TEMPLE MOUNT/MOUNT MORIAH

Beneath the seventh century Moslem Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, is Mount Moriah where Abraham offered up Isaac and where Solomon built the Temple. David had bought this hill top from Araunah the Jebusite (II Samuel 24:18-24) The Rock of Moriah underneath the mosque is 15 yards long, 12 yards wide, and rises to a height of 2 yards which Abraham used for the altar. Solomon built a Temple like no other shrine in the Near East. It was distinguished from all others, because it had no idol in its midst but contained a boxlike Ark as its holy treasure containing a pot of manna, Aaron’s rod, and a Torah scroll. (Exodus 25:16ff; Hebrews 9:4) This was to symbolize the Law and the Presence of Yahweh. Solomon built the original Temple, which was rebuilt by Zerubbabel. Herod’s Temple was a massive reconstruction of Zerubbabel’s Temple, and both of these are called "the Second Temple." The Dome of the Rock is the third most sacred place to the Moslems following Mecca and Medina. No one can "house" God, but the Jews believed that by His grace He dwelt with his people. The Books of Ezekiel and Kings meticulously describe the Temple. The focal point of Jerusalem today, as well as in Jesus’ day, was the Temple on Mount Moriah.

It had indescribable beauty as it lit up the countenance of Jerusalem. It was twice as large as the Dome of the Rock standing there today. The Temple is mentioned in 23 of the Old Testament books and 11 of the New Testament books. This was the platform for the preaching of the prophets as well as for Jesus and His disciples during New Testament times.