Why Weapons of War Cannot Defeat Israel

 

No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper … this is the heritage of the servants of Lord, and their righteousness is of Me.  Isaiah 54:17.

Just before dying Moses reminded the Nation that Yahweh was their Protector. Terms such as ‘Thy refuge’ ‘underneath … everlasting arms’, ‘shield of your help’, ‘the sword of your excellency’, expressed this role (Deuteronomy 33:27-29).

Since the Babylonian captivity Israel, and others, must have wondered where His protection had gone. As a Nation they have been scattered, battered and bruised. May 14 1948 witnessed their return to the land but, has the Lord been seen as ‘their refuge’? Not by the majority. The strength of their military arm is their shield. How then can the set verse be considered in this light?  

No Weapon that is formed against you shall prosper.

Such words sound hollow from an historical perspective. Looking at it from what Moses and the prophets wrote reveals a deeper meaning. They foresaw defeat and dispersion due to apostasy. Satan may marshal his forces to destroy completely the chosen race but can never succeed. Isaiah 51 is the Lord of Hosts promise to His afflicted people. They had drunk of their Lord’s ‘cup of wrath’ but the time had come for him to take it away.

Now He would comfort them. In doing that the Lord would also plead their cause and give the ‘cup of anger’ for the Gentile Nations.

Ringed today by hostile forces with missiles and nuclear weapons Israel in prophecy faces a number of major onslaughts (Joel, Ezekiel 37-39, Psalm 2). As strong as their military might is, humanly speaking, it will be insufficient to survive. But God has promised ‘no weapon will prevail.’ How? He will once more look again upon His people. He will stand between them and Satan’s hordes led by the anti-Christ. Daniel and Revelation lifts the curtain on this period. As the Warrior Lord He will fight for them! The prophet Joel sees the time when Yahweh will assemble the Nations in the valley of Jehoshaphat. They are in an aggressive and warlike frame of mind. The land and people of Israel their destination. Before their onslaught God pleads for His heritage.  He has already written out His defence of them in Scripture, which the Gentiles ignored. Now the Lord’s pleading involves raising and using His ‘Sword’!

Every tongue that shall rise up against you in judgement shall be condemned.

It would be impossible to name any other Nation subject to slander, fake news, misrepresentation, vilification through propaganda and media. Think of ‘the Protocols of the Jewish Elders. Goebbels in Hitler’s regime was a master of propaganda which ‘legitimized the Holocaust. Islam continues this line of attack. Unfortunately, various groups in church denominations who call for boycotting goods and service to and from Israel unwittingly buy into ‘the evil tongue’ coalition. All will be confronted by the displeasure of the Warrior Lord.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.

What is understood by ‘heritage of the Lord’? The Hebrew can mean ‘possession’ and ‘peculiar right’. Therefore, the Nation’s security and continuance is guaranteed. They are the Lord’s by creation, redemption and promise. It doesn’t mean they are exempt from discipline, in fact it meant greater chastisement. Micah, confessed his people’s sin and vindicated God’s Judgement. He warned their enemies not to rejoice over their fall as God will one day lift them up, forgive and be merciful. He will honour His word which was sworn unto (Israel’s) Fathers from the days of old’ (7:7-20).

 

Jerusalem ‒ a poisoned chalice.

‘In that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people’ Zechariah 12:3.

 In 1947 the United Nations agreed to adopt the Balfour declaration concerning Israel. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had come through the Nazi extermination program and had the sympathy of the Nations. From among the nations the remnant arose and returned to the land long denied to them. Ezekiel’s imagery of the scattered bones coming together is so graphic in its application to a Nation being regathered. The prophet was commanded to say: “Behold, O my people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel” (Ezekiel 37:12).

Christians and the Jewish people saw this as a miracle foretold and now performed. Arab nations reacted with anger and threats of war. This they set in motion on the day, May 14 1948 when Israel was proclaimed a sovereign nation. Against overwhelming odds and certain countries embargoes, the fledgling nation fought and won. It could be credited to the bravery and tenacity of many, Jew and sympathetic Gentiles. To those who knew the Scriptures the following statement stood out: ‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper’ (Isaiah 54:17). God being the unchanging and unchangeable One stood stands by the promise. He still does.

