There is
no other city on the earth that is closer to the heart of the G-d of
Israel than the city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). Combining both
the TeNaKh (Old Testament) and the Brit Hadashah (New
Testament), it is mentioned over 800 times. The heavenly Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) is the city of the G-d of Israel (Hebrews 12:22). It
is the city of the great King (Psalm [Tehillim] 48:2, Matthew
[Mattityahu] 5:35). The throne of the G-d of Israel is located in
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) (Ezekiel [Yechezekel] 43:7). It
is from the heavenly Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) that He sits upon
His throne as King of the universe (Psalm [Tehillim] 47:2). The
heavenly Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) is also the city of the Bride
of the G-d of Israel (Revelation 21:2, 9-10).
Both in
ancient and in modern times, Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) has always
been the heartbeat of religious life for the nation of Israel. The
special significance of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) is emphasized
throughout the Bible.
The G-d of Israel placed His name in Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) (II Kings [Melachim] 21:4) and His name
would be there forever (II Chronicles 6:6, 7:16, 33:4).
Abraham (Avraham) offered his son Isaac
(Yitzchak) on mount Moriah in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) in
the event known by the house of Judah (Judaism) as the
Akeida (Genesis [Bereishit] 22).
Three times a year, males from the nation of
Israel went to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) to celebrate the
Biblical Festivals. (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 16:16).
The Temple (Beit HaMikdash) was built in
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). (Psalm [Tehillim] 68:29).
The Priests (Cohanim) and Levites
(Levi’im) taught the Torah and the Sanhedrin administered
the G-d of Israel’s court of justice from Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim). (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 16:18, 17:8-11).
The throne of David was in Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) (I Chronicles 11:3-7).
The Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus
died as the suffering Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah
ben Yosef (Joseph) on a tree in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).
(Matthew (Mattityahu) 16:21, 20:17-19).
The Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) indwelled
and empowered the early Jewish believers in the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim)
(Acts 2).
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) will become the
center of controversy and a cup of trembling to the nations of the
world and all nations will be gathered against her in the end of
days (Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 34:8, Zechariah (Zecharyah)
12:2, 14:2).
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) is the apple of
the G-d of Israel’s eye and He will fight against those nations who
fight against Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) with the plague of
nuclear war (Zechariah [Zecharyah] 2:1-2, 8, 14:3, 12).
The Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus
will set His feet upon the mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim)
as the Kingly Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben
David at His second coming (Zechariah [Zecharyah] 14:4).
The Torah will be taught from Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) by the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus
during the Messianic age (Athid Lavo) (Isaiah [Yeshayahu]
2:2-3) and all nations will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles
(Sukkot) (Zechariah [Zecharyah] 14:16).
JERUSALEM AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE
The city
of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) is constantly in the remembrance of
the Jewish people (house of Judah) as they live their lives. She
is regarded as the "mother of Israel." Prayers are said daily for
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). She is remembered in the prayers of the
Jewish people when they thank the G-d of Israel for their food and when
they have their Sabbath (Shabbat) and holy-day observances. In
fact, the Passover (Pesach) Seder and the Yom Kippur service ends
by proclaiming, "Next Year in Jerusalem." When a Jew says,
"Next Year in Jerusalem," it is actually a prayer for the coming of
the Messianic Age (Athid Lavo).
At the
conclusion of every Jewish wedding ceremony, it is a tradition for the
groom to break a glass (Orach Chaim 560:2, Evven HaEzer
65:3 in Hagah. See Tosafot, Berakhot 31a, s.v. "Isi.").
Among Ashkenazic Jews, the custom is to shout Mazel Tov at this
point. However, Sefardic Jews recite the verse:
"
If
I forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its cunning"
(Psalm [Tehillim] 137:5).
The glass
is broken so that even at the happiest moment of their lives, the bride
and groom should recall the destruction of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).
This is in keeping with the next verse:
"
Let
my tongue stick to my palate if I remember you not, if I set not
Jerusalem above my greatest joy"
(Psalm [Tehillim] 137:6).
The joy
of marriage is associated with the city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).
In Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 33:10-11 it is written:
"
Thus
saith the Lord; Again there shall be heard in this place … even in
the cities of Judah, and in the streets of
Jerusalem
… the voice of joy,
and the voice of gladness,
the voice of the bridegroom,
and
the voice of the bride…"
The
heavenly Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) is the city of the Bride of the
G-d of Israel. In Revelation 21:2, 9-10 it is written:
"
And
I John saw the holy city,
new Jerusalem,
coming down from God out of
heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her
husband …
and there came unto me one of the
seven angels … saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the
Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and
high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem,
descending out of heaven from God."
Every
synagogue in the world is built with the ark on the side toward
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). Therefore, whenever a Jew prays, he
faces the Holy city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). Whenever King
Solomon (Shlomo) dedicated the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) to
the G-d of Israel, it was established that all prayer to the G-d of
Israel should be directed toward Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In I
Kings (Melachim) 8:1, 3, 22-23, 28-30 it is written:
"
Then
Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the
tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto
king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark
of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion
… and all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark
… and Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of
all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward
heaven: And he said, Lord God of Israel … yet have thou respect unto
the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God,
to hearken unto the cry and to the
prayer,
which thy servant prayeth before thee today: that mine eyes may be
open toward this house night and day, even toward
the place
of which thou hast said,
My name shall be there:
that thou mayest hearken unto
the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. And
hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people
Israel,
when they shall pray toward this
place…"
To the
Jewish people, Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) is known as the "gate
of heaven." So much is Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) a focal point
of Jewish heart and life and the joy of the whole earth that it is
written in the Talmud:
"
Ten
measures of beauty descended to this world. Nine were given to
Jerusalem and one to the rest of the world."
To the
Jewish people, the remembrance of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim)
radiates in every aspect of their lives. In truth, it is more than just
a city. It is the heart and soul of the Jewish people and the entire
nation of Israel.
JERUSALEM: THE CITY OF PEACE
Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) is first mentioned in the book of Genesis
(Bereishit) 14:18 by the name of Salem. Salem was an early name for
Jerusalem (Josephus, Antiquity of the Jews, Book 1, Chapter
10:2). In Genesis (Bereishit) 14:18-20 it is written:
"
And
Melchizedek king of Salem
brought forth bread and
wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed
him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of
heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath
delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."
The word
Salem is the Strong’s word (8004) in the Hebrew dictionary.
Shalom is the Strong’s word (7965) in the Hebrew dictionary.
Shalom in Hebrew means "peace, wholeness or to be complete."
Both Salem (8004) and Shalom (7965) come from the Hebrew
word Shalam, which is the Strong’s word (7999).
Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) is the Strong’s word 3389. It is also related to
the Hebrew word shalam which is the Strong’s word (7999) and the
Hebrew word shalom (7965). These are the Hebrew words for
"peace, wholeness or completeness." Therefore, the Hebrew name for
Jerusalem is associated with shalom or peace.
In
Genesis (Bereishit) 14:18, Melchizedek is mentioned as
being the king of Salem. Melchizedek is the Strong’s word (4442)
in the Hebrew dictionary. Melchizedek comes from two Hebrew
words, Melech, and tzedek. Melech is the Strong’s
word (4428) which means, "king." Tzedek is the Strong’s
word (6664) which means, "righteous." Therefore, the king of
Salem (peace) was Melchizedek (the king of righteousness).
THE JEWISH MESSIAH
IS THE KING OF PEACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is the King of
peace and the King of righteousness. He is the High Priest of the G-d of
Israel after the order of Melchizedek. In Hebrews 3:1, 6:20, 7:1-2 it is
written:
"
Wherefore,
holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
Apostle [Shaliach]and High Priest
[Cohen HaGadol]
of our profession
Christ Jesus … made
a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.
For this Melchisedec, king of
Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from
the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham
gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of
righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of
peace."
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is not only a High
Priest (Cohen HaGadol) forever after the order of Melchizedek
(Psalm [Tehillim] 110:4) and the King of righteousness but He is
also the King of peace. In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 9:6 it is written
about the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus:
"
For
unto us
a child is born, unto us a son is
given:
and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace
[Sar Shalom]."
