Earthquake at the Temple Mount!

Israel's experience with earthquakes is minimal, but anticipation is growing that the big one prophesied for Jerusalem is about to strike. During the festival of Sukkot Jews reading the Haftarah are reminded about the foreseen quake. Prophet Zechariah's words are read every year on the first day of Sukkot, but most translate this in its traditional form without much further analysis. A big quake will split the Mount of Olives somewhere along its north-south axis and a Valley will open. However, a closer reading reveals an alternative complexity.

Click to Enlarge

The land, in two movements along the axis will shift east, west and north, south opening a chasm along the ridge of the Mount of Olives that expands into a new valley, stretching and flattening the land in between and re-aligning along the Kidron Valley floor (see squiggly white line in the image). This could mean the black line in the distance (north) that marks the walk-bridge that once was used by the High Priest to avoid impurities conveyed by the dead bodies buried between the Temple Mount and Mount of Olives, will be adjusted. The grave sites on the South Western apex of the Mount of Olives facing the City of David, will move toward it.

The chasm that will be the new valley will run somewhere along the white line, which was relevant to a previous article I wrote regarding the location of the city of Ay (Ai). For those that are familiar with the landscape, the Seven Arches Hotel (immediately below the West Arrow) marks the spot Joshua’s army once awaited his ambush party sent to decoy the residents of Ay into the desert, east toward the Dead Sea after which he attacked and burned the city.

A re-alignment of the entire landscape makes sense only if the site of the future Temple in Jerusalem also shifts south to occupy the high ridge above the Gihon Spring at the City of David, which is documented in this video link. Many possibilities exist, but a static reading and understanding of Israel’s prophetic writings and teachings should not be taken for granted. In any event realization of Zechariah’s prophecy is not associated with the disaster one would normally attribute to an earthquake of this magnitude. However, its implication for Jerusalem, Israel and the world will be significant.

Excavation Update from City of David

Montague Parker Map - click to enlarge

Immediately adjacent to and above the recently announced Spring Citadel comes exciting new results from The City of David that includes the discovery of a new wall, which was mapped by Montague Parker almost 100 years ago. (see video) The map details many other features not yet seen in any of the excavations. The present site, approximately bounded by the rectangular area marked on the map, is expected to yield new discoveries.  

The circled area is most interesting to  me because it is immediately west and northwest of  the area marked ‘G’ (south) adjacent to the (colored) matzevah or monument that was discovered several years ago and which I have written about extensively.  

Some of the labyrinth of interconnected tunnels and walls around Area ‘B’ have recently been confirmed and can been seen exposed as the ground levels being excavated start falling. Behind (north) of the area marked ‘B’ also highlights the excavation boundary known as the ‘Crack’ which is visible in the next image and was one of the reasons Israeli authorities agreed to proceed with the excavation, primarily to avoid potential danger of landslides.

The Crack looking north

The Crack; ground level now excavated ±2.5 meters lower, looking south at the top of the ancient wall section (probably area ‘B’) exposed for the first time in thousands of years.

Excavated ±2.5 meters down - looking south

Below the visible ground levels in this image lies what I believe will be the most important discovery in post temple Jewish history. In the following image immediately adjacent and south of the room marked ‘G’ lies the room that includes the Matzevah or monument

The most important discovery from pre temple Jewish history?

Nothing equivalent to the image that follows has ever been discovered in Israel. It is unique because it's built on bedrock, is not a grave marker and is located in an area previously used for sacrifices. The stone monument appears to be a granite type rock distinguished by its variegation.

The Matzevah or Monument - Genesis 28:22

In the room adjacent to and south of the Matzevah room are the now famous ‘V’ markings carved directly into the bedrock.

For my theories on this area and its relationship to Biblical and Jewish history I suggest the following reading;

http://israelfact.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/a-hypothesis-for-mizbeach-of-akeida.html

http://www.scribd.com/doc/141272607/Jerusalem-Origin-The-Thesis