A Powerful New Book By Author     Chad J. Schafer

with Doug Krieger

Published By: Doug Krieger - Tribnetpublications.org 

INTRODUCTION

          The world is full of ancient structures, monuments . . . buildings. Many of them, aesthetically speaking, though appealing to look at, mean little to the average person except in their beauty in terms of artistic appeal or function. For a large majority of architects who have been commissioned today buildings are made for functionality, and purpose of use to perform a task—be it housing for people stacked in cubicles or for constructing commercial buildings, some of which rise to the sky.

         Although many of these structures are tall,they utilize minute outward visual and artistic cues to separate them one from another. The term “Cookie Cutter” is an often and apt description of both warehouse districts and subdivisions. Cost and the economy are always a factor. The thought process in the construction of these buildings has an end-user in view; what are their needs from the building in terms of use and affordability? The building is a means to the goal and its function is more important than its fashion.

         There are types of buildings scattered throughout history that are given to more artistic or aesthetic value and incorporate more fashion in their design. These kinds are more often than not of the “religious” variety. Their function is to provide space for the simple and sole purpose of gathering for religious purposes; and, consequently, scoffed at by other designers bent on functionality. The "artistic” symbolism of these more aesthetic structures are seemingly more important to the “spiritual” purpose than to the functionality of the structure itself. These buildings are today, valued by people the world over, not because of their original religious purpose but for the art and sculptures that adorn them.

         There is another type of structure that exists and is rarely constructed in large scale today. The construction of these "buildings" has but one purpose: To tell a story and exhibit the power and authority of the one who commissioned its construction. Rarely are such structures today built in our modern world. A building that demands such time and expense to build for such “meaningful” purposes are deemed excessive in our modern, utilitarian culture. Building superior “purposed” buildings takes time and money. In the Western mindset anything that goes too far beyond functionality and into the realm of aesthetics is quickly deemed wasteful. Such buildings wholly committed to no other purpose other than to tell a story or commemorate some great fete to serve as a memorial. These edifices are rare and usually small in stature—given the fact that they are excessively ornate. There is one particular structure, however, that has escaped the normal constraints that would inhibit the building of such an ornate structure—it can be found the world over.

         This architectural form defies time. It has resisted cultural conformity. It has surmounted political organization: Monarchism, Democracies, Socialism—along with any other form of governance—this structure finds its way through them all! Its design has been replicated throughout the world—it seemingly knows no boundary. It integrates its timeless form and abides persistently changeless no matter the cultural or political environment. It refuses to confine its original purpose and demands its superlative expression be accorded special status among structures among all peoples advancing civilization. What these monuments have to say is pregnant with meaning. The depth of understanding associated with them, given by the public, are wholly different than what those who had originally commissioned them to be built had in mind. These monuments not only tell of history, but also tell the story of those who originally designed them. To the “simpleton” public these monuments are naught but quaint memorials. No—they are not what they appear to be!

        Those enlightened few who have worked on them throughout the ages knew and know today the profundity of their meaning; for they represent the hopes and aspirations of the future, both theirs and ours. These monuments are built on a national scale and are commissioned by governments on behalf of the "people" . . . so they say and so we are led to believe. Notwithstanding what appears normative, on the surface is in fact the old adage: Things aren’t always what they appear to be. As we trace these monument histories back to their origins we find a much more complicated and intriguing story than what we’ve been told. What is all the more amazing is that an original structure built nearly two thousand years ago was actually constructed whereby its symbolism bears an amazing prophetic alignment— yes, a prophetic alignment which is aligns Scripture to actual “earthly” fulfillment which have taken place among “Gentile World Power.”

       Alas! This particular type of structure has continued to replicate itself throughout the world with little differentiation from the original for over the past two thousand years . . . yet did this peculiar edifice escape our superficial understanding of its repetition! So very few within the West—where the so-called Judeo-Christian World abides (notwithstanding most of the West now lives within a post-Christian arena)—have ever heard of what we are discussing in this text. This fact alone speaks volumes. One would think that a construction erected, as a direct result of the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, commemorating such a fulfillment as great as this would be a fantastic tool in the hands of Christian apologists, right? Yes, these structures exist as a direct result of fulfilled prophecy—this claim is actually resident within the walls of Christendom. We have known of its existence since its pattern was originally constructed. However, you will find, although resident, so very few in the Christian community have ever written about it. Likewise, for that matter, very few today in Western Christianity have even "heard" of it; and, most certainly, have never come to terms with its profound prophetical significance.

       The original monument whereof we speak is none other than Rome’s Triumphal Arch of Titus. Therefore, this text will explore and take a fresh look at this most prophetic monument and its sterling role in fulfilling some of the most ancient prophecies of the Bible. This, and much more, will be explored.  Below is a condensed list of some of the more poignant questions which we must raise in determining this most amazing declaration given to us in artificial stone: 

• Who built the Arch of Titus and why was it constructed?

• How does it represent the fulfillment of Bible prophecy?

• How is this monument connected to Egypt?

• How is this monument connected to Jerusalem and the Temple?

• What does the Arch of Titus have to do with "The Gospel?"

• Does the Arch of Titus hold a key for understanding nearly 2,000 years of history?

• Does the Arch of Titus hold a key for understanding future fulfillment of prophecy?