Hosea 3:4-5 For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.
This is the history of Israel since the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 70 AD they were dispersed out of the land to all the nations. In the early 20th century the Jewish people returned to the Promised Land. In 1948, Israel became a nation again. Now, in the early 21st century we even hear of Jews who believe in Jesus Christ as their Messiah. And that number is growing.
In 2016, Rabbi Yosef Berger finished writing the Torah on a scroll. The ceremony was on the seventh day of the Hebrew month Adar (February 15th on a Gregorian calendar). This day is believed to be both the birthday and the death of Moses.
Rabbi Berger is one of several rabbis in charge of King David’s tomb in Jerusalem’s Old City. David’s tomb is located on Mount Zion. The scroll is to be kept at David’s tomb. It is the rabbi’s dream to present the scroll to the Messiah upon his arrival. The rabbi believes this will help fulfill the requirements to bring about the coming of the Messiah.
The shofar or ram’s horn was blown to consecrate the occasion.
According to Yalkut Shimoni and his teachings from the 13th century, the Messiah will not return until three things are done…“No signs of redemption will be shown to Israel until they seek these three things – the kingdom of heaven, the dynasty of King David, and the building of the Temple.”
It is believed that, “Writing a scroll housed on Mount Zion, where King David is interred, and adjacent to the Temple Mount, will accomplish all three goals in one action,” the rabbi explained.
Actually, Jesus Himself makes a couple of statements regarding conditions of His return.
Matthew 23:39 “For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
The Shema prayer was recited at the end of the ceremony.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Rabbi Berger’s next project…a book of Psalms written by King David.
Rabbi Yosef Berger
