In 135 AD the Romans completely destroyed Jerusalem and plowed over the city to completely wipe it out. The Romans plowed the city! Micah 3:12a prophesied "Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed like a field..."
The picture above is an aerial shot of the City of Jerusalem in 1910. Where I placed a red circle is where archeologist have found that Zion, the city of David, was located. I made the picture large so you can better see that the area inside the circle is plowed fields. Even until the early 20th century, the Jerusalem of David's time was plowed over like a field.
If the Temple was down in the circled area it is easy to see why Josephus mentions Fort Antonia as being a guard of the temple and on a higher hill so as to hinder the temple's view to the North. The traditional, small Tower of Antonia to the North West of the Temple Mount would have been almost no hindrance at all.
In the Scriptures when talking about the Fortress of Antonia it talks about coming down from the fortress. Acts 21:32 talks about the commander of the garrison hearing an uproar of the Jews at the Temple where Paul was being beaten and it says, "He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them...."
Archeology is finding new evidence about the City of David everyday. They have found David's Palace and another area where sacrifices were done around the time of the first temple. It has blood channels, holes in rock for rings to be placed to hold animals, and within 10 yards of this area is the Gihon Spring.
The priest needed living water, flowing water, to cleanse themselves. Water from a cistern was never used. The Gihon Spring was an inexhaustible source for the Temple to use. Also when the kings were crowned they would go to the Gihon Springs and oil would be poured over their heads. There is an olive press in this worship area just for such purposes. See 1 Kings 1:38-39 for the crowning of King Solomon.
Was this worship and sacrifice area, in the city of David, from the time of Solomon's Temple? It is located in the right area and the evidence is there to point to it being the correct spot. The problem with people declaring this to be the site of the Temple is that so many are following the traditional belief of the Temple Mount, instead of the scriptural, historical and archaeological evidence.
If this is the location of the Temple than the 3rd temple can be built right now. The biggest thing stopping this from happening is tradition.
"Abandoning the commandment of God, you hold fast to the tradition of men." Mark 7:8
Even in our own lives. we have traditions we hold onto. Traditionally Christmas is December 25th and many people believe that to be the actual date of the birth of Christ. Traditionally there were three wise men, but the Bible never said that. Follow only what God says and do not follow the traditions of man. The Catholic Church has deceived the world with traditions they have created. Even protestants agree with many of those traditions.
Where the Temple is located is important, but what is of greater importance is that we be willing to put aside our own traditions for what is the truth of God.
To read Part 1 of this series CLICK HERE
To read Part 2 of this series CLICK HERE
To read Part 1 of this series CLICK HERE
To read Part 2 of this series CLICK HERE
1 comment:
And the church sleeps on. Too many pastors preach traditional messages , but ignore prophecy. Five loaves and two fishes,David and Golith. prodigal son ect. The Four Blood moons were ignored in 2014 2015 The Solar eclipse solely over the United States. The now excellent relationship between Benjamine Netanyaho, and President Trump. All signs that we are in the very last days.
We need to wake up and study prophecy. It is rapidly being fulfilled at a rapid rate. I believe we are at the end of the Philadilphia church and starting the Leodician church.
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