Negotiating for the Temple Mount / September 2000

The world's attention is now focusing on Jerusalem to complete the Middle East Peace Accord. September 13 has been set as the date by all parties to complete the 7-year agreement. At stake, is the very heart and soul of Israel. The Palestinians want to control it all including the Western Wall and the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. The Israelis want to access the ancient mount to pray. President Clinton wants the Nobel Peace Prize and a legacy.

What we are watching is a collision of modern egos and ancient controversies. But more than that… we are watching the Living Word of God as He unfolds His plan before us. At the very center of this collision and God's plan is a small piece of the earth atop a mountain. We call it the temple mount. It is in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Palestinians call it Haram esh Sharif.

In the days of King David, a Jebusite named Ornan used the open flat area of the mount to winnow his wheat. His servants would separate the chaff and grain by tossing all of it in the air. The wind would carry the lighter chaff away, while the grain would fall to the ground below. The ground was purchased by King David and an altar was built. It also became the place where the temple was built. David collected the materials, his son Solomon constructed the temple. It is the place where the son of David worshiped the Lord, the Lord God of Israel. The Babylonians destroyed Solomon's temple. Israel later rebuilt it in Zerubbabel's days in the same place. Then the Romans destroyed that temple in 70A.D. Israel was scattered to the nations. Then Islam came to build a dome in 622A.D. It stands today. While we understand this to be the history of the site, this is not known or understood by the Palestinians today. The Palestinians do not recognize the history of the site prior to 622A.D.

In the most recent Camp David meeting with President Clinton for the Middle East Peace Accord, the final conversation that stopped the negotiations was on this point. The Palestinian negotiator stated that there was not one shred of evidence to support the idea that a Jewish temple ever stood on Haram in Jerusalem. The Israeli negotiator walked to Clinton's book shelf and retrieved a book describing such a temple in Jerusalem as part of Roman history. Roman history is of course an important part of the Middle East; it is where the word "Palestine" comes from. It is the Latin word for "invaders." Clinton was stunned that the Palestinian did not accept world history. The Palestinian was angered and walked out. The Camp David negotiation was over. A clear impasse emerged in the negotiations and it is over the ground called the temple mount.

Just for a few moments, I want you to journey with me back to ancient Egypt just before the Exodus led by Moses. Let's say that you and I have the knowledge we have now and by time travel we are back to encourage the sons of Israel to listen to Moses and follow him out of Egypt.

Moses has arrived from Mt. Sinai with God's message of deliverance and a staff in hand. The report has just come to the sons of Israel with regard to Moses' first meeting with Pharaoh. The report is discouraging. Pharaoh has hardened his heart; he has refused to let the sons of Israel go and worship the Lord. Given that Pharaoh seems to have all the cards and the power, what council would you share with the children of Israel? How would you exhort them? What word from God would you share? How much information would you share about their future?

Now, fast forward back to the present. The prophet Jeremiah has said that there is a day coming when the word "exodus" will not refer to ancient Egypt.

"Therefore behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord, "when they will no longer say, As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt,' but, As the Lord lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I had driven them. Then they will live on their own soil."

Jeremiah 23:7-8

Moses referred to this "exodus" with his second song of deliverance (Deut 32). Yeshua said that one particular generation would not pass away until all things were fulfilled. The book of Revelation speaks of that generation as the tribulation saints who will sing the song of the Lamb and the song of Moses. Paul taught that the lessons of the exodus in the wilderness were to come upon a certain group of believers at the "end of the ages." If we summarize these points, we are left with a very simple conclusion: God has a great plan for the last generation. The last generation is to exodus Egypt (the world), go through a period of testing and trial like the wilderness (the great tribulation) and enter the promised land (the Messiah's Kingdom). All of this is to be done by God's outstretched arm and mighty judgments.

The Scriptures also say that a particular 7 year agreement with Israel will play a role in the end time scenario. In particular, the prophets say that one particular part of the earth (the temple mount) will initiate the final three and one-half years leading to the Messiah's return. The Apostle John summarized it by saying that we will see the inner court measured and the outer court left to the nations. Within the inner court, an altar will be measured then God's people will be measured with the altar. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a certain stone (a corner stone) being affixed. He said that anyone grasping that one particular stone would not be disturbed (panicked or rushed). Yeshua said that a significant event would occur that would put the world into tribulation.

We have the 7 year agreement. We have the negotiations for the temple mount underway. Now, we have Arafat (like Pharaoh) refusing to let the children of Israel worship the God of Israel. Instead, he has hardened his heart, vowing to never give the Jews anything.

Remember our little "time machine" journey back to ancient Egypt? How did you answer those questions? Did you tell them that God had a great plan for them and us? Did you tell them that the pattern of events would play themselves out once again for the last generation? Did you tell them that God's plan would prevail even over Pharaoh's objections?

