The internet is buzzing with the story of an 18th century prophecy concerning the building of the 3rd Jewish Temple. A centuries-old rabbinical could be coming true on March 16, 2010.
During the 18th century, the Vilna Gaon, a respected rabbinical authority, prophesied that the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem, which was built during his day, would be destroyed and rebuilt twice, and that when the Hurva was completed for the third time, construction on the Third Temple would begin.
On March 15, the reconstructed Hurva Synagogue, considered the most important house of prayer in Jerusalem will be rededicated. It was last destroyed in the War of Independence. In 2001, Israel finally decided to rebuild the landmark, which today stands in the center of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City.
So who is this Vilna Gaon and what else did he say that should cause us to take note?
Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman, known as the Vilna Gaon [the word “gaon” means genius] or Elijah of Vilna, was one of the most influential rabbinic authorities since the Middle Ages. The Gaon's single biggest contribution to the Jewish people was his corrective notes ancient texts, particularly the Talmud. Over the centuries, scribal errors had crept into the various texts [ancient texts other than the Torah itself].
These errors were serious obstacles to advanced study of the Talmud and other texts. The Gaon, with his phenomenal knowledge of the entirety of the Torah literature, was possibly the only individual capable of creating authoritative corrections of these texts. There is almost no ancient Torah text that does not bear the notes of the Gaon.
Why is this important to us today, especially if one is not of Jewish descent? Could it be due to his writing more than 200 years ago concerning the attacks on 9/11?
The earliest Jewish sages spoke of this future Rome as a “branch” of Esau/Edon, and its “industriousness” was a key in recognizing this symbolic Rome. The Jewish Talmad's “Zohar” predicted that on a certain calendar date the future Rome will suffer the “tumbling” of three high buildings, or strongholds - and that this will be the triggering process which will lead ultimately to the coming of the Messiah. It was said that this “tumbling” would occur on the 25th day of the 6th Hebrew month, the month known as Elul. On September 11th, the twin towers fell as did a 47-floor building which was part of the twin towers complex. But in the year 2001, the 25th day of Elul was September 13th, and not September 11th.
Writing in the 18th century, the “Genius of Vilna” stated that the Zohar text which described the devastation in “Rome” of the three buildings on the 25th of Elul was “off by two” (02) days. The Zohar was then corrected so that the most correct version [Sifra d'Tsniutha] reads the devastation will occur on the 23rd of Elul – which was September 11th.
This reveals that the event of September 11th was another sign pointing to the return of the Messiah—Jesus Christ. We also know that the third Jewish Temple will be built at the time of His coming, for the Antichrist will have desecrated that holy place prior to the return of Jesus Christ.
Vilna stated, “The rule is that all that was, is, and will be unto the end of time is included in the Torah, from the first word to the last word.” Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law (the Torah) until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:18
2010 is shaping up to be an interesting year—are you ready for it?
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