Jerusalem – Part 2
Jerusalem is truly a special place. It is not just what you see there, but what you can feel. Each and every time I have the privilege to visit the Holy City I am grateful. The most important events in world history happened in Jerusalem. Forty years ago when Israel was attacked by its neighbors, HaShem (“The Name”, i.e., G-d) gave Israel control over the entire city. Four decades later the city is thriving with building cranes prominent in the skyline. However, Jerusalem struggles like any other nation’s capital, with homeless people, poverty, and crime. It is congested and its holiness is becoming harder and harder to see. I was disappointed to see Jerusalem’s first religious mayor cave into political correctness and not stand up to the Israeli supreme court and issue a permit for the homosexual pride parade to take place in the place where G-d caused His name to dwell.
This is just another example of how the times are changing quickly. Last year the Heredi community stood up and stopped the parade. This year some Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders spoke up against the parade, but not in the numbers or with the power they did a year ago. It seems to me that the religious community was tired and just gave in for the most part. I think it is clear to see how Revelation 11:8 is being fulfilled, “…in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our L-rd was crucified.”
I think in the same manner that Yeshua wept over the city nearly 2,000 years ago, He is sadden by the fact that Jerusalem resembles any other captital city in the world, rather than what Jerusalem is called to be and what Jerusalem will be during the days of Messiah’s reign on Earth. What will Jerusalem be like in those days? Jerusalem is still important to G-d and has a wonderful future. All prophecies concerning this city will be fulfilled. Things will begin to change for Jerusalem when Messiah RETURNS! Once His feet land on the Mount of Olives the world will never be the same. Although Yeshua did the work of redemption when He came the first time, when He returns He will bring the outcome of redemption to the world. What is important to know is that these wonderful benefits of redemption will start in Jerusalem and then begin to fill the rest on the world. This fulfills the promise of G-d that He will bless the world through the Jewish people and the land of Israel. Even though the pages of the Bible are filled with this fact and that G-d has blessed the land of Israel and given this land to the descendants of Jacob as an inheritance, so many people that call themselves followers of the Messiah tend to ignore these Biblical truths and have developed theology which alters the word of G-d and teaches that Israel has been replaced.
G-d will bring to Jerusalem His righteousness as Isaiah declared, “And it shall come to pass in the end of days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established as the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say: ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. ” (Isa. 2-5).
Notice that this is about the “end of days” when Jerusalem will not only be the center of worship, but also the governmental center of the world with Yeshua ruling according to the Torah. It will be this righteous rule that will change Jerusalem into Zion (the excellence of G-d). Finally the blessings of G-d will fill up this world and all people that remain (His people through the Message of the Gospel) will live in obedience to Him, enjoying the privilege of knowing Him personally.
No place is more important to G-d than Jerusalem and no place can take away the special status of this city. It saddens me that only a small remnant of the followers of Israel’s Messiah see the need to “Ask for the peace of Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:6). This is a Biblical command! Peace for Jerusalem is not just an absence of problems, but also the fulfillment of G-d’s plan for this city and therefore the world. As we have already mentioned, what G-d is going to do in this world (fill it with His Knowledge) is going to begin in Jerusalem.
Why not commit to ask G-d to bring about the events that must transpire for Jerusalem to inherit her peace? Better yet, why not ask G-d to provide the finances for you to come to Israel personally, stand in Jerusalem, and pray that prayer here?