From the Elder's Pen "The Temple" 4/7/02 Past/Future Articles

     Much is said about the temple built in Jerusalem as a place for God to dwell and His people to worship.  It was the focal point of the Jewish religion.  It was to this place Jesus was brought as an infant (Lk. 2:22-24).  Later He taught it in (Mk. 14:49).  It was from this place that Jesus drove the money changers who were dealing dishonestly with God and the people.  It was here the apostles preached the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost and on and on the events that centered around this place in the history of God’s plan for man.
     There were actually three temples built on a Jerusalem hilltop, Mount Moriah, west of Kidron and north of the ancient city of David.  It was here, most likely that centuries before, Abraham offered Isaac.  It is interesting to note that Calvary, which lies outside of Jerusalem on the north, was formerly the northern end of Mount Moriah.  In building the northern wall, this elevation was cut through; hence, historians seem to think the cross stood on the same mount as did the Temple and the altar of sacrifice.
     King David was the first who wanted to build God a house as he himself lived in a house of cedar (II Sam. 7:2) while God dwelled in a tent (II Sam. 7:6).  However, David’s hope was soon vanished as he was denied this privilege because he had been a man of war and shed innocent blood (I Chron. 28:3).  But he was allowed to gather materials for this great building that his son, Solomon, would build.  (To be continued)