Jerusalem's Holy Sites

Posted by on 8 June 2009 | 0 Comments

BBC NEWS.  Jerusalem's Holy Sites

Introduction

The holy sites in Jerusalem are at the very centre of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.  The main holy sites for Muslims and Jews, the Temple Mount or Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), lie in East Jerusalem, which is considered under international law as occupied territory.  The Camp David talks in the United States in July 2000 foundered because Israeli and Palestinian negotiators were unable to find a political formula that could reconcile the Jewish and Muslim religious claims to the sites.

The Temple Mount/ Haram al-Sharif


The Temple Mount compound, in the old city in East Jerusalem, covers an area of 35 acres.

The site is holy to Jews because it is the site of the First and Second Temple in ancient times. It is known in Jewish tradition as the "abode of God's presence".  For religious Jews, the Mount is where redemption will take place when the Messiah arrives. For them and for secular Jews, giving up the Temple Mount is unthinkable.  The Temple Mount is also a profound national symbol. The capture by Israel of the Western Wall in 1967, along with the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, was felt to be a great national achievement.  The same area is known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary). It is of deep religious, political and national significance to Palestinians and to Muslims around the world.  For Palestinians, having their future capital in East Jerusalem is a fundamental element of any future state.

Dome of the Rock

Islamic tradition says that the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from the spot marked by the Dome of the Rock.  Tradition speaks of the Prophet being taken from Mecca to Jerusalem on a winged horse and then being lifted to heaven where he was shown by God when and how to pray, one of the five pillars of Islam.  According to Jewish tradition, the rock that is the centre of the Dome of the Rock is the site where Abraham bound his son Isaac for sacrifice.


Al-Aqsa mosque


The Al-Aqsa mosque is the third holiest in Islam. The mosque was the first direction of prayer, before Mecca in western Saudi Arabia became the focal point of Muslim worship.

Western or Wailing Wall


Just below the Temple Mount is the Western or Wailing Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism.  This is part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount dating back to a time when a Jewish temple stood on the Mount.  Jews go to the Western or Wailing Wall to pray and leave prayers on pieces of paper between the wall's ancient stones.


The old city of Jerusalem



The old city of Jerusalem contains sites holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians. The Christian holy sites in Jerusalem include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ), the Church of John the Baptist and the Via Dolorosa. Greek, Russian, Armenia, Ethiopian, Syrian and Romanian Orthodox churches, and Catholic and Protestant churches are represented in the city.

Donnie's Remarks...

We are going to be hearing a lot about the city of Jerusalem and her holy sites in the coming weeks.  This article by the BBC helps to explain the complexity that any peace plan must address.  How is it possible for the three monotheistic religions to come together and make Jerusalem a city of peace?  How can Israel and the Palestinians reach any kind of peace agreement allowing for a two state solution?  I think the answer will involve the city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount being divided.  Bible prophecy teaches that in the End Times the Temple Mount is to be controlled by the Gentiles (See Revelation 11:2).  The prophecy also declares that there will be a 'Tribulation' Temple built, allowing the Jews to re-start animal sacrifices.  As most of you know, this is one of the key signs that Christians should be looking for.  This temple does not have to be large or extravagant, merely functional.  It could be built in weeks or months, not years.  I will not be surprised if we begin to hear rumors around the Palestinians sharing the Temple Mount, in order to establish peace.  As one reader put it, "The unthinkable is getting more thinkable all the time."