By Marv Rosenthal
Its Destiny
Jerusalem came onto the scene of history in dramatic fashion. The patriarch Abraham was returning home after the rescue of his nephew Lot. On the way he encountered Melchizedek (whose name means “king of righteousness”), king of Salem (Genesis 14:18). Salem was the city later to be called Jerusalem.
This first biblical mention of the city of Jerusalem sets forth her ultimate destiny and, therefore, supreme importance in history. Jerusalem is one day to be the city of peace ruled over by the King of Righteousness.
This singular fact sets Jerusalem above and apart from all other world capitals. The King who will rule is the Lord Jesus Christ. He will rule in righteousness during the Millennial (1,000-year) Kingdom age (Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 20:4).
A Distinctly Jewish City
Jerusalem is a one-city people. Many peoples have tried to possess her, but only one people has loved her – the Jewish people. Jerusalem and the Jewish people are inseparably bound. It was God who forged the link (Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 30:5; Ezekiel 37:21-25).
It should be noted that Jerusalem was not given to the Jewish people for their benefit alone. It was the divine intent that this union issue forth in worldwide fruitfulness and blessing.
This fundamental purpose was divinely underscored when God said to Abraham, “in you [and in your offspring] all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3; 26:1-3; 28:1-4). It was through the Jewish people in the land that Jesus came the first time as the “Lamb” to die (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
It will also be to the Jewish people back in the land that Jesus will come the second time as the “Lion” of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Revelation 5:5) to finish his redemptive plan.
A City of Suffering
Jerusalem will “be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). These words spoken by Jesus define the major characteristic of a period of time designated in the Bible as the “times of the Gentiles.”
For the past 2,500 years, Jerusalem has been under Gentile authority. In was not until 1967 that the Israeli army, repulsing Jordanian attack, recaptured Jerusalem for the first time in more than two millennia.
Tragically, however – as underscored in Revelation 11 – the old city of Jerusalem must eventually revert back to Gentile domination during the 70th Week of the Book of Daniel – the final 7 years of this era of human history.
The Center of End-Time Events
Jerusalem will be the hub of end-time events. Unregenerate humanity – motivated by pride and empowered by Satan – will presume to think it can frustrate God’s purposes, but this is folly.
The Jewish people, back in the land and one day to be under covenantal protection of the Antichrist (Daniel 9:24-27), will refuse to bow down to the lifelike image this usurper will erect in the Temple 3½ years into the 70th Week. This is the “abomination of desolation” to which Jesus referred to in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:15).
It will be the final satanic attempt to establish his throne in Jerusalem and get Israel to bestow on him the worship and praise Israel was created to direct toward God alone.
The Gentile armies of the world will be arrayed against the holy city as part of a series of battles that will lead to Armageddon (Zechariah 14:2).
Jerusalem Saved
And just when annihilation is imminent – “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven” (Matthew 24:30). Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives, descend through the Kidron Valley, enter Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate, and offer Himself to the Jewish nation a second time.
It is then that the Jewish people will “look on [Jesus] whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10). When that happens, “Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations” (Zechariah 14:3).
Jesus, Ruler of Jerusalem
Jesus will rule over Jerusalem as the rightful King of the Jews. From this position, He will be the King of kings and Lord of lords, and “out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).
Here then is the answer to the sarcastic query posed by the atheist Voltaire when he asked, “Why should the world be made to rotate around the insignificant pimple of Jewry?” The answer is quite simple: “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).
Jewish people have an unalterable, irrevocable, and unavoidable date with their Creator at Jerusalem, and as a result of this reconciliation, blessings like life-giving water will flow to all of believing humanity and the very Earth itself. It will mark the restitution of all things (Acts 3:21).
In that day, the curse placed upon the earth by the fall of humanity will be lifted, and righteousness, justice, love, truth, mercy, and goodness will become a reality on Earth.
However, until that glorious day dawns, may you and I be praying that Israel will look with favor upon her long-rejected Savior, that she will rejoice in her Lord and Savior, and proclaim, “Blessed is our Lord and King, Yeshua HaMashiach!”
Marv Rosenthal, founder and President of Zion’s Hope, was an acclaimed international Bible teacher for almost 6 decades.
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