THE AKEIDAH: ABRAHAM BINDS ISAAC
ON MOUNT MORIAH
Genesis
(Bereishit) 22 is one of the most important Torah readings to the
house of Judah (Judaism). In some Jewish communities, it is read
every day of the week except for the Sabbath (Shabbat). It is the
primary Torah reading for Rosh HaShanah (Feast of Trumpets). The
major event of the chapter is Abraham’s obedience to the G-d of Israel
to offer his son Isaac (Yitzchak) as a burnt offering (olah)
and bind him upon an altar. This event is known to the house of Judah
(Judaism) as the Akeidah.
What is
also important in this chapter is that the G-d of Israel provided for
Abraham (Avraham) a lamb for a burnt offering (olah) as a
substitute for Isaac (Yitzchak). When He did, Abraham
(Avraham) called the name of that place "Jehovah-Jireh" which
means "the Lord will see." In Genesis (Bereishit) 22:1-2,
4, 6-8, 13-14 it is written:
"
And
it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and
said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said,
Take now thy son, thy only
son Isaac,
whom thou lovest, and get thee into
the land of
Moriah;
and offer him there for a
burnt offering
upon one of the mountains
which I will tell thee of … Then on the third day Abraham lifted up
his eyes, and saw the place afar off … And Abraham took the wood of
the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the
fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he
said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood:
but where is the lamb
for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide
himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them
together … And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked and behold
behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and
Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt
offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of
that place
Jehovah-jireh:
as it is said to this day,
In the mount of the Lord
it shall be seen."
Mount
Moriah is located in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In II Chronicles
3:1, it is written:
"
Then
Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at
Jerusalem in mount Moriah…"
THE LAMB OF G-D IS THE JEWISH MESSIAH
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus referred to the
binding of Isaac upon the altar as a prophetic foreshadowing of Himself.
In John (Yochanan) 8:56-58, it is written:
"
Your
father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and
hast thou seen Abraham?
Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Before Abraham was, I AM."
Spiritually,
(sod/deeper meaning), Abraham (Avraham) is a type of the
G-d of Israel. Isaac (Yitzchak) is a type of the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus. In a Orthodox Rabbinical
commentary of Genesis (Bereishit) 22, the "thicket"
represents the sins of the children of Israel. When the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus died upon the tree (Deuteronomy
[Devarim] 21:22-23, Galatians 3:13, I Peter [Kefa] 2:24) as
the suffering Messiah known as Messiah ben Yosef (Joseph), He did
so as the spiritual Lamb of the G-d of Israel whom the G-d of Israel
willingly gave as a burnt offering (olah) when He allowed Him to
be bound to the tree to take away the sin of the entire world. In John
(Yochanan) 1:29, it is written:
"
The
next day John seeth,
Jesus
coming unto him, and saith, Behold
the
Lamb of God,which
taketh away
the
sin of the world."
A burnt
offering (olah) is an offering that is totally consumed. It is
freely given and done freely, willingly, and joyfully by both parties
involved. The Bible tells us that the G-d of Israel freely offered the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus who is also the
only Son of the G-d of Israel (Proverbs [Mishlei] 30:4) freely
and the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus was willing
and obedient to His death upon the tree. In Philippians 2:8-11 it is
written:
"
And
being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself,and became
obedient unto death,
even
the death of the cross
[tree]. Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is
above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 53 is written about the suffering Messiah (Mashiach)
known as Messiah ben Yosef (Joseph). In Isaiah (Yeshayahu)
53:1, 4-5, 10, it tells us that G-d the Father offered up the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus willingly as a burnt
offering (olah) for the sins of His people as it is written:
"
Who
hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm [zeroa] of
the Lord revealed? … Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried
our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and
afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised
for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and
with his stripes we are healed … Yet itpleased the Lord to bruise
him;
he hath put him to grief: when thou
shalt make
his soul an offering for sin…"
Therefore,
the binding of Isaac (Yitzchak) to the altar by Abraham
(Avraham) has great significance to both the house of Judah
(Judaism) and the house of Israel (Christianity).
