Ian Heard's Blog - Until we see

WHY DID JOHN WRITE ‘the place of the City where Jesus was crucified was near’ (John 19:20)?

13/7/2019

He was writing about the inscription that Pilate had put on Jesus’ cross, which, said John, 'was read by many Jews'—and the reason it was read by many Jews was because it was where all the Jewish people were gathered—near and around, the temple!

A correct reading of John 19:20 indicates that John used the ancient name by which the temple was known...’The Place’ (in Greek ho topos and in Hebrew HaMakom)

John’s Greek uses the Genitive Case denoting possession: it’s ‘the place OF the city where Jesus was crucified.’

Darby translates it quite correctly as, ‘This title therefore many of the Jews read, for the place of the city where Jesus was crucified was near; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, Latin.’

It is not the only occasion where John uses this name for the temple: in John 4:20 where the Samaritan woman converses with Jesus. She says ‘you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship’ (see KJV, NAS, Jubilee, ASV, Darby and others. Note, not ‘Jerusalem is the place’)

Find out about The Place (HaMakom) so designated from the days of Abraham, set apart for the presence of God among his people and known by Jacob as Bey-tel, the House of God.

'THE PLACE HaMakom: where Jerusalem's temples stood' is available from Wipf and Stock Publishers or Amazon

IS THIS JACOB’S STONE PILLAR?

11/6/2019

This oval-shaped stone is about 50 cm long and 30 cm high. It was discovered in 2011 by archeologists Reich and Shukron, very close to Gihon Spring in the old City of David (earliest Jerusalem).
It is surrounded by 12 smaller stones fused together around its base and remarkably like a stone described in early legends.

However, it could easily be the stone described in Genesis 28, the stone set up by Jacob as his pillow and the next morning, after his remarkable dream, as a pillar on which he poured oil…
’early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it’ (Genesis 28:18).

This is where he said ‘how awesome is this, The Place (HaMakom)! This is none other than the house of God (Bethel) and this is the gate of heaven.’

It is my view that this site (in what was then called Salem--see Genesis 14:18, Psalm 76:2 and Hebrews 7:2) was where Melchizedek had worshipped, where Abraham had been prepared to offer Isaac and, where Jacob visited as he fled from his brother. In your Bible it is known as HaMakom The Place.

Read the story of this special, set-aside-by-God place in 'THE PLACE HaMakom; where Jerusalem's temples stood'

TYPOLOGY AND LIVING WATER IN THE TEMPLE

2/6/2019

Israel’s tabernacle in the wilderness and later the permanent temple were full of ‘types’ and shadows of what was to come. These ‘types’ represented spiritual truths.

The entry of the high priest into the holy of holies typified Jesus our great High Priest entering God’s presence to present the blood. The Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy ‘Seat’ represented the presence of God in judgement and mercy.

The Altar of Incense represented the prayers of the people ascending to God.
Every item and activity there typified God’s grace toward man and pointed toward Messiah in whom everything would be fulfilled.

The one missing element in the temporary tent in the wilderness was ‘living’ water. God provided water for the ritual washing and for the people, but because they were moving, there was no permanent, running water supply. The Laver for the ritual washings had to be replenished by hand from what water God made available.

This in itself pointed to the need for permanence and a place where the temple and a living water supply were located together.

In Zion, that requirement was met. At The Place (HaMakom) set aside by God from time immemorial as the chosen centre of his activity in the Nation and for the world.

In the Letter of Aristeas of perhaps 200 BC his description of the temple includes this remarkable sentence...
‘And there is an inexhaustible supply of water, because an abundant natural spring gushes up from within the temple area.’ Aristeas goes on to explain the sacrifices and the water from the spring carrying away copious blood in ‘the twinkling of an eye’ via drains beneath the floor.

Probably the water from Gihon was piped up to fill the Bronze Sea (see picture and description in 2 Chronicles 4:2-5).

The temple was supplied by water from a natural spring—not an artifice of man. That spring can only have been Gihon from whence water was forced up by pipes (of which Aristeas also writes) to serve both the temple and the needs of the City of David.

Read 'THE PLACE HaMakom: where Jerusalem's temples stood' to get the full story of the site God had set apart from Melchizedek and Abraham's time, as His own for the true 'House of God' (Bethel) in Jerusalem.

Available from the Publisher Wipf and Stock
Available from Amazon

'...FOR THE LORD HAS CHOSEN ZION...

14/5/2019

HE HAS CHOSEN IT FOR HIS HOME.'
(Psalm 132:13)

Say What? ZION? Yes—the True BETHEL!

So where is Zion? And why so important? When God has chosen something or someone it means that he has a specific purpose for which he will use that person or place.

Zion was a portion within the Mount Moriah complex. God had said to Abraham, “in the land of Moriah on one of the mountains I will show you.”

