THE STONE OF DESTINY

By Don Hollifield

This article includes historical data supporting Biblical facts and verifying some of God's Prophesies. As we participate in this lesson, we will discover several unanswered questions. Have patience and in the end all of the pieces will fit together and strengthen your faith.

First let's begin with Jacob's number 4 son, Judah. Judah disobeyed God and married a Canaanite woman and they had three sons. Then when his wife died, God slew his two oldest sons. Why??? Here you can see the Hand of God keeping the blood line of Jesus pure. Jesus was later born as a descendent of the Tribe of Judah, and Jesus could not have any tainted blood. He was pure.

Judah's daughter-in-law, the former wife of his first born son was a Hebrew woman and her name was Tamar, which in Hebrew means: "Palm Tree."

Tamar longed for motherhood, so she disguised her self as a prostitute and tricked Judah into lying with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to twin sons.

Genesis 38v28-30: And it came to pass, when she travailed, one put out his hand, and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread saying, "This came out first." V29: And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out and she said, "How has thou broken forth? This breach be upon thee." Therefore, his name was called "Pharez." V30: And afterward came out his brother that had the scarlet tread upon his hand, and his name was called, "Zarah."

Pharez in Hebrew means, "Breach or breaking forth." Jesus will break forth from the bloodline of Pharez. While Zarah means, "Guiding light or dawn." Why??? Later

There's little mention of Zarah and his descendent in the Bible since approximately 1700 BC. However, there is a bountiful supply of historical records that trace their travels. As they migrated from the Holy Land through Greece, to Yugoslavia, Italy, Southern France, Southern Spain and to Ireland.

In Yugoslavia, the city Sarajevo, may have meant, "A safe Haven for Zarah." In southern France, there is a village called Salom whose name came from Shalom which is feminine for Peace. Nostrodomaus was born in Salom, France and his Jewish name was "Gazzi" which is Hebrew for "Fort." And in southern Spain there is a city called Saragossa which was originally called "Zarah-Gassa" which is Hebrew for "Zarah's Stronghold."

Since Zarah was a descendent of Eber, his tribe was often referred to Ebernites, Hebernites, Heberians and later Iberisans. That's why the countries of France, Spain and Portugal are know as the Iberian Peninsula.

Ireland was originally called Iberne Land and then abbreviated as Irene Land or Ireland. The town emblem for Ulster in Southern Ireland, contains a white cross with a baby's hand in the center with a "Scarlet Thread" tied around his hand. They are known as the descendents of the Scarlet Branch of Zarah with historical records being traced to 700 BC, over 200 years before Jeremiah departed Judah.

Here again you can see the Hand of God over the House of Zarah with large settlements in Southern Spain and Ireland. This is important!!!

Now let's unravel the mystery of "The Stone of Destiny" which is Jacob's Stone or pillar. This Stone has both literal and symbolic meanings.

Genesis 28v10-19, selected verses: And Jacob went from Beer-Sheba, and west toward Haram. V11: And he lighted upon a certain place and tarried there all night, because the sun was set. And he took stones of that place and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

First he selected the Head Stone, or pillow, with other smaller stones for his bed. This Head Stone is roughly shaped as a pillow, and it weighs 336 pounds and is 26 inches in length, 16 inches wide, and 10 and one-half Inches in depth. It was common practice in those days to build a bed with small stones and then put heavy blankets over them so as to keep the coldness of the ground from penetrating their bed.

V12-18: And he dreamed, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to Heaven, and the Angels of God ascending and descending on it." V13: And the Lord stood above it and said, "I am the Lord of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac. The land where-on thou liest to thee will I give it and to thy seed." V14: "And thy seed shall be as dust of the earth, and thou shall spread abroad (or overseas) to the West, and to the East, and to the North, and to the South. And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." V15: "And I am with thee and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land. For I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken of."

Why did God plan on bringing Jacob back to this location??? Later!!!

V16:And Jacob awaked out of his sleep and he said, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not." V17: And he was afraid and said, "How dreadful (or awesome) is this place! This is none other but the House of God, and this is the Gate to Heaven." V18: And Jacob rose up early in the morning and took the stone he had for his pillow and set it up for a pillar and poured oil upon it.

