The Red Heifer

Two weeks ago, the Temple Institute publicly confirmed for the first time with video footage that they have found (and taken) a red heifer.

It was "a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke" - all in accordance to Numbers 19. To many, it was a nondescript event; but to those waiting for the re-building of the Third Temple and prophecy watchers, it is perhaps one of the most exciting confirmation where we are on God's timeline. After all, Israel hasn't had a red heifer for almost two thousand years and a pure red heifer is a rare anomaly. 

The red heifer is a picture of Christ - perfect and without blemish - who was slain "outside the camp", and through his death (ashes) comes the "purification for sin". So important was this ritual, God said "it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever".

Without the red heifer, there is no purification of sin - and Temple Service cannot re-commence. The Temple Institute has re-created virtually all that is necessary for Temple Service - the priestly garments, the Menorah, the incense and even the blue-print for the Temple; Levites are being trained to serve in the coming temple. Even now, they have "enough people" to man the temple. 

More than 800 years ago, while the Jews were yet scattered, Maimonides (a revered Jewish rabbi) taught that the coming (tenth) red heifer "will be accomplished by the King, the Messiah". The Jews are excited, because it is confirming that God is dealing with Israel again. The dry bones have come alive, many have been gathered from the four winds, the desert is blooming, the former and latter rains have returned, and now, the heifer is come - only the re-building of the Temple is left. God is preparing His people - and they are about to cry out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord", and great is their desire.

Let's pray along for Israel and Jerusalem. Exciting things will be unfolding this year and next, and we, of all generations, have a front-row view as prophecy unfolds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byAoFbA6cr8

Barbs

Struthof was the only concentration camp the Nazis operated on French soil and remains a solemn reminder of the Holocaust and its brutal insanity. 

As we walked the camp, I could not help noticing the trees lining the paths. These were trees of old - I could tell because the bark has formed over the rusty barbed wire that ran through them. Almost immediately, I was caught by the power of this haunting image. 

We are like trees, and the barbed wires are the hurts inflicted on us over time. From time to time, some barbs hurt us really deep, and eat into us. They not only leave their mark, but literally become part of us.

Often, we gloss over these barbs, rationalizing that "it's no big deal", and as time passes, we begin to heal, and get over these unpleasant moments of our lives. The wounds, the pain, the rust, the unforgiveness are all swept under. We appear to have healed - new bark has grown over where the puncture was. On the surface, everything looks fine - but the reality is that, the barb is now inside us. 

Should anyone tug the barbed wire (whether intentionally or unintentionally), they pull at the barb within us, and the pain becomes excruciating. If any one attempts to pull the wire out, it will destroy a good part of ourselves. All the bark that had grown over would be torn open again. The clean-up will be messy. 

It is certainly easier to have treated the wound years ago when it was yet fresh. The longer we leave it, the more difficult it is to be completely healed. If any one needs to be forgiven, forgive them today.