiel’s Temple early in Daniel’s 70th Week for use both then and during the Millennium. Ezekiel 39:22 says that God will use the coming battle of Ezekiel 38 to reveal Himself to Israel again. In response, they will build a Temple so they resume the ancient Levitical worship system as their Old Covenant relationship requires.