Is Jerusalem the center of the earth? We know Creation took place in the Middle East at the confluence of four named rivers, one of which was the Euphrates (Genesis 2:14) in a region once called the Cradle of Civilization and still identified as the Fertile Crescent. Biblical history establishes Jerusalem as the “city of David” (2Samuel 5:7), the capital of Israel and where Solomon built the Jewish Temple. For Jews, Jerusalem is the center of their earth. And, for Christians, the Gospel would spread starting from Jerusalem “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8 KJV). Jesus ascended back to heaven from the Mount of Olives east and just outside of Jerusalem (1:12) and will descend to the same spot at His Second Coming (Zechariah 14:4). Rome destroyed the Jerusalem Temple (70 AD). The Crusades took and lost Jerusalem. Islam built the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Three of the main religions of the world are monotheistic and Jerusalem centric. Modern Israel claims Jerusalem as its capital, and the United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in the 21st century. Any wonder David the Psalmist enjoined, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6)?
Peace in the Middle East
Wrong Side of God
“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 KJV). An inexplicable truth of history is the relationship of God to Israel. At first glance, Israel is only one of 193 countries of the United Nations; however, it is distinguished as a people scattered by God among all nations in the second century after Christ (Deuteronomy 28:64), only to be reconstituted on May 14, 1948. In actuality, human political mandates accomplished “to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done” (Acts 4:28). Though modern, secular Israel and Zionism are not the OT Israel of King David, Jehovah’s blessing and cursing are still upon those who stand with or against Israel’s right to exist. With American college campus protests against Israel in support of Hamas’ slogan, “From the river to the sea,” Israel is erased from nationhood, which God will not allow. When the Biden administration halted a US heavy munitions shipment to Israel, it impedes a final IDF push to eliminate Hamas (Hebrew, chamas, violence, cruelty) in the southern city of Rafah in Gaza. America is in the dangerous position of being on the wrong side of God. The question is not simply, ‘Will Russia and China view this as weakness for the US lack of support of another ally?’; but, ‘Will God Almighty reciprocate and remove the US from End Times contention as a nation?’ After all, He removed Israel as a nation, in judgment for their treatment of the Messiah. Beware of national policy based solely upon political expediency! LORD, be merciful upon America. Open the eyes of our leaders that You may continue to shed Your grace upon us. Confusion upon Your enemies, and may we be written down as Your friends. Grant Your peace to Jerusalem, and may Your peace also be felt by all our brothers and sisters in Christ in that troubled region. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.
Peace in the Middle East
When will they ever learn? If the enemies of Israel dedicate their existence to the destruction of Israel, then Israel does not have the ability to coexist with her enemies. A stalemate exists without a natural resolution. Only a supernatural solution would work. Supernatural is the Unseen Realm of Almighty God; but also, it is the realm of the adversary the devil and whomsoever is empowered by that wicked one. Peace in the Middle East will initially come through the Antichrist, who is the “prince that shall come” (Daniel 9:26 KJV). Satan or the “dragon gave him his power” (Revelation 13:2). He will usher in a period of peace to begin the Seventieth Week of Daniel. “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27). Only time will tell, when the Almighty chooses this solution for Israel’s problems. Father God, even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Jesus Said It Would Be This Way
When the world is making it hard to ignore all the calamities and tragedies all around us, then we are experiencing more than the everyday difficulties usually befalling us. Jesus did not come to bring a message of doom and destruction to the world, but to bring us the hope of forgiveness, restoration, and a new life in fellowship with Him. He only warned us about the tribulation we’d experience because we can’t escape this world without it. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV). Jesus overcame, so we, too, would continually be overcoming. ‘Jesus said it would be this way’ is the theme of prophecy, so we should not become distracted by the calamities and quit living the supernatural, overcoming life of disciples of Jesus Christ. Then, God is glorified, and we will do the good we should. In the meantime, Lord Jesus come quickly, and help me to do all the good I can before the Father declares, Time is up, and we go Home. Amen.
Earthquake Rattles Northeast Cities (US)
Not the San Andreas fault of California, but New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC were hit with a 4.7-4.8 earthquake on Friday morning April 5, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Little damage or injuries, but the shallowness of the quake (5 km depth) made it easier for everyone to feel the shaking. The epicenter was just NE of Lebanon, NJ. As if the LORD is trying to get the attention of Americans to the grave crisis playing out in Lebanon of the Middle East, where the Israelis just assassinated senior Iranian commanders in Syria, threatening further enlargement of the proxy war Iran is conducting against Israel and the United States in Gaza and US military bases in the Middle East. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matthew 24:7 KJV). Remember, fulfillment of prophetic events, such as earthquakes, should calm us that the Father has everything under control. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Enigma of Peace
As much as Christians may support the existence of a nation state of Israel, it is difficult to envision a time where Palestinians and Israelis would be at peace. Yet, the prophet Ezekiel speaks of a future time when Gog, who is Russia, and her allies will come against Israel, which will be a nation dwelling “safely” (Ezekiel 38:11 KJV). But, safety comes only after the one who turns out to be the Antichrist comes to Israel’s aid to “confirm the covenant with many for one week” (Daniel 9:27 KJV). Peace with the Palestinians will be a justifiable part of the attraction for the Israelis, but Antichrist’s true motive will be seeking all to worship him as God — in the middle of the Tribulation Week (Daniel 9:27, Mark 13:14). “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:4 KJV). Prophecy is being played out like a cosmic chess match.
Who Is On The LORD’s Side?
We all want God to be on our side, but shouldn’t the more important question be, “Who is on the LORD’S side?” (Exodus 32:26 KJV). We all value living in peace, then shouldn’t we promote peace where we live? “Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” (Jeremiah 29:7 KJV). If the godly desire peace in the Middle East, how should we pray? “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6 KJV). Why would God ask us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, if He would send the Babylonians and later the Romans to destroy it? God has chosen to bless whom He sovereignly chooses to bless, and our place is to agree with God. When no human solution brings peace, then God alone must bring it. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem because the Almighty will move heaven and earth to bring it to pass.
We Need A Miracle 