As we see the headlines in the news, it is more important than ever that we pray for Israel and understand what the Bible says about Israel and her significance.
Why Is Israel Important?
The capital city of Israel, Jerusalem—sacred to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—is arguably (and certainly prophetically) the world’s most significant city. Jerusalem was chosen specifically by God for her role in the history of Israel, in the life of Jesus, and in the events of His return. Jerusalem is “the city which [God has] chosen” (1 Kings 8:44).
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Jesus visited Jerusalem many times. When our Lord was only a few days old, His parents brought Him to the temple and presented Him to the Lord (Luke 2:21-40). He tarried in Jerusalem at age twelve, spending three nights alone in its darkened streets and conversing by day with the teachers in the temple (verses 41-50). After His baptism, Jesus was taken to Jerusalem by Satan to the highest point of the temple (4:9-12). John recorded four visits of Jesus to Jerusalem (John 2:13–3:21; 5; 7–10; 12–20), and the other Gospels add important details, particularly regarding the events of the Passion week. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension all took place in and around the city of Jerusalem.1
The Bible tells us that Christ will return to Jerusalem at His Second Coming. It will be the seat from which He will reign on earth during the Millennium—the thousand-year period of Christ’s rule on earth. As the prophet Jeremiah wrote: “At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem” (Jeremiah 3:17).
But that’s only the beginning. Earthly Jerusalem is the prelude to another Jerusalem—“New Jerusalem,” the Celestial City—the everlasting capital city of Jesus throughout eternity.
“As the final and eternal home of redeemed humanity, the New Jerusalem will shine with the glory of God. In contrast to man-made cities, which display only human achievements, this heavenly city, which will come to earth, will be ablaze with light, the light of the glory of God. At last Jerusalem will deservedly be called the Holy City.”2
As Randall Price wrote, “Jerusalem is the city at the center. It is the center of mankind’s hopes and God’s purposes…. Indeed the destiny of the world is tied to the future of Jerusalem.”3
Pray for Israel
The psalmist wrote, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.’ For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good” (Psalm 122:6-9).
If you visit Jerusalem and walk through the Old City from end to end, you’ll encounter a labyrinth of languages, cultures, and passions. Only Jesus Christ can bring unity to such a tangle of tongues and tempers. We need to pray for the Jews, the Palestinians, the Christians, and all the others who make this land their home.
Stay fervent in your prayers for the international safety of Israel and Jerusalem. Modern Israel has been forced to maintain a continual state of warfare throughout its years. Someone described it as living in a very nice house in a very bad neighborhood. Israel is in a fight for its very survival.
Stay Faithful
Christianity and Judaism both encourage us to anticipate the Messiah’s coming by concentrating on being godly people and doing acts of kindness. In doing so, we will hasten the end and start our new beginning. As Peter instructed in the Bible, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (2 Peter 3:11-12, NIV).
I believe this is what Isaiah was thinking about when he wrote: “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:7)
Jerusalem is far away for many of us. In some cases, it’s literally the other side of the world. Many will not have the privilege of visiting that city on this side of eternity. But all who trust in Christ as their Savior will encounter the New Jerusalem. Even now, you and I are moving toward that wondrous city. It’s our eternal destiny. It’s our home!
So let us live right now as citizens of New Jerusalem. We aren’t physically housed in that eternal city, but our faithful service will reflect its light and reveal its goodness even as we tarry here.
What Does the Bible Say About Israel?
“A land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year” (Deuteronomy 11:12).
“Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man to be a ruler over My people Israel. Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel” (2 Chronicles 6:5-6).
“The Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance” (Psalm 94:14).
“At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts” (Jeremiah 3:17).
“Thus says the Lord, which gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night...‘If those ordinances depart from before Me,’ says the Lord, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever’” (Jeremiah 31:35-36).
“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely” (Jeremiah 32:37).
“Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel”’” (Ezekiel 11:17).
“Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for which I raised My hand in an oath to give to your fathers” (Ezekiel 20:42).
“And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country” (Ezekiel 34:13).
“Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land”’” (Ezekiel 37:21).
“Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer” (Ezekiel 39:28).
“‘I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them,’ says the Lord your God” (Amos 9:14-15).
Citations:
- Adapted from Don Campbell et al., The Theological Wordbook (Nashville, TN: Word Publishing, 2000), 196.
- Swindoll, ed., The Theological Workbook, 197.
- Randall Price, Jerusalem in Prophecy: God’s Stage for the Final Drama (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1991), 74.
God has the answers to the questions you—and your loved ones—are asking. In Ten Questions Christians Are Asking, Dr. Jeremiah reveals each biblical answer with clarity and assurance.