Posted 4-26-01
Sinai is probably from the Sanskrit Sani, Saturn, and represents Heaven. Ex. 19:20,21 says, "the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down."
When Moses went up, it represented the Pre-Trib Rapture on the 3rd day (maybe 1998 + 3 = 2001). When he went down, it represented his return to Earth to prophesy during the first 1260 days of the Tribulation. This makes it likely that Christ will bring Moses and Elijah with him at the Rapture, leave them here and take the Bride to Heaven. We may be caught up in the night after Pentecost begins at 6 PM in Israel. The covenant could be confirmed during the daylight portion of Sivan 6.
The 2nd Rapture takes place in the night or early morning. Then the asteroids impact Earth at noon (Zeph. 2:4,5) on that Tishri 1. It makes me wonder if the covenant will be confirmed at noon after the 1st Rapture.
Mt. 17:1-7 tells us of the Transfiguration. "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and BRINGETH THEM UP INTO AN HIGH MOUNTAIN APART. And was transfigured before them: and HIS FACE DID SHINE AS THE SUN, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him." Then verses 6 and 7 say, "when the disciples heard it, they FELL ON THEIR FACE, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and TOUCHED THEM, AND SAID, ARISE, AND BE NOT AFRAID." This seems to be a picture of the Rapture.
John played out the same thing in the Preview of the Rapture in Rev. 1:10-17. It says, " I was (lit., became) in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a TRUMPET, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last...I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and HIS COUNTENANCE WAS AS THE SUN SHINETH in his strength. And when I saw him, I FELL AT HIS FEET as dead. And he LAID HIS RIGHT HAND UPON ME, SAYING UNTO ME, FEAR NOT." See the similarity between this and the Transfiguration?
Luke 9:28 says of the Transfiguration, "it came to pass about an eight days after" instead of 6 days. What is after 6 and about 8? Seven. The Oslo Accords were signed Sept. 13, 1993. Add 7 years and we arrive at 2001. Maybe the Rapture will be Sivan 6, 5761 (May 28, 2001). The 2300 days of Dan. 8:13,14 fit from Sivan 6, 5761 to Tishri 1, 5768 (Sept. 13, 2007), counted by Jewish inclusive reckoning. Sept. 13, 1993 + 7 good years + 7 bad years = Sept. 13, 2007. Agape
My question is: Why do the Jews no longer perform animal sacrifices for the remission of sins, especially since they disregard the blood of Jesus?
I was also wondering if you knew why the Jews think that the Messiah is going to come now, according to their calendars and Old Testament prophesies?
After visiting the http://Aish.com site, I find it interesting that the Christians and the Jews are expecting the Messiah to come any day now...it is interesting that we agree that His coming is very soon...
It is very sad though that the Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah, and I was wondering if that was the reason God had arranged for the 7 year Tribulation to come on the world in the first place...seeing that the Jews were given the Word to spread the Gospel to the world, but had rejected God's own Son, our Messiah - Jesus? If not for that reason, why is the 7 year Tribulation coming upon the earth?
I sooo appreciate your study and understanding of biblical issues. I am very eagerly awaiting Christs return and certainly hope it is this Pentacost. Thank you for responding to my last letter. Agape
We got bad news about Mike. He did an about face and returned to his old ways and disbelief. I feel so sorry for him.
> > Why do the Jews no longer perform animal sacrifices for the remission of sins, especially since they disregard the blood of Jesus?
When I first started studying the Bible, I wondered why we didn't sacrifice animals. To the unbelieving Jews, the simple reason that they don't sacrifice is that they have no temple. Actually, they are trying to live in the Dispensation of Law when it is now the Dispensation of Grace.
In all, there are 7 dispensations during which mankind is tested in different types of economies. God is proving that mankind fails in all types of economies and therefore needs a Saviour.
Man's test at all times is to believe God and obey him. We can see this in scriptures about Abraham. Rom. 4;3 says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Eph. 3:6 says, "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." James 2:23 says, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." Even though mankind did not realize it at the time, they were always saved by the grace of God.
The promise of a Saviour was given in Gen. 3:15. People of the Old Testament were actually saved by believing that the Saviour would come. People of the New Testament are saved by believing the the Saviour came.
Below are the dispensations and the number of years allotted to each. We are now nearing the end of the 6th. I think the 7th will start Tishri 1, 5768 (Sept. 13, 2007), but the Second Advent will be 7 Jewish months later (Eze. 39:12,13) on Nisan 1 (Apr. 6, 2008), the first day of the Jewish Regnal and Sacred Year (Eze. 29:17,21; Hos. 6:3).