Jacob anointed the Rock. And in Hebrew, a pillar is any elevated structure, i.e.: A large pile of rocks, or it could be an object on a base supporting it. It could also be a Podium on the Alter of a Church.

V19: And he called the place, "Beth-El," but the name of the city (nearby) was called Luz at the first. Beth-El means "House of God." Beth is House and El is short for Elohim or God. The area was previously called Luz. Later Luz is referred to as being near Beth-El as being on a mount. Beth-El was on a mount near Luz which was probably in the valley below.

Twenty-two years pass and God directs Jacob to return to Beth-El:

Genesis 35v10 and 14-15: And God said unto him, "Thy name is Jacob. Thy name shall not be called anymore; Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name. And He called his name, "Israel." V14: And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, even a pillar of stone. And he poured a drink offering there-on, and he poured oil there-on.

Jacob anoints the Pillar a second time.

V15: And Jacob called the place where God spake with him, "Beth-El."

God again blesses Jacob and Jacob renews his covenant with God. But why did God send Jacob back to Beth-El??? Also, why did Jacob anoint the Stone twice???

I believe there are two reasons why God sent Jacob back to Beth-El.
      1. God sent him back to Beth-El to the alter or the Pillar of the House of God, or Beth-El to cleanse himself and his people for their idolatry.
      2. God sent him there to get the stone. Biblical evidence verifies the Stone traveled with the Israelites throughout the Old Testament. The Israelites always referred to this stone as, "The Stone" or "The Rock" or "The Pillar."

In Genesis 31v13, God Himself referred to the stone as a Pillar. Later when Jacob is dying, he is blessing his sons; and while blessing Joseph he stops and says: Genesis 49v24: "...From thence is the Shepherd, The Stone of Israel." Jacob is charging Joseph with the responsibility of protecting The Stone. Joseph is now the Shepherd of the Stone of Israel.

The Stone has now been turned-over from Jacob to the Tribe of Joseph.

Later when the Israelites are in the wilderness and without water, God says to Moses:

Exodus 17v6: "...I will stand before thee upon The Rock in Horeb, and smite The Rock and there shall come water out of It, that the people may drink."

God did not say this rock or any rock. He specifically said, "The Rock." Horeb in Hebrew means a desolate place, the opposite to an oasis. Horeb was probably the location of the Tribe of Joseph. But why did God say, "Smite The Rock???" Later!!!

Then again the Israelites are without water.

Numbers 20v7-12: And God spake unto Moses, saying, V8: "Take the rod and gather the assembly together, thou and Aaron thy brother and speak to The Rock before their eyes, and it shall give forth to them water out of The Rock so thou shall give the congregation and their beasts drink."

Now God tells Moses to speak or ask The Rock for water. Why speak to The Rock instead of beating it as before??? Later!!!

V9: And Moses took the rod before the Lord as He commanded him. V10: And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before The Rock, and he said unto them, "Hear now, ye rebels. Must we fetch you water out of The Rock?" V11: And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote The Rock twice; and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank and their beast also. V12: And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, "Because ye believed Me not, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, ye shall not bring the congregation unto the land which I have given them.

God was furious. He took the life of Aaron and forbid Moses to take the Israelites into the Promised Land. Why??? Moses was a loyal and devoted servant. Why??? Because he smote The Rock instead of asking The Rock. There must be more to this than it appears. Later!!!

I Chronicles 11v15, Now three of the thirty captains went down to The Rock to David, into the cave of Adullam, and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

Again The Rock is mentioned, now being in the cave with David. He probably went to the cave to be with The Rock for prayer and meditation. The Rock is still with the Israelites and stored in a cave.

Psalm 118v22, concerning the building of the Temple of God: The Stone the builders refused is become the Headstone of the Corner.

The Headstone or the Cornerstone is the most important stone when constructing a building. It is laid first and all other stones, bricks, blocks i.e., are placed according to the Headstone. This verse is so important it is repeated by Jesus and recorded in six different books of the New Testament. Why is this verse so important??? Later!!!

