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Will Animal Sacrifice be Reinstated in Jerusalem –and is this a sign of the times?
by Pastor Ray Bentley

Passover in Israel this year might be rather unique for modern times. “The present-day Sanhedrin Court decided Tuesday to purchase a herd of sheep for ritual sacrifice at the site of the Temple on the eve of Passover, conditions on the Temple Mount permitting,” reports the Haaretz news service.  You can read the entire article, dated February 28, 2007, here.

This modern Sanhedrin was established several years ago, headed by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz and is an attempt to renew the ancient Jewish high court, which existed until about 1600 years ago. And now they want to bring back ancient methods of worship, and reinstate the faith of their fathers.  If they pull this off, performing an animal sacrifice on the site of the Temple Mount will be very prophetically significant.

From the day Jesus left this earth, the church began talking about His return.  In a meeting of elders and apostles in the early church, James stood up and declared, “Brothers, listen to me. Simon has described to us how God at first showed His concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for Himself. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: ‘After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it...’” (Acts 15:13-16).

Rebuilding David’s tabernacle is not the full-blown rebuilding of Temple we anticipate (see Ezekiel 40).  But in the very near future we could see the tabernacle of David symbolically re-established as a place of heartfelt sacrifice and worship.  The modern Sanhedrin have significantly focused on the Temple Mount to bring back the ancient practice of Leviticus 17:11, also referred to in the book of Hebrews:  “The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (9:22).

Of course if this sacrifice actually happens on the Temple Mount, there will be massive, rage-filled protests —from Muslims, animal rights activists, non-orthodox Jews.  The list goes on.  But this is nothing compared to what the Antichrist will do as he rises to power.

There will be animal sacrifice restored to the Temple Mount.  We know this because the book of Daniel prophesies that the Antichrist will stop them:  “He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.'  In the middle of the 'seven' [years] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering” (Daniel 9:27).  He can’t stop the sacrifices unless they are once again put into practice.

If a lamb is actually sacrificed on the Temple Mount this Passover—or even if just the attempt is made—there will be an outcry, even though the Jews are legally allowed to do so!  How?  According to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181, Chapter 2, article one, in the city of Jerusalem, regarding all religions, “Freedom of conscience and the free exercise of all forms of worship, subject only to the maintenance of public order and morals, shall be ensured to all.”  This article was passed in 1947, and has been disputed and argued, but the language is pretty clear, even though right now, Jews are not allowed access to the Temple Mount area. You can read Resolution 181 for yourself here.  The entire chapter on religious rights is interesting in light of today’s developments.

When Jews feel compelled once again to shed blood to atone for their sins, and do it so publicly, the world will rise in protest.  More prophetic events will be set in motion, as we continue to pray for the day when everyone knows that Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of the world, shed His blood once, and for all.