A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
It is my personal belief that whenever possible, I should use the Hebrew words and names, especially for that of our Creator and His Son. For that reason, you will find them being used in this article. It is not my intention that this should be a stumbling-block for the reader.
RETURN TO THE FORGOTTEN CITY OF DAVID
Can history be stunningly wrong? The potential for a third temple now raises international focus as details concerning the present Temple Mount site are compared to the original location indicated in the Scriptures.
The international focus on recent events concerning the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and the potential for a third structure increases with the recent development amidst the U.S. Embassy relocation to Jerusalem. Augmented by the Vatican’s efforts to transform Jerusalem and its most prominent, controversial, historic edifice into a universal, ecumenical international temple city and worship site.
The word that came to Jeremiah from YHWH, saying, “Stand in the gate of YHWH’S house and proclaim there this word and say, ‘Hear the word of YHWH, all you of Judah, who enter by these gates to worship YHWH!’” Thus says YHWH of hosts, the EL of Israel,
“Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words, saying, ‘This is the temple of YHWH, the temple of YHWH, the temple of YHWH.’…… But go now to My place which was in Shiloh, where I made My name dwell at the first, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. And now, because you have done all these things,” declares YHWH, and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you but you did not answer, therefore, I will do to the house which is called by My name, in which you trust, and to the place which I gave you and your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. I will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brothers, all the offspring of Ephraim.” Portions from Jeremiah 7
“In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?’’ 1 Chronicles 17:6
WHO’S BUILDING PERMIT IS THIS UNDER?
I have grave concerns in expressing support for the current Temple Mount, aka The Al Aqsa Mosque and the Harem Esh-Sharif, as the original location of Solomon’s Temple. Concerns that have arisen from the questionable motives of parties involved. Evidenced by this location's divergence from the Scripture, and the speculative historic references (or the complete lack of historic corroboration) of this location being that of any sacred structure of ancient Israel.
Well-meaning individuals presumptuously engaging in building projects in the name of the El of the Scriptures, without His express consent, should in the least cause one to ponder the reasoning behind such efforts. Does "well-meaning", fall under the category of “do not add or subtract from Yah’s Word?” Of more sobering concern is the fact Yah has not given instructions for such a venture on His behalf. Self-serving groups having motives of their own, seem to have usurped the Temple building issue, and conscripted Yah as the beneficiary. Whether He wants it or not.
This venture more and more manifests as contrary to what the Torah actually puts forth. But let's dig-in and examine the Jerusalem temple site. A topic that initially surfaced from the interests of Benjamin Maser the grandfather of Biblical archeology, and corroborated by the research of Ernest Martin, but most recently Bob Cornuke and David Sielaff. Their perspectives reveal the basis for their pressing advice to turn our gaze to the forgotten City of David and to the Scriptures for the answers as to the temple’s original location. Not to mention the impact this has on prophecy and current events.
This controversial subject has managed to silence most anyone having similar impressions. I have witnessed how the majority will unequivocally render the critical thinkers as anti-semites, Arian haters of all things Jewish. Doing so with no regard to research, reliance on Scripture, or historical record.
Some have even gone so far as labeling this research a conspiracy! Conspiracy, really? What about, and against who? Amazing how swiftly basic Scriptures that refer to the City of David as the location of Solomon's Temple, are turned into conspiracy! If there is a conspiracy, it's against the Word of YHWH.
Therefore, I would like to clarify my position before continuing. Do I love the Torah? Do I revere and keep the Sabbath, and the Moedim, and live by the Covenant Statutes provided for the Israel of Yah? Do I believe all the tribes of the Israel of Yah have an inheritance of the Land? Do I believe the future King of Israel, the Messiah sent by Yah, is from the tribe of Judah? The answers to all these questions is YES!
However, these sentiments postulated in my statements do not equate to me having, agreeing or admitting:
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Unquestionable support or reverence for the present location of the Temple Mount as being the location of Solomon’s Temple.
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An incontestable assumption that Rabbinic/Orthodox Judaism or any of its expressions are an exact representation of the precepts in the Torah.
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Belief that relics and historic sites managed, owned and chosen by the Vatican are authentic sites of antiquity, that are to be revered.
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Reliance on tradition that nullifies the Word of Yah. (A defense of the traditions as clearly supported in the video below at marker 17:50 minutes)
Bob Cornuke - Defense of Temple
Dr. Kevin Clarkson, Archaeologist Bob Cornuke, and special guest, David Sielaff, challenge the tradition of the location of the Temple of Solomon. Bob relates believers need to understand what Scripture says about the Temple location in the City of David, which has huge prophetic consequences. Learn the real truth of the original location of the Temple of Solomon!
A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE PRESENT TEMPLE MOUNT LOCATION
When considering the historical record related to the original location of Solomon's Temple, corroborating research suddenly reveals astounding facts that must be considered. Facts that should not be shrugged off or pushed back in order to prop-up traditional views. Bulleted below are just a few of many key issues posing problems with the Dome of The Rock location. Here are some compelling highlights:
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Words and Places Still Mean Things: Biblical record shows Solomon built the Temple in the City of David. The Dome of The Rock is outside of the boundaries of the City of David. The Biblical record manifestly presents that Zion, City of David, My Holy Mountain, Holy Temple, Sanctuary are all synonymous terms of the Temple of Yah. David’s ancient fortress city was conclusively mapped once Hezekiah’s ancient tunnel was discovered.
