The Dome of the Rock is a shrine built over the sacred rock that was considered holy before the arrival of Islam. Jews believed, and still believe, the rock to be the very place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac. In addition, the Dome of the Rock is believed by many to stand directly over the site of the Holy of Holies of both Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple.
It is a beautiful Muslim building that was erected so that it could compete with the majestic churches of Christendom and would be a symbolic statement to both Jews and Christians of the superiority of the new faith of Islam. The building spoke to Jews by its location, to Christians by its interior decoration.
Much of the inscription on the inner side of the octagonal arcade exhorts Christians to depart from error of the Trinity and recognize the truth of Islam:
"O People of the Book! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning God save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a Messenger of God, and His Word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in God and His messengers, and say not 'Three' - Cease! (it is) better for you! - God is only One God. Far be it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son. ... Whoso disbelieveth the revelations of God (will find that) lo! God is swift at reckoning!" (from www. sacred-destinations.com)
"O People of the Book! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning God save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a Messenger of God, and His Word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in God and His messengers, and say not 'Three' - Cease! (it is) better for you! - God is only One God. Far be it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son. ... Whoso disbelieveth the revelations of God (will find that) lo! God is swift at reckoning!" (from www. sacred-destinations.com)
It's a beautiful shrine.
Built out of great faith.
Forboding in its presence.
Intimidating in its challenge.
But it doesn't change the truth,
And it doesn't change the lie.
It doesn't change the true sacredness of the place beneath the lies built over it.
The truth of history, of God's words, intentions, and purposes.
They can say what wasn't was and what was wasn't,
They can cover over the Sanctuary, the place of the Holy of Holies.
But they can't cover over it's power.
It's power isn't in the ground.
It's power is in the truth.
It's power is in God.
It's power is in the risen Christ.
1 comment:
Interesting post, Becky. I remember well going inside the Dome of the Rock ten years ago. It is an awesome building. But, it is so sad. The deception and the reality of how people have fallen prey to the lie stares you in the face when you are there.
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