II Kings 11v12-14, King Joash's coronation: And he brought forth the kings son, and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony, and they made him king, and anointed him. And they clapped their hands and said, "God save the king." V13: And then Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people she came to the Temple of the Lord. V14: And when she looked, the king stood by The Pillar, as was the manner was...

The king stood by The Pillar after being crowned on The Pillar or The Stone as was the custom. The Stone or The Pillar is also called "The Coronation Stone,"

II Kings 23v2-3: And the king (Josiah) went into the House of the Lord, and all the men of Judeah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests and the prophets of the people, both small and great. And he read in their ears all the words of the Book of the Covenant which was found in the House of the Lord. V3: And the king stood by The Pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, and to keep His Commandments and His Testimonies and His Statutes with all their hearts and their souls.

King Josiah was crowned 265 years after King Joash, and the Book of the Covenant is the Book concerning the Ark of the Covenant as outlined in the Book of Exodus chapter 25.

By The Pillar is also translated as being on The Pillar, when King Josiah made his covenant with God. It would certainly be appropriate for the king to stand or sit on the same Stone that Jacob did when he made his covenant with God. Also, according to history and Jewish tradition, the coronation of every king and queen of the Israelites is believed to have been over Jacob's Stone.

Now let's move forward to the time of King Zedekiah:

Jeremiah 39v6-7: Then the king of Babylon slew all the sons of Zedekiah in Ribiah before his eyes, also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah. V7: Moreover, he put out Zedekiah's eyes and bound him with chains to carry him to Babylon.

The last thing King Zedekiah saw was his sons being killed. Many believe that King Zedekiah was the last king of the Israelites. If this is true, then it contradicts God's Promise.

I King 9v5: ...There shall not fail thee, a man upon the throne of Israel.

Also, Genesis 49v10: The scepter shall not depart from Judea (Tribe) until Shiloh comes.

Scepter is the king's ruling rod. God says there will always be a ruling king or queen from the Judea Tribe over the Jewish people, until the Messiah or Jesus returns. King Zedekiah is dying in prison in Babylon. All his sons have been executed, But the kings three daughters were spared.

Numbers 27v8: Thou shall speak unto the children of Israel saying, "If a man die and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter."

Upon the death of King Zedekiah, his inheritance would go to his oldest daughter, including the scepter as the ruling queen over the Israelites. Also, according to Jewish tradition, King Zedekiah's daughter had to be a virgin and had to marry a man from the Tribe of Judah, before she could be queen.

The ten tribes of Israel were scattered into Northern Africa, Asia, and into Europe, especially the British Isles. King Nebuchadnezzar captured Judeah taking the tribes of Judea and Benjamin to Babylon, however, a large remnant of the tribes of Judea and some Benjamites were able to escape and went to Egypt.

Jeremiah 43v6-7: Even and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and Jeremiah, and Baruch the son of Neriah. V7: So they went to the land of Egypt, for they obeyed not the voice of the Lord, thus came they even to Taphanhes.

Taphanhes was an Egyptian fortress on the border. History reveals that King Zedekiah had three daughters with the oldest being named, "Scota." The youngest daughter married the Pharaoh's son and the Pharaoh gave Jeremiah and his group some ships and supplies to sail beyond. There are several important prophesies about this remnant.

Ezekiel 17v22-23: Thus saith the Lord God, "I will take the highest branch of the high cedar and will set it down. I will crop off from the top of his young twigs, a tender one and I will plant it upon a high mountain and eminent.

What exactly does God mean??? You have to examine and analysis the various parts of this parable to fully understand God's prophesy. I will take the highest branch of the high cedar set it down. The highest branch of the high cedar is King Zedekiah. God will set him down or remove him from his kingdom. This occurred when King Zedekiah was taken prisoner after his sons were all killed and the king's eyes were put out. I will crop off from the top of his young twigs, a tender one.

The top of the cedar tree represents King Zedekiah's children, and to crop off one of its twigs means it will be removed, and the tender one represents his daughter. God will take a daughter of King Zedekiah and will remove her from the tree or family. I will plant it upon a high mountain and eminent.

Mountain represents a nation and eminent means it will prosper and grow. God says that He will take a daughter of King Zedekiah and she will be queen over a nation and will prosper.

