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)?
Pray for Peace of Jerusalem
If I Were Israel
If I were Israel, in the Israeli Gaza Conflict (2023-2024). I would not let anyone stop me from recovering the hostages, dismantling visible Hamas in Gaza, protecting my borders, and preparing for the inevitably larger conflict with Hezbollah in the north. I would be courting the good will of Christian evangelicals, especially in the United States, to continue American support for Israel. I would continue the shadow war with Iran, assuring them I know where they live. “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). And, I would be reminding Jews worldwide that their survival is represented in the survival of Israel. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). I would do this without giving in to Islam or converting to Christianity. But, I am not Israel.
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.
We Need A Miracle 