Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible. Jesus called it the “City of the Great King”. Which King did he mean?

We have seen in the previous studies that it originally belonged to Melchizedek, the Great King of Righteousness and Priest of God, who was a pre-incarnate figure of Jesus. (Hebrews 5:5-11.)  It was here that Abraham offered Isaac, who was also a prefigure of Jesus. It was here that King David, also a type and prefigure of “King Jesus the Greater David”, interceded and paid the price in full for the “Threshing Floor” on Mount Moriah, where the Temple was built. (Psalm 89:1-37, Jeremiah 30:9, Matthew 21:9, 15, 22:42-45, Luke 1:32, Acts 2:34-35, 13:33-37, Romans 1:3, Revelation 3:7, 5:5, 22:16).

It was to this Temple that Jesus came. He cleansed it and then was arrested by the Priests and sentenced to death, flogged and scourged, within its very vicinity. His blood fell upon Mount Moriah near the Temple precincts at the Threshing Floor of Ornan. He was then crucified at Golgotha which is the ancient summit of Mount Moriah, the Hill of God. Golgotha was the place where the Lamb of God, crowned with thorns, was nailed to the tree and held by the thorns of our sin. He is the Beloved Son of the Most High God, given in place of Isaac and the substitute sacrifice for every person who receives Him as Lord.

It was Jesus through Melchizedek who, 4000 years ago at Jerusalem, made a Covenant with Abraham. It was David who, 3000 years ago, deflected judgment away from Jerusalem and paid the price in full for the Mount and the city and, as forerunner of Jesus, bought its Title Deeds. It was Jesus who, 2000 years ago, came to the city to claim it as his own. As King of the Jews, he interceded for it and was crucified, thereby paying the price of redemption for sin. As High Priest, he established his Covenant with bread and wine. He wept over it and pronounced destruction on the temple and total desolation of the city, which took place under the Romans in AD 70 and then fully in AD 135. He foretold it would be “trodden underfoot by the Gentiles until the time of his return.” (Luke 13:34-35, 21:24.)

Who are these Gentiles?

We need only look at the history of Jerusalem to find out: The Romans built a pagan city and erected a temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount. For several centuries, it was ruled by the Byzantine Empire, who built churches there. It fell to Muslim Arabs in AD 638. Various Caliphs vied for control of it until the Crusades when conflict between the “Catholic Church and Muslims” spanned two centuries. The city then came under the rule of the Mamluks until 1516 when the Ottoman Empire took control of it. This lasted 400 years until 1917 when the British Allied army captured the city without firing a shot.

The British held a mandate over the land and city until 1948 when Israel was recognised as a nation by the UN and after a bitter struggle held on to the western parts of Jerusalem. The old city was controlled by Jordan and it remained a divided city for nineteen years with Jewish worshippers forbidden access to their holy sites. In the Six-Day War of 1967 Israel won control of the whole city and for the first time in many centuries was able to worship at the Western Wall.

True to the words of Jesus for nearly 2000 years the city was occupied by Gentiles, in other words, foreigners. Over the last fifty years, Israel built Jerusalem into a flourishing city and is not about to give it up. However, the eastern side is still under Islamic administration and remains in contention. The Muslims have held it for 1400 years and will not yield it.

To whom does the City of Jerusalem Belong?

Through the ages, Christians, Muslims, and Jews have all claimed Jerusalem. In the Bible, it is described as the City of God to which Jesus will return. Jesus said the time will come when people will cry out, “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” There are more Jewish Messianic believers today than in any other time in history, and there are increasing numbers of Muslims who are opening their hearts to Jesus. When Jesus came the first time, he was rejected by both Jews and the Gentiles, what will happen when he returns?

THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM

Exactly 70 years after Israel was recognised as a nation, and against all odds, it has survived, and Jerusalem is now recognised by the USA as the capital of Israel. Yet, 3000 years ago, it was already the capital of Israel under King David. It has been attacked 52 times, besieged 23 times, ransacked 39 times, destroyed and rebuilt 3 times and captured and recaptured 44 times. It is the Key to the Future and holds the promise of world peace, but only under the reign of King Jesus. The “PEACE of Jerusalem” is entirely dependent upon the return of the King, not on diplomacy or war. (Psalm 122)

Why is there such conflict and controversy over this city? I believe it is Satan’s last ditch attempt to stop the return of Jesus. If he can control it or destroy it he can hinder and resist the return of Jesus, therefore there has been and still is a great battle over this city. It is a burdensome stone to the nations of the world but the prophet Zechariah foretold that in the end it will be inhabited by Jews and there will be a great outpouring of intercession by them to the Lord who will once again appear and be seen. (Zechariah 12)

Zechariah foretold that the remnant of Jews will call upon Him. (Zechariah 13) The apostle Paul also foretold this. (Romans 11:26-27) It will be at Jerusalem and its environs that there will be a great “threshing” as the nations gather to fight the “Battle for Jerusalem.”

It is at the “Valley of Jehoshaphat” that hearts will be sifted. (Joel 3:1, 2 12-14.) This is the “Valley of the Kings” where Abraham gave his allegiance to the Most High God. The kings of Sodom and the world will gather against Israel, and Jerusalem will once again be divided. (Zechariah 14:1-4, Revelation 11, Daniel 12.) For three and a half years there will be much clamour and rage about it and divine intervention when two anointed prophets will stand up to minister to God’s people. It will climax in various conflicts, one at Megiddo where armies will be destroyed and at Jerusalem where God will judge and destroy all nations that fight against it. It is here that the final great battle for the world will climax with the return of Jesus.

Daniel foretold the war of the kings of the north and south immediately before this final end time period. (Daniel 11:36-45.) Ezekiel described in detail the king of the north and those nations with him that will come against Israel. (Ezekiel 38 and 39.) Zechariah foretold that “all nations” will be represented at Jerusalem. The UN now has representatives from 193 nations, virtually the entire world. The Islamic nations that surround Israel vastly outnumber them. The superpowers, the USA, Russia, EU and China all have vested interests in the Middle East. Apart from a miracle, Israel is on the brink of catastrophe. It is surrounded by nations, armies, institutions, organisations and untold millions of people who hate it and will stop at nothing but its total annihilation. I believe we are currently seeing the preparations for this. The stage is being set right before our eyes, the props and scenery for the finale are moving into place, and soon, the curtain will be raised, and all will become clear.

Watch as the World Beast Order closes in on Israel and forces Jerusalem to be divided. Follow the rise of the King of the North as he and his supporters gather against Israel.

I do not believe there is a seven-year period still to be fulfilled. Neither do I believe there will be a temple built in Jerusalem before Messiah comes. If you wish to know more, please read my books available on Amazon and Lulu Books.

THE TRUTH ABOUT JERUSALEM is that the earthly city has for thousands of years been a city of bloodshed, corruption and suffering. It is but a poor reflection of the Heavenly City. In fact in Revelation 11:8 it is even called Sodom and Egypt. There has been a long war waged in the heavenly dimensions which has directly affected and been reflected upon the earthly dimensions.

Earthly Jerusalem tells a long story of war and conflict. One day, the real city which it represents will appear, NEW JERUSALEM in all its glory. (Revelation 21) It is to this city that we look. (Hebrews 11:8-10, 16, 12:22-24.) This is the one built by God, which has eternal foundations –  the ETERNAL CITY OF GOD. Blessed are all those who have entry to that city.