By Maria Merola אריאל
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, March 2010.
For the average Sunday church-going Christian, the very suggestion of animal sacrifices continuing under our Messiah during the Millennium, sends shivers up and down their spines. They suppose that since our Messiah uttered these words “It is finished,” (John 19:30), it must mean that all of prophecy has been fulfilled, and there is nothing left to be done in the future. However, nothing could be further from the truth!
First, I would like to address our Messiah’s famous last words “It is finished” in John 19:30.
What exactly was finished?
The phrase “It is finished” is only one word in the Greek Textus Receptus:
#5055 teleo from 5056; to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, accomplish, make an end, perform, pay.
#5056 telos to set out for a definite point or goal; the point aimed at as a limit. The conclusion of an act. Result, ultimate prophetic purpose.
The next question we should address is “What exactly did he put an end to, and what did he come to accomplish?”
The answer is found in Daniel 9:24. Daniel was shown a 490-year period whereby six things would be accomplished during that period.
There are two schools of thought about Daniel’s 70th Week, and both are erroneous.
The first school of thought is called “Preterism,” which purports that all of Daniel’s 70th Week has been fulfilled.
The second school of thought is called “Futurism,” which purports that the last seven years of Daniel’s 70th Week is yet to be fulfilled in the future.
Both theories are wrong.
Our Messiah fulfilled the first half of Daniel’s 70th Week during his 3.5 years of ministry on earth, leaving only 3.5 years left in the future.
The Corporate “Two Witnesses” will finish the week on our Messiah’s behalf with a ministry of 1,260 days or 3.5 years (Revelation 11:3).
The entire 490 years are not successive. This 490-year prophecy is broken down into three segments.
In Daniel 9:25, it says there will be “Seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks.” This means 62 weeks of years, or 62 x 7, which equals 434 years.
The period of “seven weeks” is actually “seven weeks of years” equaling 49 years. The period of “threescore and two weeks” (62 weeks) is equivalent to 434 years.
Daniel 9:27 says: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week, and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease…”
Thus, we have:
49 years + 434 years + 7 years divided in half, which means two segments of 3.5 years.
49 + 434 + 3.5 + 3.5 = 490 years.
I will not elaborate in this teaching about Daniel’s 70th Week, because I don’t want to stray from the topic at hand. To learn more about Daniel’s 70 Week Prophecy, see my other blog entitled: “Who Confirms the Covenant of Daniel’s 70th Week?”
If our Messiah fulfilled all six things in Daniel 9:24, the following six items should have already been fulfilled, and we know that they are not.
1.) To finish the transgression: The transgression of the Torah has not been finished, because people are still transgressing the Torah.
1st John 3:4 Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the Torah (law): for sin is the transgression of the Torah (law).
2.) To make an end of sins: We know that sin abounds all the more in these last days. Our Messiah made a way for sin to be atoned for, and for us to be forgiven (when we repent), but sin has not ended yet.
3.) To make reconciliation for iniquity: this piece has been fulfilled by our Messiah when he died on behalf of sinful humanity.
Hebrews 2:17 says: “Wherefore, in all things, it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful, and faithful high priest in things pertaining to Elohiym to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
4.) To bring in everlasting righteousness: We have not seen this yet, for we know this does not begin until Messiah returns to set up his Everlasting Kingdom.
5.) To seal up the vision and prophecy: We know the vision and prophecy have not yet been fulfilled, because it was told to Daniel in 12:4 that “The vision and prophecy will be finished in the latter days.”
6.) To anoint the Most Holy Place in the Temple: Our Messiah will rebuild the Tabernacle of David and the Ezekiel Temple upon his return, and this is when we will see “The Most Holy Place” anointed again.
Thus, it is obvious at this point, that our Messiah did not “FINISH” EVERYTHING!
What part did he finish?
He finished the 3rd item out of the six things listed in Daniel 9:24 “To make reconciliation for iniquity.”
Therefore, it is now crystal clear, why we cannot build a case that our Messiah “finished” everything there is to be done within the realm of prophecy.
As a matter of fact, he clearly tells us in Matthew 5:17-19, that none of the Mosaic Law (Torah) has passed away yet!
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
And when does heaven and earth pass away?
Not until the end of the 1,000-year reign of Messiah on earth!
Hazown (Revelation) 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Hazown (Revelation) 21:2 And I Yahuwchanon (John) saw the holy city, new Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), coming down from Elohiym out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
All during the Millennium, our Messiah will teach the nations his Torah (instructions), which will include the prophetic significance of the animal sacrifices.
He will not be conducting animal sacrifices as a means of atoning for sins, because ANIMAL BLOOD NEVER TOOK AWAY SINS IN THE FIRST PLACE!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 10:4 For it is not possible, that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
So then, why will our Messiah perform animal sacrifices during the Millennium?