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The Missing Spring Problem: The Dome of the Rock is no where near the Gihon Spring. This essential feature clearly factors into the Biblical account as an identifier of the real Mount Zion Temple location; and is historically documented in Scriptures, and by the accounts of Tacitus and Aristeas. Did someone move the Gihon then? Or is this yet another issue simply disregarded? Search the Gihon Spring’s connection to Temple activity in Israel in the Scriptures. There is no spring in the Dome of The Rock site and never has been. Had there been a natural flowing spring, there would not be remains of numerous, giant cisterns and aqueducts built by the Romans still used on the Al Aqsa site.
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The Messiah is Mocked Fact: Yahshua said not one stone of Herod’s Temple would remain. He also inferred to the Samaritan woman how they as well held sacred a most wrongful location. Yet there are over 10,000 huge stones at the Western Wall of the Dome of The Rock. For many in Israel that wall represents irrefutable evidence that Yahshua is a liar, conclusively showing He is not the Messiah of Israel! To the Covenant people, this should be a huge alarm! As attributing homage to a place Yahshua prophesied was deserving of destruction, is also a mockery of Yahshua as the Messiah. Someone is laughing.
THE IDENTITY THEFT ISSUE:
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The archeological remains of the enormous Fortress Antonia are absent. Not one single brick has ever been attributed to this enormous campus that served as central command in Israel for the Romans. A structure that was still in use until 289 A.D., hundreds of years after the destruction of the Temple of Herod in 70 A.D, yet seems to have vaporized out of historical sight.
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The Dome of the Rock has an uncanny resemblance to the geographical grounds, design and acreage common for Roman fortresses. When compared to the small acreage typically allotted to the Fortress Antonia near the current Temple Mount location, it looks more like an anorexic fort. An after thought. A matter that would have deemed Herod’s loyalty to the local Jewish population more of a priority over that of his loyalties to Rome that put him in power. The small location allotted to the Antonia, is inconsistent with the historical base and housing logistics typical for Roman personnel commonly based in volatile locations like Jerusalem.
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So the Temple of Herod was totally destroyed by Titus, yet its remains have endured, outlasting the Fortress Antonia? However, eye witness accounts in existence during the time of the Antonia Fortress; one account by Eleazar, Leader of the Masada Jews, shares his observations about Jerusalem after the Masada event, where he spotted the Antonia. He said that “it was still visible and in existence even after the Temple was razed by Titus.”
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Much of the archeological finds uncovered at the current Temple Mount site seem to line-up more with a Roman populace occupying that location, than a sacred Hebrew priesthood. More recently is the Roman amphitheater excavated under the Temple Mount. Any Hebraic artifacts uncovered there, instead of proving the Temple Mount as the location for Herod's Temple, actually attest to the veracity of the historical record. A record indicating that the toppled stones and prominent stonework of Herod's Temple were transported out of the original temple area and recycled elsewhere. To be employed for the construction of Aelia Capitolina's buildings and roads. Repurposing is not a 20th century idea.
MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE PRESENT TEMPLE MOUNT LOCATION
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A Mystic’s Proclamation Serves as Fact: Jewish Historical record state a most respected and influential Rabbi, Isaac Luria (referred to as Ha-Ari, "the Lion"), the founder of what became known as the Lurianic Kabbalah, is responsible for having remarked that the Shekinah (kabbalistic reference to the female spirit) he observed was located at the former Christian dump site (current day Temple Mount site). From then on they began to assemble (as they do to this day) at Luria’s new location of the "Western Wall.” Read more on The Strange Story of the False Wailing Wall.
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Structural Prominence Theory: Historical record tracing the influx of Christian pilgrims and crusaders as the likely source for suggesting the high-walled fortress of the Dome of the Rock being the remains of the foundation stones of Solomon’s temple. This is what I call, the Structural Prominence Theory. Relics and monuments were an essential part of rituals and religious liturgy during the age of the Crusaders. The Dome of The Rock site was the most impressive structure still standing in Jerusalem, thus upon their arrival, crusaders and pilgrims alike presumed the historical prominence a sign of great importance— thus concluding it be assigned to the Temple itself. This is supported by testimonies of pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem.
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This structural prominence theory is in direct contradiction to the Scriptures. As the Tanakh reveals in both Micah 3:12 and Jeremiah 26:18, YHWH decrees “Zion will be plowed as a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest." Furthermore, Simon the Hasmonean, as stated in the Book of Maccabees, razed the mount after the sacrilegious acts of Antiochus Epiphanies. It was never Yah’s desire to have a temple of hewn stone to begin with. The Scriptures on numerous occasions state Yah’s total disgust with the profaning of Israel's temples, and His decree to destroy them, attest to that fact. The final warning came from Yahshua himself.
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The Missing Threshing Floor of Ornan: This is by far the most compelling question of all. A crucial feature that is not even remotely represented at the current Temple Mount location. Yet this threshing floor provides one of the greatest historic lessons for Israel, having numerous spiritual and prophetic applications for us today. It’s absence poses potentially serious consequences for the Covenant people. That matter is what’s related in my next blog post.
THE TEMPLE
Imagine the upheaval in political and religious thinking if the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is not the site of Solomon's and Herod's temples? What if the stones of the Western Wall are not what tradition says it really is? Author and Biblical researcher, Bob Cornuke proposes how current archaeological excavations and Scriptural corroboration indicate the true temple location is not where tradition teaches.