Wow! One of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Jerusalem, the City of Gold. (When the sun is low on the horizon, the stones look golden) It has been the capital of Israel for more than 4000 years.
This city has been fought over & changed hands more times than any other piece of real estate in the world. One reason is the location - it is the land bridge between Asia, Europe & Africa. But that's a small reason compared to the REAL REASON for all the bloodshed.
The L-rd has chosen to place His Name on this spot. This is His Capital City.
That makes this city unique in all the world. This is where He asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac & where He provided a Ram to save Isaac's life. --A beautiful picture of what would happen 2000 years later when the L-rd gave His own Son as a sacrifice for our sins & where He took our punishment upon Himself, that we might go free. The innocent died for the guilty -- you & me.
This is the place where the Temple of the Most High G-d stood; King Solomon built the first Temple, using the supplies that his father, David, had gathered. There, these words were first uttered by the L-rd, "If my people, who are called by my Name, shall humble themselves & pray & seek my face & turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven & forgive their sin & heal their land. Now my eyes will be open & my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen & consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes & my heart will always be there." II Chronicles 7:14-16
This place is so special that the L-rd has placed Angels (watchmen) on the walls around the city of Jerusalem. He has given them a special charge "Never be silent day or night. You who call on the L-rd give yourselves no rest & give Him no rest til He establishes Jerusalem & makes her the praise of the earth." Isaiah 62:6. He says this after He promises restoration of Jerusalem in verses 1-5 "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet. Til her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the L-rd will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the L-rd's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your G-d." "...as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your G-d rejoice over you."
This is the place from which the Messiah Y'shua (Jesus) ascended to heaven 40 days after his resurrection. It is to this place He will return and set up His Kingdom. And when will He return? Y'shua said to the leaders of Israel (political & religious) who had rejected him, "You will not see me again until you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the L-rd." Matthew 23:39b
This is the welcoming greeting for the Messiah. A time is coming upon the earth when the Jewish leaders will pray that prayer & also the prayers in Psalm 79 & 80, & Isaiah 53 among others. Then He will return to His people & to His beloved Jerusalem.
The L-rd has enemies, both physical & spiritual; His archangel, Lucifer, rebelled against the L-rd & took 1/3 of the other angels with him. Ever since, Lucifer, also known as satan/the devil/the red dragon, has been trying to usurp the L-rd's property & authority. He has been behind the attempt to destroy the Jews ever since they were called out to be a separate nation.
The Bible details the events and the final conflict, & satan's program is outlined in Revelation 12. It is a short outline of Israel giving birth to the Messiah & the devil's attempt to destroy Him. When he couldn't do that, verse 17 says he was enraged at the woman (Israel/the Jewish people) & went off to make war against the rest of her offspring, especially, those who hold to the testimony of Jesus!
The devil knows that it is the Jewish people who will call the Messiah Y'shua back to earth & that will seal his fate. Therefore his number one target is to destroy the Jewish People so he can sit on the one spot on earth where G-d has placed His Name: Jerusalem. Satan covets the throne of G-d.
That is the Real reason why the conflict has raged through the centuries about Jerusalem. Today it continues. On the Temple Mount sits a mosque and a shrine to Mohamed. Every trace of Jewish existence on the Mount is being systematically destroyed & wiped out by the Moslems. But it doesn't matter.
The L-rd has already settled the matter. He has described the plans for the future Jerusalem in the Book of Ezekiel. There will be great changes in topography and Mt. Zion will be lifted up as a high mountain with a fertile plateau on top and there will sit the Temple of G--d. From the threshold of the Temple will gush forth a river going to the east and the west. The fresh water will bring the Dead Sea alive. Israel will no longer have a water problem. Jerusalem's former standing comparing her to the seven wonders of the world will pale in comparison with the Millennial Jerusalem. The Glory of the L-rd will shine forth and all nations will come to pay homage to the L-rd of lords & the King of kings.
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
In other words - we know Who wins & we know Who will establish His throne and reign from Jerusalem over the whole earth! Praise His Name forever!
The blood of the Lamb Y'shua (Jesus) purchased men for G-d from every tribe and language and people and nation. He has made them to be a kingdom & priests to serve Him and to reign on the earth. Rev. 5:9-10
So why should you care about Jerusalem? Depends on whose side you are. If you're not on the winning side - now is your chance to get there. Today is the day of salvation! "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus (Y'shua) is L-rd, and believe in your heart that G-d raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Everyone who calls upon the Name of the L-rd will be saved." Romans 10:9, Joel 2:32, Acts 4:12
Lura Maiman, Congregation Yeruel, Israel