They will be done as a “MEMORIAL,” of himself!
Animal sacrifices during the Millennium will serve as “object lessons” for us to observe, and to understand their meaning.
Many people fail to understand that all animal sacrifices done in the Temple were not for sin.
Many of the animal sacrifices were done for peace offerings, and for worship, such as the “evening and morning sacrifices.” The priests also had to eat food, and they were commanded to partake of the meat of these sacrifices. There was a practical, and a spiritual reason for these animal sacrifices.
The spiritual aspect is to show us a prophetic shadow picture of the “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world!” (Revelation 13:8). Just imagine, we will be eating beef & lamb barbeque with our Messiah during the Millennium!
It’s like when a married couple watches their wedding video every year on their anniversary, or they look at the photo albums of their Wedding Day. They do not throw away the video or the photo album, just because they are now married!
They do not conclude that because they have already gotten married, their marriage vows are “Done away with!”
What most people fail to understand, is that the Millennium is a “transitional period,” leading up to “The New Heaven & New Earth” coming down in the 8th Millennium.
This is what we are supposed to learn every year when we celebrate “The Feast of Tabernacles” (Sukkot).
Beyth Kefa (2nd Peter) 3:8 tells us that “ONE DAY IS LIKE A THOUSAND YEARS TO YAHUWAH!”
We are commanded in Leviticus 23:39-42 to dwell in “temporary shelters” for “seven days,” to remind us that this earth we dwell in, is a temporary earth, and the bodies that we dwell in are “temporary bodies,” that will be replaced by something permanent! We will have a permanent new heaven & earth, as well as a permanent, immortal, (incorruptible) body!
After seven days of living in tents (temporary shelters), we are commanded to celebrate on “The eighth day” after Sukkot, called “The Last Great Day,” or in Hebrew, “L’Shana Rabbah.”
This represents the eighth millennium, when we will no longer dwell on a temporary earth, for the new heaven and earth will replace the old one!
For “SEVEN DAYS,” (7,000 years), since the creation, we live on this temporary earth.
Then, on the “EIGHTH DAY,” (8th millennium), the new heaven & earth will descend out of heaven!
Where are we shown in Scripture that Messiah will offer up sacrifices and oblations in the Millennium.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 45:22 And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock for a sin offering.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 46:2 And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) Ezekiel 46:4 And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto YHWH in the sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) Ezekiel 46:12 Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto YHWH, one shall then open him the gate that looks toward the east, and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he did on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth one shall shut the gate.
Now, I know what some of you are asking yourselves: “Why in the world would our Messiah need to offer up sacrifices in the Tabernacle of David, when he already was that ultimate sacrifice for sins?”
The answer to that question is simple.
Animal blood never took away sins in the first place!
Even under the Mosaic Covenant, animal sacrifices were already OBSOLETE!
The Work Has Been Finished In Eternity Past!
They were only meant to serve as a PROPHETIC SHADOW PICTURE OF THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!!!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
Ephsiym (Ephesians) 1:4 According as he has chosen us in him FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although THE WORKS WERE FINISHED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:26 For then must he often have suffered SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: but now once in the end of the world has he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Aleph Kepha (1st Peter) 1:20 Who verily was foreordained BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, but was manifest in these last times for you.
Do you understand now?
Our Messiah has already finished the work in ETERNITY PAST!
The only reason why he demonstrated his sacrifice on the tree in front of us, is so that we would have a VISUAL PICTURE of what he has already done for us SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!
Therefore, animal sacrifices were NEVER needed on earth, because their heavenly purpose has already been satisfied by Melchizedek!
They only served as a “PROPHETIC PICTURE” of our Messiah’s ultimate sacrifice for our sins!
We must understand, that if we do not continue to enact these animal sacrifices in the Millennium, it will be easy to “FORGET” what our Messiah has done for us!
This is the reason why we are commanded to “REMEMBER!”
Therefore, in the Millennium, animal sacrifices will be done as a prophetic picture “IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIM!”
What are we commanded to do in “remembrance” of our Messiah?
Was he talking about partaking of a communion wafer on Sunday mornings invented by the Roman Catholic Church?
No, he was commanding us to offer up a Passover Lamb as “A MEMORIAL—IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LAMB!”
Torah commands that we offer up a Passover Lamb only in Jerusalem, where he has chosen to place his name. Therefore, we are unable to sacrifice animals in any other place in the world, except for in Jerusalem.
However, we are commanded to keep the reenactment of the Passover Lamb sacrifice by reading the account in Scripture.
Yet, in the Millennium, the entire purpose for our Messiah rebuilding the Tabernacle of David, is so that the same functions will be performed that were done in David’s Tabernacle!
