The title seems forebensigng, yet only for those who are unprepared for his coming! Preparations are being made that include beautiful and sacred "Houses of the Lord" throughout the world. There will be two specific temples, each in a "City of the Lord," (It seems there will be two cities, Jerusalem and Zion).

"And he shall utter his voice out of Zion, and he shall speak from Jerusalem, and his voice shall be heard among all people;" (DC 133:21)

His people must also be prepared as they make covenants then shift their paradigms in consecrating everything to the building of his kingdom. The "dress rehearsal" of today’s preparation and building was before his "first" coming. Therefore, the accounts of the Children of Israel returning to their sacred city and rebuilding the temple is so valuable for us today.

"Zechariah was a prophet whose oracles are recorded in the 11th book of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Bible. He apparently lived in the sixth century B.C.E., shortly after the destruction of the First Temple, and may have been among the first groups of Jews to return to Erez Israel from the Babylonian Exile. Zechariah believed that the destruction and Exile were God's way of punishing the Jews for their sins, but he urged them to repent and rebuild the Temple with God's blessing."

"The Book of Zechariah is divided into two parts. The first eight chapters are historical in nature. They make mention of the Babylonian Exile and of contemporary figures. The second half of the book, however, makes no mention of time or place and is not as easily understood as the first. Some scholars therefore feel that the book was written by more than one person."

"Both sections have one stylistic point in common: they are filled with symbolic visions, explained by an angel who speaks to Zechariah and acts as an intermediary between the prophet and God. Many of these visions concern the rebuilding of Jerusalem. For example, in the first part of the book the prophet sees four horns (like those of a ram butting against a wall), which represent the nations that destroyed Jerusalem. Zechariah them observes four craftsmen who go to cut the horns down, symbolizing the restoration of the city. The second section of the book describes the divine punishment of Israel's neighbors and the future victory of the Jews over their enemies. Jerusalem will be besieged by many nations, he predicts, but these will be struck with confusion and madness, and the "chiefs of Judah" will devour them."

"Zechariah believed that the ceremonies and rituals performed in the service of God were meaningless unless accompanied by the striving for righteousness, truth and peace. He saw Jerusalem as the chosen city, protected by God."

"The prophet Zechariah gives a happy description of old age when he speaks of the days to come. "There shall yet be old men and women in the public squares of Jerusalem," alongside "boys and girls playing in its public squares" (8:4)."

"The rabbis regarded Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi as the last of the prophets, the "divine spirit" having ceased in Israel with their deaths."

"Zechariah continued in the same task as Haggai; he too encouraged the Jews to rebuild the Temple. Zechariah reminded Israel that before God returned to the Temple the people must return to God through righteousness, justice, and mercy: "Return to Me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you." The nation's future security would be guaranteed, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, says the Lord of Hosts" (4:6), and Israel would flourish once again. Zechariah prophesied of the Golden Age of the Messiah when God's Kingdom would be established on earth." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The greatest return to Israel was from Egypt and every year two holidays are memorials of that deliverance as well as expectations of an even greater deliverance in the Future. These holidays are celebrated on the first full moon after the first day of spring (Passover) and fall (Sukkot).

This holiday (Sukkot) was also the occasion for the consecration of the Temple built by Solomon and every seventh year on Sukkot, the Torah was read by the king before the assembled people. In his vision of the end of days, the prophet Zechariah foretells that all the nations of the world will assemble for the festival of Sukkot in Jerusalem to worship God." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

On both holidays, special arrangements are made in anticipation of expected guests who will come unexpectedly. They include Moses and Elijah! The prophet Malachi speaks of Elijah’s anticipated return and the work needed to prepare the people. The pattern is familiar today.

"The ecstasy of rebuilding the holy Temple passed and the Jews fell into disreputable ways once again. Intermarriage was common, as was divorce, and morals were weak. Malachi was faced with the task of awakening the people from their religious lethargy and bringing them back to God. He denounced their neglect of the Temple service and compared this unfavorably with the non-Jews who brought abundant offerings to God. Malachi announced the coming of the Day of Judgment which would remove the sinners from the nation and thus clear the way for the Messianic Age: "Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the land with utter destruction."

