One of the foundational beliefs of professing Christendom is that Jesus will return to God’s Temple located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The problem lies in the fact that a Muslim temple occupies the space God’s Temple is supposed to be located at the time of His advent. Adding to the problem is the fact that Arab confrontations with Israel are increasing in number and intensity. The nations surrounding Israel, Muslim all, are undergoing regime changes. Any good will enjoyed by Israel in the past was blown away by the “Arab Spring.” Iran openly vows the total destruction of Israel while some of her neighbors wish her well.

Yet in the face of all this there is a move on among the Jews to build another Jewish Holy Temple on the Temple Mount where the Muslim Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa now stand. The Dome covers the stone upon which it is believed Abraham offered up Isaac or Ishmael, depending on whose version one believes. I have been to the Temple Mount where the group I was with was given a tour of the Dome. However, God would not allow me to enter it. He made it clear to me that I was not to pay homage to a false god by entering his holy place.

To expedite the Temple building process the Jews have reinstituted the Sanhedrin. Anciently, the Sanhedrin was a council composed of 71 rabbis who governed Israel’s religious matters while the nation was under Roman rule. While Jesus was on earth they met and did their governing not far from the Temple. Having been forced to leave Jerusalem, they established their headquarters in Tiberial until around 400 A.D. Over time, as Israel’s world-wide scattering rid the Middle East of most of the nation of Israel (see White Fields) the Sanhedrin ceased to exist. Until recently.

Over the past several years a number of events have ratcheted up world Jewry’s interest in rebuilding the Temple. Orthodox Jews believe that a governing body like the Sanhedrin is necessary to oversee the rebuilding project. Another, more important responsibility will be to identify the messiah should he appear. The Jews believe that their messiah will be a man, born of a Jewish man and woman, no different from any other man. Like Samson and Jesus, he will look like any other man. Concerning Samson, recall that people had to ask him about the source of his strength. If he had looked like Mr. Universe as pictures and movies have depicted him they would not have needed to ask the question. Concerning Jesus, Judas had to identify Him prior to His arrest. The Jews anticipated national savior will, in their thinking, exhibit no distinguishing characteristics during his formative years. At some point, however, his leadership powers will become evident. He will then lead the nation back to the greatness she enjoyed under King David.

The Sanhedrin met for the first time in 1,600 years in October 2004 in Tiberias–the last place the organization met prior to disbanding. They now meet monthly in Jerusalem to discuss matters related to Israeli Judaism. Their goal is to eventually become the governing body for the modern nation of Israel. In order to rule as planned, it will be necessary to do away with the nation’s democratic form of government. Human nature being what it is, this would be a monumental task. Nevertheless, the council presses forward with the backing of many high-ranking religious figures.

Orthodox Jewish sects are not known for coming together to conduct business. Each sect is powerfully independent with equally powerful personalities at the head of each group. They tend to follow the persuasions of a popular leader rather than pool their power and resources to reach a goal. Because of this, the founding of the modern Sanhedrin is seen as nothing short of a miracle to the citizens of Israel, causing them to believe that great things will soon be coming to the Jewish people of the Holy Land.

Beside the building of the final Temple to which Jesus is purported to return following His advent, another sign relative to His return in the mind of professing Christendom was the reestablishment of the nation of Israel. After a 1,900 year absence it happened exactly as Isaiah 66:8 said it would–“… at once,” on June 15, 1948 at 4:00 p.m. with the stroke of a pen. For professing Christendom there are now three events that point to the soon return of the Messiah: 1) Jerusalem is now in the hands of the Jews, 2) the nation of Israel (actually Judah) is now an historical fact, and 3) the Sanhedrin has been reestablished. And it does not stop there.