Shemoth (Exodus) 12:14 And this day shall be unto you A MEMORIAL; and you shall keep it a feast to YHWH throughout your generations; YOU SHALL KEEP IT A FEAST BY AN ORDINANCE FOREVER.
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
1st Corinthians 11:24 And when had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
1st Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do you, as often as you drink it, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
What about the Levitical Priesthood versus the Melchizedek Priesthood in the Millennium?
We have already established that “none” of the Torah and Prophets are done away with until “heaven and earth passes away.” And we know that this does not take place until after the 1,000-year reign of Messiah on earth.
We are told that Yahuwshuwa will “rebuild” the Tabernacle of David that has fallen down during his earthly reign:
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 16:5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
Amowc (Amos) 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old.
Ma’aseh Shlichiym (Acts of the Apostles) 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.
Does Elohiym Dwell In Temples Made By Hands?
Often-times, I hear people quoting these verses out of the book of Acts, as they think these verses mean that YaHuWaH no longer dwells in brick-and-mortar Temples:
Acts 7:48 Howbeit the Most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as says the prophet.
Acts 17:24 Elohiym that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Master of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands.
However, we have the witness of Scripture, showing us that YaHuWaH’s presence did dwell in the Tabernacle that he ordained:
Shemoth (Numbers) 20:6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of YHWH appeared unto them.
After the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant during the 1st Temple era, YaHuWaH caused his presence to depart from Yisra’el because of the sinful ways of Eli, the priest and his two wicked sons.
The entire account is seen in 1st Samuel 4:21-22. Ichabod (Hebrew: אִיכָבוֹד ʾĪḵāḇōḏ, “without glory,” is mentioned in the first Book of Samuel as the son of Phinehas, a priest at the biblical shrine of Shiloh, who was born on the day that the Yisraelites’Ark of Elohiym was taken into Philistine captivity.
His mother went into labour due to the shock of hearing that her husband and Eli, her father-in-law, had died and that the Ark had been captured. 1st Samuel 4:21–22 tells how Ichabod’s mother named him because the glory had departed from Yisra’el, because of the loss of the Ark to the Philistines, and perhaps also because of the deaths of Eli and Phinehas. She repeated the phrase “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured”
However, during the 2nd Temple Era, YaHuWaH’s glory later came to dwell in the temple built by Solomon after his fervent and humble prayer in 2nd Chronicles 6-7. He chose to allow his presence—again evident through the radiance and splendor of his glory—to remain in the temple for centuries.
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also YHWH sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
In the verses leading up to Acts 7:48, Stephen was preaching against pagan idols, therefore, the context of “The Most High dwells not in temples made with hands” is about how our Creator does not dwell in human-inspired statues and idols:
Acts 7:40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Acts 7:41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Acts 7:42 Then Elohiym turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O you house of Yisrael, have you offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?
Acts 7:43 Yea, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which you made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
Acts 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
The same thing is true in Acts 17, where the Apostle Paul is preaching against pagan idols:
Act 17:22 Then Shaul (Paul) stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious.
Act 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Act 17:24 Elohiym that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Master of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands;
Act 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things.
As you can see, Paul used the altar to the “Unknown God” as an opportunity to preach about YaHuWaH who forbids being worshipped through statues or idols. The context, once again, is not about YaHuWaH's Temple design.
When looking up the English words “made with hands” in Acts 7:48 & 17:24, it’s just one Greek word as follows:
As you can see, this word means “By the skill of men,” and the context of Acts 7 & 17 was about human-inspired pagan idols. The context is not about the Temple of YaHuWaH.
In the case of the Temple or Tabernacle, the design was given by YaHuWaH’s inspiration (not by human inspiration). Not only was it given by his divine instructions, but he also filled certain humans with his divine wisdom, and skills to construct everything for the Termple/Tabernacle:
Shemoth (Exodus) 28:3 And you shall speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Shemoth (Exodus) 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of Elohiym, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Shemoth (Exodus) 35:31 And he has filled him with the spirit of Elohiym, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
To What Purpose will David’s Tabernacle be Rebuilt by our Messiah?
During the 1,000-year reign of Messiah, he will “Teach us of his ways!”
This means, all the animal sacrifices, (and their prophetic purpose) will be explained to us. This will be done so that we can have an accurate picture of what Messiah has done for us.
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come you, and let us go up to the mountain of YHWH, to the house of the Elohiym of Ya’aqob (Jacob); and HE WILL TEACH US OF HIS WAYS, and we will walk in his paths: FOR OUT OF TZIYOWN (ZION) SHALL GO FORTH THE TORAH, AND THE WORD OF YHWH FROM YERUSHALAYIM (Jerusalem).
Miykayahuw (Micah) 4:2 And many nations shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of YHWH, and to the house of the Elohiym of Ya’aqob (Jacob); and HE WILL TEACH US OF HIS WAYS, and we will walk in his paths: FOR THE TORAH SHALL GO FORTH OF TZIYOWN (ZION), AND THE WORD OF YHWH FROM YERUSHALAYIM (Jerusalem).
