Page 74 - Signs of the End

38 THE SIGNS OF THE END

When we arrived at Dr. Biran's office, we were surprised to
find that the amazing stone w as by his desk in a plastic milk
carton, covered with a cloth. It was, indeed, about the size of a
gallon milk container. We then learned that no one had yet been
permitted to photograph the stone. Although The New York Times
and the Associated Press had interviewed Dr. Biran, they were
not allowed to take pictures of the discovery. Dr. Biran told us
he was holding back on publicity until he had an opportunity to
present his finding to the Archaeological Society in
Washington, D.C. a few months later. He consented, however,
to allow us to photograph and videotape the stone, and interview
him for two reasons:

1. We agreed not to broadcast our TV documentary on the
subject until after his presentation to the Society.

2. We understood and appreciated his estimate of where
the stone fit into Biblical history, at the time of the
concurrent reigns of Asa (Judah), Baasha (Israel) and
Benhadad (Syria).

Dr. Biran was delighted that we had studied his thesis about
the placement of the stone in history during the events recorded
in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles at the time of Asa, King in
Jerusalem, and gave us a very animated interview about the
stone.

In addition, he gave us a guided tour through the museum,
which displays many things about Dan, the Biblical city in the far
north of Israel. For instance, Dan w as a center of worship for the
northern kingdom of Israel during its some 200-year existence
from the death of Solomon until the Assyrian captivity. The
northern prophets, such as Elijah, were constantly doing spiritual
battle with the priests of Baal and other pagan deities that were
worshiped in the area.

Thus, it w as not surprising that they discovered a significant
altar in Dan, which w as apparently utilized for the worship of
pagan deities. This altar is on display in the museum, along with
various cultic artifacts, such as an urn with ashes and a scepter
head.

Also, the excavating team discovered a tower built during
that same period in Dan, with three gates containing arches. It