The comparison to our day is striking. We know that the Lord will take us out of Egypt (this world) and lead us to the promised land (His Kingdom). We know that the pattern of our deliverance will have the same enemies and obstacles, we know that there will be tests to measure our belief and obedience, and we know that God will manifest Himself in powerful and significant ways. We just don't know exactly how quickly this will all come about. We can see signs of the age and we can sense His nearness with the events in Jerusalem; however, we must all wait for God to do it just the way He wants. In the meantime, we watch, prepare, and wait on the Lord.

As we have watched the Middle East negotiations since Camp David, it appears that Arafat and the Palestinians have taken on the role of ancient Pharaoh. They are even consulting with Mubarak (the present Pharaoh of Egypt). Their obstinance and hardness of heart is virtually identical to Pharaoh. Pharaoh had an excuse for his hardness B he didn't know of the Lord, the God of the Hebrews. Arafat does; however, Arafat and the Palestinians are going to learn the lesson of Pharaoh again. Keeping Israel from the temple mount is a sure recipe from history for God's direct intervention. Every world empire or band of thugs who have tried to control Jerusalem have met the same fate. Arafat and the Palestinians are no different.

Information has been leaking into the public since the failed Camp David meetings detailing the negotiations particularly about the temple mount area. Before delving into the various proposals and what God really has to say about the place, let's take a quick snapshot of the temple mount as it is today.

The diagram provided is simplified but adequate to our task. The Middle East and Jerusalem is oriented to the East, so our diagram is as well. Two gates (top of diagram) serve as the eastern entrances to the Old City, the Lion's Gate and the Golden Gate. The Golden Gate has been closed for many years and is really not an entrance (until the Messiah comes). As you enter the Lion's Gate and travel west, you are on the Via Delorosa (the way of the cross). This area of Jerusalem is the second quarter (the Muslem quarter). Turning immediately to your left after entering the Lion's Gate is the north gates of the actual temple mount. The Via Delorosa leads straight to the northwest area of the temple mount which is the ancient Fish Gate and Mortar (the area of merchants). To this day, Arab merchants are set up in the ancient Mortar. You should take note of the north gates to the temple mount and the road down the Via Delorosa to the Fish Gate and Mortar. Ezekiel speaks of the angel with the writing instrument placing a mark on the forehead of the 144,000 (Revelation 7) using the north gates from the altar (temple mount). Six other angels with slaughtering weapons follow to judge all those participating in the abomination of desolation. According to Zephaniah, the first cry of God's final judgment (the day of the Lord) will be heard at the Fish Gate and Mortar.

On the west side of the temple mount (lower part of the diagram) is the underground Rabbi's tunnel running the length of the western wall. The exit for this tunnel is at the Via Delorosa, while the entrance is at Wilson's Arch. The famous Wailing Wall (the Kotel) is in view of the entrance of the tunnel and Wilson's Arch. This is the Jewish Quarter. A large plaza there serves Israel today for prayers at the base stones of the temple mount. A curving ramp leads up from the plaza to the temple mount itself.

The southern side of the temple mount (right side of diagram) is a newly excavated area revealing the ancient southern steps and mikveh (baptismal) baths. This is where Peter preached on the day of Pentecost and 3,000 were baptized. The southern gates are blocked in leading up into the temple mount. Just above the southern steps on the temple mount is the El-Aqs Mosque. This is the predominant area that the Muslims use for actual worship.

On top and in the near center of the temple mount is the Mosque of Omar, the dome of the Rock. This octagonal shaped building is regarded as Islam's third holiest shrine. If you ask Arafat, he will tell you that it is Islam's first and most important shrine. Aside from the dome and the mosque, the rest of the temple mount is dotted with Italian Cyprus trees that give a lush green appearance and evidence of the ancient Romans.

Underneath the temple mount are a number of passageways and chambers. In particular, at the southern end is Solomon's stables (upper right part of diagram). The Muslims are hard at work trying to build yet another Mosque underneath at the same location.

One of the interesting proposals that has been put forth deals with the underground elements. Israel has offered to build a tunnel for the Arabs that would permit a Muslim to walk by way of a tunnel from the Palestinian Abu Dis community to the temple mount. Abu Dis is East and South from the temple mount across the Kidron valley. This way, an Arab would never be exposed to anything Israeli and be able to visit the mosque/dome while remaining only on Palestinian territory. The Syrians rejected the idea out of hand stating they are not rats who will crawl to the shrine.