(1) Innocence 40
(2) Conscience 1616
(3) Human Gov't 427
(4) Promise 430
(5) Law 1559
(6) Grace 1977
(7) Kingdom 1000
> > I was also wondering if you knew why the Jews think that the Messiah is going to come now, according to their calendars and Old Testament prophesies?
I don't know for sure, but probably by reading the prophecies. There are also at least 40 Rabbis that accept Christ, but keep it a secret for now. Barbara Richmond will probably know more about this than I do. She is the one the Rabbi called by name on the street in Jerusalem. He gave her this information about the Rabbis. Sometimes she posts an article on Koenig's International News, World Watch Daily http://www.watch.org/articles.html?mcat=1 I checked tonight and didn't find one though.
> > why is the 7 year Tribulation coming upon the earth?
Rev. 3:10 explains: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Agape
---Original Message---
To: questions@aish.com
Subject: Ask The Rabbi Question
Why do the Jews no longer perform animal sacrifices for the remission of sins? Isn't it true that there is no remission for sins except for the shedding of blood?
publish: Yes
---
From: Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Shalom! Technically, we can offer sacrifices even when there is no Holy Temple (Talmud - Zevachim 107b), but there are some other technical reasons that prohibit this today:
1. It is necessary to have the ashes of a red heifer mixed with water to rectify certain issues of impurity. The unique feature of this cow is that it must be three years old and can have no more than two non-red hairs. This rare animal is very difficult to obtain. (see Talmud - Para 1:1, 2:5)
2. The Kohanim must wear special clothing that contains a particular dye called "techelet." The "Techelet" was a bluish color, obtained from the fluid of a sea creature called the "Chilazon." At this time, we don't have an unambiguous tradition from the time of the Sages exactly which animal is used. But this will be revealed with the coming of the Messiah.
3. The Kohanim must officiate at the animal offerings, and until the arrival of the Messiah (who will clarify everyone's genealogy), it is not entirely clear who is a bona fide Kohen and who is not.
4. The Torah mandates that sacrifices may only be offered on the grounds of the Temple Mount itself, as stated in Deuteronomy 12:5. Presently, the Temple Mount is inaccessible due to political considerations with the Moslems.
The idea of how the animal offerings worked is most often understood. Many believe that sacrifice was the only way to achieve atonement. However, the idea that sacrifices can cause atonement by themselves is an incorrect idea.
Actually, atonement always was accompanied by sincere prayer, teshuva (spiritual return), and charity. As it is written in Hoshea 8:13--that although the Jews were bringing offerings, they were not making any attempts to get closer to God. For this reason, their offerings were rejected. Had they been accompanied with a desire to get closer to the Almighty -- via prayer, teshuva and charity - the offerings would have been accepted.
Perhaps I can explain the idea with a parable. Let us say that a person made a horrible blunder which upset his wife. To appease her, he buys her flowers. When he comes home, he throws the flowers on the table and asks for dinner. Her response, predictably, was anger. The husband had originally upset his wife, then only went through the motions of trying to fix the problem. Although his wife liked flowers, the cold-hearted way that he gave them to her made her even more angry! So too with the offerings, it isn't enough to simply bring the animal, slaughter it, and then expect God to fulfill all our needs. Rather it must be accompanied with the will to get closer to God (prayer), a promise to observe the words of the Torah more carefully (teshuva), and concern for God's creation (charity).
Further, the prophet (Isaiah 6:10) tells us that atonement can be achieved even without animal sacrifices: "It will repent and be healed (atoned)."
Also, the Jews have had an oral tradition from the time of Moses (when the sacrifices started) that God considers the study of offerings as if the offering was actually brought. This is evident from Leviticus 7:37 in which it states, "This is the Law of the elevation-offerings..." (Talmud - Menachot 110a)
Of course the animal offering aided the atonement process, as it drove home the point that really the person deserved to be slaughtered, but an animal was being used in his/her place. The offering also helped atonement in may spiritual mystical ways which cannot be explained in this short email. But we should not mistake the animal offering for more than what it is. It was an aid to atonement. It did not cause atonement.
Logically, this is clear, as how can one think that the death of an animal could atone for their sins? If a person were to commit an atrocity, such as murder, stealing, adultery, or even less severe sin, such as lie, could he possibly think that slaughtering a cow and a sheep will atone for their sin? Of course not! God is not a child who is appeased by gifts and animal slaughter. God, who the true judge, provides atonement for those who sincerely desire to fix their ways.
