Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a quarry they believe may have been used for cutting stones used in the construction of the Second Temple. The site was discovered during excavation work, preparing the way for the building of a new school in the Ramat Shlomo neighbourhood of Jerusalem. Some of the blocks at the quarry resemble those used in the construction of the lower parts of the Temple Mount compound. Pottery shards and coins dating back to the Second Temple period have been discovered in the quarry, confirming it was being used during the time of Jesus Christ. 

Quote: "The Israel Antiquities Authority said on Sunday experts believe stones as long as 8 meters (24 feet) were extracted from the quarry and then dragged by oxen to building sites in Jerusalem for major projects such as the temple. "This construction most likely included the walls of the Temple Mount and other monumental buildings," the authority said in a statement. Some of the blocks discovered at the site resemble stones used in the lower parts of the Temple Mount compound, the site of two biblical Jewish temples, the statement said.

Just a few weeks ago Israeli archaeologists discovered a massive waterway under an ancient road into Jerusalem, which was used as a hideout for the Jews during the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70AD. This latest discovery validates the Scriptures, which detail the construction of the Second Temple under King Herod at the time of Christ. According to the Bible, King Herod was building a massive extension to the Temple Mount, which by the commencement of Christ's ministry had already been over 46 years in construction (John 2:20). The last time the Lord left the Temple, the disciples pointed out the magnificent stones the buildings were made of. As the article states, some of these stones were massive. They weighed hundreds of tonnes, and only today does our civilization have the technology to lift such loads without breaking them. The building of the Temple must have been magnificent to the Jewish people...

Mark 13:1-4
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Christ's prophecy of the destruction of the Temple Mount was fulfilled forty years later. But the rest of Christ's prophecy remains to be fulfilled. The Lord did not return in 70AD when the Temple was destroyed. According to Luke's Gospel, following the destruction of the Temple, the Jews would be driven out into all the nations of earth and Jerusalem would be trodden down of the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles was fulfilled (Luke 21:24). Part of that prophecy was fulfilled in 1967, when Israel recaptured East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Although Israel has the Temple Mount in its hands, it is very evident to see that it is still trodden down of the Gentiles. But just as the Lord's prophecy concerning the Diaspora was fulfilled to the letter, so will other prophecies concerning the regathering of the Jewish people to the land of Israel, and of Christ's Second Coming to earth. The Lord is coming back, first to receive His Bride, and then to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I pray that He would help us to be faithful witnesses for Him.

Source Reuters