What Do The Forces of Evil Know That We Don't?

1 Adar II 5779
Erev Shabbat Kodesh - Parashat Pekudei
Rosh Chodesh Bet

Inside these "gates" is a huge room. If you've ever walked through Sha'ar Yafo or Sha'ar Tzion you'll have some idea, but these gates around the Temple Mount are much bigger than those allowing entrance into the Old City itself. 

Palestinians take part in Friday prayers outside the Golden Gate, or Gate of Mercy entrance to the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem's Old City, on March 1, 2019. (Sliman Khader/Flash90)

Israel, Jordan said holding talks to end conflict at Temple Mount gate

High-level Israeli and Jordanian officials held talks Wednesday evening in an effort to end the conflict over a contested religious area on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

The longstanding closure of an area near the Golden Gate has ignited tensions between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli police in recent weeks. Worshipers have forced it open and entered on several occasions.

Jordan oversees the Waqf, the Islamic custodians of the Temple Mount.

...Earlier in the day, junior officials from both sides held talks, during which Jordan offered that the site be closed for long-term renovations. While the Israelis agreed, they insisted it must first be closed without renovations taking place, as a statement of Israeli authority. This disagreement reportedly led to talks breaking down.

The fact that the focus of evil forces has moved to this Eastern Gate, known as the Mercy Gate (Psalm 102:14 - "You will rise, You will have mercy on Zion for there is a time to favor it, for the appointed season has arrived.") is a sign to us that they know how short is their time. They are gathering there to try to stop the return of the Holy Shechinah. (Amida Prayer - "May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in mercy.")  But they have no power to stop it. All power belongs to HKB"H. 

...And he led me to the gate, a gate that faced eastward.  And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east, and its sound was like the sound of abundant waters, and the earth shone from His glory.

...And the glory of the Lord came to the House by the way of the gate that faced eastward.  And a spirit lifted me and brought me to the Inner Court, and behold the glory of the Lord filled the House.  And I heard [Him] speaking to me from the House, and a man was standing beside me.

And He said to me, Son of man, [this is] the place of My throne and [this is] the place of the soles of My feet where I shall dwell in the midst of the Children of Israel forever, and the House of Israel will no longer defile My Holy Name,....  (Yechezkel 43:1-7)

May this be the year in this season of Redemption.