V23: In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it; and it shall bring forth boughs and bear fruit and be a goodly cedar; and under it shall dwell all foul of every wing in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

This new kingdom shall be as great as the kingdom of Israel was and it shall grow and prosper, with numerous colonies under its wing. And then 125 years before Jeremiah's escape in:

Isaiah 37v31, God says: "And the remnant that is escaped, of the House of Judeah, shall again take root downward and bear fruit.

This remnant will settle down and multiply elsewhere, God's Word.

Also, Jeremiah 15v14, God says: "I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not... "

God will give Jeremiah and the remnant safe passage out of Judeah and into a foreign land, which they did not know. This had to be beyond Egypt since they certainly knew Egypt. But... where???

Jeremiah 44v13-14: "I will punish them that dwell in Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem by the sword, by the famine and by the pestilence. V14: So that none of the remnant of Judah which has gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain that they should return to dwell there; for none shall return but such as shall escape.

According to God's Prophesy, this remnant can not return to Judah. If they try they will be severely punished. Those that go beyond Egypt and into a foreign land will settle and multiply. King Zedekiah's daughter will be queen over this land or nation.

No further mention of Jeremiah or the remnant is recorded in the Bible, but there is a wealth of historical evidence that The Stone, the Ark of the Covenant, other valuable artifacts accompanied Jeremiah to Egypt and beyond.

In Egypt the remnant of approximately 2,000 or more persons split into 2 different groups. One group took the Ark and remained in Egypt for several years at a large island in the Nile River called Elephantine. This group was later traced to Ethiopia. Egyptian hieroglyphics reveal that King Zedekiah's youngest daughter married the Pharaoh's son.

Jeremiah's group received boats and supplies from Egypt and has been traced to Southern Spain and then to Southern Ireland. Ancient Irish records reveal that King Zedekiah's oldest daughter was married in Spain to Herimon from the House of Zarah of the Judah Tribe. Since King Zedekiah had no living male descendents, his oldest daughter, named Scota, could marry a man from the same tribe and inherit his wealth and kingdom.

She was crowned and anointed Queen of the Jewish Remnant in Spain by Jeremiah, probably at the same time of the death of King Zedekiah. This remnant then continued to Southern Ireland. Irish history refer to her as Queen Scota, the first queen of Ireland.

She arrived in Ireland with her husband, sister, Baruch (the scribe) and Jeremiah, the five royal passengers along with several others from the remnant. Some of the valuables that accompanied her were:
      1. A Harp The Harp of David.
      2. A Chest Probably full of treasures.
      3. A Stone The Stone of Jacob or The Stone of Destiny.

It is interesting to note that the Royal Emblem of Ireland contains the harp of David on their flag and it can be traced back to 467 BC, 12 years after Jeremiah and the remnant departed Judah.

In Southern Ireland in the county of Meath, there is a large mound of rocks, 35 to 40 feet high. It is known as Jeremiah's Cairn which is Gaelic for tomb or monument. On top there is a large flat rock with an Egyptian boat chiseled on it with several Egyptian lines, circles, dots and spirals above the boat. The boat has five figures on it, representing the 5 royal members. On the side of the boat there are 6 lines with one line continuing to the bottom. The six line represent the 6 royal members that arrived in Egypt with one of them being left behind, the youngest daughter of King Zedekiah.

The Egyptian lines, circles, dots and spirals above the boat represent the date of Jeremiah's death written in Egyptian hieroglyphics. It is the date of October 16, 476 BC only two years after they departed Judah.

The Stone of Jacob remained in Ireland for over 1000 years with 54 kings and queens being coroneted over it. Then Ireland invaded and captured Scotland, known as the Land of Caledonia and Pics.

The brother of the King of Ireland was placed as king of the new land. He requested and received The Stone for his coronation. He then renamed his kingdom The Land of Scota after Queen Scota. When you reverse The Land of Scota you get Scota Land or Scotland. The Stone of Jacob remained in Scotland for approximately 800 years.

