The Red Heifer Sacrifice ... and its import to the 3rd Jewish Temple

[patrick457]

What is becoming clear is that John’s Revelation is strongly grounded on OT revelations that date to Moses. How much of the prophesy of OT prophets is allegory and not literal … is key. I don’t think the Jews believed it allegory, when written. Nevertheless, it could well prove literal for the Jews, and allegory for the Church. A double meaning … to accomodate BOTH Judah & Israel.

IMO, another one of the keys that help one understand Revelation are the apocalyptic literature that were rather commonplace among Jewish and Christian circles at that time (Revelation technically belongs to this genre) - like Revelation these are also chock-filled with mystical visions and otherworldly journeys and imagery that are literally “out of this world”. Here are a few examples:

1 Enoch (2nd century BC to 1st century AD)
Apocalypse of Zephaniah (100 BC to 70 AD)
2 Enoch (late 1st century AD)
Apocalypse of Peter (100 to 150 AD)
Second Apocalypse of James (120 to 180 AD)
Greek Apocalypse of Ezra (2nd to 9th century AD)
Apocalypse of Sedrach (2nd to 5th century AD)
Apocalypse of Elijah (2nd century or later)
Apocalypse of Abraham (70 to 150 AD)
Coptic Apocalypse of Peter (200 to 255 AD)

As you can see, John did not really pen an all-original, ‘unique’ - in a sense - work (there goes the claim that he was under the influence of strange substances when he wrote Revelation…judging from the apocalyptic literature extant today, the ancients are all apparently cracked in the head ) Plus, his audience was not that dumb to not comprehend allegorical and symbolic imagery.

I’d love to find the earliest ECF’s addressing Ezekiel Chp. 34-48. … those before time of Origen & Augustine.

This page might help.

 

[brb3]

This page might help.

Will look it over ASAP.

Just came across this today from Athanasius’s LETTER TO MARCELLINUS

“The books of the Prophets contain foretellings about the sojourn of the Savior, admonitions concerning divine commands [to the Jews, I think we can take his meaning here], and reprimands against transgressors, AS WELL AS PROPHECIES FOR THE GENTILES. Yet the Book of Psalms is like a garden containing things of all these kinds, and it sets them to music, but also exhibits things of its own that it gives in song along with them.”

He appears to differentiate OT prophesy into Jewish[Temple] & Gentile [Church] components … yet not suggesting the same scripture passages have a Double meaning for both.

 

[ryanoneil]

Not accurate. They currently have 500 Levite priests trained to conduct Temple duties. Apparently, with the help of modern science, … they can differentiate the 12 Tribes. Apparently a unique genetic marker is present on the Y- Chromosome of the Levites, that allows modern day Jews to be certified as genuine offspring of OT Priests.

Exactly what type sacrifices are planned for Temple 3 ? Perhaps animals. Lambs, pigeons, etc. Surely the Red Heifer will be needed to purify the temple. Certainly cereal grain [bread] would be appropriate. And wine ?

Starting to sound rather Catholic isn’t it ? And, it will be [and moreso] when Christ arrives on the scene … after the Temple abomination occurs.

Is there a similair genetic marker in the mitochondrial DNA from the mother. Both would need to be present at the same time because the Law requires the prospective priests show proof of Aaronic descent on the father and mother’s side. Failure to meet these requirements make the ineligible (Ezra 2:61-63; Neh 7:63-65).

But this is really a moot point because there has been a change from the Levitical priesthood of Aaron to the Melchizekekian priesthood of Christ. (Hebrews 7)

 

[patrick457]

Will look it over ASAP.

Just came across this today from Athanasius’s LETTER TO MARCELLINUS

“The books of the Prophets contain foretellings about the sojourn of the Savior, admonitions concerning divine commands [to the Jews, I think we can take his meaning here], and reprimands against transgressors, AS WELL AS PROPHECIES FOR THE GENTILES. Yet the Book of Psalms is like a garden containing things of all these kinds, and it sets them to music, but also exhibits things of its own that it gives in song along with them.”

He appears to differentiate OT prophesy into Jewish[Temple] & Gentile [Church] components … yet not suggesting the same scripture passages have a Double meaning for both.

I just saw another translation which renders the passage in question as:

The Prophets foretell the coming of the Saviour, put us in mind of the commandments, reprove transgressors, and for the Gentiles also have a special word. Each of these books, you see, is like a garden which grows one special kind of fruit; by contrast, the Psalter is a garden which, besides its special fruit, grows also some those of all the rest.

I think (this is just personal opinion, note) that the reference to the gentiles here should rather be read in relation to the Prophets foretelling “the sojourn of the Savior”. But I might be wrong there.

 

[ryanoneil]

I agree that all the OT prophesies and Revelations are hard to incorporate within our Catholic understandings on Christ and the Church. They only seem to make sense if the Church is Raptured BEFORE the Last Days.

There seems to be a two track course in prophesy. At least a double meaning … .one for the Church and one for Israel and the Temple. Christ returns to take his Church to Heaven … but, to fight for and reestablish his Jewish people in a Temple that He & DAVID will reign over. The 1000 year Millennial Kingdom. Actually, an EVERLASTING Kingdom.
And, it appears the Christians might be instrumental in ‘fighting’ with Christ in the great battle … to bring this about.

We say ONE WAY to God … thru the Church. And we know this is true and revealed in NT scriptures. But, the OT End Time prophesy is very difficult [for me] to incorporate into my Catholic understandings.

I’m hoping some here can help me put the pieces together. For example, Ezekiel spends over half of his LONG book discussing the End Times and the rebuilding of the Final Jewish Temple. And, it is clearly not Temple #2. In fact, he describes what I would call TEMPLE # 4. A Temple built by Christ, and ruled with Prince DAVID at his side.

Do we toss the Book of Ezekiel out of our Catholic Bibles ? We cannot. We need to understand the Jewish issue better. Help me !

THere is a one track course through the New Covenant. Jesus everlasting reign in the heavenly Jerusalem fulfill’s God’s covenant oath to establish David’s throne for all time. He is reigning there now.

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Luke 12:31-34)

**and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:29-30)

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews ; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” (John 18:36)**

Every time you read the Old Testament forshadowing, realize this is what they were pointing to (without fully realizing it). Forget everything you’ve heard about the RAPTURE. This heavenly kingdom and Temple is were we are called to at our death. Christ does not come to take the Church anywhere when he returns. He brings the heavenly kingdom to the imperfect earthly one when he returns, and he makes them a perfect new creation. Time and history end when this happens and EVERLASTING eternity begins.

 

[brb3]

I just saw another translation which renders the passage in question as:

The Prophets foretell the coming of the Saviour, put us in mind of the commandments, reprove transgressors, and for the Gentiles also have a special word. Each of these books, you see, is like a garden which grows one special kind of fruit; by contrast, the Psalter is a garden which, besides its special fruit, grows also some those of all the rest.

I think (this is just personal opinion, note) that the reference to the gentiles here should rather be read in relation to the Prophets foretelling “the sojourn of the Savior”. But I might be wrong there.

You got that trans. from www.fisheaters.com/psalmsathanasiusletter.html

I just finished reading Letter to Marcellinus, … and was BLOWN AWAY by the explanation of prophesy in Psalms [and other OT books] by Athanasius. The saint was a genius, or else this was the ‘time tested’ Tradition passed down to him by earlier ECF’s — from the Apostles.

Athanasius also says in his letter on prophesy “One listens to the Prophets so as solely to have knowledge of the coming of the Savior”.

This Letter to Marcellinus, should be mandatory reading for every Catholic. No wonder the Church used to require all to memorize the Book of Psalms.