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But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart,
and this is what defiles.
Matthew 15:18 NRSV
The epigraph, above, is a reminder that defilement has its origins in the hearts of people.
Tintern Abbey and its Cistercian Order of monks, quickly surrendered to Henry VIII's dissolution of the monastries. Having stripped Tintern of everything of value, Henry then allowed Tintern to fall into ruins.
Everything about the defilement of Tintern is evil. From the false order of monks ... to Henry's actions. But it does provide one example of how a 'church' - in this case an abbey - may be defiled!
And this leads to a consideration of the Islamic defilement of Jerusalem's Temple Mount. The House of Islam have defiled the Temple Mount with their buildings. The Al-Aqsa Mosque, for example; and the Dome of the Rock which stands in the place of the location of the Holy of Holies†, and which overshadows Jerusalem and its skyline.
[† A reminder that worse is to come (Mark 13:14 GNB).]
Al-Aqsa Mosque (black dome), and
Dome of the Rock (standing in the place of the Holy of Holies (Solomon's Temple explained) , now an abstract structure).
When David's Fallen Tent is being rebuilt, what should be done about these Islamic structures which defile Jerusalem?
[Essay: Should things be left as they are, lest the Muslims be offended? Or - like Henry VIII - should they be plundered and left to decay? Or should they be destroyed and removed after the manner of King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34)?]
[Dissertation: The defilement of the Covenant by the House of Desolation.]
Paul and the unknown writer to the Hebrews have conspired against the Lord God. They went beyond disobedience to actively defile the Covenant.
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant---not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, (2 Corinthians 3:6-7a NIV)
But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6 NIV84)
For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. (Hebrews 8:7 ESV)
In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:13 ESV)
Such are their grounds for annulling the Covenant, as summarised by Paul:
[16] know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16 NIV)
Paul asserts his competence comes from God through the Lord Spirit:
4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant---not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NIV)
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ - I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1 NRSV)
By defiling and annulling the Covenant, Paul et al have defiled and annulled the Book of Teaching - Scriptures which had been categorically endorsed by Jesus:
29 Jesus replied [to the Sadducees], "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God." (Matthew 22:29 NIV)
Such defilement of the Covenant and Book of Teaching is inexcusable. But to then go and attribute this evil to the authority and power of the Lord Spirit, is to sign one's own Death Warrant:
[31] For this reason I tell you: people can be forgiven any sin and any evil thing they say; but whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
[32] Anyone who says something against the Son of Man can be forgiven; but whoever says something against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven-now or ever. (Matthew 12:31-32 GNT)
[Dissertation: The corruption of the Twelve.]
[Dissertation: The House of Esau's wrongdoing and defilement of the Covenant.]
[Dissertation: House of Islam and the defilement of the Scriptures and the Covenant.]
Version: 2025-03-24
