Thursday, March 29, 2012

Sha'alu Shalom Yerushalayim! (Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!)

And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Zechariah 2:12

Have you ever noticed how often Jerusalem is in the news?  No matter where one is in the world it seems that this one city dominates the news.  Name any other capital city.  Think back.  Do you hear about that city as much as you hear about Jerusalem?  More than likely you chose your capital city so local news would tend to mention it, but choose a capital city far away and you will see that it is never mentioned as much as Jerusalem.  Why?

Who should control Jerusalem?  Is it an Arab possession?  Should it belong solely to Muslims?  Some seem to think so and are proposing a march to the city this week.   

Some feel it should be in the hands of the UN.  Others think that a body such as the Catholic Church should control the temple mount and allow access to all.  Some believe that Jerusalem is the Jewish capital by right.  Most ignore this claim.  Even the US is currently trying to settle this question in the courts even though a resolution was passed in congress recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital city. The options are endless, but none of them have settled nor will settle the problem of Jerusalem.  



Zechariah was shown this very scenario during his ministry.  He wrote that Jerusalem would become a "cup of trembling" and a "burdensome stone"  to the world.  Furthermore, he saw that the nations of the world would all one day be drawn against this one city.  It is clear that we are near the fulfillment of this prophesy.   Satan, the adversary, feels that destroying Jerusalem and the Jewish people will show that God does not have the power to keep His promises.  This is the reason for the untold millions of Jews that have been killed in pogroms, persecutions, and holocausts.  It is also the reason that Jerusalem is the target of his rage.  As the "god of this world", he will marital humanity in a vain attempt to destroy the city and its people repeatedly.  His greatest attempt will come near the end of the Tribulation as the armies of the world meet at Armageddon to solve the question of Jerusalem.



What the adversary does not realize is who really controls Jerusalem.  Who does it belong to?  Zechariah also was clearly shown who Jerusalem belongs to in Zechariah 2:12.  It belongs to Jesus Christ.  Jerusalem is the city where he was crucified, buried, and where He rose from the dead.  As the heir of King David destined to reign forever, it is His capital city.  Furthermore, it is the place where He returns with the saints and angels.  Jesus, Son of David will do just what David did, rid Jerusalem of squatters.  Christ, as God the Son will choose Jerusalem from which to reign. Jerusalem belongs to the LORD!  He will meet the final invaders in one great bloodbath at the end of the Tribulation.  It is Christ who will then enter the Eastern Gate and restore the Temple of God. Things will get worse for this city before it gets better, but rest assured, this city is Christ's.  Praying for its peace is both a command and a request for the return of the Prince of Peace!  It is the very place where Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psalm 122:6

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