Have the nations learnt from their constant defeat in trying to eliminate this Israel? Unfortunately no! Unreasoning animosity is a moral and spiritual indictment upon those who reject Israel’s right to exist. Behind the words and acts of force by the various Nations lurks Lucifer who covets the city of Zion and the right to rule from there. (Isaiah 14:12-15. Ezekiel 28:12-19). Jerusalem is now ‘a very heavy stone’ for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut to pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it’ (Zechariah 12:3).

 There is another image presented by the prophet of Jerusalem’s effect upon the World. Zechariah 12:2 ‘Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.’ With any addiction there are consequences. The above verse outlines one. Wanting to destroy the people and place God claims as His own is futile. Reason is unfortunately drowned in the mind inebriated by hate. Lusting after Zion causes her enemies to act foolishly and to suffer the consequences.

 

What is often forgotten, by friend and foe of Israel, the special affection the Lord God has for Jerusalem. He has put His name over and upon it. His presence has made itself known there. His desire is to dwell there and be in the midst of His people. Zechariah’s words both explain God’s heart and issues a warning: ‘He who touches you touches the apple of His eye’ (Zechariah 2:8). He is that sensitive! In the affliction of Israel the Lord feels their pain. Even at those times when His judgement has fallen upon them to turn their hearts back to Himself. Certain Gentile nations, used as His whip had taken the opportunity to dispossess and extinguish the nation. They went beyond Yahweh’s boundaries and ‘stuck their finger in His eye.’ God will only take so much ‘poking’ before His wrath rises and judgement falls.

 

The word of God is unequivocal in its plain language that in a day known only to Him He will make Jerusalem the praise of the whole earth. Those who try and thwart this will drink a bitter cup. Those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem will know the pleasure of the Lord who loves that city.

Next week. Jerusalem, redeemed and crowned. 

The Devil's 'Game Plan.'

If it wasn’t for the Bible we would be clueless about why our world is disintegrating. It alone defines a corrupt spiritual being whose intention is to replace the Creator and Redeemer God. The Bible also details this creatures personality, game plan and

Destruction. Therefore, it should not surprise any of us that he wants to degrade, despoil and destroy the Judeo-Christian Scriptures.

His strategy hasn’t changed since trapping Eve in doubt and Adam through passion for Eve above obedience to God’s command. Since that time Humanity has been infested with a twisted nature that it sympathetic to the Devil’s tactics. This prince of darkness isn’t interest in those in his kingdom. He wants their devotion and alliance in undermining the moral relationships, spiritual principles and truth of God’s word.

Whilst all these have been under attack since Eden, and thwarted by God’s servants, the Devil never gives up. It would seem that in recent decades he senses his judgement is drawing closer. Therefore his game plan is being put into higher gears to try and prove the Lord Jesus false and His word untrue. How is he doing this in our day?

With determination the Devil has stuck to his game plan which is to corrupt then control. Look around. It is easy to see his foul touch through undermining the very ideals, nobility and preciousness of the Bible’s values. Evolution has attempted (without proof) to deny God’s existence and creative power. However, it is seized upon for it appeals to the dark-side of the human heart. As one T-shirt put it ‘No God – No judgement’. Chance therefore denies absolutes. Goodbye Truth. Farewell Ten Commandments! Evolution kills morality’s foundation and denies the need of a Saviour. As Psalm 11:3 ‘If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ Without absolutes undergirding society the quicksand of chaos envelopes it.

Jesus told two parables relevant to this discussion. One was of a woman adding to the flour some leaven (yeast) which slowly infiltrated and corrupted it. Leaven is a Biblical term for sin, false teaching and immoral behaviour. (Matthew 13:33) The other was the sowing of weed seeds (tares) amongst the good seeds. (Matthew 13:24-30) Both instances require time for their evil intent to surface. Think about the corrupting of the following.

The beautiful sign of the rainbow after the flood in Noah time has been perverted into the gay and lesbian flag. That which promised hope has been sullied by a lifestyle condemned by Scripture. Now, should anyone try and show such supporters and practitioners the way out of this lifestyle (read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and elsewhere) they are threatened and face jail.  The preciousness of a man and woman being one in marriage is being tortured and twisted by proponents of same sex marriage. The list of corrupting practices include abortion, euthanasia, blatant pornography on T.V accessible to children, (then they cry crocodile tears as children are abused). When you read Leviticus 18 every one of God’s prohibitions on sexual immorality and deviant behaviour is promoted on computer websites.

