Gershon Salomon and his Temple Mount Faithful are a group of intensely focused Israelis whose sole and unique objective is the rebuilding of the Temple on its original site in Jerusalem. Mr. Salomon dates the receiving of his Divine mandate back to 1967 after he was shielded from death at Syrian hands by an innumerable company of angels. For more than 30 years, Gershon Salomon has faithfully labored for the rebuilding of the Temple which he feels must be accomplished before the Messiah can come. Although Salomon does not recognize the identity of this Messiah for whom he is preparing, it is clear that he is operating under a prophetic mantle and is being mightily used of G-d to set the stage in Israel for the soon return of Jesus.
Gershon Salomon is a 10th generation Jerusalemite, descended from Rabbi Avraham Zoref who settled in Jerusalem in 1811. Rabbi Zoref became the first Jewish pioneer when he began to rebuild the waste lands of Palestine. Gershon knew, even as a child, that he was called by G-d to follow in his ancestor's footsteps in the redemption of the land and people of Israel.
While leading an IDF (Israeli Defense Force) company in a battle with the Syrian Army in 1958, Salomon was injured. Syrian soldiers are trained to shoot again any wounded Israeli soldiers. When Salomon was about to be shot again, they all suddenly ran away. Later these Syrians soldiers reported to UN officers that they had seen thousands of angels around this IDF officer and had, therefore, fled. It was at that time that Salomon heard the voice of G-d speaking that there was a divine calling on him to consecrate himself to the work of the Temple Mount.
In 1967, the greatest moment of his life occurred when he participated in the liberation of the Temple Mount and Jerusalem during the Six-Day War. He believes that the circle was closed between his generation and the generation of the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. [see: Songs of the Levitical Choir]
Since that day in June 1967, Gershon Salomon has dedicated himself to the vision given him by G-d. Salomon understands the redemption process, according to G-d's plan, as follows:
First, the establishment of the nation of Israel; Next, the regathering of the people of Israel from all over the world; Thirdly, the liberation and consecration of the Temple Mount followed by the building of the Third Temple. Then finally, the coming of the King, Messiah Ben David.
Gershon Salomon has led many prophetic events similar in style to those performed by the prophets of old. For example, G-d told Ezekiel and Hosea:
"....for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel." (Ezekiel 12:6b)
"...I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets." (Hosea 12:10c)
Each year during Hanukkah, for instance, he leads a torch-light march from the tombs of the Maccabees to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to show that:
"The light of the Maccabees should light Jerusalem and the Temple Mount and light our long held desire to see the Temple rebuilt and the city of King David...become...the capital of the Kingdom of the G-d of Israel."
While Salomon's Temple Mount Faithful have conducted many other prophetic events on holidays and Festivals, I believe the most significant prophetic event was held this year, the Year of Jubilee, on the Feast of Tabernacles. This event was the dedication of the cornerstone of the Third Temple.
The cornerstone, weighing 4.5 tons, was brought from the desert in Israela beautiful marble stone which was not cut or polished by any metala natural stone which is similar to the stones from the Second Temple. The stone was donated by a Jewish family named Alafi who returned to the land of Israel from Babylon almost 50 years ago. They have a tradition in their family that they were the builders of the First and Second Temples and that they would also be the builders of the Third Temple. They have even started preparing other stones.
On the Feast of Tabernacles, the cornerstone was loaded on a flatbed truck covered with Israeli flags. Quite prophetically, the cornerstone was placed under a Khuppah (marriage canopy).
As believers, we know the 'Cornerstone' to be Yeshua, and that He is the bridegroom coming back for His bride (Ephesians 2:20).
A large crowd marched with music, songs and great joy (as is done in a wedding procession). The shofarim were blown by the Levites and Gershon Salomon read the Psalms and prayers of King David when he dedicated the first altar. The government of Israel did not permit them to lay the cornerstone on the place known as the Temple Mount; but they marched with the stone to the City of David.*
"In doing this, they announced to everyone in Israel and the world that they had started the process of rebuilding the House of G-d."
If you would like to know more about Gershon Salomon and his Temple Mount Faithful, you may visit his internet site at: http://www.templemountfaithful.org/
*Archaeological evidence has been uncovered that would indicate that the first and second temples may have been built on Mt. Zion and Ophel where the City of David resides, making this the actual Temple Mount location rather than Mt. Moriah's northern portion where the Dome of the Rock is located.