The verse says: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit" (Psalms 51:19). This teaches us that a person who does teshuva is regarded as if he had ascended to Jerusalem, built the Temple, erected the Altar, and offered all the offerings upon it. (Midrash - Vayikra Rabba 7:2)
Similarly, the notion that another person could die for one's sins is also foolish. How is it possible that another person can die for my sins? Atonement today comes solely through prayer and teshuva.
When a person transgresses a mitzvah in the Torah, he destroys some of his inner holiness. He cuts himself off from the Godliness that lies at the essence of his soul. When a person does teshuva -- "spiritual return" -- renews and rebuilds the inner world that he has destroyed. On one level, he is rebuilding his personal "Temple" so that God's presence (so to speak) will return there to dwell.
When one does Teshuva it is usually based on certain powerful internal realizations. Today, without the Temple service, one of the most powerful ways is through the inspiration of prayer. In fact, the Talmud (Brachot 26b) points out that it is no coincidence that the main "Amidah" prayer must be recited at the exact same time that the daily offerings were sacrificed!
The text of the "Amidah" was formulated by prophets who knew how to awaken deep yearnings within the Jewish soul. Through prayer, we are to achieve a spiritual renewal which culminates in the desire for a full and total connection to God.
The following is from the daily prayers:
"Master of the Universe, You commanded us to bring the Daily Offering at its appointed time; and have the Kohanim perform their service, and the Levites sing and play music at the platform, and the Israelites attend at their stations. And now, because of our sins, the Holy Temple is destroyed and the Daily Offering discontinued. We have neither a Kohen at his service, nor a Levite on his platform, nor an Israelite at his station. However, you have said, 'Let the offerings of our lips replace bulls.' Therefore, let it be
Your will, our God and the God of our ancestors, that the prayer of our lips be considered and accepted and regarded favorably before You as if we had offered the Daily Offering at its appointed time, and stood in attendance at its service."
I hope this helps to clarify. Additional sources: "Noda Beyehuda" I, O.C. 35; "Chatam Sofer" Y.D. 236 & 318; "Kovetz Teshuvot Chatam Sofer" 59. With blessings from Jerusalem, Rabbi Shraga Simmons. Aish.com
I feel like I should reply to the Rabbi, Cc to you (below). Agape
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To: Rabbi Shraga Simmons. Aish.com
Shalom: I have read your reply to the question about why the Jews don't perform animal sacrifices now. Thank you much for that detailed information. It is very helpful. I too want to understand the viewpoint of our Jewish friends. With due respect to your position as Rabbi, I would also like to ask some questions.
> > It is necessary to have the ashes of a red heifer mixed with water to rectify certain issues of impurity.
I was under the impression that you now had a red heifer 3 years old. If my memory serves me right, her name is Melody. Questions: If not burnt to ashes this year, will she still be eligible next year? or should she be burnt to ashes this year and the ashes saved for use later?
> > The Kohanim must wear special clothing that contains a particular dye called "techelet."
Mikhah/Micah 6:7,8, in the Complete Jewish Bible, says, "Would ADONAI (lit., YHVH) take delight in thousands of rams with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Could I give my firstborn to pay for my crimes, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Human being, you have already been told what is good, what ADONAI (lit., YHVH) demands of you--no more than to act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your God (lit., Elohiym)." Hoshea 6:6 says, what I desire is mercy, not sacrifices, knowledge of God (Elohiym) more than burnt offerings." Question: Do you think that the lack of a particular dye could really stand between the Kohanim and his God? or of his people and their God? Is God that unforgiving if they believe in Him and the Messiah and do the best they can in every situation?
Hanokh/Enoch was a Gentile, and yet God honored his faith in the true Elohim. Gen. 5:24 says, "Hanokh walked with God (lit., Elohim), and then he wasn't there, because God took him." (I don't know what you would call this, but I call it a Rapture.) In those days, a Gentile could "act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your God," as Micah said, and be in good standing with God. Y'hudah/Jude 14 says, "Hanokh, in the seventh generation starting with Adam, also prophesied about these men, saying, 'Look! ADONAI (lit., kurios, God, Lord) came with his myriads of holy ones to execute judgment against everyone, that is, to convict all the godless for their godless deeds." Hanokh was a Gentile prophet in good standing with God because he "walked with God."
