On my website there is a search option that allows you to search the entire website for words or subjects. With it I have placed the warning that some of the articles and lessons are old, and that my understanding of the Bible has changed over time. Hopefully, we are all growing in our walk with the Lord, and growing in our understanding of His Word.

An example of this change is a lesson I wrote in 2016, “The Tomb of Jesus.” In that lesson I expressed the understanding that the location of Calvary and the tomb of Jesus were at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. I believe I was wrong.

Our Brother, Bob Cornuke, has written a book called Golgotha. In this book he pointed out Scripture that indicates the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus are east of the Temple.

The Temple faced toward the East. This is based on Scripture. The Tabernacle in the wilderness faced East. (Numbers 3:38) The Millennial Temple will face toward the East. (Ezekiel 47:1)

Sacrifices made to the Lord were burned on the altar, which was east of the Temple. The Temple faced east and the altar was before the door of the Temple. (Leviticus 4:7, 16:18, Exodus 29:10) When Aaron and his sons were consecrated, they were presented before the “door” of the Tabernacle. (Exodus 29:4) All important actions took place in front of, or east of, the Temple.

The Lord Jesus was the sacrifice of all sacrifices. (Hebrews 7:27, 10:10) Jesus was the Lamb of God. (John 1:29) He was so declared by John the Baptist, who was of the Aaronic priestly line. The Passover lamb was chosen on the tenth day of Nisan. (Exodus 12:3) The day known as “Palm Sunday” when Jesus was “chosen” by the people probably was Nisan 10.

The blood of the sacrificed Passover lamb was placed on the lintel (overhead) and jambs (sides) of the door. These marks of blood then were in the form of a cross. Jesus was sacrificed at the same time as the Passover lambs. This was at the time of the “evening oblations,” or the ninth hour of the day (3:00 in the afternoon). (Mark 15:34-37) All of these events fit the pattern of the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. In order for the crucifixion, or sacrifice, of Jesus to continue to fit the pattern, He had to be sacrificed east of the Temple.

The problem with the location of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and of Gordon’s Calvary is that they both are west of the Temple. The crucifixion had to occur east of the Temple. East of the Temple is the Mount of Olives. This also fits the facts because the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives are a cemetery. There are tombs located there that predate the time of Jesus by centuries.

Because of my belief that the Temple was built in the City of David, or Zion, then the site of the crucifixion would have been on the southern part of the Mount of Olives. Currently, this area is occupied by a Palestinian village named Silwan. There are numerous tombs in the face of the cliff beneath the village, facing the City of David.

Besides the truth which I believe is found in this lesson, another lesson is to beware of traditions. Traditions of man have led many astray. Pray for the lost and for the soon coming of the Lord Jesus. May His name always be praised!