I believe these are the two olive trees mentioned by the prophet Zechariah 4:11 and spiritually in Revelation 11:4. They are situated on the true Temple Mount which is located within the City of David in Israel. Across from the trees, if you were sitting on the bench looking toward the left in front of you, you would be able to see where I believe the final temple will be built. This would be where Solomon’s temple once stood as well as Herod’s temple -- not on what is officially called the Temple Mount. (Side note: There is reportedly a temple built under the dome of the rock which may be prophetically significant as the place the antichrist will desecrate, c.f., 2 Thess 2, but it's not the temple Jesus will rule from in the Millennial Kingdom. Catch me on YouTube for more on this!)

I visited Israel to pray through this and see the site for myself. As I was sitting on that bench in the picture above, a group of tourists came by led by an archaeologist who was telling his guests about the area. My ears perked up when I heard him say that archaeologists believe this site in the City of David to be the ruins of an ancient synagogue. That struck me, because if you think about it, the location of the former temple would have been a natural place to build a synagogue. The people of those days would have known it was where the temple once stood. I believe God sent that archaeologist to that site on that day so I could hear that little tidbit! Here a little, there a little! Thank you, Jesus.

Behind the two olive trees on the hillside in the background is where David sinned with Bathsheba. It’s called the Mount of Scandal. You can see the buildings in the background behind the trees.

Under this grassy knoll runs the Gihon spring, which, as I understand it, is the water source that was used to wash away the blood from the sacrifices in days of old. Notice there is/was no water source on the officially recognized Temple Mount. Lack of a water source is one of the main reasons I do not believe that traditional site can be the actual Temple Mount.

Also, the Bible clearly states that David built the temple in the City of David (2 Chronicles 3:1) and that Solomon was anointed king at the Gihon Spring (1 Kings 1:33-40) which was close by, wtthin the City of David.

Even today you can walk through the tunnel under the grassy knoll, through the sloshing waters of the Gihon Spring by means of Hezekiah's siege tunnel. God has preserved this site in this park like setting because it remains a special place in his heart!

OLD FLAMES