THE G-D OF ISRAEL CHOSE JERUSALEM
TO PUT HIS NAME THERE
The G-d
of Israel chose Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) as His holy city and has
chosen to put His name there. In II Chronicles 6:6 it is written:
"
But
I have
chosen Jerusalem,
that
my name might be there…"
The G-d
of Israel’s name will be in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) forever. In
II Chronicles 7:11-12, 16 it is written:
"
Thus
Solomon finished the house of the Lord … And the Lord appeared to
Solomon by night, and said unto him … For now have I chosen and
sanctified this house, that
my name may be there forever:
and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."
THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES MINISTERED
FROM JERUSALEM
It was
the duty of the Priests (Cohanim) and the Levites (Levi’im)
to teach the Torah from Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) to the children
of Israel. In Deuteronomy (Devarim) 17:8-11 it is written:
"
If
there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood
and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke,
being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou
arise, and get thee up into the place which the Lord thy God shall
choose; And thou shalt come unto the
priests the Levites,
and unto the judge that shall
be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show thee the sentence
of judgment: And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they
of that place which the Lord shall choose shall show thee: and thou
shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee;
According to the sentence of the
law [Torah]which they shall
teach thee,
and according to the judgment
which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline
from the sentence which they shall show thee, to the right hand, nor
to the left."
THE COURT OF JUSTICE IS IN JERUSALEM
The G-d
of Israel established that a court of justice be set up to judge the
children of Israel with righteous judgments. In Deuteronomy (Devarim)
16:18 it is written:
"
Judges
and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord
thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the
people with just judgment."
This
commandment was carried out by the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin
consisted of 71 members. Their commissioning is derived from Numbers
(Bamidbar) 11:16 as it is written:
"
And
the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto meseventy men
of the elders of Israel …
and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they
may stand there with thee."
It was
believed that Moses (Moshe) was the head of the original seventy
elders. Therefore, they consisted of 71 members. During the days of the
Temple (Beit HaMikdash), the Sanhedrin met in the outer
north wall of the Temple in a room known as the Chamber of Cut Stone. As
long as the Sanhedrin convened, it functioned as both the supreme
court and the central legislative body for all Israel. The Sanhedrin
ceased to exist after the destruction of the Temple (Beit HaMikdash)
by the Romans.
THE FESTIVALS ARE TO BE CELEBRATED
IN JERUSALEM
Three
times a year, the G-d of Israel instructed the males from the nation of
Israel to keep the Feasts of the Lord (Leviticus [Vayikra] 23) in
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In Deuteronomy (Devarim) 16:16
it is written:
"
Three
times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God
in the place which he shall choose; in the
feast of unleavened bread,
and in the
feast of weeks,
and in the
feast of tabernacles…"
THE JEWISH MESSIAH CELEBRATED THE FESTIVALS
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus celebrated the
Festivals of the G-d of Israel. In Luke 2:41-42, He celebrated Passover
(Pesach) as it is written:
"
Now
his parents went to
Jerusalem every year
at the
feast of the passover.
And when he was twelve years
old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast."
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus celebrated the
Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). In John (Yochanan) 7:2,
37-38 it is written:
"
Now
the Jews
feast of tabernacles
was at hand …In the last day, that great day of the feast,
Jesus
stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me,
and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out
of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS
ARE GIVEN IN JERUSALEM
The G-d
of Israel commanded that various kinds of sacrifices and offerings be
given in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In Deuteronomy (Devarim)
12:11, 14:22-23, it is written:
"
Then
there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause
his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command
you; your
burnt offerings,
and your
sacrifices,
your
tithes,
and the
heave offering
of your hand, and all your
choice vows which ye vow unto the Lord … Thou shalt truly tithe all
the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by
year. And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which
he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of
thy wine and of thine oil, and the
firstlings
of thy
herds
and of thy
flocks;that thou mayest learn
to fear the Lord thy God always…
THE TEMPLE WAS BUILT IN JERUSALEM
The
Temple (Beit HaMikdash) was built in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).
In Psalm (Tehillim) 68:29 it is written:
"
Because
of
thy temple at Jerusalem
shall kings bring presents unto thee."
