"WHY JERUSALEM?" By Chuck & Karen Cohen - King of Kings Assembly - Jerusalem - MAY 2000
View of Jerusalem from the north-west
Why is this city drawing the world's and the spiritual realm's attention now? Jerusalem is not on a major trading route, it is comparatively small in size and population, and a little over 100 years ago was a very unappealing, almost forgotten city.
Why? Because God has chosen this city as his own, to proclaim His name/nature to his entire creation, in and through Jerusalem.
Satan was exiled from heaven when he rebelled against God's authority. "How art though fallen from heaven, O Lucifer… For though hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the most High" (Isa 14:12-14). Where do you think he went? We think he went to take over God's earthly throne -- Jerusalem!
God repeatedly states that in Jerusalem, "I have chosen to put my name…" (1 Kings 11:36b, etc.). Yeshua even called Jerusalem "the city of the great King" (Matt 5:35b). Many prophets foresaw the day when God would rule and reign from this city:
"…the LORD of hosts shall reign in Mt. Zion, and in Jerusalem…" (Isa 24:23).
"At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord: and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem…" (Jer. 3:17).
"Thus. saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth" (Zech 8:3; see. also 14:16).
Scripture identifies God by His
relationship to his city: "And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as
against the gods of the people of the earth..." (2 Chron 32:19).
But God Himself is making Jerusalem
a point of contention by returning the Jews and building up this city: The
LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel
(Psa 147:2). The nations do
not realize that He said: "I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto
all the people round about... I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for
all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces..."
(Zech 12: 2-3a).
As God used the Jewish people throughout history to test the heart of peoples and nations, so now He is using His holy city. So far, most nations seem to be failing the test. I am jealous for Jerusalem...with a great jealousy, and I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore... I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies... the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and...Choose Jerusalem" (Zech 1:14-17).
When Yeshua returns to Jerusalem, Satan knows he will get a millennium long "vacation". He also knows that Messiah's return depends on this city inviting Him back! "0 Jerusalem...I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, 'Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord'" (Matt 23:37-39). So he is trying everything to destroy Jewish control over this city.
When Yeshua returns and deals with his enemies, he establishes His throne in Jerusalem and rules the world from there (Joel 3:16, 17; Jer 33:16; Zech 14:16, etc.). Then will be seen the fulfillment of many other promises concerning this city and nation: "And many people shall say, Come ye, and let us go up the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem’ (Isa 2:3).
For those who have the privilege and responsibility of being called to this city, recognize that Satan would rather see us living anywhere else! Messianic Jews and Christians in Jerusalem, working and praising God together, pleases our God but brings a death knell to Satan’s ears.
If you are called to this hotbed of spiritual warfare (Isa 31:9b), you will soon realize it is "center stage" for God’s and Satan’s activities in these days. So what will it take for us to stand where God has called us? Exactly what it took to get us into the Kingdom - by His amazing grace, trusting in Messiah Yeshua.
Remember, God is the One who declares to this city: "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day: nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isa 62:6-7).
Chuck & Karen Cohen
As God used the Jewish people throughout history to test the heart of peoples and nations, so now He is using His holy city. So far, most nations seem to be failing the test. I am jealous for Jerusalem...with a great jealousy, and I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore... I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies... the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and...Choose Jerusalem" (Zech 1:14-17).
When Yeshua returns to Jerusalem, Satan knows he will get a millennium long "vacation". He also knows that Messiah's return depends on this city inviting Him back! "0 Jerusalem...I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, 'Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord'" (Matt 23:37-39). So he is trying everything to destroy Jewish control over this city.
When Yeshua returns and deals with his enemies, he establishes His throne in Jerusalem and rules the world from there (Joel 3:16, 17; Jer 33:16; Zech 14:16, etc.). Then will be seen the fulfillment of many other promises concerning this city and nation: "And many people shall say, Come ye, and let us go up the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem’ (Isa 2:3).
For those who have the privilege and responsibility of being called to this city, recognize that Satan would rather see us living anywhere else! Messianic Jews and Christians in Jerusalem, working and praising God together, pleases our God but brings a death knell to Satan’s ears.
If you are called to this hotbed of spiritual warfare (Isa 31:9b), you will soon realize it is "center stage" for God’s and Satan’s activities in these days. So what will it take for us to stand where God has called us? Exactly what it took to get us into the Kingdom - by His amazing grace, trusting in Messiah Yeshua.
Remember, God is the One who declares to this city: "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day: nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isa 62:6-7).
Chuck & Karen Cohen
| View of Jerusalem from the north-west | King of Kings: hillelim@netvision.net.il |