What are the Differences between the Tabernacle of Moses & the Tabernacle of David?
Well, that is for another blog. But I will share this, only. The Tabernacle of David had two different priesthoods functioning together “side-by-side.”
There were the “Sons of Aaron,” as well as the “Sons of Zadok.”
Both families were from the Tribe of Levi, but they were from different family bloodlines within that tribe.
The Hebrew word “Zadok” is as follows in the Concordance:
#6659 Tsadowq tsaw-doke from #6663, just, justice, Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites.
#6663 tsadaq tsaw-dak to be right, (in a moral or forensic sense), clear, righteousness.
#6664 tsedeq tseh’dek from #6663, the right, moral, legal, equity, justice.
#6666 tsdaqah tsed-aw-kaw from #6663 rightness, justice, morally just.
It is from these root words that we get the compound word “Melchizedek.”
#4442 Malkiy-Tsedeq mal-kee-tseh'-dek from 4428 and 6664; king of right; Malki-Tsedek, an early king in Palestine:--Melchizedek.
The word “Malkiy” means “King.”
The word “Tsedeq” means “Righteousness.”
Therefore, David’s Tsadowq (Zadok) were a prophetic shadow picture of the Melchizedek Priesthood of our Messiah, that will serve under his leadership in the Millennium.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Why did David have Two Priesthoods Functioning in his Tabernacle?
To adequately answer that question, I must give a bit of background information.
Abraham had two kinds of “seed.”
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 22:17 That in blessing, I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.
Sand upon the seashore = earthly, physical descendants.
Stars of the heaven = spiritual, born from above descendants.
Those that are the “born-again” descendants of Abraham through Messiah, will be taken to heaven for seven literal days on the Feast of Trumpets for the wedding.
This is the bride, who has made herself ready, and will return with Messiah riding on white horses, to fight as his army in the Yom Kippur war with him (see Revelation 19).
The Yahuwdiym (Jews), that do not worship the beast, nor his image (but they don’t know Yahuwshuwa as the Messiah yet), will go through “Ten days of tribulation” (Revelation 2:10). During this time, they will “Go buy the oil of his name” (see Song of Solomon 1:3 & Matthew 25).
These are the remnant Yahuwdiym (Jews) that are living in Jerusalem in the last days who “Sigh and cry at the abominations” (Ezekiel 9).
They will meet our Messiah at the Mount of Olives when he returns, and they will “Look upon him whom they have pierced...” (Zechariah 12:10).
They will not be given an incorruptible, immortal body yet, until the end of the 7th Millennium, when the new heaven & earth comes down. Although, many of them that are martyred for their faith, (according to Revelation 2:10), they will be resurrected, but will most likely be in their natural mortal bodies during the Millennium, and still procreating natural children.
And since Yahuwshuwa will rebuild the Tabernacle of David, which has fallen down (Amos 9:11, Acts 15:16), we know know that David’s Tabernacle was used for animal sacrifices. David had both Priesthoods working together!
There was the Zadok Priesthood (a prophetic shadow of the Melchizedek Priesthood) and, the Sons of Aaron working together “side-by-side.”
This was a preview of Messiah’s 1,000-year reign!
Yahuwshuwa will be “THE GREATER KING DAVID,” who offers sacrifices as the High Priest, Melchizedek.
Those that receive immortal bodies, will be part of that same Royal Priesthood with Messiah, serving with him in the Temple.
Aleph Kefa (1st Peter) 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Just as in David’s Tabernacle, both priesthoods will be serving “side-by-side” during the Millennium.
Those from the Sons of Aaron, that were not born-again in time for the “harpazo” (catching away of the bride) on the Feast of Trumpets, will serve him in their natural bodies during the Millennium.
They will not be given immortal (incorruptible) bodies yet, until the end of the Millennium, when the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven.
Thus, the Millennium will be a transitional period, where the earthly descendants of Abraham, and those that are “born from above” will work together “side-by-side.”
Revelation 21:1-2 tells us that once the new heaven & earth come down (at the end of the 1,000-year reign), the bride will become “THE NEW JERUSALEM,” adorned for her husband.
In the New Jerusalem, YaHuWaH Almighty and the Lamb will be the Temple (Revelation 21:22), therefore, there will no longer be a need for a Temple made with hands, or of brick and mortar.
The New Jerusalem will be made up of the bride, as she is called “LIVELY STONES!”
See my blog explaining that the Levitical system is “GETTING READY TO VANISH AWAY,” but it has not vanished away yet!
Not until the end of the Millennium, when the new heaven and earth arrive!
Great message, glad to see you have addressed this; thanks!
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