by Stephen Spykerman
Something unusual is afoot in the shifting politics of the Mideast. The possibility of an Israeli-Palestinian Two-State solution has been virtually dead for several years. Indeed, it has scarcely been mentioned by the Mideast nations at all. Then something rather odd and unexpected happened. Israeli Prime Minister Lapid himself recently called for such a Two-State solution during his speech to the UN at its recent meetings. That raised eyebrows as Israel has been under little public pressure to do anything about this seemingly “dead in the water” proposal. What prompted Prime Minister Lapid to suggest diplomatic action on this matter when Israel was under little meaningful pressure to do so? In this prayer newsletter, I will offer one possible reason. If it turns out to be the case, it will change Mideast politics for the rest of this age.
It is also worth noting that US President Joe Biden also called for a Two-State solution in his UN speech. The USA and Israel often move in lock-step on such matters in Mideast politics, but could there be something much larger that is at stake in Mideast politics at this juncture in history?
As you all know, the Abraham Accords created diplomatic relations and economic and travel ties between Israel and several Sunni Arab nations. However, Saudi Arabia has been conspicuous by its absence in that process; however, that may be about to change. Saudi Arabia has long had a proposal on the table to create peaceful ties between Israel and circa 22 Arab nations, whenever a Two-State solution took place between Israel and the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia recently mentioned that plan as a still-active option. Two things have happened that may be making Israel look carefully at acting on the Saudi proposal. Indeed, Lapid’s speech at the UN calling for a Two-State solution may be the first overt step
in making it happen.
The First Development
The first development that may be hastening the enactment of a Two-State solution is the continuing progress of Iran toward building nuclear weapons. This puts much pressure on the Israelis and the Sunni Arab nations to make a common cause against Iran to deter and/or defeat an Iranian attack.
The Second Development
The second development is something called “the ashes of red heifers.” The arrival of these heifers greatly heightened the eagerness of many in the Jewish state to build a Third Temple on the Temple Mount. The Temple Institute in Israel exists to hasten that into becoming a reality and to prepare everything that will be needed to service a Third Temple. One of the requirements for dedicating a Temple would be the need to use the ashes of a red heifer as part of the purification ceremonies for a Third Temple. It now appears that acceptable “red heifers” have finally been found to be used in such a sacrificial ceremony and according to my understanding the Jewish Sanhedrin would have to make a final determination whether the red heifers now available are acceptable. It would seem that Yehovah’s prophetic agenda is suddenly accelerating at great speed.
The five heifers which have landed at Ben Gurion on the 15th of September 2022 are just over a year old, and they must be two years old before they can be sacrificed. We read in Numbers 19 about the Law of Purity and how the ashes of the red heifer mixed with running water can make one that is unclean, or in Hebrew ‘TAME’, both clean and pure. Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Messianic believers, around the world are getting excited about this startling prophetic end-time news. Many of them understand that once this ritual sacrifice of the red heifer is completed; then the cleansing of the priests can take place, which will then be followed by the cleansing of the Temple site followed by the building of the Third Temple.
In a private meeting some 17 years ago with Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute, I asked him if the Temple the Institute was preparing to build would be the Temple cited in the Book of Ezekiel. His answer was NO! You see, Chaim Richman would be absolutely horrified to know that the Temple they are trying to build in all sincerity will be occupied by the Anti-Christ.
However, we do not necessarily need a Temple to have the daily sacrifices restored. Indeed, there is a biblical precedent that daily sacrifices at a proposed Temple site can start before the Temple is built. In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, Jewish exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem and they built a Temple there. It is recorded in Ezra 3:6
On the first day of the seventh month, they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundations of the Temple of the LORD had not been laid.”
It can take many years for a glorious new TEMPLE to be built, yet a suitable ALTAR may be erected in a couple of months. The Temple Institute already has the stones prepared for this very purpose. Indeed, they have even earmarked the site of the altar! Thus, we could see this altar being assembled in September next year when the red heifers have reached the required age of two years!
As soon as the sacrifices are underway, this epic world event will see the arrival of the AntI-CHRST, when the prophesied sacrifices are taken away by this “VILE person’, we will enter into the territory described by the prophet Daniel in DANIEL 12:11:
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION is set up shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.”
This is awesome! All of world history is speeding toward its final day. THE AGE OF REBELLIOUS MAN is coming to an end right now in our day! Soon now the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will usher in a new age, the AGE OF MESSIAH!
“Therefore, when you see the ‘Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand).” Matthew 24:15
Then comes the next step in Yehovah’s prophetic agenda:
“And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants; to harm them, he must be killed in like manner. These have the power to shut heaven so that no rain falls in their prophecy; Revelation 11:3-6
In the interest of promoting an overall peace and alliance between Israel and the Sunni nations, an acceptable Two-State solution could make a Mideast Peace Accord possible that would (A) result in Saudi Arabia becoming the custodian of the Islamic sites on the Temple Mount and (B) allow Israel to construct a Third Temple on the Temple Mount. Saudi Arabia and Jordan may jointly provide security on the Temple Mount. This outcome would be very beneficial for both the Saudis and Israelis. I sense that any acceptable Two-State solution would be primarily negotiated by Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Palestinians. The Palestinians may not receive all that they desire in such an agreement, but if it is acceptable to Saudi Arabia, a lot of pieces could fall into place quickly to make the Abraham Accords include many more Islamic nations, expand Saudi jurisdiction over Islamic sites on the Temple Mount and make a Third Temple a reality.
