The Peace Of Jerusalem
While watching the news reports of the Middle East Crisis between the
Israelis and Palestinians, I remembered
standing in the old city of Jerusalem
some time ago. It was there,
God challenged me to follow the words of Psalm 122:6 which says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.’” As my eyes scanned the surroundings of the
Dome of the Rock, I was reminded of all the preceding events that have set the
stage for the final, tension –filled chapter of Christ’s return to that spot in
the last days. When you think back in time,
you find some of the most powerful milestone moments of our faith. It was there:
1)
Approximately
2000 years ago, Christ preached and performed miracles that would set the stage for His death and resurrection.
(John 2:19-22)
2)
Approximately
3000 years ago, Solomon built the great temple that would serve as God’s
House Of Glory. (2 Chronicles 3:1)
3)
And
approximately 4000 years ago, Abraham was kept from sacrificing Isaac and
was given the promise of Israel’s biblical inheritance. (Genesis 22:2)
From Abraham’s day until ours, a bitter historical root has woven
itself forward to the current crisis
that we have watched unfold in the exact location where I stood. But the story has a biblical precedent that
helps us make the historical tie.
In
Genesis 12, God calls Abraham to begin the great nation of Israel through his
aged and barren wife Sarah. While waiting, Abraham resigns himself to the
impossibility of such a work and he fathers Ishmael, through his maidservant
Hagar, who begins to despise Sarah (Genesis 16:4). After Isaac is born (the next in the lineage
of Israel), Ishmael (the father of the Arab race) reveals his selfish ambition,
insecurity and jealousy (along with Hagar his mother) by desiring his place as
heir to the nation. Ultimately, the
bitterness Ishmael and Hagar reveal requires that they be sent away. This poisonous spirit has afflicted the
corporate Arab soul, where to this day, they despise the Jewish people and find
themselves lusting after Israel’s tiny inheritance and position with God. Only through accepting Christ have many been
freed from this pervasive spirit.
Several millennia later, with the introduction of Islam into the Arab
tribes, a spiritual and religious
fervor was ignited in which they view their mission as a noble and divine cause
even in their attempt to replace Israel in the top rank. So much so, they will cheat, kill and deceive
in order to vie for that ever evasive spiritual position.
To intensify matters, the Arabs, who currently occupy the religious
site of the Dome, are well aware
that this place has been slated as the eventual land mark of the new temple of
Israel and final sight where Christ will establish His throne. When this finally occurs, the true
fulfillment of the Psalmist’s prayer regarding Jerusalem’s peace will take
place. In Revelation 21:2, John writes, “I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem—‘Now
the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will
be with them and be their God. He will
wipe every rear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or
crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”
Too bad CNN won’t be there to catch that on
film.
Terry Risser
Consider reading the Word today:
Copyright 2014-Terry Risser
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