Why Jerusalem?

The fuse that ignited the recent wave of violence in the Middle East was when Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount in the year 2000. This site is known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif or the Noble Sanctuary. To Jews and Christians it is known as the Temple Mount.

Why all the fuss over Israel? Why all the tension over the Holy City Jerusalem? Why is the Temple Mount so important?

In the next moments we will discuss some of the key factors that make Jerusalem the most important city in the world.

The Temple Mount in the heart of Jerusalem is where the Jewish Temple Stood in Biblical times. The Western or “Wailing” Wall is a retaining wall located on the western side of where the Temple stood, thus making this the most important religious site to religious Jews.

Religious Jews believe that the Temple Mount is where redemption will take place when the Messiah comes. Christians also recognize this location is where the prophets and angels said Jesus would return. To give up this holy site, to give up on the city itself is like giving up on the hope for redemption. If the Messiah is to come to Jerusalem, then you hold on to this most important piece of real estate.For the Muslims, the Haram al-Sharif is where the Dome of the Rock is located and the al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site. They believe this is the place where the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven.

In the 1967 war Israel captured the Western Wall. In fact the whole of Jerusalem is now under Israeli control except the Temple Mount where Muslims oversee the area. The Palestinians are desirous to have their capital in East Jerusalem. This is a vital factor for any future Palestinian State.

There has been a lot of political jockeying regarding how to solve this problem regarding Jerusalem. Some suggestions have been from full Israeli sovereignty to twin capitals to sharing government control over the city.

So why Jerusalem?

risis is not a surprise to the student of the bible. Events unfolding are exactly how the prophets said they would happen. To understand what God is doing in the world we need to understand what God is doing with Israel. Specifically Jerusalem!

The History

The first mention of Jerusalem is found in Genesis 14:8 where the city is called Salem. Salem means “peace”.
Ezekiel mentions that the area was once populated by the Amorites and Hittites (Ezekiel 16:3).
Jerusalem is also in the area of Moriah where Abraham bound Isaac (Genesis 22).
God gave to David the city, via conquest, from the Jebusites around 1,004 BC, over thee thousand years ago (1 Chronicles 11:4-9).
David bought a threshing floor for 50 shekels of silver (2 Samuel 24:24) and built an altar unto the Lord. (same area where Abraham bound Isaac)
This threshing floor is where Solomon, David’s son, built the Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1)
This is the site of the second temple and the temple that Herod embellished in the time of Jesus.
Jesus rode into the city as people praised and worshiped Him as Messiah.
Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem’s walls.
Jesus ascended to the Father from the Mount of Olives overlooking the Temple.

The Future

Jerusalem will be the sight of the Tribulation Temple (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
Jerusalem will be hated by all nations (Zechariah 12:2,3).
Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies (Zechariah 14:1,2)
Messiah will descend in this area (Zechariah 14:3,4)
This is where the Millennial Temple will stand (Ezekiel 40; Zechariah 2,3)God desires Jerusalem (Psalm 132:14)
Jerusalem will be the center of Messiah’s Kingdom.
Jerusalem will be the global capital (Isaiah 2:2-4).

So now we can begin to understand why Jerusalem is so important to God’s program and the people of the world.

In Zechariah 2:1-13 we find the 3rd of 8 visions. Verses 4 & 5 bring to light that there will be a noteworthy increase in the population of Jerusalem in the latter days. The Scripture states that Jews will flock to Jerusalem from the four corners of the earth.Verse 8 reinforces the Abrahamic Covenant (bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee) inasmuch as those that touch Israel, touches the apple or pupil, the most sensitive part of God’s eye.

When David conquered the city, as directed by God in 1 Chronicles chapter 11, Jerusalem became central in world events. Jewish sages call Jerusalem “the very center of the earth.” They also teach that, “living in the land of Israel equals the performance of all the commandments of the Torah.”

Jerusalem has been called by more than 70 different names. For example:

“Lion of God” (Isa. 29:1)
“Joy” (Isa. 65:18)
“City of Truth” (Zech. 8:3)
“Throne of God” (Jer. 3:17)

Very simply, God has chosen Jerusalem.

God says of Jerusalem, “This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I desire it” (Ps. 132:14). Also, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me” (Isa. 49:16).

As Christians, everything we believe and hold dear comes from Jerusalem. Jerusalem is truly “the joy of the whole earth.” (Psalm 48:2) From Jerusalem, we have the most important events of the Lord’s life and our redemption recorded for us. Plus, from Jerusalem the Gospel went out to four corners of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Jerusalem is not only the key in world events of the past, but the future as well. From Isaiah 2:2-4, we learn that Jerusalem will be the geographical heart of the Millennial Kingdom of Messiah. Jerusalem will be the central government for the world. How exciting this will be! How glorious! However, between then and now, Jerusalem, though a joy to Christians and to Jewish people, will become a burden to the world. (Zechariah 12:2,3).

