Page 24 - Satan in the Sanctuary

26 Satan in the Sanctuary
Concerning the current scene in Israel, there are many
indications that reconstruction of the Temple is a very real
possibility. The authors were able to interview two eye-
witnesses of the diggings at the Temple Mount, who noted
peculiar happenings as the work progresses.
Dr. Roy Blizzard, a professional archaeologist on the
faculty at the University of Texas, has participated in the
archaeological work at the site since its inception in 1968.
Blizzard has worked with Dr. Benjamin Mazar of the
Hebrew University at Jerusalem, who heads the project.

Dr. Blizzard said,
Dr. Mazar told me this past summer (1972) that there
would be another five years' work in the Temple site be-
fore they would even think of quitting the excavations.
The archaeological crews have been working steadily on a
year-round basis throughout the four years, and they have
uncovered much evidence of the history of the Western
and Southern Walls of the Temple area going back to the
days of Herod's and even Solomon's Temple.
There have been articles in archaeological journals
about the work, but there seems to be a reluctance on the
part of the excavators to discuss the Temple area because
of the political pressures which can be generated by the
rabbinate. This is in contrast with the general openness
about other Israeli excavations.
The public can see the excavations from a distance,
but only the archaeological workers, VIP's, and people
with special authorizations can walk through the site.
Some of the tunnels underneath the Temple mount have
been excavated to a certain point, and then blockaded
with wooden barriers. The tunnels have been closed be-
cause of political overtones, and the sacredness of the
Temple area.