Arafat's negotiating position and obstinance is simple. He is insisting that Jerusalem is really a Muslim (Christian?) city and that the Jews have no claim whatsoever (historical or political) to the city. More specifically, he is arguing that there never was a temple on the temple mount to begin with. As bizarre as this argument sounds, the Palestinians and much of the Arab world actually believe this. He ennobles himself by claiming that he is negotiating for all Arabs worldwide.

Another proposal from Barak calls for the Palestinians to have control over the top (surface) of the temple mount while Israel has control underneath. Barak claims that the foundation of the temple is underneath. He also wants to build a synagogue near the temple mount on the surface. This idea has been rejected out of hand by both religious Jews and religious Muslims. It was interesting to watch these opponents finally agree on something.

As we shared with you in the last article, the Vatican is still plugging for the Old City of Jerusalem to be given international city status, for it to be classified as extra-territorial, under no single government entity. Arafat played along with this idea for years to get the Vatican to condemn Israel. The Vatican did condemn Israel and now Arafat is acting like there never was an agreement with the Vatican. The bottom line for Catholics is that they do not want to be under the control of Arafat or the Palestinians. They may be dumb playing along with Arafat but they are not stupid. Making Jerusalem an international city would require a caretaker. The Vatican, of course, sees themselves as that caretaker.

Aside from what Barak of Israel is willing to give away, what Arafat thinks he is entitled to, and what the Vatican hopes for, the Lord has something to say about Jerusalem. In truth, the city of Jerusalem is the City of the King and the temple mount is holy ground; it belongs to the Lord. At this moment, the negotiations for the temple mount are like a Chinese fire drill; but, the Word of God gives clarity. According to the Word of God, you can expect the following things:

1. There will be some sort of agreement concerning the division of the land of Israel and the temple mount. It will be divided.

2. Israel will get a piece of the temple mount. They will make an inner court. They will build an altar. The altar will operate with the morning and evening sacrifices. There will be a huge religious controversy concerning the altar service. Part of the altar access will be the north gates of the temple mount.

3. After implementation, the Middle East Peace Accord will be referred to as the 7 year agreement. Anything that happens after it is implemented will be referred to as happening "in the midst of the 7 year agreement."

4. The 7 year agreement will be cancelled and annulled by God. The cancellation of the agreement will lead to disaster and destruction (war in Israel).

5. The great tribulation (the last 3 2 years) will begin when the altar service is forceably stopped and will conclude with the coming of the Lord.

So that you will have confidence in God's plan let's review the specific Scriptures that show this plan.

Joel 3:2
I will gather all the nations, and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land.

The Lord says that He will enter into the final judgment with the nations because of their treatment of His people while in their lands and because the land of Israel, His land, is divided! The land of Israel will be divided not because the Lord chooses that. It will be done in spite of His desires, but the Lord's judgment will rectify the problem.

And there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, "Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for fortytwo months."

Revelation 11:1-2

The description of the two courts, the inner court for Israel and the outer court for the Gentiles, matches the temple structure but it also describes some kind of negotiated agreement. You have one part; they have another part. The prophecy then describes an altar in the inner court. The altar is measured and God's people are measured by a measuring device. What is this measuring device?

And I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the level;

Isaiah 28:17

Many brethren simply do not understand what an altar means, how it is built, how it is dedicated, and what it symbolizes. Most think of it as an antiquated religious device that has no business in our modern times. Therefore, they disregard the spiritual instructions and requirements of the altar service. A morning and evening sacrifice has no more significance or value than a whole burnt offering or a guilt offering. They are meaningless to modern religious men.

To a man who keeps God's commandments, the altar is the very instrument used by God to show ownership of the earth. The altar sanctifies the sacrifice and defines its purpose before God and man. The altar is the table of God; it is holy; and it is where man and God do serious business together. No man can come to the Father except by the blood of His Son. And the blood of the New Covenant is sanctified by the altar of God. Yeshua's blood was taken to the altar in heaven; the Jerusalem altar on the temple mount is after the pattern of the one in heaven.

The whole reason that the altar will be used to start the great tribulation is simple. God will measure the world using the altar. It is as though God is proclaiming His ownership of the world, "He who stands with Me and calls My table and everything on it holy is with Me. He who disregards My altar and all that is on it, calling for its cessation, is against Me and My ownership of everything it touches." That includes the earth and everything in the earth. For those of us in the New Covenant, God's altar sanctifies the sacrifice of Yeshua and His blood. If we are opposed to the altar, then we are opposed to Yeshua's sacrifice and blood. God forbid that we should do any such thing! Therefore, we stand with God and his altar, and everything on it!
Satan tempted and persuaded man in the garden to defy God by eating of the tree that was forbidden. That tree proved that God owned the garden and everything in the garden. Only the owner can put a restriction on the property. The forbidden tree proved God's ownership. In our day, we will be persuaded by the antimessiah to again defy God and his ownership symbol, the altar. The altar proves that God owns the earth and everything in it. The God who made the stones of the altar is the God who owns everything touching the stones. This is why an altar can never be made with stones hewn by a man; they must be made only by God.

