14/05/2021
JERUSALEM – WHEN HE COMES
"... the joy of the whole earth... Mount Zion, the city of the Great King." [Psalms 48:1-2]
Christians do well to pay attention to what is happening in Jerusalem, not because it is a shrine and not because it is more important than the New Jerusalem that is to come. Jerusalem is a time-clock for events of the last days.
Here are four reasons for Christians to watch events in Jerusalem:
1. JESUS IS COMING AGAIN
Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives, on the east side of Jerusalem, and Jesus is coming again to the same place.
[Acts 1:9-12 and Zechariah 14:4-5]
Jesus is not coming to London, New York or Rome. Jesus will return to Jerusalem in glory.
His coming, this time, will not be difficult to discern. It will be sudden and, for many, unexpected. [Matthew 24:44; Mark 13:36]
Jesus’ return will not be in secret.
[1 Thessalonians 4:16-17]
It is a good reason to keep an eye on events in Jerusalem. Jesus said: Watch!
[Matthew 24:42].
2. THE FINAL BATTLE WILL CENTER IN JERUSALEM
This is not pleasant to contemplate, but it is what the Bible says.
"I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women r***d.
Half of the city will go into exile but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.
Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.
On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.
You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him." [Zechariah 14:2-5]
It would seem, from these verses, that it is at this climax that Jesus will return. The Bible also says that He could come at any time, like a thief in the night, so we must be careful not to be conclusive on this question.
The time of this battle at Jerusalem is when Israel is being regathered and restored. That is clear from the first verse of Joel chapter 3. Those days have begun.
“In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning My inheritance, My people Israel, for they scattered My people among the nations and divided up My land.” [Joel 3:1-2]
The reason for the battle is given in verse two above. It is because the nations have divided up God’s land. That is happening now. Governments are pressuring Israel to make peace by trading off parcels of the Promised Land.
The Valley of Jehoshaphat is the Kidron Valley, which lies between Jerusalem’s Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. The valley runs down to the Dead Sea.
3. GOD HAS PROMISED SALVATION FOR THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.”
[Romans 9:27]
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” [Romans 11:25-27]
The final number will turn to God in Christ, in the land of Israel.
“For on My holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land the entire house of Israel will serve Me, and there I will accept them.” [Ezekiel 20:40]
4. GOD IS FAITHFUL
God will prove Himself faithful with final events in Jerusalem.
If God would forsake the Jews, after making unconditional promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants, then how could Christians, with their faith in the Jewish Messiah, have confidence in Him to complete what He began in their lives?
But, because God is trustworthy, because He will not give up on Israel even though they have resisted Him, we have assurance for our salvation.
WHAT SHOULD CHRISTIANS DO?
1. PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.” [Psalms 122:6]
Christians are called to involve themselves in the spiritual battle for Jerusalem.
2. PROCLAIM THE REGATHERING OF THE EXILES
Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: “He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd.” [Jeremiah 31:10]
It is for His glory that God is doing what He is doing in Israel today. He wants this broadcast so that people will know that He is at work, so that He will be praised.
3. PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE
“You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” [Isaiah 40:9]
Israel has been blinded for too long, in part by the traditions and religiosity of much that has passed for Christianity.
They, like the sons of Ishmael, need to hear the good news.
Romans chapter eleven promises spiritual blessings for all the world when the Jews turn to God in the Messiah.
4. BE READY TO MEET THE KING
"...when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this race (the Jews) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come."
[Mark 13:29-30,33]
Photo (c): perrystone.org
Content (c): differentspirit.org
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