Rav Tzvi Hirsch Kalisher started the modern idea of restarting korbanot, starting off a leading to Moshiach, etc.He wanted the key Rothschild at the time, who was frum to buy back Israel.  Rothschild said no, but he kept trying, to Montefiore and others.  He was a traditional learned Rav, took over his father in law's Shul, was there for 50 years.  Was a big T"Ch and also knew philosophy (as many Rabbonim at the time did, including Rabi Akiva Eiger, who he learned under) and the knowledge all mixed together. The Old Yishuv supported being there for learning only.  But R Kalisher wanted more to happen, Jewish Settlements. He wrote w Chasam Sofer and R"A Eiger, big correspondence. He wanted the korbanot to be done. 

- This is some of what I learned from Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz's wonderful, recent podcast episode.  He does about 3 a week on davening, parshah, history, and more.  Recommended.

https://player.fm/series/jewish-history-with-rabbi-dr-dovid-katz/mr-atkhalta-digulah-on-the-model-of-cyrus