The Islamic nations and the Israelis need each other a great deal to form a common front vs. the Shiite Iranians so there is much to be gained by all parties if such an agreement can be made. I think it is key to realize that if the Israelis make a Two-State solution offer to the Palestinians that the Saudis accept, immense pressure will be put on the Palestinians to accept it as the “best deal possible.” If the Palestinians refuse an offer the Saudis deem acceptable, then the Saudis (and other Sunni nations) can declare the Israelis made a good faith offer but the Palestinians rejected it. Such a development could make the Abraham Accords be expanded into a regional pact or alliance that will be implemented with or without the Palestinians. There are also domestic political considerations inside Israel. Israel has had a series of inconclusive elections, and will soon have another one on 1st November 2022. Any Israeli government that reached a successful agreement that made peace with the entire Sunni Islamic world and gives Israel the prospect of a Third Temple would likely be a shoo-in for winning an election.
Biblical prophecies do indicate that a Third Temple will be built during the latter days of our age, to confirm that prophesied biblical time is happening now). Daniel 8:13 and 11:31 refer to a cessation of the “daily sacrifice” and the placement of an “abomination that makes desolate” in a “sanctuary.” This language strongly indicates that it is referring to the daily sacrifices that would be part of Temple services and the “sanctuary” would likely be the Holy of Holies in a new Temple. These prophecies may have had ancient forerunners of an eventual latter-day fulfillment, but Daniel 12:11 uses similar language and that prophecy is clearly for the latter days. Another biblical prophecy is unquestionably talking about a Temple site in the latter days. In Revelation 11:1-2 the Apostle John is told in his vision to “measure the Temple of God and the altar” at a place of “worship.” It also discusses a courtyard that is without (outside) the Temple in a “holy city.” This can only mean the city of Jerusalem and a Temple site which would almost surely be on the Temple Mount. Notice that John is prophetically told to “measure” the Temple instead of entering it in any way. This strongly indicates that John’s vision is for a time when the Temple site is being “measured” for its construction to begin. In other words, John may have witnessed in his vision the initial measurements and sitings to determine where all the inner and outer walls of the Temple will be built.
There is a biblical precedent that daily sacrifices at a Temple site can start before the Temple site is actually built.
In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, Jewish exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem and they built a Temple there. In Ezra 3:6, it is recorded that the system of burnt offerings that were part of Temple rituals began long before the Temple was built and completed. Indeed, the sacrifices began even before the foundation of the Temple had been laid! This biblical precedent means that the sacrifices could begin at a modern Third Temple site as soon as that site for the Temple is “measured” and dedicated for a Holy purpose. It is also worth noting that when the Temple site is “measured” in the latter days in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:1-2), the very next event in the prophetic sequence is God sending his Two Witnesses to give a final, powerful warning to mankind (Revelation 11:3-12). The ministry of the Two Witnesses is examined in detail in my article, The Two Witnesses.
If a peace agreement is negotiated between the Saudis and Israel which allows the Jews to build a new Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, get ready! A lot of prophecies might be fulfilled in a rapid sequence soon after the agreement is announced
Works Cited
“Bloomberg – Are You a Robot?” Www.bloomberg.com, www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-22/from-un-podium–new-israeli-prime-minister-resurrects-two-state-solution. Accessed 26 Oct. 2022.
Brand, Deborah. “Joe Biden Uses U.N. To Call for Palestinian State: They Are “Entitled” to It.” Breitbart, 21 Sept. 2022, www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2022/09/21/at-un-biden-calls-for-palestinian-state-they-are-entitled-to-it/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2022.
Jeddah, Ben. “No Normalization with Israel until Two-State Solution Reached, Saudi FM Says.” Haaretz, 16 July 2022, www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2022-07-16/ty-article/.premium/no-normalization-with-israel-until-two-state-solution-reached-saudi-fm-says/00000182-0614-d213-adda-17bd7b2d0000. Accessed 26 Oct. 2022.
Magid, Jacob. “Saudi Minister: Peace with Israel “Strategic Option” but Not before 2-State Solution.” Www.timesofisrael.com, 16 July 2022, www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-official-peace-with-israel-strategic-option-but-not-before-2-state-solution/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2022.
“Red Heifer NUMBERS 19.” Temple Institute, templeinstitute.org/red-heifer-numbers-19/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2022.
I’d like to thank a reader for sending me one of the links above.
Prayer Targets
Pray into Daniel 12:10-12 ~ “Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. “Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
Abba, we pray that you will prepare us for the days ahead. May you refine us, and may we be counted as part of the bride of Messiah Yeshua. May we be clothed in white linen garments, without spot or wrinkle. May you give us wisdom to understand the days that we are now living in. May we count our days, measure our days and may we receive and complete any assignments you have for us in these important days!
Pray into Ezekiel 43:10 ~ “Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.
Abba, we are ashamed of our iniquities, in the nations, and in our own personal lives. Help us to study the Temple, understand the Temple, and measure the pattern of the Temple, for it truly is a reflection of who you are. You are Holy, you are light, you are truth, you are everlasting, you are Almighty, you are righteous, you are love. May we study and understand your temple, and may you cleanse us of our iniquities.
Pray into Revelation 11:1-2 ~ Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. “But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
Abba, we lift up the nation and the government of Israel. May you give the leaders who will be elected on Nov 1 great wisdom as they go forward in brokering any deal with Saudi Arabia. We know and understand that these prophesies must be fulfilled. Yet, as a deal with the Arab world is reached, may you guard, protect and defend your remnant family of believers in Israel from harm.
We see the rise of the One world globalist “Beast” system. Give us all wisdom in how to walk in these days. May your abundant mercy and grace cover the brethren in Israel and throughout the world.