The word "architecture" is defined as the science, art, or profession of designing and constructing buildings. However, it is composed of two parts, each of which has its own meaning. The word "arch" can be used as an adjective and in this form it is derived from the Latin to mean chief or principal. When used as a noun, it is derived from old French to mean a curved structure of masonry that supports the weight of material above it over an open space in a bridge or doorway. The word "tecture" is derived from technic which means to build. Thus "architecture" could have a seminal connection to arch building. Each ancient civilization had its own method of building construction depending on the culture and the building materials available. Mesopotamian countries had a scarcity of stone but plenty of mud, so most of their buildings were constructed of sun-dried clay bricks. Even Egyptians used bricks for construction of temples and houses. They had to transport stone some distance for their pyramids and sphinxes. The Greeks, Hebrews, and Islamic countries used stone for their temples, and it was in these areas that stone masons became important members of the culture. They were revered for their skill to produce beautiful columns, sculptures, and arches.
It was the Hebrews, and the Muslims who discovered the art of building arches. Such beautiful buildings as the Alhambra in Spain and the Taj Mahal in India are testimony to their skill. Perhaps the outstanding example of such architecture was Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. It was constructed entirely of huge stones that were quarried and shaped to fit precisely. These stones were shipped by boat to Gaza and transported over land where they were assembled in the erection of the temple without the sound of a chisel or hammer. The stones fit so perfectly that even in the ruins of today one has difficulty inserting a knife blade between them. Solomon imported stone masons from the whole area. The technique of constructing arches was a closely kept secret, and was only known by the master builders. As a result, they became very powerful and formed a secret society that persists today as The Order of Free Masonry or the Masonic Lodge.
The secret of the arch is that each stone is tapered so that any external weight only forces them together more tightly. The angle of taper is critical in order for them to fit together perfectly. The whole arch would collapse from the weight of the building above were it not for the headstone, or capstone, or more commonly called the keystone. This stone distributes the weight from above on all the stones below it so that it is the key to the arch.
Jesus is called the head of the corner; He is the capstone that provides a secure archway into the kingdom, the doorway to heaven. He is the "divine keystone."
