This is the season of Israel’s restoration, and the church and the world are blessed because of it. Through the descendants of Abraham, the world is blessed and will be blessed even more in the future (See Gen. 12:2-3). In the past, blessings came because of the teachings and life examples of the patriarchs, the development of countless innovations, and of course, the coming of Christ, which is by far the greatest blessing the world has received through the Jews. This year is the seventieth anniversary of the modern state of Israel and another point of blessing has emerged. Jerusalem has been acknowledged as the undivided, eternal capital of Israel by the United States. Furthermore, they moved their embassy there. This is a huge step on the eternal pathway of God’s purposes. One day, Jesus and the Father will put their thrones in that city and from there, the world and the universe will be ruled. Scripture tells of this purpose for Jerusalem (See Rev. 22:3) and gives us strong words so we will prioritize it. “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.” Ps. 137:5-6
My Highest Joy
Even lovers of Israel may struggle with God’s word to make Jerusalem their highest joy. Should not Jesus; should not God, be our highest joy? After all, the Bible commands us to follow two rules: Love God with all your heart and Love your neighbor as Christ has loved you! I would go so far as to say that those are the only two commandments in the Bible and all others are given to help us do those two things. If this is true, then let us define this love for God.
If you love God but not His word, you don’t really love Him. You cannot love God and reject His commandments, government, or ways. If you love God with all of your heart then you have to love everything about Him: you love His rule, His teachings, His glory and His eternal purpose. That is what Jerusalem represents. Jerusalem is God’s focus when He looks at earth. It will be His seat of government for releasing His glory over people, angels and everything.
Jesus Rules From Jerusalem
The Bible teaches us that there is a physical and a spiritual Jerusalem. So many details in the Bible have a physical and a spiritual counterpart. Each have a purpose and, in most cases, one does not nullify the other.
The physical city of Jerusalem is in the land of Israel. The spiritual Jerusalem is called the New Jerusalem. It comes down from heaven and is the mother of us all. Spiritual Jerusalem is opposite to the evil spiritual city of Babylon. Spiritual Babylon, as mentioned in the book of Revelation, is comprised of all wicked people and demons and is governed by Satan. Spiritual Jerusalem, on the other hand, is comprised of all godly people, from all times and nations, and is governed by Jesus. He rules over spiritual Jerusalem and in the future, He will do it from the land of Israel and the physical city of Jerusalem, the one we see in the news on our TVs. Jesus will come to rule over the earth for a thousand years. The Bible picture is a very physical and practical one. Here is a glimpse of Jesus governing.
“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 to 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, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” Isa. 2:2-5
Notice, people and nations will stream to Jerusalem. It is a physical place and Jesus sits enthroned there, as a judge, to settle disputes. He also teaches and instructs the people of the nations how to live in godliness and righteousness. The whole world and the nations will live in peace and be blessed because of Him. This is a very physical picture of Christ’s government over the people’s of the earth and it emanates from the physical city of Jerusalem.
An Attitude Check
All Christians, that I know, want to please God yet some may not be aware that their attitudes and behavior are opposing Him. Even though Israel, the Jews, and Jerusalem are not yet what they will be, we must still bless and honor them. Whoever blesses them is blessed and whoever curses them will be cursed (See Gen. 12:1-3).
Curses for Not Remembering Jerusalem
Remembering Jerusalem with affection is a serious matter with God because it represents His future rule on the earth. It depicts His government, His care for people and for this planet. He will not allow us to ignore this; whether we ignore it through rebellion or ignorance. Here is the verse:
“If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, ” Ps. 137:5-6
Your right hand represents the best of everything that comes from your life. Without remembering Jerusalem you will not be at your best; you will make wrong choices and your life will lack achievements. Your right hand will lose its cunning. God overlooks this when we do not know (like with Saul of Tarsus) but that season of God overlooking it will soon come to an end.
The second curse is that your tongue clings to the roof of your mouth if you forget to love Jerusalem. That is a picture of dire thirst and ill health. It speaks of drought conditions in your life and a total lack of that which fulfills and satisfies.
Jerusalem must be our highest joy because it is God’s highest joy when He looks at the earth. One thing captures His affection above all others; it is Jerusalem. It represents the rule of His Son and the release of His love and goodness over everything.
The Joy of the Whole Earth
Throughout the Bible we discover the prophetic intention of the Lord regarding Jerusalem, Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. Jesus is praised in the city of God. This is His holy mountain. It is beautiful. It is the joy of the whole earth. Read on:
“Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.” Ps 48:1-2
Scripture says Jerusalem is the joy of the whole earth. Furthermore, the Lord says that he has put watchmen on her walls (intercessors) who will pray until Jerusalem becomes the praise of the earth. Here is the verse:
“I Have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourself no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” Isa. 62:6-7
Presently, the Lord is focused on establishing Israel for His end-time purpose and ultimately, for His throne. He will not be passive about this and neither should you be passive. Many churches never mention the modern state of Israel. This must change and this will change. Hear the word of the Lord:
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your righteousness and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” Isa. 62:1-3
Watch what God will do in Jerusalem. Pray, proclaim and bless Israel and step into the blessings that are coming. AΩ
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