"The Sabbath before Passover is known as Shabbat ha-Gadol. Tradition connects it with the tenth of Nisan, the day on which the Israelites in Egypt set aside the lamb which they were to slaughter on the first Passover (Exodus 12:3). On Shabbat ha-Gadol, a special haftarah, taken from the Book of Malachi and referring to the day on which Elijah the Prophet will reappear as forerunner of the great day of the Lord, is read. It is also customary on this Shabbat for the rabbi to devote his sermon to the laws of Passover."

"Naturally, not all Jews accepted the new role of the sages and their methods of interpreting the Torah. Had not the last of the prophets, Malachi, written: "For the priests' lips preserve knowledge, and one should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts?"; was it not then the priests and the wealthy landowners who were entitled to interpret the Torah? And was not the Temple rather than the synagogue the true center of Jewish life? Before long there had developed a political/religious party, representing the priestly class, which opposed the sages. This party took the name Zedukim (Sadducees) probably because a priest named Zadok was selected by both David (II Samuel 8:17) and Solomon (I Kings 1:34) to control the affairs of the Temple and because Zadok's descendants constituted the Temple hierarchy down to the second century B.C.E. The Sadducees refused to accept a precept as binding unless it was based directly on the Torah. They denied the validity of the Oral Law as developed by the Pharisees. The Sadducees also rejected the Pharisaic belief in the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body, claiming that there is no basis for these beliefs in the Torah). They also disagreed with the Pharisees in regard to the question of free will. Whereas the latter group claimed that human freedom was somewhat limited by fate, the Sadducees . . ." take away fate entirely, and suppose that God is not concerned in our doing or not doing what is evil; and they say that to act what is good, or what is evil, is at man's own choice . . ." as the ancient historian, Josephus put it." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

As previously mentioned in another lesson supplement, Passover is a time for Elijah to return. The ancient eating arrangement at the Passover meal (Seder) was "U" shaped with the oldest seated at the second seat with one of the youngest of his choice seated at his right hand, in the first seat. At the other end of the "U" shaped seating was an empty chair for Elijah. His place was directly opposite of the youngest and the oldest, symbolic (if you please) of Elijah turning the hearts of fathers to children and the children to the fathers.

At one Passover I asked my youngest son at the appropriate time to open the door for Elijah. He refused. The seven-year-old said, "I don’t have to open the door for Elijah, he’s already come!" He was referring to Elijah’s appearance in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836, the Passover season that year!

"A trouble-maker" is what King Ahab called Elijah. The Bible calls him Elijah the Tishbite, and many people have called him the first of the great prophets of Israel. Elijah was not a professional prophet, but a simple shepherd who felt himself called upon by God to help the Jewish people turn away from evil. He answered this call by setting out on a life-long prophetic mission."

"In his campaign against idol worship, Elijah confronted the priests of Baal who were gathered in front of all the nation at Mount Carmel to pray for rain at a time of drought. Elijah challenged the priests; whoever could bring down the sacred fire on the sacrifice, his would be acknowledged as the true God. The priests prayed, danced, whipped themselves, to no avail. Elijah calmly called upon God to answer his prayer, and fire consumed the altar. The people fell on their faces crying "The Lord is God," and Elijah then ordered them to kill the priests of Baal."

"Jezebel was furious at the slaying of her priests and Elijah was forced to flee for his life. In despair, he eventually came to Mount Horeb, and there, in the very place where God had appeared to Moses, He revealed Himself to Elijah in a still small voice, telling him to continue his work."

"Elijah always felt he was fighting a losing battle, yet he never lost faith, hope or energy. Nobody knows exactly how he died: it is said that Elijah ascended to Heaven in a chariot of fire, and will return to Israel at the end of days. Many stories are told of Elijah appearing disguised, in various times and places, to help the poor and hopeless."