Joel 3:1,2 records for us that Jerusalem is God’s place of Judgment (Jehoshaphat means God judges). The Scripture warns us of a time that is called “the time of Jacob’s trouble”(Jer. 30:7). This is a time of terrible calamity concerning the Middle East, specifically Israel. You see there is something about Jerusalem that causes the world to fear and marvel. (Psalm 48:1-6)

Why?

Some 2600 years ago, the world had an immeasurable paradigm shift as it entered into what is called the Gentile Age. This happened when the governmental structure of Israel was ended by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The sovereign State of Israel would notbe restored until the 20th century. Daniel saw this paradigm shift in a vision, as an image of a man. (Dan. 2:31-45)

He saw:

Head of Gold – Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian Kingdom (606 – 538 B.C.)
Chest & Arms of Silver – Media-Persia (538-333 B.C.)
Belly & Thighs of Bronze – Greece (333-63 B.C.)
Legs of Iron with feet and toes of iron and clay – Rome

Daniel records that these empires end suddenly because of a stone that crashes into the image. Who is the stone? It is the Messiah!

Jesus who was crucified and rose again in Jerusalem, the Son of the Living God, the Rose of Sharon, the Root of Jesse, the Lion of Judah who crushes the Kingdoms of the world (Dan. 2:34,44).

Meanwhile, the rising of Israel this century and particularly Jerusalem being once again under Jewish control (1967, Six-day War) poses quite a problem for the world. As Malcom Hedding writes,

“The rise of Jerusalem not only threatens all governments…it is a grave threat to all false philosophies. The rise of Jerusalem shatters the…myth God is dead (or not involved in human events)…the reestablishment of Jerusalem …(is) the work of a living God. The rise of Jerusalem challenges all false theologies such as Christian Anti-Semitism, Dominion or Replacement Theology. The rise of Jerusalem is also a threat to philosophies and theologies of lawlessness, for in a resurrected Jerusalem, we simply must face the ideas of God’s law and God’s judgment. We can begin to understand the reason for the rage and madness which Jerusalem incites throughout the whole earth.In short...Israel is a foreign body, she is unwanted in our world.”–Malcom Hedding, “Understanding Israel”

This hatred will begin to culminate when a massive coalition bent on the destruction of Israel, recorded for us in Ezekiel 38 & 39, launches a sophisticated attack against Israel during the first part of the Tribulation (Time of Jacob’s Trouble). Fortunately, God intervenes and the coalition is defeated. Unfortunately, the AntiChrist will come into full power and set himself up as Messiah. While in Jerusalem, inside the rebuilt Temple, the False Prophet will set up an image of the Beast. Daniel called this, “the abomination of desolation” (11:31) in which the Beast, his image and Satan himself, will be worshipped. (Rev. 13:4,15)

Those who do not worship the Beast or his image will be killed. This will be a time of persecution such as the world has never known before. The persecution will be primarily targeted against the Jew, but embracing all people who do not worship the beast or dissent from the policies of the Beast.

A new economic world system will be announced. All people on the planet will be required to receive a mark, the mark of the beast imprinted on their flesh. Without this mark one cannot buy, or sell or transact any business. To reject this system or befriend a Jew or believe on the Lord Jesus could be fatal. The Great Terror foretold will have come.

The World will eventually become disillusioned with the Anti-Christ as he will be unable to solve the global problems that will unfold according to the book of Revelation.As a result the kings of the East will begin to move against him. The final and worst series of battles will begin to unfold. Armageddon will begin (Rev. 16:12-21). The horrors and dread of this campaign are beyond anything history has recorded.

Just when the madness and hellish carnage brought about by these armies seem endless. Just when all hope is gone and these forces seem undefeatable, Jesus, the Messiah, the glory of Israel and the light of the Gentiles, personally and visibly returns to the Mount of Olives splitting the mountain in two. (Zechariah 14:1-4) The Millennial Kingdom will begin, the Messianic age of peace will have begun, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done”.

What a story! What a glorious beginning for Jerusalem, then a very bumpy journey, and finally, peace and prosperity. These events are true as they are written within the pages of Scripture. I did not give you all the details, as time and space would not allow. However, you have a brief synopsis of what will be taking place and why all the fuss about Jerusalem. The world marvels at this glorious city. It is the key to understanding what God is doing in this world and His blueprint for the world.

We are given a mandate from God in Psalm 122:6 to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” There will be no peace until the “Prince of Peace” comes. Therefore, we are praying for the Lord’s return when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”. Also, we are praying for the “remnant” that will be saved during this time of the age of the Church (Romans 11:5).

May those who believe in Jesus stand with Israel and bless her through the hard times and the good times. All prophecy centers on God’s ancient people, the promised land of Israel, the golden City of Jerusalem and the God of Abraham.

God is moving in the events of Israel and specifically Jerusalem. Jesus said, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Lk. 21:28-31)