The Significance of Jerusalem
If my father gave me something of great value, it would be mine.
Unless I was to sell it, or give it away, or sign it over to someone else, it would always remain mine, or my decendants to inherit.
If someone were to steal it from me, or forcibly take it from me, it would still be mine, I just would no longer have it in my possession.
I do not think there is anyone who would argue these points when it comes to anything we, as individuals, can possess. However, the possession of land or cities, seems to be a whole different matter, or is it?
Jerusalem. Who can claim that city as theirs? It has been conquered and occupied by many different groups over the centuries, even millenia, before and after Israel rightfully claimed it as their own. So if we took that as the measurement, and stated that Jerusalem belongs to whomever conquered it last, and currently resides there, then that should be Israel. Unfortunately this has only caused Israel to be seen as an 'occupier' and not, in the worlds eyes, a rightful owner, and legitimate people to claim it as their capital city. So how can anyone know which nation can legitimately call Jerusalem their capital after being conquered and occupied by so many, for so long?
It's not that difficult to understand, it only involves the a simple belief in a God that created the very land Jerusalem sits on, and look to see if, and who, it was that God gave that land to possess. After all, it is only the creator of something that has the right to give that away, is it not?
Genesis 15:18 "In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:"
This covenant was confirmed in Abraham's son Isaac (Genesis 26:3), and again in Jacob (Genesis 28:13) who was Abraham's grandson.
So the key word here is 'seed'. Who is the legitimate 'seed' of Abraham? Well, notice that in Genesis, written by Moses who was instructed by the Holy Spirit, did not record God's promise of inheritance of this land through Ishmael, who was actually Abraham's first born son, but, conceived through his concubine Hagar, not Abraham's actual wife, Sara. It was Sara's fear of not being able to conceive and provide for Abraham a 'seed' of inheritance, that the birth of Ishmael through Hagar came about. It certainly was not God's plan or direction, and therefore God was the one who rightfully chose Isaac, Abrahams first born through Sara, not Ishmael, to be the legitimate heir of the promised land, which is exactly where Jersalem is located.
Once Israel came into, conqured the inhabitants, and finally claimed the land the Lord had given them, it was their King, David, who claimed the city of Jerusalem as God's city, and the ancient city was known as 'The City of David' (2 Samuel 5). What needs to be understood is that nobody else has ever claimed Jerusalem as their capital city. Sure, as I said, many have conqured the city, occupied it, and made it their home, however, none, besides the people of Israel, have ever claimed it as their capital city. A claim they rightfully still hold, having in 1948 re-claimed the land and half of the city of Jersalem, then, in 1967 fully claimed the city as their own after having defeated the Palestinian forces trying to hold claim onto something that was never theirs in the first place. Remember, Palestine is not a nation, or country, they are at best a combination of people from a variety of nations that have conquered, occupied and falsely claimed Jerusalem as their own. If you are not a country, or even a state, how can you have a capital?
So why is this important to know? I think with the current news about President Donald Trump's proclaimation that America now views Jerusalem to be the Capital city of Israel, knowing the history of that city is very important, especially in context of what the Scriptures have say about it. By Scriptures, I mean the Bible, The Word of God, the only truth written for man, by man, but through the inspiration and direction of God and His Holy Spirit.
Jerimiah 23:3 "And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase."
Isaiah 11:11-12 "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
So, why now, and why the change from past American President's views on this, that were different from those currently of Donald Trump? I'm sure there are many wondering this, sure there are those who feel Trump is listening to, or hearing from God, yet still there are an equal amount of people who see him as evil, not able to hear God, and doing the work of Satan.
Personally, how I feel, is that if Trump is truly doing things that lead to what the Lord has already prophesied to happen concerning Jerusalem and the people of Israel, he likely is not aware of the significance of it (as we believers and followers know), and perhaps has alterior motives, even the evil ideas of man influencing his decisions and direction on this. Of course, this does not mean God would not use him, at such a time as this, to begin to accomplish His plan, I just do not see Trump as a 'spiritual' and 'Godly' man able to know he is actually helping to prepare a way for Israel to be redeemed!
So why is this significant for the believers, and followers of Christ today? Well, for those of us who are aware of the prophesies about the end times, and what 'signs to look for' as Jesus said there would be signs;
Matthew 24: 32 "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors."
The restoration of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel is no small sign, and one every Christian should be overjoyed with the news of it's arrival! Why? Because this means that we are witnessing the fulfilling of old and new testament prophesies leading to the building of the Jewish third Temple, which puts us very close to the coming of the Lord for His Church, the 'taking away of the Saints', better known as the Rapture.