Noach/Noah was a Gentile. Like Hanokh, Noach "walked with God." B'resheet/Genesis 6:9 says, "In his generation, Noach was a man righteous and wholehearted; Noach walked with God." Both Hanokh and Noach were saved, because they "walked with God." Would God do less for his chosen people?
> > until the arrival of the Messiah (who will clarify everyone's genealogy), it is not entirely clear who is a bona fide Kohen and who is not.
I understand this. Since the genealogical records in the temple were burned in 70 AD, there is no sure way to trace one's descent before 70 AD. Question: Since the Messiah must be the son of David, how could his descent from David be proved at any time after 70 AD? If he appears now, how will you know he is the son of David?
> > Presently, the Temple Mount is inaccessible due to political considerations with the Moslems.
I grieve with you over this. How I wish Israel would have kept control over the temple area when she had it on June 7, 1967. Since YHVH promised the Jews eretz Israel, including the temple mount, YHVH should have been trusted to bring it to pass. Instead of trusting YHVH, the recent leaders have thought that they should give up land for peace and negotiate with the enemy. YHVH will judge all those involved, because "THEY DIVIDED MY LAND" (Yo'el/Joel 4 (3):2. I think they should trust Adonai instead of giving up land that Adonai has already given them, but they wouldn't listen to me if they haven't listened to Adonai.
> > Further, the prophet (Isaiah 6:10) tells us that atonement can be achieved even without animal sacrifices: "It will repent and be healed (atoned)."
Yes. Yesha 'Yahu/Isaiah 6:10 expresses it well. It says, "Make the heart of this people [sluggish with] fat, stop up their ears, and shut their eyes. Otherwise, seeing with their eyes, and hearing with their ears, then understanding with their hearts, they might repent and be healed."
> > the Jews have had an oral tradition from the time of Moses (when the sacrifices started) that God considers the study of offerings as if the offering was actually brought.
Since I only accept scripture as 100% truth, if God didn't say it, I can't be sure it is 100% truth. I must go by Mishlei/Proverbs 30:5,6 and not add anything to Scripture. It says, "Every word of God's is pure; he shields those taking refuge in him. DONT ADD ANYTHING TO HIS WORDS; or he will rebuke you, and you, found a liar."
> > the animal offering aided the atonement process, as it drove home the point that really the person deserved to be slaughtered, but an animal was being used in his/her place.
Let me get this straight in my head. The sinner deserves to die, but the animal used in his/her place could never take away sins. Therefore, if the animal dies, the sinner is still in jeopardy. That leaves the sinner right where he was before. As Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) says, "we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." If the animal sacrifice does no good, and our righteounesses are as filthy rags, we are in big big trouble.
> > Similarly, the notion that another person could die for one's sins is also foolish. How is it possible that another person can die for my sins? Atonement today comes solely through prayer and teshuva.
I have to believe what Scripture says. Otherwise, I won't know if you are right or not. I can't afford to risk being lost. I am trying with everything in me to understand Adonai correctly. Mishlei/Proverbs 30:4 asks some questions of us. Can you answer them? It says, "Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has cupped the wind in the palms of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who established all the ends of the earth" WHAT IS HIS NAME, AND WHAT IS HIS SON'S NAME? Surely you know!"
Yesha 'yahu/Isaiah 52:10 says, "ADONAI (lit., YHVH) has bared HIS HOLY ARM in the sight of every nation, and all the ends of the earth will see THE SALVATION (lit., YESHWAH) OF OUR GOD" (lit., YESHUWAH). Question: Who is the HOLY ARM of YHVH?
In Yesha'yahu/Isaiah 51:5, YHVH says, "My righteousness is at hand, my salvation (lit., YESHA) goes out, MY ARMS shall judge the peoples. The coastlands are putting their hope in me, TRUSTING IN MY ARM." Who is the ARM OF YHVH that the coastlands are putting their hope in?
Yesha'yahu/Isaiah 53:1-6 says, "Who believes our report? To whom is THE ARM OF ADONAI (YHVH) revealed? For before HIM (YHVH) HE (the ARM OF YHVH) grew up like a young plant, like a root out of dry ground. He was not well-formed or especially handsome; we saw him, but his appearance did not attract us. People despised and avoided him, a man of pains, well acquainted with illness. Like someone from whom people turn their faces, he was despised; we did not value him. In fact, it was our diseases he bore, our pains from which he suffered; yet we regarded him as punished, stricken and afflicted by God. But HE WAS WOUNDED BECAUSE OF OUR CRIMES, crushed BECAUSE OF OUR SINS; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and BY HIS BRUISES WE ARE HEALED. We all, like sheep, went astray; we turned, each one, to his own way; yet ADONAI (YHVH) LAID ON HIM (THE ARM OF YHVH) THE GUILT OF ALL OF US."
