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Jerusalem:
Focus of Biblical Prophecy
"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples...I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it"
by Darris McNeely
The Bible characterizes
the ancient capital city of Jerusalem as a holy city as well as a type of Sodom and
Egypt, two ancient cities that typified sin. This is quite a contrast for a city
that three major religions revere.
Talks that seemed to promise peace suddenly broke down in 2000, leading to weeks
of bloody violence in the last months of the year. The central contentious issue
was Israeli and Palestinian disagreement on who should control Jerusalem.
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A Tiled street sign in Jerusalem - in Hebrew, Arabic and English - reminds us of the city's competing cultures as well as its turbulent history. |
A history of continuing conflict
We have been there before. Jerusalem has seen a succession of revolutions, sieges,
surrenders and famines-followed by restorations and rebuilding. Its time of greatest
glory was under Solomon, son of Israel's famous King David. Solomon built the fabulous
temple described in 1 and 2 Kings.
Over the centuries Jerusalem has inspired much contention. Christians and Muslims
have alternately slaughtered each other to wrest control of the "city of peace."
Many thousands have died under the banner of the cross and the crescent within its
walls and gates. Aldous Huxley once called her the "great slaughterhouse of
religions."
From 1948 to 1967 the city was divided between Jews and Arabs. Author and lecturer
Amos Oz observed: "The years 1948 through 1967 saw Jerusalem divided by trenches
and barbed wire.
The frontier between Jordanian-controlled East Jerusalem and Israeli-controlled
West Jerusalem ran erratically through gutted houses and deserted streets; great
scars of no-man's-land marred the city centre" (Jerusalem: City of Mirrors,
1990, p. 39).
In 1967 Israel gained control and united the holy city during the Six Day War. Since
then Israelis have guaranteed the major religions access to all holy sites. The push
to achieve a settlement of the Palestinian-homeland issue has again highlighted Jerusalem's
emotional pull.
Tension remains high over the Temple Mount area, which is sure to continue to spark
hostilities.
Calm before the storm
Bible prophecy shows Jerusalem to be the focal point of important events before the
return of Christ to inaugurate His rule over the earth. Notice what Jesus revealed:
"Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel
the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then
let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains" (Matthew 24:15-16).
Jesus was referring to a prophecy in Daniel 9, a detailed prediction of the coming
of the Messiah. Daniel described "one who makes desolate" (verse 27). Here
God reveals a conflict that will involve a sacrifice and a covenant (treaty or other
legal agreement). Apparently Jerusalem will see a respite from conflict when outside
powers become involved and lead-or force-the combatants into a brief peace. But such
a peace will only be the calm before the final storm.
Notice these additional details from Jesus' Olivet prophecy: "But when you see
Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those
who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart,
and let not those who are in the country enter her.
"For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may
be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies
in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.
And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled"
(Luke 21:20-24).
Revelation 11:2 tells us that this period of gentile (non-Israelite) control over
Jerusalem will last 42 months. During this same 31/2-year period a powerful person
will lead a military, economic and religious power that will arise in the end time
to rule over much of the world (Revelation 13). This great power will diametrically
oppose God and persecute and even murder those who are faithful to God (verses 5-8).
At the same time, God will raise up two prophets in Jerusalem who will proclaim His
truth to a world growing ever more ensnared in religious deception (Revelation 11:3-6).
The world will celebrate when they are martyred, but then be stunned when God raises
them to life again (verses 7-13).
Jerusalem again will be the site of a great battle. God says that at the time of
the end He will "gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city
shall be taken, the houses rifled ..." (Zechariah 14:1-2). Christ will return
at that point and battle the armies gathered around Jerusalem (verses 3-4; Revelation 19:11-19).
Coming: Gentile control of
Jerusalem?
In the meantime, the issue of Jerusalem's status awaits a resolution. Will the Vatican
offer its services to break through the Gordian knot that prevents a peace settlement?
In July 2000, while Israeli and Palestinian leaders met at Camp David with President
Clinton, the pope urged that Jerusalem be governed under international protection.
"... I want to ask all the parties not to neglect the importance of the spiritual
dimension of the city of Jerusalem, with its sacred places and the community of three
monotheistic religions that surround them," he said.
In September he reiterated his desire for international intervention in Jerusalem:
"The history and present reality of interreligious relations in the Holy Land
is such that no just and lasting peace is foreseeable without some form of support
from the international community."
Since then spokesmen for the Palestinians and Israelis, as well as other national
leaders, have called for intervention not only from the Vatican but from the European
Union and United Nations. Growing numbers are calling for exactly the kind of solution
prophesied in the Bible: the passing of Jerusalem to gentile or Vatican control-or
both.
Of the climactic circumstances that will overwhelm Jerusalem at the time of the end,
Jesus says: "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your
heads, because your redemption draws near" (Luke 21:28).
At Christ's return He will rescue the then-downtrodden city. It will regain its status
as a font of light, truth and glory. Ruling from Jerusalem, Jesus Christ will liberate
mankind and bring peace to this war-torn world.
GN
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