Ancient Jewish Treasures In Monastery, Book Says

SF Gate ^ | 10-23-2006 | Matthew Kalman

[blam]

Ancient Jewish treasures in monastery, book says Gold, silver vessels reportedly in West Bank caves

Matthew Kalman, Chronicle Foreign Service

Monday, October 23, 2006

(10-23) 04:00 PST Mar Theodosius, West Bank -- Until today, the main claim to fame of this sleepy monastery on the edge of the Judean wilderness was the tradition that the Three Wise Men slept in the caves here after visiting the infant Jesus in Bethlehem.

But a new book claims that the Greek Orthodox Monastery Mar Theodosius was the last hiding place of one of the greatest treasures of antiquity: the gold and silver vessels of the first century B.C. Temple in Jerusalem, the central shrine of Judaism that once housed the Holy Ark containing the sacred tablets brought down from Mount Sinai by Moses.

British archaeologist Sean Kingsley said he has traced the journey of the legendary vessels from the first time they disappeared from public view more than 1,500 years ago to their current location in this walled monastery east of Bethlehem in the West Bank. He said the items include "the central icons of biblical Judaism" -- a seven-branched gold candelabra, the bejeweled Table of the Divine Presence and a pair of silver trumpets.

But many people, including Israeli government officials, believe the treasures are hidden somewhere in Vatican vaults. In 1996, Israeli Religious Affairs Minister Shimon Shetreet officially asked the pope to return them.

But Kingsley contends they were taken from Rome when it was sacked by the Vandals in A.D. 455. He bases his theory on new archaeological sources and contemporary accounts by ancient historians.

In his new book, "God's Gold: The Quest for the Lost Temple Treasure of Jerusalem," just published in Britain this month and due in U.S. bookstores in the spring. . .

[blam]

GGG Ping.

[blam]

[patton]

Before I die, I want to tour the basement of the vatican. Even the Papal Suit of Armour would make the trip worthwhile.

Who knows what else is down there.

[carumba]

I thought the Babylonians carried that stuff away. The Persians captured a bunch of it the night Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall.

[Uriah_lost]

I want to see the Comedy section.
(obscure reference alert)

[patton]

'es pining for the fjords...

[Rodm]

Erza bought back the temple treasures with the return of the exiles

[Rodm]

I mean Ezra

[jboot]

I thought the Babylonians carried that stuff away.

The items carried off to Babylon were from Solomon's temple. The article refers to "First Century BC" vintage artifacts. The vessels described were probabaly either from Zerubbabel's temple or (less likely) from Herod's temple.

[patton]

You are probably correct - but there is a lot of stuff down in that basement, I think...

[jwparkerjr]

re: Three Wise Men slept in the caves here after visiting the infant Jesus in Bethlehem

It doesn't help the credibility of an article when the first sentence is in error. The Wise Men didn't get to Jesus until he was older. They did not visit him in Bethlehem. Remember, Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem for only a short time, just long enough to be counted in the census. They had returned to their home when the Wise Men visited. Herod had sent the Wise Men to Bethlehem, but the star did not lead them there. They were told by Herod to come back and let him know where the Christ child was so that he too could worship him. Right. The Wise Men were warned by God not to return to Herod and went home a different way. When Herod realized he had been snookered by the Wise Men he ordered all the male children up to two years of age killed, thinking that would include the one the Wise Men had said would the king. But God had also warned Joseph of Herod's malicious intent and he took Jesus to Egypt. Each of these steps were the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy, as was the fact that Joseph and Mary and Jesus would settle in Nazareth upon their return from Egypt. Not that it makes everything in the article suspect, but it tells me the person doing the writing is not well versed in scripture. Nativity scenes always include the Wise Men at the manger, but they were never there, just the shepherds who had been abiding their flocks in the field by night when the angel of the Lord appeared unto them.

[wizr]

If you've got Christ, you don't need the trinkets.

[HiTech RedNeck]

In 1996, Israeli Religious Affairs Minister Shimon Shetreet officially asked the pope to return them.

That the pope himself would have no idea whether these historical artifacts were present in Rome, or would deny it if he knew they were present in Rome, beggars belief. I mean this IS the Roman Catholic church, not a secret society???

[Alouette]

They're in some huge government warehouse. I saw that at the end of Raider of the Lost Ark.

Seriously, this guy is just pimping his book. If he actually found treasure, he would show it. This is just to stir up interest in his book right up until the "Geraldo vault" moment, then he'll say, "Oops! Robbers got away with it!"

[HiTech RedNeck]

It had to have been in a house in the vicinity, or why would the magi have bothered to start asking around there.

[safisoft]

If you've got Christ, you don't need the trinkets.

You mean those "trinkets" that were in the House that He called, "My Father's House"? You mean those "trinkets" that were in the House that He he stayed behind to be in at age 12? You mean those "trinkets" that will be in the House described in Ezekiel 40-48?

I am always amazed at some who defame the very things that the Almighty commanded, without even reading the book that they claim as inspired. Read the first 7 chapters of Acts, and Acts 21-22 before you start mocking the things of the Almighty.

[SunkenCiv]

:') When I get home, I'll drop in the bump-only message, since this isn't the first topic about Kingsley's book...

Treasures looted by (Ancient) Rome are back in the Holy Land
(Jerusalem treasure mystery solved)
Times Online | September 25, 2006 | Dalya Alberge
Posted on 09/26/2006 9:26:26 AM EDT by NYer
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1708494/posts

Treasures Lby Rome 'Are Back In The Holy Land'
TimesOnline.Co.UK | Dalya Alberge
Posted on 09/30/2006 11:56:23 PM EDT by Iam1ru1-2
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1711470/posts

British Historian Claims to Have Found the Temple Treasures
Arutz Sheva Israel Broadcasting Networ | Oct 08, '06 | Gil Zohar
Posted on 10/09/2006 3:29:32 AM EDT by M. Espinola
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1716127/posts

British Historian Claims to Have Found the Temple Treasures
Arutz Sheva website | 16:42 Oct 08, '06 / 16 Tishrei 5767 | Gil Zohar
Posted on 10/09/2006 11:46:29 PM EDT by Fred Nerks
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1716640/posts

;')

[wizr]

Treasures, whether silver, gold or the bones of saints, have nothing to do with Christianity.

Men through the ages have tried to disprove the Bible, and its teachings, only to find that the places and events are true.

But why search for horded artifacts? To prove that God is real?

You only have to search your heart, and accept the love that Christ gives freely, to to know the joy that makes your heart sing.

1 Peter 1:18 (NIV) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish.

My reply is not an argument. Just a humble submission as food for thought, and prayer.

[SunkenCiv]

Just adding this to the GGG catalog, not sending a general distribution.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

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