Why does the building of the third temple mean the Rapture is close at hand? Well, the reason the temple will be rebuilt is not only because it was prophesied to be done so, but it will mean the nation of Israel would be brought back to where they were when Christ first came to them, yet they rejected Him. This is known as the 70th week of the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 9), where Israel must complete the period that will lead to the Messaianic Age, which is also known as 'the Millenia' and will now occur after the second coming of Jesus Christ. The first coming, had Israel accepted Christ, would have lasted seven years (1 week of prophetic time = 7 years) where all the world would be destroyed and Israel, and any converts who would believe, would then live with Christ, on the new earth, in the Messaianic age, thus completing the 70 weeks (or 490 years). They will think that they are rebuilding the temple to restore their bloody alter sacrifices, but what they do not realize, yet, that at least initially for 144,000 of them (12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Judah) that the temple is being rebuilt so they can then be made right before God and finally accept their Messaiah, just as it would have been 2000 years ago, had they recognized Jesus as such.
So, now Israel, once they accept Jesus as Messaiah, and, as I said, initially 144.000 of them will be filled and sealed with the Holy Ghost (Revelations 7) will preach Jesus Christ and salvation through Him. The Church is no longer needed, we already have Christ, and if God is going to remove His Spirit from the earth as Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2: 7, and we the Church have His Spirit in us, which can never be taken from us (Ephesians 1:13-14), then it only can be that we are also taken at the same time the Spirit, or restrainer of the full evil and wickedness of man, is removed.
This leaves Israel then to endure the great tribulation period where God will pour out His wrath on man for their great sins. Those who are sealed of Israel (144,000), will be protected from the wrath of God, and the cruelty and folly of the Anti-Christ, but, unfortunately those who become true believers as a result of Israels preaching (known in Scripture as the tribulation Saints, Jew or gentile), as the Bible tells us in Revelations chapter 7, they will be beheaded, martyrs, but given a special crown in heaven if they endure, and refuse to take the 'mark of the beast'.
So, as one can see, their is much advantage to becoming a Christian (a true follower of Christ) today! We will be taken up in a moment, as the Bible says "in the twinkling of an eye", and brought into the wedding chambers with Christ to join Him, as His Bride, at the great wedding feast in heaven. We will spend the entire time of the 7 year tribulation period with him, both the Saints that died before and those of us who remian alive at His coming to gather His people. Then, at His second, physical coming to earth, he end of the tribulation period where the Angels pour out God's wrath on rejecting man, we, the Saints, will return with Him and He will defeat the Anti-Christ and his armies in one breath, and then establish His kingdom (the Messaianic Age, the Millenial age) on what will be the new earth, ruled by Christ with us in the new Heavens!
Oh what a glorious and marvelous day that will be!
If you have any questions or comments on this article, please be sure to comment below.
God Bless.
Mark
Unless I was to sell it, or give it away, or sign it over to someone else, it would always remain mine, or my decendants to inherit.
If someone were to steal it from me, or forcibly take it from me, it would still be mine, I just would no longer have it in my possession.
I do not think there is anyone who would argue these points when it comes to anything we, as individuals, can possess. However, the possession of land or cities, seems to be a whole different matter, or is it?
Jerusalem. Who can claim that city as theirs? It has been conquered and occupied by many different groups over the centuries, even millenia, before and after Israel rightfully claimed it as their own. So if we took that as the measurement, and stated that Jerusalem belongs to whomever conquered it last, and currently resides there, then that should be Israel. Unfortunately this has only caused Israel to be seen as an 'occupier' and not, in the worlds eyes, a rightful owner, and legitimate people to claim it as their capital city. So how can anyone know which nation can legitimately call Jerusalem their capital after being conquered and occupied by so many, for so long?
It's not that difficult to understand, it only involves the a simple belief in a God that created the very land Jerusalem sits on, and look to see if, and who, it was that God gave that land to possess. After all, it is only the creator of something that has the right to give that away, is it not?
Genesis 15:18 "In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:"
This covenant was confirmed in Abraham's son Isaac (Genesis 26:3), and again in Jacob (Genesis 28:13) who was Abraham's grandson.
So the key word here is 'seed'. Who is the legitimate 'seed' of Abraham? Well, notice that in Genesis, written by Moses who was instructed by the Holy Spirit, did not record God's promise of inheritance of this land through Ishmael, who was actually Abraham's first born son, but, conceived through his concubine Hagar, not Abraham's actual wife, Sara. It was Sara's fear of not being able to conceive and provide for Abraham a 'seed' of inheritance, that the birth of Ishmael through Hagar came about. It certainly was not God's plan or direction, and therefore God was the one who rightfully chose Isaac, Abrahams first born through Sara, not Ishmael, to be the legitimate heir of the promised land, which is exactly where Jersalem is located.
Once Israel came into, conqured the inhabitants, and finally claimed the land the Lord had given them, it was their King, David, who claimed the city of Jerusalem as God's city, and the ancient city was known as 'The City of David' (2 Samuel 5). What needs to be understood is that nobody else has ever claimed Jerusalem as their capital city. Sure, as I said, many have conqured the city, occupied it, and made it their home, however, none, besides the people of Israel, have ever claimed it as their capital city. A claim they rightfully still hold, having in 1948 re-claimed the land and half of the city of Jersalem, then, in 1967 fully claimed the city as their own after having defeated the Palestinian forces trying to hold claim onto something that was never theirs in the first place. Remember, Palestine is not a nation, or country, they are at best a combination of people from a variety of nations that have conquered, occupied and falsely claimed Jerusalem as their own. If you are not a country, or even a state, how can you have a capital?
