Temple Mount on Shaky Ground?

Temple Mount on Shaky Ground?

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, site of Jewish temples in biblical times and the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa mosque today, may be in danger of collapse.

Archaeologist Shimon Gibson of the London-based Palestine Exploration Fund says the network of 49 cisterns under the 11-acre platform has been neglected for decades and may be responsible for cracks that have appeared in walls of the compound.

Gibson believes water may be settling into cracks and deteriorating the limestone. However, his concerns are not shared by most archaeologists or Muslim authorities. Gibson believes a collapse might occur during the Muslim season of Ramadan, when the Haram al Sharif, as it is known to Muslims, is filled with thousands of worshipers every Friday.

Zionists have long awaited the destruction of the Muslim Dome of the Rock, which they believe might foreshadow rebuilding the temple.

Thomas Ice, executive director of the Pre-Trib Research Center in Washington, D.C., and coauthor of the new book Fast Facts on Bible Prophecy (Harvest House), says reconstruction of the temple is “politically impossible” today. “But it was politically impossible for the Jews to return to their land, and it happened.”

Copyright © 1998 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Our Latest

Public Theology Project

Russell Moore’s Favorite Books of 2024

The top 10 picks of CT’s editor in chief range from dystopian fiction to philosophy, with a dose of Sabbath poems, Inklings, and country music.

My Book Sales Stink. But I’m Glad I Took the Publishing Plunge.

Even though the experience bruised my ego, God redeemed it in surprising ways.

Latino Christians Deserve a Straight Answer on Immigration

The Russell Moore Show

A Conversation with Peggy Noonan

The Pulitzer Prize winner ponders who we are and what we may become.

A Better Trans Conversation

As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on youth gender medicine, Christians must prepare to speak with love while holding fast to biblical truth.

Ethics Aren’t Graded on a Curve

President Joe Biden’s pardon of Hunter Biden was wrong, and no amount of bad behavior from Donald Trump changes that fact.

News

UK Christians Lament Landmark Vote to Legalize Assisted Dying 

Pro-life faith leaders say Parliament’s proposed bill fails to protect the vulnerable and fear it will “create more suffering and chaos.”

Strike Up the Band: Sixpence None the Richer Goes Back on Tour

With its perennial hit “Kiss Me” still in our ears and on our playlists, the Christian band reunites with nothing to prove.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube