>>Jerusalem
- City of the Ages
By Mark S Watson
http://www.markswatson.com/WebSite/Jerusalem.htm
Posted March 29, 2005
Jerusalem is a very important city for the end times. After almost
2000 years of exile the Jews returned to the ancient Land of Israel
and have built a home there. These have been tumultuous times for
the Jews as the nearby Arabs have been less than enthusiastic about
their new found neighbors. According to the Bible the Jews were to
return to the holy land in the last days.
This return
was usually allegorized and even scoffed at in some Christian
circles in the 18th and 19 century. Yet when Israel actually did
become a nation, the so called Christian Establishment had to sit
back and take notice. After several wars with her neighbors and the
subsequent victories, the Israeli government has earned respect, if
not love from her Arab neighbors.
Israel's survival, it seems, is miraculous, with several regional
militaries coordinating political and at times military attacks,
Israel has had help from 'on-high'. God promised that the returned
Jewish nation would not be removed from its place again. Yet a time
of great trial and tribulation is yet in store for Israel, according
to what the Bible says.
The time of
the end is also knows as the time of 'Jacob s Trouble'. Jerusalem
it, was foretold would become a cup of trembling for the nations and
that it will be a key issue at the very end of this age. According
Bible , the Antichrist (man of sin) will make his abode in Israel
for a period of time. This man (Antichrist) will confirm the
covenant with the many.
This has
mistakenly been thought mean that the Antichrist will sign a treaty
with Israel. Yet the Bible only says that he will only confirm the
covenant. This is a very important distinction. This confirmation
could mean many things, from security guarantees to deployment of
troops between combatants. The scripture is not exact in what
confirmation means. Yet the word security is the main concern that
Israel has today. Israel knows what it is like to be a wandering
people and they certainly do not want that again. God s prophecies
were that Israel would be scattered throughout the nations if they
rebelled against God's commands.
The
Israelites of old spurned God and his commandments, They worshiped
false Gods and sacrificed their children to Pagan Gods. They, caused
God to become very, very angry.. The result is many of the Jews were
slaughtered; children, the old, sick, all who rebelled against the
living God. Those that were left were scattered and wandered from
country to country for generations.
They were
persecuted, hunted and murdered, just like the bible said they would
be if they rebelled against God. This was God s specific warning
that if they continued to rebel, they would be exiled, and
slaughtered. Only a remnant would remain alive. Yet this is exactly
what has happened, the Jews had all of these things happen to them,
just like the bible said it would.
Yet in the day of the return of the Diaspora, many refuse to see God
at work. They (Jews and Gentiles) attempt to explain away Gods
promises and miraculous doings. I maintain this is because a real
recognition of the obvious would force people to reexamine their own
lives, and psychologically it is easier to find explanations than
turn from 'pet' sins. Such an acknowledgment would entail personal
accountability.
Yet this is
the kind of proof people claim to seek when making excuses for not
following God. The days ahead will show just how accurate the Bible
is and just how fearsome his might is. God is not to be mocked, He
demands righteousness and faith. Yet he has been patient with man
for a long time, but this age, the age of grace is quickly coming to
an end. God s Grace will be removed one day and those that refuse to
acknowledge Gods pleadings will face his anger and utter and eternal
contempt.
The City of Jerusalem today is a hotly contested place. Moslems,
Christians and Jews all look to its as an important spiritual place.
In today's peace negotiations, the interests of all these faiths
must compete against political realities. Yet God has spoken that he
will one day Rule form there, but he will do so without the consent
of today s political leadership. When he reigns, it will be to
destroy his enemies and reward his servants. But before all of this
must come a false messiah, one that claims to be a peace bringer but
whose heart is for destruction.
He will come
first and deceive many people into accepting him as a man of peace
. The Bible indicates that this man will commit some act of
sacrilege in Jerusalem (the temple of God) and when this happens a
chain of events will unfold that will bring the the middle east in
particular but the world in general, to the brink of total
destruction.
Jerusalem has
an important psychological impact on most of the worlds population
and the man of sin will certainly use that fact in his attempt to
gain power and influence in the Middle East. And yet he will turn
his armies later on Israel, in an effort to destroy Israel in the
infamous battle of Armageddon. The antichrist, being a very powerful
agent of Satan on earth, wants to declare himself God, in the place
that God himself said he will reign from, Jerusalem. In his
arrogance he will try it. This will eventually lead to a
conflagration the world has never seen before.
Jerusalem is pivotal in the last days. One who really wants to know
what time it is on God s time clock needs only look a Jerusalem to
find out. The current peace process that captivates the headlines of
today and the constant refrain of security for the Israelis all are
directly prophesied in the Bible. Christians have been commanded
to do some things when these things happen, yet most do not have
clue as to what that is. Jesus asked his disciples when he came
back, again would he find faith on the earth?
This is an
important question to ponder. Christ is going to return, and he will
destroy the impostor antichrist and all of his followers, that being
the majority of the inhabitants of the earth who have taken the mark
of the beast with which no man may buy or sell. This will cause some
hard choices for those living at that time. It will, more
importantly require faith, a deep abiding and strong faith to
endure.
Jerusalem is for Christ, but the antichrist will come first... for a
season.
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