"A special chair is set aside for Elijah at circumcisions, as he is called the protector of children, and the upholder of the covenant between God and Israel, and Elijah is supposed to visit every Jewish home on Passover, so a special cup of wine is set aside for him. And, says the Midrash, when the time is right, it will be Elijah who will herald the coming of the Messiah." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The legendary status of Elijah as an emissary for the coming Messiah (to some - born in a manger of straw) is shown in the story of Rabbi Akiva. In the second century C.E., young Rabbi Akiva worked as a shepherd for one of the wealthiest men of Jerusalem, Kalba Savua, who had a beautiful daughter, Rachel.

"Akiva and Rachel fell in love, but her father opposed the marriage because Akiva was unlearned and illiterate. He promised to learn, but Kalba Savua was stubborn in his opposition. He refused to see the young couple or to give Rachel any dowry when she left home to marry Akiva. Instead of beds, they had straw to sleep on. Akiva told Rachel: "I wish I could afford to give you a Jerusalem of Gold." (This was a gold design of the city which was popular as an ornament.) According to a legend, Elijah then appeared to them as a poor man begging for a bit of straw on which he could lay his newborn infant. Akiva told Rachel, "See, we are not really so poor --- that man doesn't even have straw!"

"Rabbinic literature often mentions the appearance of the prophet Elijah, who did not die but ascended to the heavens in a fiery chariot."

"Countless medieval folktales recount how Elijah appeared to human beings in order to assist or punish them." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Elijah has come in modern times so, the coming of the Messiah is close at hand. When he comes, there will be a number of momentous appearances.

"For behold, he shall stand upon the mount of Olivet, and upon the mighty ocean, even the great deep, and upon the islands of the sea, and upon the land of Zion." (Doctrine & Covenants 133:20)

There will be questions as he appears to those who have waited so long for him. The questions indicate a lack of even knowing who he is.

"Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength?"

He will answer them.

"I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save."

They will continue to question.

"Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?" (Isaiah 63:1-2)

The old English word "winefat" is from the Hebrew word for a "wine press" or "vineyard." It is from that word we get "Gethsemane," where the Savior bled from every pore. His stained clothing is reflected in his return to the Mount of Olives in red.

The fact that they are asking indicates that they have not been instructed. They just don’t know the account of the Gethsemane suffering and of the crucifixion.

"And then shall the Jews look upon me and say: What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet? Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God."

Following their instruction and learning - - things that you and I may be so familiar with . . .

". . . then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king." DC 45:51-53

It will be a Godly sorrow and better yet, from the captivity of all their sorrow and persecution they have endured, they will be set free. They will hear him, their king whom they did not know, say -- as Isaiah prophesied . . .

"The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" (Isaiah 61:1)

There will be those who will not abide his presence, those who said they knew him, yet continued in their secret sins even though he has already atoned for them. Their self serving, selfish lives result in an ungodly sorrow, lamenting because they knowingly persecuted their king.

In preparation for a total commitment to serve him by serving each other, the Law of Tithing was given.

"Tithes (Hebrew: terumot, "heave offerings," and ma'aserot, "tithes"). During Temple times Israelites would set aside a portion of their agricultural products as tithes which were given to the priests, Levites, and alternately to the poor or were to be taken to Jerusalem and eaten there."

"The tithes served the purpose of supporting the priest and Levite who did not have any ancestral holdings of land and were occupied with the Temple service and other ritual duties, of supporting the poor, and of strengthening the position of Jerusalem in the consciousness of all the people of Israel. Basing themselves on the close similarity in sound between the words te aser (give tithes) and tit'asher (become rich), Rabbi Johanan said: "Give tithes so that you will become rich," and Rabbi Akiva added that, "tithes are a fence which guards one's riches." After the exile from Erez Israel, pious people became accustomed to give one-tenth of their earnings to charity, although this "tithe" is of comparatively modern origin."