To close this article – which really is incomplete – I want to mention the Devil’s hatred of Israel. You cannot read the Bible and not see he wants what the Lord God gave to this Nation. The land and especially the Temple Mount. To get it, the Devil must destroy that Nation. This he has attempted to do numerous times. Wittingly or unwittingly the United Nations is aiding and abetting him in his plans. The members, and other, of that organisation should read Psalm 2 and realise the path of defeat and destruction they are on.

The Bible’s teaching are absolute! By them a person’s lifestyle and relationship will be judged. God’s word offers a better way; a better hope; better relationships and lifestyle. Within its pages is also the story of the Lord Jesus who transforms lives and makes them fit to walk the better way. (1 Timothy 1:13-17).

Next week: The Lord’s overthrow of the Devil’s game plan.

©Ray Hawkins 28 May 2017.

The U.N murders History

History is being ‘murdered’ at the U.N. UNESCO has just been quoted as saying Israel hasn’t any legitimate to Jerusalem. That’s on top of the announcements some weeks ago that the Nation had no prior claim to the land. This isn’t rewriting history, it is killing it, carving it up and trying to dispose of it to our minds.

I wonder what Nebuchadnezzar would say to those officials from the floor of UN headquarters. Did he spend years subjugating a non-existent nation holed up in a non-existent Jerusalem? Was Daniel a figment of Nebuchadnezzar’s paranoia? Of course it also means such kings as Sennacherib, Pharaoh Necho, and Antiochus Epiphany, to name a few, never existed also. Apparently the Maccabeus’ are a fairy story and Jesus birth in Bethlehem actually took place somewhere else (if they believe it happened at all). That then raises the matter of the Passover, Roman crucifixion, Christ on the cross and His resurrection.

This is the same assembly of people who have appointed Saudi Arabia to safeguard the rights of women. There must be something in the air at their Headquarters. They need to have someone check the ventilation system. Someone is contaminating the air conditioning and stealing the delegate’s brains.

I would imagine one or two representatives from Nations influenced by Christian ideals and history took a stand on this.

If ever some doubted the unseen but insidious force running rampant across the world surely, just surely, the UN must eradicate such uncertainty. In 1 John 5:19 the writer says it simply and plainly, this world is under the control of the Evil One. His intent is to deny Israel its Biblically and Historically stated existence. His aim is to eliminate it as a nation and to claim Jerusalem and Mt. Zion as His own. How sad it is for us to witness the wilful or witless collusion of the UN in this!

What is shaping up is a confrontation between Truth and the Lie. For those with any sense of Biblical information between their ears they must know the Lord won’t let this pass. The prophet Zechariah said things to his generation which we need to heed today, “he who touches Israel touches the apple of His (God’s) eye!” I am glad that the Lord has great patience towards we stupid mortals. However, there is just so many pokes in the eye even God can endure.

Though people may reject the Bible’s testimony on many issues History is lettered with accounts of its truthfulness, accuracy and judgements. That being the case (no matter how the UN tries to murder such history) learn what it says on Israel. Otherwise, it isn’t a pleasant thought to have a fight with the Everlasting Lord.

To close this blog I’ll simply quote some passages which highlight the Lord God of Host’s interest in, love of and identification with Israel – the land and the people.

The Land is ‘My Land’ says the Creator. Jeremiah 2:7  16:18   Joel 2:18.

He has allocated it to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 4:40, 11:21 etc.

The Nation of Israel is His Creation for His purposes (some fulfilled, some yet to be. Psalm 33:12.  Isaiah 43:21.  Psalm 147:19-20.

Jerusalem is His city. Psalm 48. Isaiah 60:14.  Zechariah 3:2. 8:3

It is to Mount of Olives that the Lord will one day set His feet Zechariah 14:3-4. (compare Acts 1:9-12).

Forces in high places are coercing Governments and the masses to believe a lie, actually, many lies. The only counter-offensive is to know the Truth – historically and Biblically – and perhaps your stand will help someone be saved from fighting against the Lord God of Hosts.

©Ray Hawkins 7 May 2017.

The truth of False News

Before and after the U.S.A Presidential elections the now President spoke out about “Fake News!” This caused a lot of furore and criticism, especially from the Press and certain T.V. stations. He has been proven correct. Anyone who has dealt with the media knows there are reporters more interested in sensationalising something than presenting the facts without embellishment, bias or vindictive intent.

This shouldn’t surprise any of us. False news actually began in a garden setting. It has been truthfully recorded by the person affected and later included in the book of Genesis. The creature who spoke the false news was in camouflage gear as the Serpent. He is later identified as the Devil in Revelation 12:9. The one he mislead was Eve who in turn relayed it to Adam. The false news was to malign the character of their Creator and undermine the seriousness of His command not to eat the fruit of a certain tree. The result of believing the false report was a curse upon all creation expressed in death. This is always the power of false news in various areas of life, relationships and society.

The Bible defines false news as a lie. Jesus described the creature who spoke it first as the original liar and what he brought about was murder and lies (John 8:44). False news and its intent and outworking is summed up in Scripture as Sin! There isn’t any arena of life which is free from being infected and affected by false news. Politics is in the spotlight at the moment but it isn’t alone. If you believe the Biblical account of creation, especially as a scientist, you are vilified and often debarred by untrue assertions and out of context quotes. To believe in the historic and Biblical accounts about marriage is to be held up to ridicule and lawsuits as well as being falsely accused of hate crimes. All through recorded history there have been religious charlatans with personal agendas or in league with godless forces and anti-Messianic forces who hate the holiness, morality and prophesied purposes of the Creator. They    are recorded as false prophets and false teachers. The New Testament issues

a similar warning about their insidious messages. The vilification of the Jewish people across the centuries was enflamed by false news. What has been documented about the Nazi regime’s propaganda in this matter reveals the end result, a holocaust. This anti-Israel attitude is being promoted even in the United Nations today. Can you perceive where it could, will lead too? (read the Biblical book of Joel or Psalm 2 or Ezekiel 38 Etc).

Jesus warned His people about the prevalence of false news in regard to a specific event involving Him. In His talk about the climax of history and His promised return Jesus spoke about scurrilous reporters creating havoc. As certain signs foretold were to take place people would get emotional or exasperated by reports coming in as to where Jesus could be found, seen or expected (Matthew 24).  When you read that passage it is evident that the reported sighting are being sent and heard quickly. In our W.W.W. generation this should come as no surprise. With Facebook, smartphones, twitter, Instagram and emails (to name a few) fake, false and flawed stories get unleashed and in an instant travel throughout the world. Even when they are corrected by the facts of the matter the poison has been spread, the damage done. Jesus gave the answer to misguided or mischievous reporting of His returning. He simply said, when it happens, “every eye will see” Him.

Unless there is an unchangeable standard by which to measure what is true or false, what is righteous and what is sin, we will be blown around as a piece of paper in a tornado. That standard is the Judeo-Christian book called the Bible. It reveals an unchangeable God with an unchangeable message verified by the unchangeable Messiah who triumphed over Sin and its false news. This is the reality of Christ and the cross. This Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and in His presence through His word we know the truth and are alerted to what will lead us astray from it. This world is under the malicious influence of the ‘serpent’ (1 John 5:19) that is why there is so much false news circulated and believed. However, as believers in and disciples of Christ we look forward to a new era, when righteousness, truth, justice and grace reigns. Maranatha!

©Ray Hawkins Feb 26^th 2017.

Hope Even When Despair's Tear Fall

To look into the eyes of the displaced people from Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, what has God got to offer them? Does the Bible speak to their situation? Do all we have to say merely sounds like pious but hollow words?

There is a book in the Old Testament written especially for people caught up in war. It was written by the prophet Jeremiah after the destruction of his beloved city, Jerusalem. The book is called Lamentations. In any conflict the innocent suffer. The causes of the conflict will vary from that of Israel in Jeremiah’s day. You read of his anguish, his identification with its destruction and even his questioning of God. However in the midst of this book of tears the radiance of Hope bursts through. This isn’t a whistling in the dark, fingers crossed type of hope. It is founded on the rock solid faithfulness of God to His promises.

