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"Jerusalem—A Burdensome Stone" Once again, the eyes of the world are turned upon Israel and her conflict with her neighbors—a volatile powderkeg in the Middle East. As much as her Arab neighbors, Islamic terrorists, the United Nations, a mostly anti-semitic Europe and even her seemingly only ally, the United States, have withstood her, God has His own sovereign plan for His chosen people that will confound the nations, thwarting their strategy to eliminate the Jewish state of Israel. The prophet Zechariah declared: “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it” (Zech. 12: 2-3). God Himself will “cut to pieces” those who seek to divide His holy city of Jerusalem. So much for the “land for peace” appeasement the world has tried to force upon Israel! As for those who hate the Jews, God has this fearsome warning: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2: 8). Anti-semitism is a blow dealt right into the eye of God!
Why is there such hatred and jealousy of the Jews? They are God’s chosen people, and His promises to them are irrevocable. The Jews are God’s proof that the Bible is true, and that is the reason why Satan incites in men such virulent hatred of the Jews. The integrity of God’s infallible Word is at stake. The multitudes who align themselves against God’s people are on a sure course of destruction. The Lord said to Abram, the father of the Jewish race, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12: 3). God chose the Jewish people and charged them to be separate and holy, so that they would be the progenitor of the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel first came to the Jews and through the Jews. The Old Testament is the history book of ancient Israel and the Jews. God is called “The God of Israel” 203 times in the Bible, Israel is mentioned 2,585 times, and Jerusalem is mentioned 811 times. Interestingly, Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Islamic Koran.
God has chastised His people for their sins and scattered them, only to fulfill His promise and gather them back to their homeland. The fact that Israel was recognized as the Jewish state in 1948 is a pivotal moment in biblical prophecy that indicates the soon and imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Immediately after her statehood, she was surrounded by 4 Arab armies totaling 80 million who were well-equipped and well-trained. The 6 month-old army of Israelis, numbering only 600,000, were not yet well-equipped or well-trained. Miraculously, the fledgling army, who was outnumbered 10-1, routed her enemies and survived against all odds the attack by those who were bent on her destruction. This humiliating defeat enraged the Arab world. Since open warfare (3 times!) could not accomplish eliminating the state of Israel, the United Nations, Islamic terrorism, and a mostly antisemitic Europe have formed an “unholy trinity” to strategize Israel’s demise.
The United Nations has spent one-half of its time denouncing Israel or deliberating her relationship with Jerusalem, casting over 6,000 individual votes against Israel. A burdensome stone, indeed! Furthermore, the U.N. has defined a Palestinian as any Arab who lived in “Palestine” for two years before Israel was rebuilt in 1948. “Palestine” was a derogatory name given to Israel by the conquering Roman army, mocking the Jews by renaming their country after Israel’s ancient enemy, the Philistines. For an exhaustive study on the fascinating history of Israel and her claim upon the land, read “From Time Immemorial” by Joan Peters. The Bible has foretold that all nations will come against Israel, attacking Jerusalem. These events will culminate into the Battle of Armageddon, and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will destroy the Antichrist with “the breath of His mouth” and “the brightness of His coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). America has not always been there for Israel, and at times, has worked decidedly against her. God have mercy on America the day that we utterly forsake her and hand her over to the will of her enemies. God will preserve Israel, and His wrath will be poured out on our nation. The events surrounding Israel are proof that God’s Word is true, and that His return is at the door. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you” (Psalm 122: 6). “For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns…I have set watchmen on you walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62:1, 6-7).
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