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Shalom [subscriber:firstname | default:dear friend],
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After the release of His people, the Hebrew Nation, Israel, from slavery in Egypt (1500 BCE – some say 1300 BCE) God instructed Moses to build Him a Tabernacle which would move along with them on their way to the Promised Land.
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The Hebrew word for this Sanctuary is Mishcan (also Mikdash – Holy Place) – from the root שכן (Shin, Chaf, Nun) – which means: dwell, reside, settle, inhabit. It all relates to the Divine Purpose for this Tabernacle as expressed by God to Moses on his way through the Wilderness to the Promised Land:
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This root also underlies the Word and Promise throughout, by God regarding His Presence (Shechinah) amongst His People. Thus He dwelt amongst His People in the Exodus, in the Tabernacle, and later in the 1st Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. At the destruction of this Temple in 586 BCE by the Assyrians, His Shechinah Presence left the nation (described by Ezekiel in Chapter 10). The 2nd Temple built by Herod in Jerusalem a few years before the start of the Common Era was completely devoid of this Presence of God, a factor which is not all that well known even amongst Bible students.
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The Promise and the Prospect of His ‘Return’ remain though – and that is where the building of the 3rd Temple fits in – the Time period that now seems to be emerging upon us. And it is all part of the Climax of the Ages; the Final Redemption (Geulah), The End Time, the “Coming of Mashiach”, the establishing of the Universal Kingdom of the God of Creation, God of Israel.
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This looming New Day to which Bible believers of the God of Creation have been looking forward to throughout the ages seems to now be taking shape. Amazing developments over the last several decades seem to be pointing to the fulfillment of ancient Biblical Prophecies. But, if these are true fulfilments indeed, then it hints of a totally different scenario of this New World Dispensation that most of the popular though diverse religious traditions have been promising and looking forward to. While this threatens traditional religious beliefs, yet, these new assumed projections, based on factual reconsiderations of the Hebrew Scriptures in the light of astounding new developments all over the World, offer a far greater, more blessed, and exhilarating reality than mankind could ever imagine!
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These refreshing new understandings based on Scriptural Truths that have seemingly been misinterpreted through traditional concepts, all revolve around the Main Topics of this End Time Scenario. The Scriptures have been vague on the specifics of these culminating Events – seemingly to purposely conceal it for an End Time Awakening, as promised to the Prophet Daniel (Ch. 12:4). Daniel was told:
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We shall here concentrate on just one of these topics:
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The 3rd Temple and God’s Intention to live amongst His People forever.
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While everyone focuses on the erection of the 3rd temple in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount (a political Time Bomb for starters!) the Scriptures seem to define another Scenario – perhaps as an addition, an alternative?
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Let us delve into the Written Word for indications. In doing so, we will concentrate on and Scripturally trace the several popular concepts held with regard to these End Time Events of staggering proportions and implications. These concepts will be spread over various articles featured on this Web Site to serve as a general background framework to all our studies featured. For now, we will select:
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The ‘Shechinah’ – the Presence of God amongst His People.
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The ‘Shechinah’ – the Presence of G-d has left His People, Israel, on more than one occasion. Since the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, it has left and has joined His People in exile, Jewish Sages teach. It is believed to Return at the now imminent Time of the Final Redemption, at the conclusion of the 6000 years before the dawning of the millennial Sabbath. This ‘Presence’, the ‘visible Manifestation or Habitation of the Almighty amongst His People’ (as in the Tabernacle and Temple in ancient times) is generally referred to as the ‘Shechinah of HaShem’.
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Strangely, the word Shechinah (שכינה) does not appear anywhere in all of Scripture. However, in the Tanach some 12 various Hebrew words are used to refer to this ‘living presence’ of God amongst His People. `Of these 12 words which are used some 500 times in Scripture, translated as ‘dwell’ (live amongst or in), the closest to Shechinah is Shachen (שכן) which appears some 86 times – translated ‘dwell’. Of these latter 86 words, most times it is used for ‘dwell in the land, dwell in tents’ – but it is also contained in the texts that refer to HaShem ‘dwelling in the Tabernacle, and the Temple’. The word Tabernacle, Mishkan ( מישכן ) itself is a derivation of ‘Shechinah’.
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In various sections in the Scriptures (as to King David regarding the Temple to be built for HaShem) the Divine requirement is repeated that HaShem seeks a ‘Temple for Him to dwell in amongst His People for Ever.’
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The Main Divine Purpose underlying the Creation of mankind
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This brings us to probably the Main Divine Purpose for mankind: i.e. to act as a Temple for HaShem to dwell in amongst His People, by the indwelling of His Spirit. Scriptures abound and it is impossible, in the extent of this writing, to mention it all. The reader will have to do his/her own research by simply tracing keywords like ‘dwell, dwelling, Tabernacle, Temple’.
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Probably the most spiritually inspiring usage in this context is the related word ‘habitation’ (machon) which describes this same Divine Intention to ‘dwell in’ an Everlasting Temple – but with a more intimate relationship and purpose for this indwelling. This reveals to us the Divine Desire to make His Habitation within the bodies (temples) of humans.