THE THRONE OF DAVID WAS IN JERUSALEM
The
throne of David was in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In I Chronicles
11:3-5 it is written:
"
Therefore
came all the elders of Israel … and they anointed
David king over Israel
… and David and all Israel
went to
Jerusalem …
David took the castle of Zion,
which is the city of David…"
THE JEWISH MESSIAH WILL SIT
ON THE THRONE OF DAVID
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus was born to sit on
the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob which
consists of the house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of
Israel (Christianity) forever. In Luke 1:30-33 it is written:
"
And
the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary
[Miryam]:
for thou hast found favor with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son,
and shalt call his name
Jesus [Yeshua].
He shall be great, and
shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give
unto him the
throne of his father David:And he shall reign over
the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."
THE JEWISH MESSIAH DIED AND
WAS RESURRECTED IN JERUSALEM
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus died as the
suffering Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben Yosef
(Joseph) on a tree in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In Matthew (Mattityahu)
16:21, it is written:
"
From
that time forth began
Jesus [Yeshua]to show unto his
disciples [talmidim],
how that he must
go unto Jerusalem,
and suffer many things of the
elders and chief priests and scribes, and
be killed,
and
be raised again the third day."
THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERED JEWISH BELIEVERS OF YESHUA
IN JERUSALEM
The Holy
Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) empowered the Jewish (house of Judah)
believers in Yeshua/Jesus as the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)
to be His witnesses on the day of Shavuot (Pentecost). In Luke
24:44-49 it is written:
"
And
he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while
I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were
written in the law
[Torah]of Moses,
and in the prophets
[Nevi’im]and in the
Psalms [Ketuvim],
concerning me. Then opened he their
understanding that they might understand the Scriptures, And said
unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ
[Mashiach]
to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that
repentance [Teshuvah] and remission of sins should be
preached in his name among all nations,beginning at Jerusalem.
And
ye are
witnesses of these things. And,
behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: buttarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem,
until ye
be endued with power
from on high."
This was
fulfilled in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) on the day of Pentecost
(Shavuot). In Acts 2:1-5 it is written:
"
And
when
the day of Pentecost
was fully come, they were all
with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from
heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues
like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost [Ruach HaKodesh],
and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance. And
there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,devout men, out of
every nation under heaven."
THE ANCIENT BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM
The
prophets of Israel wrote that the final battle of the age before the
coming of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) will be a battle of the
nations over Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In truth, this battle over
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) is an ancient battle between the kingdom
of darkness (HaSatan) and the kingdom of light (the kingdom of
the G-d of Israel).
The
modern battle over Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) is being played out
among the actors on the world’s stage who are participating in this
ancient battle. For those who have rejected the G-d of Israel as King of
the Universe, their plans, ideas, beliefs and ideology are being
influenced by the kingdom of darkness (HaSatan). They desire to
divide the Promised Land of the G-d of Israel and desire to make
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) an international city. For those who put
their faith, trust and confidence (emunah) in the G-d of Israel
and His promises to His people and follow after the kingdom of light,
they oppose dividing the land which the G-d of Israel promised to
Abraham (Avraham) and his descendents forever through Isaac
(Yitzchak) and Jacob (Ya’acov) and want Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) to be the eternal undivided capital of the nation of
Israel.
LUCIFER DESIRES G-D’S THRONE
The
origin of this battle over Jerusalem took place before the creation of
Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden) when HaSatan tried
to overthrow the throne of the G-d of Israel in the heavenly Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim). In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 14:12-14 it is
written:
"
How
art thou fallen from heaven, O
Lucifer,
son of the morning! How art
thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in
thine heart,
I will ascend into heaven, I will
exalt my throne above the stars of God:
I will sit also upon the
mount of the congregation in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the
most High."
The
throne of the G-d of Israel is in the heavenly Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) (Hebrews 12:22) in mount Zion, on the sides of the
north, which is the city of the great King. In Psalm (Tehillim)
48:1-2 it is written:
"
Great
is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in
the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation the joy of the
whole earth, is
mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
the city of the great King."
Therefore,
HaSatan stirred a rebellion against the G-d of Israel in the
heavenlies with the desire and purpose to exalt his throne above the G-d
of Israel and to sit upon the throne of the G-d of Israel in the
heavenly Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In doing so, HaSatan
wanted to establish a government in the heavenlies without the G-d of
Israel.