Now, when Abraham arrived in the vicinity, “he lifted his eyes and saw...” What was it that Abraham saw? The Bible says he “saw HaMakom”—The Place. It was somehow recognisable.
He knew in his heart that what he saw was where God had in mind. God’s “one of the mountains (hills)” was the prominence above and just west of the fabled Gihon Spring, a kaarst-type spring whose name meant ‘gushing forth.’ On the prominence above it a walled enclosure had been built and, in time, perhaps even when Abraham visited with Isaac, an additional wall enclosing the spring, protected it (looking something like the accompanying picture).

Why was this place (which was already becoming known as HaMakom—‘The Place’)—God’s choice?

Because The Place chosen by God as His ‘home’ had the most significant ‘type’ and sign of His presence—a spring of ‘living water’ that gushed with great force and provided life for the residents.

It’s the same HaMakom later visited by Jacob (Genesis 28:11 says he came to HaMakom not a ‘certain place’) and which he named Bey-tel (Bethel) meaning ‘house of God.’ Yes, in my view this is the true and original Bethel where Jerusalem was to be founded. It’s the Salem where Melchizedek had lived (Genesis 14:8) and later known as Zion (Psalm 76:2)!

Here’s the point: above that spring is Zion, His 'home', and the true Bethel—was where the temple was to be later built.
David of course, knew that and it’s exactly why, when he brought the ark of the covenant into the City of David (which is Zion, see 2 Samuel 5:7) he put it in a tent, along with the other sacred items and the oil, there at the ‘special ’ spot, Gihon (see 1 Kings 1:32-45).

Zion is not on the top of the Moriah complex. Yes, it is on Mount Moriah, but on the bump that was known as Zion (now pretty much levelled by successive ancient building programs) and above the Gihon Spring whose bursting forth water was channeled up into the temple to service it and the needs of the City of David.

THE NEPHILIM OF GENESIS 6: WERE THEY THE OFFSPRING OF HUMAN WOMEN AND ANGELIC BEINGS?

27/4/2019

Through the voice of Shaqaad, an imagined angelic watcher, author Ian Heard in his new book 'THE PEOPLE: the sons of God (through the eyes of a Watcher)' says a resounding ‘no’ to this fanciful interpretation. Ian takes us on a biblical journey to demonstrate that the ‘sons of God’ (or benei elohim in Hebrew) is simply a term used to describe those who call on the name of the Lord and incline their hearts to Him in obedience.

He shows us that two streams flow through human history and the Bible characterizes these streams as the sons of God and the sons of men (benei adam).

Ian demonstrates in eminently readable style, that it is ultimately God’s plan to bring ‘many sons to glory’ (Hebrews 2:10)

THE PEOPLE: the sons of God (through the eyes of a Watcher). Available as paperback or e-book
From Amazon here https://www.amazon.com/People-Sons-Through-Eyes-Watcher/dp/1532648286

Or from the Publisher here https://wipfandstock.com/the-people.html

WHERE WAS THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON?

25/4/2019

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It's not difficult to know! Again and again the Psalms tell us where it was!

It was in the MIDDLE of the City!

For example, in Psalm 116 the Psalmist says where he will offer his thanksgiving and worship and pay his vows (vv.17-19)...'in the courts of the Lord's house, in the MIDDLE of you, O Jerusalem.'

The City of David at that time was on the neck of land near the Gihon Spring, the site where David had erected his temporary tent for the Ark of the Covenant, the site known through the ages as HaMakom, THE PLACE. (It's visible in the above 1910 aerial photo of Jerusalem, as the neck of land south of the alleged Temple Mount enclosure).

The Hebrew word TAVEK clearly means midst, middle or centre as the following few scriptures (among many) attest...
Joshua 8:22, Ezekiel 48:15, Numbers 35:5, 1 Kings 3:20

The Temple was not outside the city—The City of David—it was WITHIN it, as its heart. Not on the alleged ‘Temple Mount’ but as the centre-piece of the City of David at the site known throughout the Bible as HaMakom—THE PLACE.

Read the enthralling story of HaMakom in 'THE PLACE, HaMakom; where Jerusalem's temples stood.'
Available in Paperback or e-book

WHAT MAKES THE JEWS SO SPECIAL?

28/3/2019

'Special' derives from the Latin word, ‘species’, which means a type or sort distinguished by difference.

The Jewish people were special because they were marked off by God to complete a specific (also deriving from species) role in history. Not because they were especially better than other groups, but because Yahweh found in Abraham a man who could be the progenitor of a new ‘species’—a people group who would learn to trust God, obey Him and be dependent on Him. It was a bumpy journey, but through them and from them and their faith-filled champions, Yahweh derived the lineage through which He would become one of us—to defeat sin and death!

(And, today, many of these special people are realising today that they can stop looking in anticipation--their Messiah has already come and they are embracing Him!)

It is a remarkable story; one now re-told in a new and ‘special’ style in Ian Heard’s book...
‘THE PEOPLE: the sons of God (through the eyes of a Watcher)’

Get your copy now in paperback or Kindle: see details at Base Camp on this site.

'A PEOPLE HAS COVERED THE FACE OF THE EARTH'

21/3/2019

Said King Balak of Moab to Balaam, ‘look a people has come from Egypt. See they cover the face of the earth...!’ (See Numbers 22:5)

Who were these people of whom Balak and other kings were in such dread?