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This also highlights the Ultimate Divine Purpose based on the Divine Promise that He will in the Final Redemption enter into a ‘New Covenant’ (Jer. 31:30) with those who are elected in the Final Judgment. Jeremiah 31 features this Glorious Event which will come AFTER the regathering of all the Tribes (according to the preceding 30 verses in Jeremiah chapter 30), after the Final Judgment, logically (for those who will be found worthy).
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This is repeated and extended in:
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| כו וְכָרַתִּי לָהֶם בְּרִית שָׁלוֹם, בְּרִית עוֹלָם יִהְיֶה אוֹתָם; וּנְתַתִּים וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אוֹתָם, וְנָתַתִּי אֶת-מִקְדָּשִׁי בְּתוֹכָם לְעוֹלָם. |
26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them--it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will establish them, and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forever. |
| כז וְהָיָה מִשְׁכָּנִי עֲלֵיהֶם, וְהָיִיתִי לָהֶם לֵאלֹהִים; וְהֵמָּה, יִהְיוּ-לִי לְעָם. |
27 My dwelling-place also shall be over them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. |
| כח וְיָדְעוּ, הַגּוֹיִם, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה, מְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל--בִּהְיוֹת מִקְדָּשִׁי בְּתוֹכָם, לְעוֹלָם. |
28 And the nations shall know that I am the LORD that sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them forever.' |
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From these Scriptures, it is clear that HaShem will live in His People who will then serve as a Living Tabernacle or Temple for Him. It is noteworthy that the Hebrew word used by the Prophet is בתוכם (betocham), which also means “within them”. There is a great difference between “His Sanctuary being in the midst of them, among them” as all translations render it, and “My Sanctuary being within them”. Refer to the red highlighted words in the Hebrew version of Ezek. 37:26, 28 here above.
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That was His intention from the start. This time he will perfect those who qualify according to His considerations in the Final Judgment. He will perfect them and in this way establish for Himself a Living Tabernacle. Those who qualify will rule over the nations in His Universal Kingdom and the nations will come to bow down before them as they bow down to God – Who will be living within them.
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Far fetched? Absurd? READ it in Scripture:
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Who shall the Ruler over the Nations be?
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Daniel was perturbed about this vision and the identity of those he saw coming on the Cloud “like the Son of Man” and who received this rulership. He was told:
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| כז וּמַלְכוּתָא וְשָׁלְטָנָא וּרְבוּתָא, דִּי מַלְכְוָת תְּחוֹת כָּל-שְׁמַיָּא, יְהִיבַת, לְעַם קַדִּישֵׁי עֶלְיוֹנִין; מַלְכוּתֵהּ, מַלְכוּת עָלַם, וְכֹל שָׁלְטָנַיָּא, לֵהּ יִפְלְחוּן וְיִשְׁתַּמְּעוּן. |
27 And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.' |
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This is the Perfect Temple for believers to strive for.
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A copy of this article appears as a Web Page at
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Wishing you HaShem’s richest Blessings!
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Co-founder, KOL HATOR Vision for the Restoration of the re-united 12-Tribed Kingdom of Israel
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NOTE – The views and opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily shared by the Rabbinic Associates of KOL HATOR VISION or the authors of other articles used in this publication. These views are the personal conclusions of the author based on the Rabbinic sources quoted in the article, or elsewhere on this Web Site, or in general out there in cyberspace and print.
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This Week’s Parashah:
NOTE – select the Hebrew version option on the Mechon Mamre Web Pages
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From the KOL HATOR library archive:
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BE SURE to then also read our latest review of the Blessing of Avraham – as pertaining to what the onus is on all humanity to accept the Divine authority behind this Blessing
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Related sources of Information
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We also publish developing information on a continual basis, as it comes to us, on the various Kol Hator FaceBook Pages:
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Please visit and click on “Add Friend” to remain in contact and to share in discussions on topics and learn from comments and links given there.
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Hidden Jewels of uplifting information
Because we constantly find such hidden articles on the KOL HATOR Web Site which amaze us, even as authors, having forgotten that we ever published it, we will now weekly share one such publication with you.
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This week’s jewel drawn from hidden corners of the Web Site:
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Do your own exploration as follows:
* For specific information that you may seek, use the Web Site Internal Search Engine. Type your key Search Words into the Search Window at the top, right side, of each web Page on this Site. Or, use the Search Window by clicking on ‘Q’ above the Menu on the KHT Web Pages.
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* Further archive assistance on certain topics will also be found in the black frame at the foot of every KHT Web Site Page under ‘Categories’ and ‘About Kol Hator.’
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* A most important guide to such hidden articles which shed more info on a topic will be found at the end of every Page on this Site, below the text body of the article you are reading, under “RELATED Posts” - for suggested related Studies on the Topic.
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May these studies inspire us to become the Kidushim (Holy ones, righteous ones) to receive the Eternal Gift of ruling with the God of Israel, as His Living Tabernacle – to possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
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