From the article in Hope for Today, which Donna mentioned regarding the Sanhedrin:

We read in Isaiah 1:26 - "And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: aftereward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city."

It's been suggested that the newly reformed Sanhedrin may annoint & crown the false messiah when he appears, but Isaiah 1:26 doesn't seem to say that.   In fact, it seems to simply say that He will RESTORE those judges (who sit in the seat of Moses) as they were at the beginning, THEN Israel will be called The City of Righteousness - which means that SOMEONE (Yeshua HaMashiach, of course) will be on the scene!

There is, of course, a gap (the Great Tribulation) between the two events.....and the truth is Israel will accept a false messiah - a person who supposedly will have the solution to bring about "peace and security."  But don't forget that Israel's SUPREME belief is that there is ONE GOD, ONLY ONE....and therefore Jesus was accepted by the multitudes only as "the son of David, the son of Man....the messiah who was a man, not Deity.   The Jews never believed Him to be "The Son of God!"...which is why the Sanhedrin rejected Him on the count of blasphemy (Matt.26:65) when they asked Him if He was the Son of God and He answered "You said it."

But I see no indication in Isaiah 1:26 that shows the Sanhedrin making a SECOND fatal case of mistaken identity (as they did the FIRST time they misidentified and rejected Him).    I mean, how many times are they going to be allowed to be WRONG before they get it right?  And how many times can they BE wrong and still be "believable" when they DO say, "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!"???

It's my opinion that the Sanhedrin has been revived exactly according to the prophecy of Isaiah 1:26 and they ARE HERE to fulfill the prophetic Word of Jesus, to welcome and annoint Him - AS HE SAID THEY WOULD-  when He appears to them "the second time unto salvation!"

If they DO annoint the false messiah (and they get it wrong AGAIN) then what Jew is going to believe them a THIRD time?  Anyway, that's just my opinion.  I think that those who have suggested that the Sanhedrin might possibly annoint the false messiah are assuming so in an effort  to explain their  reappearance on the scene "now" ---- just in time for the Great Tribulation to begin.

But I believe it is important that they are in place NOW, prior to the trouble beginning.  Why?  Well, who would notice -or care- that they had reformed and reconvened in the midst of "the tribulation?"  And, for that matter, would they even be able to then?  I think not.  So, I am believing that the prophecy of Isaiah 1:26 has begun and that the Sanhedrin awaits their appointed mission - which is when they "SEE HIM AGAIN, they shall say, "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord" _ Baruch Haba B'shem Adonia!

The article also mentioned that there is an expectancy in Israel of the coming Messiah and much of the implements for worship have already been prepared.  I'd like to say something about that.

I have seen for myself these implements, including the 6' solid gold menorah, the table of shewbread, the priestly garments, the utensils, the lavers, etc. etc.  I have met Gershon Salomon who heads the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful.  He believes with all his heart, soul, and spirit - and I believe WITH Him- that God has used his life in a mission to prepare for the coming of the Messiah (NOT the antichrist!)  I believe in my heart that this godly man has been used of God for His purposes and that the work he has done and the things he has been preparing will indeed be used in the Temple WHEN ISRAEL REBUILDS IT WHEN MESSIAH REIGNS IN JERUSALEM.  I don't believe that God will allow the great God-annointed and God-ordained work of Gershon's life to be wasted.  There are miracles attached to Gershon's life in connection with the work he began and has continued in devotion and faith in God.   Gershon believes without a doubt that he will see the coming of the Messiah.  I believe with him.

Yes, the troublous times are here - and they are increasing everyday.....but it is all being fulfilled as God directs.  He has chosen THIS GENERATION to reform the Sanhedrin in preparation for their role in blessing the coming of Yeshua.

For me, it's just another roadsign directing the way to the end..... which is to say, the BEGINNING!
                                           Shalom,  Sherry Vance
P.S.:  If anyone can find references that do indeed indicate the Sanhedrin will first annoint the false messiah, I'd like to know about it.  Otherwise, I am taking Isaiah 1:26 at face value...until.