For the Bible scholars among us who dig prophecy...
Here's a short little scripture and a question with it - something to ponder as you go about your day.
Micah 3:12 - "Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets."
Hmm... Not at all an accurate description of that spot of land we now call "the Temple Mount" - is it?
Another little tidbit of historical evidence from the writings of Josephus - an eye-witness to the destruction of the temple who was describing for his readers what the temple location looked like, post-destruction:
"...This (western) wall was spared... But for all the rest of the wall, it was so thoroughly laid even with the ground, by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it had ever been inhabited."
Again - not at ALL an accurate description of that perfectly flat man-made plateau that we call the temple mount.
So either Micah was a false prophet - and Josephus was lying to his readers... Or something is wrong with the information that is currently being fed to the world about the true location of the Temple that stood for centuries on Mt. Zion (The City of David).
The most damning witness against the current (supposed) location comes from the lips of our King and God, Jesus:
"'Do you see all these things?' he asked. 'Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.'" - Matt. 24:2
NOT ONE STONE.
So what is this nonsense that we are told - that the much contested slab known as the Temple Mount is the lower foundation and portico of the temple area? Did you know that contemporary Jewish scholars (who do NOT believe that Jesus is The Messiah) use His own words in this passage as evidence that He was false?
Where is the Gihon Spring that fed the temple area according to every historical (biblical) account? The sacrificial system was heavily reliant upon that channeled water supply - and yet the area we know as "the temple mount" has no water supply. The ancient spring was indeed re-discovered many years ago (and is still active) - but it leads to the ACTUAL temple site known as "The City of David" - which is adjacent to the current disputed site.
Is it a coincidence that the area we know as the temple mount fits every accurate description (and historical ruin) of every other Roman fortress that was built throughout their empire in provinces that were in need of a constant military presence? The size and shape is perfectly consistent with those other fortress ruins - and we know that the Fortress Antonio was known to rest BESIDE the temple in ancient Jerusalem prior to its destruction. Today they call the little towers that reside on that plateau, "the Fortress Antonia" - even though those buildings could not have possibly facilitated a legion of Roman Soldiers.
Believe it or not - this is important stuff. This clever little bit of eschatological slight-of-hand is a part of a greater deception that will catch people off their guard when those who are in power make their moves. Look into these things for yourself and don't accept stated axioms simply because they are endorsed by academia (or consensus). For this purpose I've placed photos of the temple area at the bottom of this brief summary to illustrate the matter. These were taken in the early part of the 19th Century when Jerusalem was still very much a ruin (prior to the re-birth of Israel). In these you will see the familiar mount, to be sure - but you'll also see the location now confirmed to be the historical site called "The City of David" (or Mt. Zion) - which then more resembled what Micah and (later) Josephus described of the temple area post-destruction. It was indeed plowed - and overgrown with thickets.
Understand - the world is fighting over a worthless slab of land that was actually the site of the Roman Fortress which was built beside (and slightly above) the temple during the days of the Roman Empire. And here's the kicker - the Jews in power - behind closed doors - KNOW THIS. Why else are they proceeding with their plans to build the 3rd temple in spite of the calamity that would ensue if they were to attempt a demolition of the mosque that sits upon that site? Is it because they've known for years that they need not touch the disputed territory to rebuild the temple on its original site?
You'd better believe it.
I've also included a link to an excellent documentary that digs deeper into this fascinating topic. It's worth looking into.
God bless.
Mark Scott Grimmett GoldenLight Ministries