SATAN IS CAST OUT OF HEAVEN
When
HaSatan rebelled against the G-d of Israel, he was cast down. The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus witnessed this
event. In Luke 10:18 it is written:
"
And
he said unto them, I beheld
Satan
as lightning
fall from heaven."
When
HaSatan was cast out of heaven, one-third of the angelic hosts
rebelled with HaSatan against the G-d of Israel and were cast out
of heaven also. In Revelation 12:3-4 it is written:
"
And
there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great
red dragon,
having seven heads and ten
horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And
his tail drew
the
third part
of the stars of heaven, and
did cast them to the earth…"
THE TOWER OF BABEL:
WORLD GOVERNMENT ON THE EARTH
When the
G-d of Israel created Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden), this
ancient battle between the G-d of Israel and HaSatan began to be
played out on the earth through mankind. When HaSatan tempted
Eve, he told her the ancient lie that he believed when he tried to
overthrow the throne of the G-d of Israel in the heavenly Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) by telling her that she could be like gods. In
Genesis (Bereishit) 3:4-5 it is written:
"
And
the serpent said
unto the woman, Ye shall not
surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then
your eyes shall be opened,
and ye shall be as gods,
knowing good and evil."
In the
process of time, HaSatan inspired the people on the earth to try
to establish the first world government without the G-d of Israel and
exalt themselves and their name above the G-d of Israel and reject Him
as being King over all the earth. In Genesis (Bereishit) 11:1, 4
it is written:
"
And
the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech … And they
said, Go to, let us build
us a city
and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make
us a name,
lest we be scattered abroad
upon the face of the whole earth."
When the
people of the earth through the inspiration of the kingdom of darkness (HaSatan)
rebelled against the G-d of Israel and tried to build a city and a tower
that would reach unto heaven and exalt their name above the G-d of
Israel, the G-d of Israel judged their evil plan and it was called the
tower of Babel. In Genesis (Bereishit) 11:8-9 it is written:
"
So
the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the
earth: and they left off to build the city.
Therefore is the name of
it called Babel;
because the Lord did there confound
the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter
them abroad upon the face of all the earth."
THE RESURRECTION OF THE TOWER OF BABEL
The tower
of Babel became a blueprint of HaSatan’s rebellion against the
G-d of Israel through the people living on the earth. This has continued
throughout the ages and will be brought to its final conclusion in the
ends of days when the nations of the world try to resurrect the tower of
Babel and establish a world government without the G-d of Israel. The
goal of the framers of world government is to make the city of Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) the capital of this godless "New World Order."
This
end-time plan of the nations to resurrect the tower of Babel and to
create a world government without the rule of the G-d of Israel was
given for us to understand as a type and shadow by the G-d of Israel
through the world empires of Egypt (Mitzrayim), Babylon, Greece
and Rome. The preview of these world kingdoms as a type and shadow of
world government at the end of the age (Olam Hazeh) was given to
Daniel the prophet. With the conclusion of the last world kingdom seen
by Daniel the prophet (which is world government or the "New World
Order" and a resurrection of the tower of Babel of old), the G-d of
Israel will crush this end-time world government at the same time when
they try to make Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) an international city.
After this, the G-d of Israel through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus will set up His world government which will be a
Torah based government during the Messiah age (Athid Lavo). In
Daniel 7:1-3, 7, 9-10, 13-14 it is written:
"
In
the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and
visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told
the sum of the matters. Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by
night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the
great sea. And
four great beasts
[future world kingdoms]
came up from the sea,
diverse one from another
… After this I saw in the
night visions, and behold a fourth beast
[the last world kingdom which is world government or the "New World
Order"] dreadful and terrible,
and strong exceedingly … and it had
ten horns
… I beheld till the thrones
were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was
white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his
throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A
fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand
thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand
stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened …
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the
Son of man
came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and
they brought him near before him. And there was
given him dominion,
and
glory, and
a kingdom,
that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his
dominion is an
everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away, and
his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."
Daniel’s
vision will be fulfilled in the end of days when the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus will return to the earth as the Kingly
Messiah known as Messiah ben David, defend Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) and crush the resurrected tower of Babel known as
world government or the "New World Order." This will happen
during the days when the nations of the world seek to divide the land of
Israel and make Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) an international city
and the capital of their world government.