Then King Edward of England stole The Stone and placed it in a chair in Westminster Abby, known as King Edward's coronation chair. Upon the death of King Edward, his homosexual son was refused as king. Then England, France, Ireland, Wales and Scotland were united in the United Kingdom. Then King James VI of Scotland was renamed King James of the United Kingdom and was coroneted over The Stone of Destiny in King Edward's Chair in Westminster Abby.

We all know that King James became the founder of The King James Bible.

The Stone remained in Westminster Abby with all kings and queens being coroneted over it until 1997. Scotland had previously sued England for the return of The Stone and won. As such, The Stone was returned to Scotland and is now located near Edinburgh, Scotland.

Queen Elizabeth II is the 12th descendent of King James. She is also the 144th (12 x 12) descendent of King David. Biblical numbers have physical meanings, but some also have spiritual meanings. 12 in Biblical spiritual numbers mean; "GOD'S PLAN." Is God telling us that Queen Elizabeth is the final ruler from the Tribe of Judah before Jesus returns??? This is also supported by Scripture.

Ezekiel 21v25-27: "Thou profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come when iniquity shall have an end." V26: Thus saith the Lord, "Remove the Diaden (king's turban) and take off the crown... " V27: "I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more until He comes whose right it is, and I will give it to Him. Jesus!

Notice God said The Stone would be overturned 3 times. The Stone was originally possessed by Jacob,
And then it was (1) overturned to Joseph of the Joseph Tribe,
And then it was (2) overturned to King Saul of the Benjamin Tribe,
And then it was (3) overturned to King David of the Judah Tribe,
And has remained in The Judah Tribe for over 3000 years.

How can any King or Queen from England be coroneted over The Stone when it is in Scotland? Look at who the Queen has for her inheritance.

Could, "The wicked Prince of Israel" be the Prince Charles??? He has committed adultery with a married woman before and while married to Princess Diana. He then lived with his lover after Princess' death. He has now finally married her.

The Bible also verifies that the scepter will never leave the Judah tribe until Jesus returns:

Genesis 49v10: The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (messiah) come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

The scepter will remain with the Tribe of Judah until Jesus returns to gather up the Christians. Also no one of authority will steal the scepter and give it to another.

The tribe of Judah is also known as the Lion Tribe, as Jacob blessed his sons before dying:

Genesis 49v9: Judah is a lion's whelp, from the prey my son, thou art gone up, he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

The Tribe of Judah or the Lion Tribe has retained that identity, and the United Kingdom's symbol of the lion dates back to the days of Moses. It is the same as we retain the symbol of the American Eagle. It is interesting to note that Jacob asks who shall rouse up the old lion. Britain is now an old lion and is it possible that when Jesus returns the lion will be aroused?

What does the Bible say:

Revelation 5v5: And one of the elders saith unto me, "Weep not; behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."

Now let's go back and tie up some of the loose ends.

Ephesians 2v19-20: ... and the household of God; V20: Are built upon the foundations of the Apostles and the prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself being the Corner Stone...

Being the Corner Stone!!!

Paul also identifies Christ as the "Stone" in his first letter to the Corinthians 10v4: And did all eat the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ.

The Stone is symbolic for Jesus. The Stone was anointed twice; Jesus was anointed twice. The Stone was rejected by the builders of the Temple of God; Jesus was rejected as being the Son of God, and then Jesus became The Corner Stone of Christianity,

Moses first smote The Stone; Jesus was beaten before crucifixion. From The Stone flowed the Water of Life; from Jesus flows the Living Water of Eternity. Moses was told to speak to The Stone the second time or ask for the Living Water. We must ask for the Living Water of Salvation. But Moses struck The Stone the second time. That's why God smote Aaron and refused Moses to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

John 1v51, Jesus said: "Verily, verily I say unto you, there-after ye shall see heaven open and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Jesus is both The Stone and The Ladder to Heaven; they're the same.

Why was the twin son of Judah named Zarah, "The Guiding Light." From the King James Bible we receive our Guiding Light. And King James was a descendent of Zarah, and from the Book we get to know Jesus and through Jesus we receive "The Guiding Light" to Heaven. The Book is our legacy from God and it contains our future, and the Bible contains our Stone of Destiny.

AMEN