by Helen van Huyssteen
October 26, 2020
More battles have been fought over Jerusalem than any other city in the world. Jerusalem was besieged 23 times; captured and recaptured 44 times and destroyed twice, but rebuilt on its original foundations.
Evidence of a Jewish presence in Jerusalem is staggering in the archaeological discoveries and prove a Jewish presence in Jerusalem for 3000 years. Also known as the City of David since King David and his men conquered the city from the Jebusites in 1000 BC. The covenantal promises to Abraham regarding the land of Israel are everlasting and irrevocable. (Gen 12:7; Gen 13:14-18)
On May 19, 1993 the ‘Jerusalem Covenant’ was presented by President Ezerweissman and representatives of many countries placed their signatures on this document. I was also privileged to be present and added my signature.
Ascending to Jerusalem is the pilgrimage of a lifetime. No other city in the world has her destiny. Long embedded in the spiritual desire of Jews, has ever been the longing to return to Jerusalem. Every year at Passover, the following words have been on the lips of every Jew: ‘L’Shana, haba’ah, b’Yerusahlaim.’
Since it is God’s sovereign choice of Jerusalem as His dwelling place, according to the prophet Ezekiel 43:6 ‘Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will dwell among the Israelites forever’ it should also be our choice and destiny as prophesied in Zachariah 14:16. ‘Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem, will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.’
From the War of Independence in 1948, two weeks after the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel when she was attacked by five of her Arab neighbours, until 1967 – Jerusalem became a ‘divided city’ for 19 years. But 40 years ago, on June 6, 1967 God kept His prophetic appointment with His people, and returned the sacred city to Jewish jurisdiction. His signature upon Jerusalem was re-established in preparation of His Kingdom rule from this City, and that He will establish Messiah as King in Jerusalem according to Psalm 2:6 ‘I will set My King on my Holy hill in Zion.’
During the Feast of Sukkot in Jerusalem in 1995 before an audience of 4000 Christians from 102 countries of the world, Binyamin Netanyahu made the following statement ‘I have a deep faith – and it resonates amongst most of the people of Israel that the Covenant that God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the most powerful force that we have. It has guided us through millennia of struggle, strife, pogrom, degradation and the Holocaust. It has brought us back from the ashes of death, and I believe with God’s help we will prevail.’
The fact that Jerusalem is mentioned 850 times in Scripture makes it worthy of our special attention. Our generation are living in the time frame mentioned in Zachariah 12:3 ‘Behold I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all nations, and those that shall rise up against it shall be cut in pieces.’ Jerusalem has truly become a ‘cup of trembling to all nations (Zachariah 12:2) and Temple Mount is regarded as the most contested spot of real estate in the world.
In Isaiah 2:1-2 this forthcoming Millennial kingdom of which there will be no end is mentioned. ‘In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills and all nations will stream towards it. Many peoples will come and say ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.’
Prophetically we know that peace will only come by the rule and reign of the Prince of peace. Of His millennial kingdom there will be no end!