Jeremiah was distraught by the apparent hopelessness which the burning rubble of city and temple presented. He believed God had promised through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob a Messiah and King would come through the tribe of Judah. Was all that now abandoned by God because of human faithlessness, failure and folly? The nation was in captivity in Babylon. The city destroyed. God’s promise seemed null and void. Had the ungodly won the battle?

Even today this scenario is being played out, especially in Islamic countries. Rival Islamic militants are intent on destroying each other. All of those Islamic groups also have the desire to eliminate Jews and Christians. Where is the Lord Jesus Christ in all of this? The United Nations relief agencies are in the camps supplying food and shelter but where can hope be found? Where will the heart find comfort that truth, righteousness and justice will ultimately one day come? When the Christian suffering refugees bury their dead what will sustain their faith? What can they offer to the children who are hungry, naked and confused?

There can only be the promises of God spelt out in the Bible. These are not wishful thinking words. The promises of God are verifiable and tested by time and fulfilment in a number of areas. Jeremiah wrestled in his pain, poverty and loneliness with wondering if God would succeed in doing what He promised. The prophet wrote down his convictions in Lamentations 3. (see below). He also declared that God would bring back the nation to the Land after seventy (70) years. It happened! We also know that God kept His word in the sending of His son Jesus to be the Messiah. Christmas and Easter are testament to that.

Therefore, what hope can we offer to those who sit in the rubble of their world? What can we say when injustice, cruelty and corruption flaunt themselves and defile the Name and Word of God? ‘(God) has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead’. (Acts 17:31 speaking of course about Jesus Christ) Compare also Jude 15-25 Revelation 20.

The Bible is actually a book written to refugees assailed, expelled or threatened for their faith in Jesus as God’s Son, our Saviour. Those of us in the more stable countries at this moment need to pray for those who are suffering and dying for their faith, now. We may well be next. Therefore each of us needs to reconnect and take to heart the wonderful words of faith which held Jeremiah together even as his tears of despair flowed.

‘My soul … is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope; The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to and end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lamentations 3:20-26)

Hope is founded on God’s character, integrity and track record in fulfilling what He promised. Now is the time to be strengthened in it through reading, believing and obeying His word. Now is also the time to make His promise of forgiveness and a new destiny by putting your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. He is the One who will one day come to judge the world in righteousness. That’s hope sustained by God’s faithfulness!

Rewriting History

The weak–kneed U.N. cancelled an exhibition entitled ‘People, book and Land: 3,500- Year Relationship of the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.’ Why cancel it? Was it pornographic? No! Was it a lie? No! What then! It offended Islam. Why? Because this collection of Koran adherents are trying to deny Israel’s right to exist. This requires rewriting history, fabricating events and demonising people they hate.

Why should we worry?

Well, if we are Christians there is a lot riding on such lies and censure–ship. For if Israel didn’t possess the land then there is no King David (and others). No David means, there can be no Davidic lineage. Therefore Jesus Christ isn’t what the bible claims about Him. Namely, He is the descendent in the flesh of David; He is of the tribe of Judah. He was born in Bethlehem. Crucified in Jerusalem and rose from the tomb. And so I could go on. The credibility of the Bible and its historical accounts is also at stake. That in turn means every major doctrine of the Church can be dismissed. It is no light matter for historical truth as well as Biblical truth that Islam be held accountable for its falsification of history.

Islam has deliberately and consciously tried to erase evidence of Israel relationship to the Promised Land. The amount of destruction of artefacts from around the temple site is huge and tragic. The unceasing media blitz denying Israel’s right to exist fuels this endeavour. Unfortunately for them they will need to change a lot of Babylonian, Greek and Roman history, as well as their own for Israel is inextricably intertwined with them all.

There is a lot of social and general media concerns raised about bullying of children or in the workplace. Unfortunately the bully boys of the Taliban supporters seem to prevail when it comes to the U.N. and other political outlets. In many cases it is prevailing in and over the Church scene. However it is doomed to fail.

