By Amy Zewe—
This week’s Jerusalem Connection Red Alert Report features a fascinating conversation with Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, author, Israel365News journalist, and longtime friend of our ministry. Shelley Neese joins me for this lively conversation with Eliyahu to explore his newest book, The Ketoret, the history of the Qumran Project, and the anticipation of the Third Temple. Learn about the profound meaning of incense (Ketoret) in Jewish worship — themes that speak deeply to both Jews and Christians seeking to understand God’s unfolding story.
Eliyahu explains why the Third Temple is not a symbol of fear or confusion, but a fulfillment of explicit biblical prophecy and a future “house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). His insights help Christians see the Temple not as an obstacle to faith, but as part of God’s redemptive plan that began in Eden, continued through Israel, and finds its fullness in Messiah.
Berkowitz notes, “The incense itself was probably the most central aspect to the whole temple service.”
The Ketoret (incense) was central to Temple worship, reminding us that communion with God is at the heart of redemption.
The episode also revisits the extraordinary story of Vendyl Jones, a Texas pastor whose passion for archaeology led him to Israel in search of ancient Temple artifacts — including what may be remnants of the original incense. His journey highlights the powerful intersection of faith, history, and the longing for restoration.
Key Themes in This Episode:
- The Third Temple as biblical prophecy and a house of prayer for all nations
- The spiritual meaning of incense in Jewish worship and its echoes in Christian Scripture
- The Qumran Project and its connection to Temple tradition
- Vendyl Jones’ archaeological quest and its impact on Jewish-Christian understanding (and Shelley’s expertise on the Copper Scroll)
- How Eden, the Temple, and redemption form one continuous biblical story
This conversation is rich with Scripture, tradition, and hope — a reminder that God is still writing His story through Israel and inviting all nations to draw near.
We encourage you to watch the full episode and share it with friends who love exploring the deep connections between Judaism and Christianity.
Learn more and donate to continue this valuable research, and download The Ketoret book for FREE at https://projectqumran.org/.
Find Eliyahu’s fiction and non-fiction books on Amazon.com.