“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'”
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” (Matt 23:37-24:2)
This virtual model shows how excavators believe the Temple Mount site appeared prior to its destruction by Roman troops in A.D. 70. The focus is on the southern portion of the enclosure, and includes reconstructions of Robinson’s Arch (an early overpass linking the top of the platform with the major city street below), the Hulda Street gates and passages onto the platform, the Royal Stoa, and the Second Temple. The reconstruction is based on the excavations at the Temple Mount under the direction of Ronny Reich and regional archeologist Gideon Avni.
The Temple must have been beautiful–and remember, this one wasn’t even as grand as Solomon’s Temple–but still beautiful.
I am reminded of a Bible verse (can’t remember where) but it went like this…
“I was glad when they said unto me..’ Let us go to the house of the Lord..”
I might not have it perfect, but that verse sang out to me watching this video. Thank you for posting it.