THE RELEVANCE OF JERUSALEM

(part1)

You need to understand how important is Jerusalem and the State of Israel as the key geographical points on the exact prophetic delineation of the Bible. You need to understand why there are a lot of nations upset and against the Jewish State. It is all prophesied in the Word of God. This hostility will very soon trigger a sequel of prophetic events across the Middle east just before the return of Jesus Christ.

Where, then, is this specifically mentioned in the Word of God?

In His most detailed prophecy of the 'end time', Jesus said, "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation', spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." (Mathew 24:15-16)

What was He talking about?

What was this 'abomination that causes desolation' mentioned by both Daniel and Jesus?

Prophet Daniel refers to it in four places in his book. Two of these refer to the actual historic events in 167 B.C..

"In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future." (Daniel 8:23-26)

"His army forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation." (Daniel 11:31)

Antiochus IV would again invade "the South", but enemy ships would cause him to retreat. On his way back, he plundered Jerusalem, desecrated the temple, and stopped the Jews' daily sacrifices. The temple was desecrated when he sacrificed pigs on an altar erected in honour of Zeus. According to Jewish law, pigs were unclean and were not to be touched or eaten. To sacrifice a pig in the temple was the worst kind of insult an enemy could do against the Jews and in this way he ended not only the daily sacrifices at the temple but also sought to stamp out all presence of the faith of God among the Jews.

The abolishing of the daily sacrifices means the removal of worship of the true God, as well as oppression of believers.

These historic events were a type of what is to happen in the years ahead when sacrifices in Jerusalem will be ended again.

That's what Jesus was talking about. He spoke and affirmed about the event as future and giving us a critical sign to watch for.

I want to make it quite clear that this event could not take place and thus fill its future fulfilment without the presence of the Jews in the land. That is why the Balfour Declaration in 1917 was so important. That is precisely why the State of Israel matters. In today's highly charged political environment in Jerusalem, this seems far removed from reality. That is why the current dust up over President Trump's announcement to move the United States embassy to Jerusalem, the nation's capital, is very important to understand.

When the United Nations makes pronouncements condemning the State of Israel, that also should be understood in the context of the historic and prophetic importance of Jerusalem.

(to be continued ...)