The Synagogue Is Dead
The Temple Destroyed
Since the Fall of Man, sacrifice has always been the essence of worship of the One True God. That is, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Sacrifice is observed in the Scriptures as early as Genesis, when Cain’s offering was rejected because the state of his inward heart was not right. When the Hebrews were wandering in the wilderness, sacrificial worship was prescribed in a more formal manner, as described in Leviticus. These same prescriptions of liturgical sacrifice would be maintained in the Temple after the Jews inherited the Promised Land. Worship in the ancient Temple, with the Aaronic Priesthood, in the presence of God in the Holy of Holies, must have felt as if Heaven had come down to the chosen people on Earth. Certainly modern Synagogue and Protestant “worship” pale in comparison to the majesty of the ancient sacrificial Liturgy celebrated in the Temple. However, a more perfect worship was typified by the Priest Melchizedek:
“Now Melchizedek the king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. He blessed Abram and said, ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hands.’ Then Abram gave him a tithe of all.” (Genesis 14:18 - 20)