So why is this important to know? I think with the current news about President Donald Trump's proclaimation that America now views Jerusalem to be the Capital city of Israel, knowing the history of that city is very important, especially in context of what the Scriptures have say about it. By Scriptures, I mean the Bible, The Word of God, the only truth written for man, by man, but through the inspiration and direction of God and His Holy Spirit.
Jerimiah 23:3 "And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase."
Isaiah 11:11-12 "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
And in the New Testament, when the Apostles asked Jesus about restoring the kingdom of Israel:
Acts 1:6-8 "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Paul also spoke of the restoration, and redeeming of Israel in Romans 11. Please take some time and be sure to read and understand that chapter in the Bible.
So, why now, and why the change from past American President's views on this, that were different from those currently of Donald Trump? I'm sure there are many wondering this, sure there are those who feel Trump is listening to, or hearing from God, yet still there are an equal amount of people who see him as evil, not able to hear God, and doing the work of Satan.
Personally, how I feel, is that if Trump is truly doing things that lead to what the Lord has already prophesied to happen concerning Jerusalem and the people of Israel, he likely is not aware of the significance of it (as we believers and followers know), and perhaps has alterior motives, even the evil ideas of man influencing his decisions and direction on this. Of course, this does not mean God would not use him, at such a time as this, to begin to accomplish His plan, I just do not see Trump as a 'spiritual' and 'Godly' man able to know he is actually helping to prepare a way for Israel to be redeemed!
So why is this significant for the believers, and followers of Christ today? Well, for those of us who are aware of the prophesies about the end times, and what 'signs to look for' as Jesus said there would be signs;
Matthew 24: 32 "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors."
The restoration of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel is no small sign, and one every Christian should be overjoyed with the news of it's arrival! Why? Because this means that we are witnessing the fulfilling of old and new testament prophesies leading to the building of the Jewish third Temple, which puts us very close to the coming of the Lord for His Church, the 'taking away of the Saints', better known as the Rapture.
Why does the building of the third temple mean the Rapture is close at hand? Well, the reason the temple will be rebuilt is not only because it was prophesied to be done so, but it will mean the nation of Israel would be brought back to where they were when Christ first came to them, yet they rejected Him. This is known as the 70th week of the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 9), where Israel must complete the period that will lead to the Messaianic Age, which is also known as 'the Millenia' and will now occur after the second coming of Jesus Christ. The first coming, had Israel accepted Christ, would have lasted seven years (1 week of prophetic time = 7 years) where all the world would be destroyed and Israel, and any converts who would believe, would then live with Christ, on the new earth, in the Messaianic age, thus completing the 70 weeks (or 490 years). They will think that they are rebuilding the temple to restore their bloody alter sacrifices, but what they do not realize, yet, that at least initially for 144,000 of them (12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Judah) that the temple is being rebuilt so they can then be made right before God and finally accept their Messaiah, just as it would have been 2000 years ago, had they recognized Jesus as such.
So, now Israel, once they accept Jesus as Messaiah, and, as I said, initially 144.000 of them will be filled and sealed with the Holy Ghost (Revelations 7) will preach Jesus Christ and salvation through Him. The Church is no longer needed, we already have Christ, and if God is going to remove His Spirit from the earth as Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2: 7, and we the Church have His Spirit in us, which can never be taken from us (Ephesians 1:13-14), then it only can be that we are also taken at the same time the Spirit, or restrainer of the full evil and wickedness of man, is removed.
This leaves Israel then to endure the great tribulation period where God will pour out His wrath on man for their great sins. Those who are sealed of Israel (144,000), will be protected from the wrath of God, and the cruelty and folly of the Anti-Christ, but, unfortunately those who become true believers as a result of Israels preaching (known in Scripture as the tribulation Saints, Jew or gentile), as the Bible tells us in Revelations chapter 7, they will be beheaded, martyrs, but given a special crown in heaven if they endure, and refuse to take the 'mark of the beast'.
So, as one can see, their is much advantage to becoming a Christian (a true follower of Christ) today! We will be taken up in a moment, as the Bible says "in the twinkling of an eye", and brought into the wedding chambers with Christ to join Him, as His Bride, at the great wedding feast in heaven. We will spend the entire time of the 7 year tribulation period with him, both the Saints that died before and those of us who remian alive at His coming to gather His people. Then, at His second, physical coming to earth, he end of the tribulation period where the Angels pour out God's wrath on rejecting man, we, the Saints, will return with Him and He will defeat the Anti-Christ and his armies in one breath, and then establish His kingdom (the Messaianic Age, the Millenial age) on what will be the new earth, ruled by Christ with us in the new Heavens!
Oh what a glorious and marvelous day that will be!
If you have any questions or comments on this article, please be sure to comment below.
God Bless.
Mark
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