Return of the Sanhedrin?

In 2004, news reports from sources in Israel (Jerusalem Post, Arutz Sheva, etc) started reporting that there had been a re-establishment of the Sanhedrin in Israel. In general, the term Sanhedrin refers to a a local government body which served as local legislative and judicial body. However, this was talk of ‘the‘ Sanhedrin, also known as ‘The Great Sanhedrin’.

Historically, the main council of the Sanhedrin ceased to exist in around 350 AD at the hands of Roman rule. Its purpose had been to provide both judicial and spiritual leadership, as they held recognized national authority. In general, this main Sanhedrin council was comprised of over 70 members. It was led by a leader (Nasi), the High Priest (Cohen Gadol), and a vice chief justice (Av Beit Din). Christians may remember the Sanhedrin from accounts in the New Testament regarding the trial of Jesus. Some credit it as having been established originally as the council of the 70 elders founded by Moses in Numbers 11:16.

There were previous articles describing this new attempt to resurrect the Sanhedrin by the Jerusalem Post back in 2004 and 2005. However, these articles have since been taken down. One can however find mirrors and records of these articles. Here is one such headline:

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz new head of ‘Sanhedrin’, by Mati Wagner -Jerusalem Post, 6/6/2005

http://www.templeinstitute.org/archive/06-06-05-j.htm

However, another mainstream news source from Israel is accessible today:
Sanhedrin Launched In Tiberias

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/70349

But for the sake of argument, if this council has been re-established: How does this effect us today as Christians? Does it matter? According to Biblical prophecy, the existence of a Jewish state was foretold (Ezekial 36:24-29, which discusses the people being brought back together, also referring to at first they did not believe, yet would come to believe) , as well as observing the traditional Jewish sacrifices in the temple referred to in Daniel 12:11 and Revelation 11). Clearly, the Jewish state is now here after thousands of years in exile. But what about the sacrifice and temple talked about in the Bible? Are they being brought back?

If you believe the Bible is 100% accurate, these things too are only a matter of time. For thousands of years, many scoffed at the notion that the nation of Israel would ever again become a nation…So much in fact, that people said it MUST only be symbolic because it was simply ‘impossible’ to actually occur as scripture foretold. However, true to His word, Israel was indeed established once more as a physical nation on May 14 1948.

So, are there any headlines in the past few years which may hint at any of these temple-type sacrificial and other traditional religious activities starting up once more? Well, the answer is ‘yes’. (Here again, the Jerusalem Post article is a mirror as the original has apparently been taken down). Here are a few articles which may provide insight as to possible intentions of this new Sanhedrin:

Hear ye, hear y: ‘Sanhedrin’ seeks David’s scion to be king, by Yaakov Katz-Jerusalem Post, 1/12/2005

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P1-104221584.html

Sanhedrin to purchase sheep for passover sacrifice, Arutz Sheva, 3/1/2007

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/122398

New ‘Sanhedrin’ plans rebuilding the temple, Worldnetdaily, 6/8/2005

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44672

Revived Sanhedrin discusses temple, Hal Lindsey-Worldnetdaily, 2/17/2005

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42898

Consider these things together… that the 1) rebuilding of the temple and 2) re-institution of the sacrifices must be coordinated by someone. Who is that traditionally? Perhaps those which the Jewish people look to for religious leadership, especially when considering traditional actions. It may be important to keep track of who these people are, and what they are doing. Furthermore, it may be helpful to track these prophetic events, as they will also eventually lead to the ‘abomination which causes desolation’ mentioned in the Bible: when the Anichrist finally declares himself god.

It should also be mentioned, however, that there are also those which do not take serious this attempt to reconvene the council, due to concerns regarding the behavior of many of the current members. This is due in part to many of whom openly claim to visit the Temple Mount, which is today viewed by many influential rabbis as a questionable act according to religious laws refering to proper religious conduct (the concern lies with accidentally walking in ‘holy’ areas). An example of this hotly-debated point of view regarding visits to the temple mount can be found in articles such as this one from Haaretz newspaper in Israel:

Ex-chief rabbi opposes new moves to visit Temple Mount, Nadav Shragai-Haaretz, 5/16/2007

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/860322.html

What do you think? We have seen fulfillment of some seemingly impossible prophecy before, such as the re-establishment of the state of Israel in their original lands. Do we believe that God will also keep His word regarding other events He has told us will happen? If so, do events such as these provide any insight into the progress of these prophecies?

Are we watching?

(If you are interested in reading more, there are numerous websites discussing both the traditional Sanhedrin, and this more recent movement at re-establishment. One such site which is devoted to the subject can be found at:

http://www.thesanhedrin.org/en/

It should be noted however that this and many other sites like it are apparently private and are in no way an officially sanctioned website by the ‘Sanhedrin’.)