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 the Peace of Jerusalem
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.
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.
Exposing Antisemitism
Disagreeing with Israeli conduct in Gaza is not necessarily antisemitism. Differing with a Two State Solution does not necessarily oppose or support the Jews. Antisemitism is hatred of the Jews because they are Jews. Jews are racially traced back to the biblical Hebrews, are religiously adherents of Judaism, or both. Antisemitism is sin because it hates the Jews for being Jews, whom God loves. “Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 10:15 KJV). Even in the NT, God continues His love for the Jews. “I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin” (Romans 11:1). “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). Not only will you find peace, but Gaza will, too.
Hamas Kidnapped A Gaza Imam For Refusing To Support The Resistance
Mohammed Mushtaha, imam at Dhu ‘l-Nurayn mosque in Shuja’iyah in Gaza, was kidnapped by Hamas last week, according to his son, Ala Mohammed Mushtaha, in a January 4, 2024 article in The Free Press. “He wouldn’t preach what Hamas told him to. He refused to tell Gazans that violent resistance and obedience to Hamas, is the best way out of our current hell.” Using mosques to store weapons, money, and equipment were not enough for Hamas. They required this refusing imam to support their resistance movement in his sermons. He refused for conscience sake. Pray for his safety, for men of conscience, God can reach and use. “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16 KJV).
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.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6 KJV). What does the peace of Jerusalem to do with your peace? Jerusalem was chosen by God. “But I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name might be there” (2Chronicles 6:6 KJV). The LORD will judge Israel for their unrighteous rejection of His Messiah, but in Spiritual Warfare, the LORD of Hosts will judge those who lift their hand against His chosen city and bless those who pray for her peace.
We Need A Miracle 