Model of Herod’s Temple on display at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem (Wikipedia)
Since 1987, the Temple Movement in Israel has been preparing for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
This will be the third temple in the history of the Jewish people. King Solomon dedicated the First Temple in 953 B.C. which was then destroyed by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. The Second Temple period then started with the dedication of the rebuilt temple in 515 B.C. This occurred after the exiles in Babylon were allowed to return and rebuild the remains of Solomon’s Temple by a decree of King Cyrus. The Second Temple was then enlarged by King Herod in 20 B.C. and finally destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.
Since the final destruction of Herod’s Temple, observant Jews have historically prayed three times a day towards Jerusalem for the restoration of this most holy site. Now, preparations for a restored Third Temple have progressed to the point that all that may be left is the actual construction.
Completed architectural plans were released in 2015, when the Temple Institute released a video showing a 3-D architectural walk through of the Third Temple.
The Temple Institute has also created a wide variety of implements for use in the Temple ceremonies, these include: vestments and garments of the High Priest, golden menorah, golden crown of the High Priest, wine and water libation vessels, oil pitcher, three-pronged fork, measuring cups, copper meal offering vessel, frankincense censers, incense chalice, silver sacrificial vessel, three-tiered copper grain roasting stand, golden incense altar, and ram’s horns, sliver trumpets, harp and lyre.
Video: Architectural Rendering of The Third Temple
In 2015, the Institute also announced it had finished building the Alter of the Lord. This is the alter to be used for animal sacrifice in the Third Temple. This was following – after 2,000 years – by the priests of The Temple Institute accomplishing a realistic reenactment of the Passover sacrifice.
In 2016, priests performed a practice ceremony commemorating the 1st of Adar, again in anticipation of performing this ritual in the future Temple. The Temple Institute has been training DNA-tested descendants of Aaron as priests for years. And in 2017–again after 2,000 years–the half-shekel Temple tax was reinstated by the Sanhedrin which allows Jews around the world to pay the tax that finances daily operations of the Temple.
Throughout Israel, planting has been ongoing to provide the original promised land trees and plants for use in the Temple. These ‘Temple Forests’ include Cedars of Lebanon, pomegranate trees, cinnamon trees, olive trees, and grapevines. The resulting products of olive oils, wines, cinnamon, and even fire wood are all used in temple practices. Cinnamon for example is part of the mix needed to create Temple incense. Semolina (a type of wheat) and olive oil can each be offered as a sacrifice in the Temple.
In 2005 a date palm tree (the symbol of the Kingdom of Judah) came to life from 2,000-year-old seeds that were long considered to be extinct. The first tree was named Methuselah and by 2015 had grown to almost ten feet tall. As of 2021 six other seeds have also sprouted – named Jonah, Uriel, Boaz, Judith, Hannah, and Adam – and a second harvest of dates has occurred. So, we have now witnessed an original date palm restored to life and is ready for use in the Temple.
A critical requirement for Third Temple practices to begin is the existence of ashes from a red heifer. These ashes are mixed with spring water to form the waters of sanctification – which is water used on those who are impure. The call for a red heifer comes from the Book of Numbers:
Numbers 19:1-9: “Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never come. You shall give it to Eleazar the priest, that he may take it outside the camp, and it shall be slaughtered before him; and Eleazar the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, and sprinkle some of its blood seven times directly in front of the tabernacle of meeting. Then the heifer shall be burned in his sight: its hide, its flesh, its blood, and its offal shall be burned…Then a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and store them outside the camp in a clean place; and they shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for the water of purification; it is for purifying from sin.”
The Mishna (written collection of Jewish oral traditions) shows that from Moses until today only nine red heifers have been used for ashes – and no red heifer has appeared in Judaism for 2,000 years. Famed medieval Jewish philosopher Moses ben Maimon (known as Maimonides) left a prophetic statement that the “tenth red heifer will be accomplished by the king, the Messiah; may he be revealed speedily, Amen, May be G-d’s will”.
For years, the Temple Institute had attempted to raise a few red heifers without blemish, but with no success. Even the presence of one-off colored hair disqualifies the cow.
But then something miraculous occurred.
A Christian farmer in Texas succeeded in breeding five red heifers of perfect color all less than a year old. These heifers were sent to Israel in September 2022, to eventually be part of a ceremony on the Mount of Olives to be held once they reach three years of age.
In 2022, the Temple Institute announced the rediscovery regarding the science on how to produce Biblical crimson, which is a dye used as part of the red heifer ceremony. In Numbers 19:9 scarlet (crimson) dyed wool is stated to be burned as part of the creation of red heifer ashes, along with hyssop and cedar wood. So the process for creating crimson dye has now been rediscovered.
Unblemished Red Heifers in Israel 2023 (CBN News)
As of 2025, the Texas red heifers remain in Israel and appear to have remained unblemished, but when the actual ceremony will be held to create the required ashes remains a mystery. But once it does occur, we will have witnessed another powerful prophetic sign regarding the coming Third Temple.
From a Biblical perspective, we have no doubt that a Third Temple will one day become a reality. In Daniel 8 we see a reference to a little horn (the antichrist) proclaiming himself as equal to Christ (Prince of the host), being given an army, and ending the daily Third Temple sacrifices:
Daniel 8:11-12: “He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices.”
In Daniel 9, we are told that the Anti-Christ brokers a seven-year peace deal (referred to as a week) with Israel but then half-way through this period (the middle of the week) he fully reveals himself, as he puts a stop to Third Temple sacrifice and offering:
Daniel 9:27: “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate.”
In Daniel 11 we see that forces of the antichrist defile the sanctuary fortress (the Third Temple) with another reference to ending the daily sacrifices:
Daniel 11:31: “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.”
And in 2 Thessalonians we see the antichrist enter the temple and proclaim himself to be God, the event known as the ‘abomination of desolation’:
2 Thessalonians 2:4: “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
So, we are confident that a Third Temple will exist in the End Times. We also know that the Jews believe that the Third Temple must be built on the Temple Mount. The well-known issue is that any attempt to actually build on the Temple Mount may cause an immediate war with Muslim nations, since they consider the Temple Mount sacred to Islam.
But there has been a development regarding the location of the temple that has gained some notoriety.
As championed by Christian author Bob Cornuke, there is a documentary that makes the case that the Temple Mount is not actually the site of Herod’s Temple, but is instead the remains of the Roman Fortress Antonia. If this theory is ever accepted by Israel, then this might lead to an alternative way forward regarding the building of the Third Temple.
This astonishing theory was actually covered by the Jerusalem based news agency “Israel Today” in 2022.
Video: The Temple – Bob Cornuke
The progress that has occurred regarding the coming Third Jewish Temple is remarkable. And perhaps in our day there will be no greater prophetic sign than the restoration of this temple, that appears to be so close to becoming a reality.
Next – Chapter 20: A Serpent Approaches
