Why is Jerusalem so Important?
Ever wonder why that tiny piece of land (Jerusalem) has been such a fiercely contested place? It is because Jehovah God proclaimed that when He comes to live with His people, His throne will be in Jerusalem. Since that time, Satan has actively tried to control Jerusalem in an attempt to put himself on God’s throne.
17 At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. (Jeremiah 3: 17)
When reading the prophesies of the Holy Bible, it is important to remember that the Holy Bible is written from a very specific geographical perspective. God declared a holy land for Himself and He promised to one day dwell on earth and rule from a very specific place: Jerusalem.
Who Claims the Temple Mount?
Possession of the Temple Mount has been hotly debated: both the Jews and the Muslims claim the Temple Mount as a holy site. In addition, both Jews and Muslims believe that the Temple Mount will play an important role in the end times.
Muslims claim the Temple Mount to be their 3rd holiest site (after Mecca and Medina). Muslims believe that during the end times, their Islamic messiah (the Mahdi) will establish Islamic law (Sharia law) throughout the entire world and will rule from that location for 7 years.
Jews claim the Temple Mount to be their holiest site. Jews believe that on the Day of the Lord, God will come to live with His people: their Jewish messiah will establish God’s kingdom on earth and rule from that location forever.
Although the Temple Mount in Jerusalem has changed ownership by conquest many times throughout history, there was a time when it was actually purchased at full price and dedicated to be a special place for offering sacrifices onto God:
24 But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” 25 So David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site. (1 Chronicles 21: 24-25)
God Established a Homeland for His People
According to the Holy Bible, God brought the Jewish people to a specific geographical area and gave them the land as an inheritance. God defined the borders:
31 “I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the desert to the Euphrates River. I will give into your hands the people who live in the land, and you will drive them out before you. 32 Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. (Exodus 23: 31-32)
Israel currently occupies part of the holy land but they do not possess all the land that God originally gave them. In the 6-Day War of 1967, God gave Israel a miraculous victory against overwhelming armies and God gave Israel a significant portion of the promised land.
Yet in an ongoing effort to live at peace with her neighbors, Israel has given most of that land back. Unlike her neighbors, Israel does not fight in an attempt to gain land. Israel fights for the right to exist.
Got Claims the Land as His Own
23 “‘The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers. (Leviticus 25: 23)
Although God gave the land to the Jewish people as an inheritance, God emphasized that the land will always belong to Him. This land has been established as a special place for God and His people. Because God has set apart that land for Himself, it is a holy land.
God Cautions the Nations About Their Treatment of Israel
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12: 3)
2 I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. (Joel 3: 2)
God has made it very clear that He will retaliate against anyone who tries to harm Israel. Throughout history, God has punished nations that came against Israel. At the end of this age, God’s judgment will be final and eternal.
Evidence of God’s Protection of Israel
When you look at a map of the middle east, Israel looks like a tiny island surrounded by an ocean of nations that hate them. Historically, the Jews have been greatly outnumbered and targeted for extermination. Yet much to their enemies’ chagrin, Israel has survived and even thrived.
If the Jews were not genuinely protected by God, their enemies would have been successful in annihilating them. But God declares that the Jewish people belong to Him and He watches over them. Even though God disciplines His people, He never abandons them and He will eventually restore them.
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