Anyone who speaks against the altar to be built in Jerusalem on the temple mount will find themselves choosing to be in agreement with the antimessiah. The antimessiah will oppose the altar. Only those who stand with the Lord will be able to stand in the day of the wrath of the Lamb. Clinging to the altar will be clinging to the Lord and they will not be disturbed by what follows.

Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed."

Isaiah 28:16

The next diagram of the temple mount shows a shaded area where the inner court and altar will most likely be established. This is based upon the prophecy of Ezekiel. Ezekiel describes the angel that marks and seals the 144,000 of Revelation 7. He says this marking angel and the six angels of judgment will begin their work at the bronze altar (the fire altar of the temple mount). He says that the angels will enter and leave the altar area by the north gates of the temple area. Therefore, we can conclude that the altar to be built will have the same access.

And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate which faces north, each with his shattering weapon in his hand; and among them was a certain man clothed in linen with a writing case at his loins. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.

Ezekiel 9:2

For many years it has been the teaching that the great tribulation (the 3 2 years) begins somewhere in a 7 year agreement with Israel. Some say the tribulation is 7 years and begins with the 7 year agreement. Some say that the tribulation begins in the middle of the 7 year agreement and is only 3 2 years.

And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle [midst] of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.

Daniel 9:27

I have watched with anticipation for every possibility of the great tribulation to start while the 7 year agreement was unfolding in the form of the Middle East Peace Accord. The great tribulation did not begin and has not yet begun. Even though there was a host of prophecies matching the Middle East Peace Accord, I was prepared to lay down my belief that the Middle East Peace Accord was the agreement spoken of by the prophets of Israel until I heard the following words. The words came from the chief Palestinian negotiator in an interview recently. He was describing that certain things would happen after the 7 year agreement is signed and completed. He said, "Whatever happens after the agreement will be in the midst of the 7 year agreement." The negotiator is saying that the agreement really does not end; it lives on. It remains in place as a platform for other things. I had never once considered that the agreement would be fully completed (7 years) and then serve as a basis and platform for other events. If you read Daniel 9:27 again it is clear that the agreement must be a full 7 years and then in the midst of the agreement, the great destruction begins. If the agreement had only been 3 years or 5 years (prior to the 7 years), then we would have argued that the great tribulation had not started because the agreement was not a true 7 years. Think about it. It make sense. It has to be this way. The agreement must be 7 years, then others things happen. This is a good example of Eastern logic. The Bible uses Eastern, not Western, logic in its presentation.

Once the agreement is a full 7 years, then the understandings and terms of the agreement serve as a basis for other events. One of the most profound events that follows is the agreement's cancellation by God. No one in their right spiritual mind can believe that the Middle East Peace Accord is God's will for Israel. This is the will of men who are opposed to the God of Israel. God will cancel this agreement. Isaiah the prophet expresses it this way.

And your covenant with death shall be canceled, and your pact with Sheol shall not stand; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, then you become its trampling place.

Isaiah 28:18

The overwhelming scourge is Jacob's trouble; it is the great tribulation. Israel is the bull's eye of God's judgment upon the whole world. Just as the Gospel began first with the Jews, so tribulation begins with the Jews. Israel will be the trampling place just as the prophet has said.

There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,

Romans 2:9

Israel will be the trampling place of the great tribulation. All of Israel's effort to avoid war by entering into the Middle East Peace Accord will eventually lead to war in the Middle East. The war will be in the land of Israel, on the mountains of Israel, and when it is done, the Middle East Peace Accord, the Peace and Security Agreement, the Covenant with Death, and the Pact with Rabin's Grave will be no more. Instead, the world will know that there is a God in the midst of Israel.

And I shall magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 38:23

And My holy name I shall make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I shall not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.

Ezekiel 39:7

I call upon you brethren to watch with me as the 7 year agreement is completed. Will it be September 13, 2000? Will the Palestinians declare statehood in November? Will Israel get a piece of temple mount? Will war break out? These are the questions being answered in our days. I believe that the Lord is preparing to toss the whole world into the air at the ancient threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, the place we call the temple mount. The chaff will be blown away; the grain will be gathered up.

As for Arafat and the Palestinians, one of the ancient teachings of the Torah deals with the hardness of Pharaoh's heart. It is taught that after Pharaoh's demise, God placed Pharaoh at the gates of hell. His duty is to question every tyrant, every enemy of Israel as he enters hell. He is to ask them, "Didn't you learn anything from me? Didn't you learn not to harden your heart against the Lord?"

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