They were those who became known as The People, chosen by Yahweh to demonstrate Truth and Wisdom in the earth.

Discover who they were and why these people known in the Hebrew Bible as Bene Elohim, the sons of God, were chosen. And what of those known as benei adam, the sons of men?

'THE PEOPLE: the sons of God (through the eyes of a Watcher)' is, to quote Barry Buirski of Celebrate Messiah Ministry '...deep and powerful. You have the ability to illustrate the characters of your work through your words. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this and trust that it is read my many.'

For further reviews and details about availability click here.

Get your copy in paperback or Kindle now for an exciting journey along God’s plan through time.

THE ALTAR IN THE CITY OF DAVID!

14/3/2019

Isaiah knew where the temple stood. It stood in the City in which David lived which he had named: The City of David!

In warning of judgement woe to come,
the prophet Isaiah said this...
(Isaiah Chapter 29:1-2 NIV)

‘Woe to you, Ariel, Ariel,
    the city where David settled!

Add year to year
    and let your cycle of festivals go on.

Yet I will besiege Ariel;
    she will mourn and lament,
    she will be to me like an altar hearth.’

Ariel in Hebrew means hearth of God*—hearth meaning where a fire is set. Isaiah is of course referring to the altar of sacrifice where the offerings were made and to the cycle of festivals held there.

Playing on words he warns them that the whole city will become like an altar hearth if God sends judgement. (Note that the same Hebrew word, ARIEL, is used of the altar hearth in Ezekiel 43:15 & 16).

It is unequivocal in this passage and context that the ‘hearth’--the altar at the Temple was IN the City where David dwelt--the City of David (see 2 Samuel 5:7&9)--not remote and hundreds of metres up the hill away from the City where David dwelt!

Read 'THE PLACE HaMakom: where Jerusalem's temples stood' for the full story...

From the Publisher Here

or from Amazon Here

* Ariel can also be translated 'strong lion' but clearly in this context it cannot have that meaning.

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THE SPRING OF ISRAEL?

9/3/2019

Psalm 68 is attributed to David, who by faith is seeing what God has put in his heart—the temple in Jerusalem (v.29).

David had erected a special tent at Gihon to house the ark of the covenant. He put it there as a kind of faith marker for the permanent temple that God had put in his heart.

Gihon Spring entrance painted by David Roberts 1841

In Psalm 68 David envisages that temple as a reality, even though it would not be him but his son, Solomon, who would build it. Nevertheless, David prepared the way and prepared plans and materials. He often spoke, by faith, as though it was a reality.

Here he sees Israel’s enemies defeated and he sees the procession carrying God’s presence in the ark together with the singers and worshippers going to the temple to proclaim God as king over them. Even the enemies see it (v.24). He envisaged it as being just as it had been when he brought the ark to the temporary tent in the City of David, and housed it there, at Gihon.

But...notice what he says about the spring. It’s in verse 26 where he sees the congregation blessing the Lord, ‘FROM THE FOUNTAIN OF ISRAEL’ (NKJV).

That’s Gihon, the spring (Hebrew MAQOR, a spring or fountain) where David had erected the tent for the ark. That was ‘ground zero’, the ‘X’ that marked the spot—the sacred spot—known throughout the Old Testament as THE PLACE HaMakom.

That is where Solomon built the temple, near to and above the Gihon Spring, where the temporary tent had stood—not several hundred meters away up the hill on what erroneously became known as Temple Mount. The water from Gihon (meaning Gushing) was piped up into the temple precinct as several historic sources testify. This 'fountain of Israel' was the type, or illustration of the true 'Living Water' that Jesus later spoke of on that great day of The Feast, at the temple (the day when the water was poured--see John 7:37-39).

Read the entire gripping story of this site in 'THE PLACE, HaMakom: where Jerusalem's temples stood.'
Also vailable from Amazon

Location

Beautiful Newport Beach,
Sydney, AUSTRALIA

What people who've read THE PLACE are saying...

Marilyn Sams - author of The Jerusalem Temple Mount Myth: Ian Heard’s book adds a unique ....aspect to the growing movement of people accepting the City of David location for the temples in Jerusalem. His perspective .....brings many insightful possibilities to the table. Especially moving are his heartfelt expressions of faith in and love for the prophets and the Savior of the world'.
Pastor, Luke Yeghnazar of the Iranian Church of Los Angeles: Wonderful book. I trust it will be distributed widely. I read it with excitement. The reader will want to know what happens next. An exciting book to be read by Christians, Jews and others.

What readers of THE PEOPLE are saying...
The People is an enthralling and innovative approach, not only to telling old familiar stories but using narrative to portray, in a subtle but powerful way, the truth of good and evil in our world . . . There is good and evil, God and Satan, and in every human relationship/interaction and behavior a choice is to be made. The consequences, for those with the spiritual eyes to see, are clear. It is an exceptional and well written piece of work.” Allan Bull, Macquarie University, Sydney.