One of the first things an experienced military strategist will tell you is, “Know your enemy.” It’s no secret that the Islamist terror organization, Hamas, harbors deep-seated hatred of Israel and is obsessed with destroying the Jewish state. It’s also a well-known fact that Hamas – and millions of Islamic zealots throughout the world – are motivated (and often incited) by their religious ideology and political aspirations.
But the questions must be asked: “How and where do they believe they can achieve their ultimate objective?” The answer to the former is “through war and conquest.” The answer to the latter is, “the city of Jerusalem.” Evidence of this can be clearly seen in the events of October 7 and in the months following the horrific massacre.
A very important, but under-reported fact related to the attack was that Hamas’ leaders chose to name their operation “Al-Aqsa Flood.” Al-Aqsa is the name of the Islamic gray-domed mosque located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Perched atop the southern retaining wall of the mount, it is far less known to most of the world in comparison to another Islamic structure on the holy mount – the iconic golden Dome of the Rock – which appears more prominently in panoramas of Jerusalem.
The entire 35-acre Temple Mount platform on which both structures rest is known by Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), but they also refer to it simply as Al-Aqsa. The mosque compound is held in very high regard by Muslims as the third most-holy site in the Islamic world, after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
But why would Hamas code-name a military attack planned for southern Israel –
more than 75 miles away from Jerusalem – “Al-Aqsa Flood”? To most of the world, this term meant very little, and was largely ignored. But to devout Islamists, they understood it to be a rallying cry – a call to Palestinians living in the West Bank, to Hezbollah in Lebanon, and to Muslims across the region – to join them in Jihad (an Islamic holy war) and “flood” Jerusalem.
But the questions must be asked: “How and where do they believe they can achieve their ultimate objective?” The answer to the former is “through war and conquest.” The answer to the latter is, “the city of Jerusalem.” Evidence of this can be clearly seen in the events of October 7 and in the months following the horrific massacre.
A very important, but under-reported fact related to the attack was that Hamas’ leaders chose to name their operation “Al-Aqsa Flood.” Al-Aqsa is the name of the Islamic gray-domed mosque located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Perched atop the southern retaining wall of the mount, it is far less known to most of the world in comparison to another Islamic structure on the holy mount – the iconic golden Dome of the Rock – which appears more prominently in panoramas of Jerusalem.
The entire 35-acre Temple Mount platform on which both structures rest is known by Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), but they also refer to it simply as Al-Aqsa. The mosque compound is held in very high regard by Muslims as the third most-holy site in the Islamic world, after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
But why would Hamas code-name a military attack planned for southern Israel –
more than 75 miles away from Jerusalem – “Al-Aqsa Flood”? To most of the world, this term meant very little, and was largely ignored. But to devout Islamists, they understood it to be a rallying cry – a call to Palestinians living in the West Bank, to Hezbollah in Lebanon, and to Muslims across the region – to join them in Jihad (an Islamic holy war) and “flood” Jerusalem.
Hamas, Red Cows, and Texas
The cows he was referring to are red heifers that were brought to Israel in 2022 with great fanfare and excitement by Uvne Jerusalem, a group committed to seeing a Third Jewish Temple rebuilt in the Holy City. The Israeli group had earlier embarked on an extensive search for the rare animals before discovering a Christian farmer in Texas who was a breeder of red heifers. Special permission was obtained to import the animals to Israel.
The religious significance of red heifers for Jews and Christians is rooted in the Old Testament book of Numbers, Chapter 19, and the ritual purification required of priests for service in the temple:
In September of 2022, the heifers imported to Israel from Texas were only 11/2 to 2 years old. But in order to meet the stringent religious requirements for the ritual purification ceremony for the priests serving at the temple, the heifers would need to be at least 3 years of age and be free of any spot, blemish, or any white or black hair. Thus, the October 2023 timing of Hamas’ attack is noteworthy.
According to project leaders, two additional requirements must also be met:
From the comments made by Hamas, there can be no doubt that Islamists are fully aware of the desire by certain organizations within Israel to construct a Third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount.
This is an affront to all Muslims, and thus, Hamas’ reference to Israel’s importing of red cows was an incitement for an Islamic Jihad against Israel to “defend the Muslim holy sites.”
The Scriptures are clear that another Jewish Temple will indeed be built in Jerusalem – even as Israel’s ancient animal sacrificial system is reestablished (Daniel 9:26-27). However, most Jewish people in Israel do not share the vision of a rebuilt Temple – and the official position of the Israeli government is to “maintain the status quo” on the Temple Mount. Nonetheless, there is a small but growing sentiment within Israel to see a Third Jewish Temple rise majestically upon the holy hill of Zion.
The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is simply the opening salvo in a greater war that looms over Jerusalem like a dark cloud. I am not simply speaking of the coming war for the Holy City that will be seen by human eyes, but of a largely unseen spiritual war that is raging even today, between God and Satan, and between the Jews and their enemies.
More evidence that Hamas has its sights set on the Holy City came during recent remarks made by Abu Ubaida, the top military spokesman for the terrorist organization. In his speech marking the 100th day of the war in Gaza, he listed motives for the terror group’s brutal massacre of innocent Israelis last October. Shockingly, he declared, “the Jews are bringing red cows” to the Holy Land.
The religious significance of red heifers for Jews and Christians is rooted in the Old Testament book of Numbers, Chapter 19, and the ritual purification required of priests for service in the temple:
And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face: And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn (Numbers 19:1-5).
In September of 2022, the heifers imported to Israel from Texas were only 11/2 to 2 years old. But in order to meet the stringent religious requirements for the ritual purification ceremony for the priests serving at the temple, the heifers would need to be at least 3 years of age and be free of any spot, blemish, or any white or black hair. Thus, the October 2023 timing of Hamas’ attack is noteworthy.
According to project leaders, two additional requirements must also be met:
- First, the sacrificial ceremony must take place on the other side of the Kidron Valley, on the Mount of Olives, in a location directly aligned with the original Temple and the Holy of Holies. More than 12 years ago, a plot of land was purchased by Rabbi Yitshak Mamo of Uvde Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives that would meet this requirement – thus making it possible to fulfill this ritual standard.
- Second, purified priests are required for the ceremony. According to The Temple Institute – another well-known organization in Jerusalem with aspirations to construct a Third Temple – Jewish priests are already prepared and standing at the ready to reinstitute the animal sacrificial system.
From the comments made by Hamas, there can be no doubt that Islamists are fully aware of the desire by certain organizations within Israel to construct a Third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount.
This is an affront to all Muslims, and thus, Hamas’ reference to Israel’s importing of red cows was an incitement for an Islamic Jihad against Israel to “defend the Muslim holy sites.”
The Scriptures are clear that another Jewish Temple will indeed be built in Jerusalem – even as Israel’s ancient animal sacrificial system is reestablished (Daniel 9:26-27). However, most Jewish people in Israel do not share the vision of a rebuilt Temple – and the official position of the Israeli government is to “maintain the status quo” on the Temple Mount. Nonetheless, there is a small but growing sentiment within Israel to see a Third Jewish Temple rise majestically upon the holy hill of Zion.
The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is simply the opening salvo in a greater war that looms over Jerusalem like a dark cloud. I am not simply speaking of the coming war for the Holy City that will be seen by human eyes, but of a largely unseen spiritual war that is raging even today, between God and Satan, and between the Jews and their enemies.
Posted in Israel, Middle East
Posted in Red Heifers, Al-Aqsa, Al Aqsa Flood, October 7, Temple Mount
Posted in Red Heifers, Al-Aqsa, Al Aqsa Flood, October 7, Temple Mount
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