Head Priest’s Crown Ready?

Exodus 28:36 says:

“36And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”

A recent headline written by Hillel Fendel of Arutz Sheva, dated 12/02/07 reads:

Temple Institute Announces: High Priest’s Crown Ready!

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/124443

Here are perhaps some notable quotes from the article:

“The Temple Institute in Jerusalem announces the completion of the Tzitz, the High Priest’s headplate – now ready for use in the Holy Temple.

The tzitz is made of pure gold, was fashioned over the course of a more than a year by the craftsmen of the Temple Institute, and is ready to be worn by the High Priest in the rebuilt Holy Temple in Jerusalem…

…Asked whether the fact that the vessels are dedicated for the Temple does not render them hekdesh (consecrated) and therefore forbidden for any other use, Rabbi Ariel explained, “There are two stages. First of all, we make it very clear to the donors and to the craftsmen that the ultimate purpose of these vessels is not to be used for exhibitions or the like, but rather for the fulfillment of Torah commandments in the Holy Temple. They must know this in advance. However, to gain the actual status of hekdesh, we similarly make it clear that this does not happen until the vessel is actually brought in to the Temple Mount for use in the Temple…

…Asked what project they’re working on at present, Rabbi Richman said, “We have begun work on 120 sets of garments for ‘regular’ priests, not the High Priest. This involves special thread from India, etc. In addition, we have begun work on architectural blueprints for the Third Temple, including cost projection, modern supplies, electricity, plumbing, computers, etc.”…”

I have also come across a film clip online from Rabbi Richman of the Temple Mount Institute, as well as colleague Yehuda Glick, who show and describe this head piece:

http://universaltorah.com/programming/2007/11/29/the-golden-crown-of-the-high-priest.htm

Could this be true? Are they trying to recreate Biblically-authentic temple objects? If so, why? What impact does this have on prophecy? Perhaps a prudent question is, “Who is/comprises the ‘Temple Mount Institute? What is their purpose?’ ” Here are some links that may provide further background:

http://www.templeinstitute.org/about.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Institute

http://www.templeinstitute.org/vessels_gallery.htm

If there are people and groups who are actively participating in recreating an authentic Jewish temple, should an observer of Biblical prophecy notice? What part would a rebuilt temple, if not only rebuilt but equipped with every object, person, etc needed to once again carry out temple activities, play in prophecy? Or does it not play a part?

Considering what the Bible says, should news stories such as this be important to Christians?

New Biometric Database: Step Towards Global Governance or Much-Needed National Tool?

Revelations 13:11-18 reads:

11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

This passage of Revelation discusses a global economics system which is so detailed that the very actions of each and every person on earth is to be controlled by a global authority. Now consider a headline from this past week:

“FBI aims for world’s largest biometric database”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071222/tc_nm/fbi_biometrics_dc

Is this new database another step towards a coming global financial system that tracks, records, and even possibly controls the personal transactions of each human on earth? Or is it simply a tool which is needed at the national level in the US?

Another program already on schedule to be unveiled in the US is called the “Real ID Act”. Passed by Congress in 2005, it is a series of acts which, among other things, sets federal standards for state-issued driver’s licenses, employment and banking identification standards, and many other things which may appear to fall under its broader heading entitled: “Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005″. More information can be found at such sources as:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REAL_ID_Act

http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/laws/gc_1172767635686.shtm

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,249142,00.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/08/12/ramasastry.ids/index.html

With an expansive new biometric identification program by the federal government, as well as legislation such as that contained in the “Real ID Act” (and further considering previous essays on this blog concerning possible US sovereignty erosion moving towards globalism), are we taking swift steps towards an inevitable future as described in such scripture as Revelation chapter 13? Or are these simply steps needed in the global “War on Terrorism”? Are such programs benign and absolutely necessary to ensure freedom? Or might they be well-intentioned actions which may directly lead to future dictatorship? Or…none of the above?

What do you think?