"It is still customary among Orthodox Jews to set aside tithes from all produce of the Land of Israel, and the produce marketed by Tnuva, the large agricultural collective, is tithed at source before it is sold. The terumah part is either destroyed or used as fodder for animals owned by priests; because they are ritually unclean, the kohanim themselves cannot eat it. The other tithes are distributed to the poor and needy." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The tithes were used to take care of the Jerusalem Temple, the House of the Lord. After it was destroyed a memory of the last temple was perpetuated and a hope for its return was and still is constantly repeated.

"The rabbis of that generation enacted new laws whose purpose was to fulfill the biblical verse, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem . . . " (Psalm 137). They decreed that a corner of every house, a part of every meal, even some of every woman's jewelry, be set aside --- in memory of the Temple. Special prayers were formulated to express the yearning of the people to return to Zion and to worship once again in the Temple of God. Instrumental music was banned from the synagogue service, a glass was broken at every wedding, and the words "Next year in Jerusalem" were recited on Passover and at the end of the Day of Atonement --- all in memory of the Temple. Most historians believe that these prayers, customs, and hopes helped to unite the Jewish people and kept alive the hope of returning to Zion, a hope which was fulfilled in our days."

Now that Jerusalem has been restored and has become the capital of "a distinct nation" Jewish prayers, at every meal and at every synagogue service have been modified to say, "Next year in Jerusalem, rebuilt!" Orson Hyde prophesied about Jerusalem, its temple and its leadership.

". . . Now, O Lord! Thy servant has been obedient to the heavenly vision which Thou gavest him in his native land; and under the shadow of Thine outstretched arm, he has safely arrived in this place to dedicate and consecrate this land unto Thee, for the gathering together of Judah's scattered remnants, according to the predictions of the holy Prophets--for the building up of Jerusalem again after it has been trodden down by the Gentiles so long, and for rearing a Temple in honor of Thy name. . . .

. . . Thou, O Lord, did once move the heart of Cyrus to show favor unto Jerusalem and her children. Do Thou now also be pleased to inspire the hearts of kings and the powers of the earth to look with a friendly eye towards this place, and with a desire to see Thy righteous purposes executed in relation thereto. Let them know that it is Thy good pleasure to restore the kingdom unto Israel raise up Jerusalem as its capital, and constitute her people a distinct nation and government, with David Thy servant, even a descendant from the loins of ancient David to be their king . . .

. . . Let that nation or that people who shall take an active part in behalf of Abraham's children, and in the raising up of Jerusalem, find favor in Thy sight. Let not their enemies prevail against them, neither let pestilence or famine overcome them, but let the glory of Israel overshadow them, and the power of the Highest protect them; while that nation or kingdom that will not serve Thee in this glorious work must perish, according to Thy word--Yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted." (History of the Church, vol. 4, pp. 456-57.)

The Lord will return to Jerusalem that will have the House of the Lord. The entire city will become the City of The Lord.

"And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come--after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel." (Ether 13:5)

The Lord will also come to Zion that will have a House of the Lord. Apparently it will become a City of the Lord.

"That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms, saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Zion, who hath established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman;" (Doctrine & Covenants 78:15)

"...Adam-ondi-Ahman means the place or land of God where Adam dwelt . . . Apparently the area included was a large one; at least, the revelations speak of the land, the valley, and the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman. They tell us that Christ himself "established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman" (D. & C. 78:15-16), and that it included the place now known as Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri. (D. & C. 116.) Far West, Missouri, also appears to be included in the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman. On April 17, 1838, the Lord commanded his saints to assemble at Far West, which place, he said, was holy ground; and there they were to build a city. (D. & C. 115)" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Page 20)

May we be prepared for his coming. May we learn from our forefathers and benefit from their mistakes. May we ever praise God for sending his Son to pay for all mistakes. May we live with him, in his house, in his city, in his glory.