Dominus Flevit:

  • Meaning: "Dominus Flevit" is a Latin phrase meaning "The Lord wept."
  • Significance: It refers to an event in the Gospel of Luke (19:41-44) where Jesus, upon approaching Jerusalem, weeps over the city and prophesies its future destruction because it did not recognize "what would bring you peace."
  • Location: The Church of Dominus Flevit is a Catholic Franciscan church located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, believed to be near the site where Jesus wept.
  • Architecture: The modern church, built in 1955, is designed in the shape of a teardrop to symbolize Jesus' sorrow. Its altar faces the Old City of Jerusalem, offering a direct view of the Temple Mount.
  • Historical Context: The site has been significant for centuries. Remains of a 5th-century Byzantine church have been found beneath the current structure. Archaeological excavations have also revealed ancient tombs and artifacts from the Second Temple period.
  • Pilgrimage Site: Dominus Flevit is a significant pilgrimage destination for Christians, providing a place to reflect on Jesus' compassion and his prophecy regarding Jerusalem.

Cockerel Morning Call:

  • Biblical Reference: The most significant biblical reference to a cockerel (rooster) crowing is in the New Testament accounts of Peter's denial of Jesus before his crucifixion (Matthew 26:34, 75; Mark 14:30, 72; Luke 22:34, 60; John 13:38, 18:27). Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows. Peter does deny Jesus three times, and the sound of the rooster's crow reminds him of Jesus' words, leading to deep remorse and weeping.
  • Symbolic Significance in Christianity: The cockerel's crow in this context became a powerful symbol of:
    • Fulfillment of Prophecy: It underscores the accuracy of Jesus' predictions.
    • Human Weakness and Failure: It highlights Peter's fallibility and his inability to keep his promise to Jesus.
    • Repentance and Forgiveness: Despite his denial, Peter later becomes a key leader in the early church, demonstrating that failure is not final and repentance leads to restoration.
    • Spiritual Awakening: The crow can be seen as a "wake-up call," prompting Peter to recognize the gravity of his actions.

Prediction for End Times: The Red Heifer:

  • Biblical Basis: The ritual of the red heifer is detailed in Numbers 19. It involves taking a flawless red heifer "without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke," slaughtering it outside the camp, and burning it completely. The ashes were then mixed with water to create a purification solution used for various forms of ritual impurity, particularly contact with death.
  • Historical Significance: According to Jewish tradition, only nine red heifers were sacrificed between the time of Moses and the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD.
  • Eschatological Significance (Jewish and Christian Perspectives):
    • Rebuilding the Third Temple (Jewish View): For some Orthodox Jews, the appearance of a red heifer that meets all the stringent biblical requirements is seen as a necessary prerequisite for rebuilding the Third Temple in Jerusalem and reinstating the Temple service, including sacrifices. Maimonides, a prominent Jewish scholar, believed that the tenth red heifer would be connected with the coming of the Messiah.
    • Signal of the End Times (Some Christian Views): Some Christians who hold to a premillennial view of eschatology interpret the appearance of a red heifer as a sign that the end times are approaching. They believe that a Third Temple will be built in Jerusalem before the return of Jesus Christ, and the red heifer is essential for the temple's purification. The birth and potential sacrifice of red heifers in Israel in recent years have garnered significant attention within these eschatological circles.
    • Symbolic Interpretation (Christian View): Many Christians see the red heifer ritual as a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The flawless nature of the heifer, its sacrifice outside the camp, and the cleansing power of its ashes are seen as symbolic of Christ's sinless nature, his crucifixion outside of Jerusalem, and the cleansing from sin that his sacrifice provides.
  • Current Status: There have been reports of red heifers being raised in Israel that some believe meet the biblical criteria. These developments are closely watched by those who see the red heifer as a significant element in end-times prophecies. However, the interpretation and significance of these events vary widely among different religious groups and individuals. The rebuilding of the Temple also faces significant political and religious obstacles in Jerusalem.

In summary, Dominus Flevit marks a significant moment of Jesus' sorrow and prophecy regarding Jerusalem. The cockerel's morning call is most notably associated with Peter's denial of Jesus, serving as a powerful symbol of human frailty and the fulfillment of prophecy. The red heifer holds eschatological significance for some Jews as a potential precursor to the rebuilding of the Third Temple and for some Christians as a sign of the approaching end times, while also holding symbolic meaning related to the sacrifice of Christ.