Within the pages of the first thirty–nine books of Scripture is a recurring theme. It points to God actively involving Himself in history. Why? ‘So that people will know that there is a God and He is not silent, indifferent or unjust.’ The events of the Passover were not only to point to Calvary and Christ it was to declare something to Pharaoh and Israel. What? ‘That they may God. Perhaps the place where this is most prominent is in Ezekiel. At least 71 times it is recorded that God has done or will do something specific so that Israel, the Nations, you and I might know Him and His word.

Therefore whether historical or prophetic what the Lord God has done or will do as declared through the Scriptures will be known. He has done this so you are without excuse. No one can plead ignorance. From Creation to Calvary and future events the Lord has declared His heart and mind. His purpose is for you to not merely have an intellectual bonanza but a faith commitment to Him through trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. The end result of all this is ‘So that they may know, from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the lord, and there is no other.’ Isaiah 45:6.

The deniers of history, especially Biblical history are in for a rude and tragic shock. They need to rethink their rewrite before it becomes an embarrassing shame and a millstone around their neck, forever.

Poking the 'Eye' of God.

How do you poke God in the ‘eye?’‘Truly, one who touches you (nation of Israel) touches the apple of my eye.’ (Zechariah 2:8).

How do you make God jealous?‘Thus says the Lord of Hosts; I am jealous for her (Jerusalem) with great wrath.’ (Zechariah 8:2)

Some will say that was long ago and not relevant to today. Think again. ‘Thus says the Lord; I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city and the mountain of the Lord of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. (Zechariah 8:3). That hasn’t happened. Will it? Islamic nations hope not. In league with anti–Semitic Gentile nations they are doing everything in their power to prevent it. Will they succeed? Are the United Nations plus the World Council of Churches, whose decrees we know, stronger than the Word of God, which calls us to trust it? This is ultimately the choices before us.

Zechariah calls Jerusalem a ‘cup of reeling’ for all the peoples surrounding the land and city. Their insane craving to consume this place will ultimately make them devoid of reason and inflame acts of violence. We live in an era where we have witnessed small scale acts of the ‘reeling power’ of this city. According to scripture it will get worse. So what are the implications of the opening statements? The Lord God unveiled in the bible is dismissed as a non–event and the people who are His ‘eye’ are expendable. Because it appears God is silent and has forgotten Israel (He hasn’t) the anti–Semitic nations feel invincible. However the Lord has set aside a time of vengeance; of judgement; of deliverance when He will honour to His Name and word.

This is the era of grace. How long it will last is known only to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When His patience ends judgement begins. So as to leave no doubt in anyone’s mind about its architect God has had it recorded. His enemies have tried to obliterate His book since day one. Why? It’s not simply because they don’t like their destiny, they want to make God a liar. They will never succeed! Zechariah speaks about this time in his 12th and 14th chapters. The nations fight against Jerusalem and seem to win. However the Lord of hosts says “Enough!” No more poking of His eye by arrogant unbelieving nations. No more being scoffed at. No more the city of His heart being trodden under foot.

The prophet foresaw this event and described it as the Lord touching down on the Mount of Olives. He strides into His city to reclaim it and establish the promised reign of righteousness and justice. On that day ‘the Lord will become King over all the earth; on that day the Lord will be one and his name one.’ (Zechariah 14:9) What about Jerusalem? ‘It shall be inhabited, for never again shall it be doomed to destruction; Jerusalem shall abide in security.’ (Zechariah 14:11) Notice those two words ‘never again!’ Well worth a study where they are used.

The bible has so many references to the history and the future of Jerusalem it would take many articles to explore. Why did Jesus weep over it? (Matthew 23:37) He saw their unbelief. He saw the Gentile nations’ hatred. He felt the Gentile’s collective ‘finger in His eye’. He knew their destructive intent and the terror they would inflict upon the city of His heart.  

However the Lord Jesus did not despair. He also knew the future and looked to the day beautifully described in Isaiah 62. Please read the whole passage. Suffice it now to quote verse 4: ‘You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.’ The word ‘Delight in Her’ in Hebrew is ‘Hephzibah.’ Therefore any person, any nation, and any Church group should be careful about their actions and their attitudes are levelled against this city. Why? ‘You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.’ (Isaiah 62:3).