Israel365, an organization that seeks to promotes the Biblical significance of the land of Israel to both Jews and Christians alike, have announced their intention to raise funds for the construction of a royal crown that they hope to present to the King Messiah upon His arrival in Jerusalem.

As the group states on their website, the Temple Institute have already made much preparation for the rebuilding of the Third Temple, but little preparation has been made for the arrival of the Messiah Himself. Rabbi Yosef Berger, the rabbi of King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion, hopes this initiative will correct that mistake. He also hopes that involving people from all the nations of the world in the project will hasten the Messiah’s coming in our days.

Quote: ““For 2,000 years, Israel has waited for the moshiach (messiah),” Rabbi Berger said. “As a symbol of our belief that this period of waiting has ended, we should prepare a crown, since the first act of the moshiach will be to restore the Davidic Dynasty, which will be visibly unlike any other kingship that has ever existed.”

That phrase, ‘2000 years’, is what first captured my attention when reading this article. For many Jewish people in Israel reject the idea that Yeshua, the Lord Jesus Christ, was the Messiah. They are still looking for the first coming of their Messiah, and so have been waiting for Him for a period much longer than 2000 years. By saying ‘2000 years’ in this article, they are implying that the Messiah was once here. If you watch the promotional video, you will also see a line-drawing being made of the Lord Jesus Christ wearing the crown of thorns. Perhaps this was specifically designed for their Christian readership. Nevertheless, it is wonderful to see that Jewish people are open to finding out more about the Lord Jesus Christ, who is their Messiah after all. Israel365 also operates a news website called Breaking Israel News, run by Rabbi Eliyahu Berkowitz, which contains informative news articles relating to end time prophecy. While not a Christian website as such, they firmly believe we are living in the last days, and also that the restoration of Israel in our lifetime is the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy, and seek to inform both Christians and Jews on that basis.

I don’t know what type of crown the Lord will wear when He comes, whether it will be a man-made one or whether it will be His own. But it is interesting to see that there are those in the nation of Israel that are genuinely awaiting the return of their Messiah, though they may be unable to confess Him openly. It also shows us how close we may be to the fulfilment of that verse in Zechariah’s prophecy...

Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again. First, for all those who have trusted in Him for the forgiveness of their sins, and then to return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As you can see, preparations are already being made for His arrival. But have you made preparation for Him in your heart? Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour? The Bible says in John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”. Turn away from your sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.