Does YHVH also think that "the notion that another person could die for one's sins is also foolish"? No, he "LAID ON HIM (THE ARM OF YHVH) THE GUILT OF ALL OF US." Romans 5:15-19 says, "But the FREE GIFT is not like the offence. For if, because of one man's offence, many died, then how much more has God's grace, that is, the gracious gift of ONE MAN, YESHUA THE MESSIAH overflowed to many! No, the free gift is not like what resulted from one man's sinning: for from one sinner came judgment that brought condemnation; but THE FREE GIFT came after many offences and BROUGHT ACQUITTAL. For if, because of the offence of one man, death ruled through that one man; how much more will those receiving the overflowing grace, that is, the gift of being considered righteous, rule in life through the ONE MAN YESHUA THE MESSIAH!"
The genealogy of this man has been preserved in Scripture. We know he is the son of David after the flesh (Mattityahu/ Matthew 1). Scripture was not destroyed when the temple was burned in 70 AD. Yesha'yahu/ Isaiah 9:6 says, "For a child is born to us (inheriting his humanity from his mother), A SON IS GIVEN TO US (inheriting his deity from his father); dominion will rest on his shoulders, and he will be given the name Pele-Yo'etz El Gibbor Avi-'Ad Sar-Shalom [Wonder of a Counselor, MIGHTY GOD, FATHER OF ETERNITY, PRINCE OF PEACE], in order to extend the dominion and perpetuate the peace of the throne and kingdom of David."
Who established all the ends of the earth" WHAT IS HIS NAME, AND WHAT IS HIS SON'S NAME?" (Mishlei/Proverbs 30:4).
Yesha'yahu/Isaiah 7:14 predicts, "Adonai himself will give you people a SIGN: the young woman will become pregnant, bear a son and name him 'Immanu El [God is with us]." Mattityahu/Matthew 1:23 says, "The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him 'Immanu El. (The name means, 'God is with us.')."This son is the "HOLY ARM of YHVH." 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 says, "GOD IN THE MESSIAH WAS RECONCILING MANKIND TO HIMSELF, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors of the Messiah; in effect, God is making his appeal through us. What we do is appeal on behalf of the Messiah, 'Be reconciled to God! GOD MADE THIS SINLESS MAN BE A SIN OFFERING ON OUR BEHALF, SO THAT IN UNION WITH HIM WE MIGHT FULLY SHARE IN GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Who established all the ends of the earth" WHAT IS HIS NAME, AND WHAT IS HIS SON'S NAME?" (Mishlei/Proverbs 30:4). His name is YHVH. His son's name is Yeshua, who is called Immanu El, God with us.
God was the first, and he is the last. Yesha'yahu/Isaiah 44:6 says, "Thus says ADONAI (YHVH), Israe'el's King AND Redeemer, ADONAI-Tzva'ot (YHVH of hosts): 'I am the first (YHVH, Israe'el's King) AND I am the last (the Redeemer, YHVH of hosts): besides me there is no God."
YHVH of hosts, the Redeemer, met Israel at Mt. Sinai. Yesha'yahu/Isaiah 48:16-18 says, "Come close to me, and LISTEN TO THIS: since the beginning I have not spoken in secret, since the time things began to be, I have been there; and now Adonai ELOHIM (the Father) has sent ME (YHVH of hosts, the Redeemer, the Son of God, Yeshua) and his Spirit" (the Holy Spirit of God). Thus says ADONAI, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Isra'el' 'I am ADONAI (YHVH), your God, who teaches you for your own good, who guides you on the path you should take. If only you would heed my mitzvot!" (commandments).
In Romans 10:8-10, Paul explains how salvation comes about. He said, "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.'--that is, the word about trust which we proclaim, namely, that IF YOU ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLICLY WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YESHUA IS LORD AND TRUST IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE DELIVERED. FOR WITH THE HEART ONE GOES ON TRUSTING AND THUS CONTINUES TOWARD RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHILE WITH THE MOUTH ONE KEEPS ON MAKING PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THUS CONTINUES TOWARD DELIVERANCE. For the passage quoted says that everyone who rests his trust on him will not be humiliated. That means that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--ADONAI is the same for everyone, rich toward everyone who calls on him, since EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF ADONAI (YHVH) WILL BE DELIVERED." Shalom and agape, Marilyn
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