Jerusalem’s Historical Significance and 70 Years of Preservation

The year 2018 will be a momentous year in the history of Jerusalem. In 1947 the UN voted to recognise the Partition Plan (Resolution 181) for a Jewish State and an Arab State. Only the Jews accepted the resolution. Shortly after the establishment of Israel as a modern State in 1948, it miraculously survived an attack by 5 Arab States. In May of  2018, they will celebrate 70 years of existence and miraculous preservation since that BATTLE OF JERUSALEM first took place. 

Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

Recently, in December 2017, the USA recognised Jerusalem as the capital of the modern nation of Israel. Just days before this the United Nations in its prejudice against Israel passed a motion that Israel has no claim to any part of Jerusalem. They must be seriously deluded to think this. Not only is Israel involved historically with Jerusalem for more than 3000 years as proven by literature and archaeology, but it also was for the entire last century even before WWI.

Jews have always resided in their ancient capital ever since the invasion of the Romans two thousand years ago. It has been conquered by numerous armies from Romans to Jordanians but this does not make the original enduring inhabitants any less Jewish. They may have been subservient but they are by far the longest residing residents of the city.

Rebuilding Jerusalem Over Seven Decades

Since the Battle for Jerusalem in 1948 when Jews were attacked and miraculously survived, it has seen 70 years of rebuilding that has established it as the city it now is. Back at the start of the last century it was basically in ruins but through hard work, great adversity and much economic input, Israel has built it into a thriving city. Hospitals were built, universities, banks, shops, roads, gardens, parks, hotels, and many other facilities that make it a modern city.

Now, the United Nations, under its anti-Semitic influence, has said Israel has no claim on it! How ludicrous. It is like saying that the owners and residents of a building have no claim on it, yet the evidence of the original Title Deeds are to be found in every square meter of the property. Is this why the Muslim administration does not allow excavations, are they afraid of what will be found? In fact, so many artefacts and Jewish remains have been found that there is no doubt it was continually occupied for a very long extended period of time.

A prophetic Battle for Jerusalem

The result of recent world events has thrown the whole world into a furore. This is what scripture foretells, as I have taught for nearly 50 years. We are now approaching another great Battle for Jerusalem.

Although many Israel supporters do not like to hear it, the Bible clearly states that the city of Jerusalem will again be divided, but nothing is out of control, all is developing according to God’s plan. When we pray it is always best to pray the revealed will of God, so I cannot pray the popular prayer that it should remain undivided.

Revelation 11 and Zechariah 14 are very clear that the Gentiles (non-Jewish unbelievers) will trample the city underfoot for 42 months, that is exactly three and a half years. This period is also designated as 1260 days. Let me mention that although there are people who suggest there will be a third temple built in Jerusalem before the return of Messiah they are mistaken for a number of reasons. Firstly, scripture foretold in Daniel 9:27 that the temple of Ezra, Haggai and Zechariah would be destroyed, and secondly, if you read it carefully in a proper translation, it says it will “remain desolate even unto the CONSUMMATION“.

There are so many dubious and ambiguous translations of these crucial verses that it is almost impossible to unravel them unless you get an authentic translation that does not put in its own words but adheres totally to the original text. No wonder there is so much confusion about it, but the emphasis is upon the total destruction of that temple even to the end – the consummation means the very end. (By the way, the word used throughout Revelation for Temple is not the word that refers to a brick temple but to a living sanctuary.) 

The Temple Mount and Antichrist’s End

The Temple Mount has, for the last 1400 years, had two Islamic shrines established upon it. This, too, was predicted by Daniel in 11:45, who foretold that the final antichrist will take control of them but will come to his end in that very place. 

Jerusalem and the Two-State Solution

A huge outcry is now gathering momentum for Jerusalem to be divided. This is in preparation for a “Two State Solution”. Already there is a wall that stretches from the north right through the city to the south and may well contribute towards half of the city being fully taken over. The status of Jerusalem will also divide the nations of the entire world. Zechariah foretold they will gather in the very vicinity of Jerusalem, the “booty” captured and half the city fall. He also said that nations that defy the true King will be destroyed. Read the whole chapter of  Zechariah 14.

Middle Eastern Alliances and Prophetic Timelines

This is now building up in the nations of the Middle East and the UNITED NATIONS of the world. There will be an all-out attempt to annihilate the Jewish nation and people. The jostling of power between the northern alliance of Middle Eastern nations (the King of the North), and the Southern alliance (the King of the South), each supported by their respective superpowers is foretold in Daniel 11, especially from verse 35 onwards which leads directly into Daniel chapter 12 in which we are given a preview of two periods of three and a half years, but differing in length between the Old and the New Testaments by 30 days. 

The first period of three and half years foretold Jesus’ ministry, which lasted from the Day of Atonement to the Day of Passover, exactly 1290 days. The Jewish calendar has not changed much in 2000 years, and you can still calculate this period and even work it out on current calendars. That was the first half of the 70th week foretold by Daniel 9:27. It was fulfilled by Prince Messiah, not antichrist. 

There are several good Commentaries available by notable reformed Theologians on this, and you can also read my books available on www.Lulu.com and Amazon – insert Roland Pletts in Search.

The second half is also three and a half years, but in the New Testament, it is shortened to 1260 days, which is the period between Passover and Sukkot on the Jewish Calendar. The Feast of Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, represents the return of the Messiah as Bridegroom, to abide in and Tabernacle with his people.

It is an extraordinary thing that if you add the 1290 days of the first half and 1260 days of the second you get 2550 days, which is exactly the full period of 7 solar years. Together, they make up the final week of 7 years. The first half was fulfilled by Jesus himself. The second half is coming shortly. There are definitely NOT seven years left in God’s prophetic timetable. Yet most of the church is asleep, confused, looking for a rapture and will surely be caught unexpectedly.