The
ancient battle between the kingdom of darkness (HaSatan) and the
kingdom of light (the kingdom of the G-d of Israel) which originated
before the creation of Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden) when
HaSatan tried to overtake the throne of the G-d of Israel in the
heavenly Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) will be played out on the earth
in the end of days over the land that the G-d of Israel promised Abraham
(Avraham) and His descendents forever through Isaac (Yitzchak)
and Jacob (Ya’acov) and over the sovereignty of the city of
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). The G-d of Israel described this battle
through the prophet Isaiah (Yeshayahu) as the "controversy of
Zion."
The
"controversy of Zion" (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 34:8) will conclude
with the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus fighting
against the nations (Zechariah [Zecharyah] 14:2-3), defending the
city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), delivering/saving the nation of
Israel from her enemies, ending the exile and bringing about the
reunification of the two houses of Israel (Ezekiel [Yechezekel]
37:15-28) and establishing the Messianic Age (Athid Lavo).
THE CONTROVERSY OF ZION
In the
end of days, the city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) will become a
stumbling block and a cup of trembling for all the nations who will be
gathered against her because of the controversy of Zion. In Zechariah
(Zecharyah) 12:1-3 it is written:
"
The
burden of the word of the Lord for Israel saith the Lord, which
stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the
earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make
Jerusalem a cup of
trembling
unto all the people round about, when
they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
And in that day will I make
Jerusalem a burdensome stone
for all people: all that
burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the
people of the earth be gathered together against it."
In Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 34:1-3, 8 it is written:
"
Come
near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth
hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come
forth of it. For the
indignation of the Lord is upon all
nations, and his fury upon
all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered
them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their
stink shall come up out of their carcasses, and the mountains shall
be melted with their blood … for it isthe day of the Lord’s
vengeance, and the year of
recompences for
the controversy of Zion."
WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY OF ZION?
How will
the nations be gathered against Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) and what
is the controversy of Zion? The controversy of Zion is over two primary
issues. The first is the controversy of the covenant that the G-d of
Israel made with Abraham (Avraham) and His descendents forever
when He promised them a land. The descendents of Abraham (Avraham)
became the house of Jacob. The house of Jacob consists of
the house of Judah (Southern Kingdom) and the house of Israel
(Northern Kingdom). Secondly, the controversy of Zion is over the
future, destiny and sovereignty of the city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).
G-D WILL JUDGE THE NATIONS
FOR DIVIDING HIS LAND
The G-d
of Israel promised that He will judge all the nations for dividing His
land. In Joel (Yoel) 3:1-2 it is written:
"
For,
behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again
the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
I will also gather all nations,
and will bring them down into
the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will
plead with them
there for my people and for my
heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and
parted my land."
UN RESOLUTIONS: LAND FOR PEACE
The plan
of the nations of the world to divide the land that the G-d of Israel
promised to Abraham (Avraham) and His descendents forever through
Isaac (Yitzchak) and Jacob (Ya’acov) is being expressed by
the nations of the world through the United Nations based upon UN
Resolutions 181, 242 and 338. UN Resolution 181 was passed by the United
Nations in 1947. The idea of this plan was to establish a Jewish state,
a Palestinian state and make Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) an
international city. This plan by the nations is the foundation for the
controversy of Zion. This plan does not recognize the covenant that the
G-d of Israel made with Abraham (Avraham) and does not recognize
the sovereignty of the G-d of Israel over the city of Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim).
UN
Resolution 242 was passed following Israel’s 1967 war with her Arab
neighbors when the entire city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) came
into the hands of the Jewish people (house of Judah). UN
Resolution 338 was passed following Israel’s 1973 Yom Kippur war with
her Arab neighbors. UN Resolutions 242 and 338 is based upon the
principle of Israel trading "land for peace."
In
trading "land for peace", the nations of the world are rejecting
the covenant that the G-d of Israel made with Abraham (Avraham)
and His descendents forever through Isaac (Yitzchak) and Jacob
(Ya’acov). In Leviticus (Vayikra) 25:23 it is written:
"
The
land shall not be sold forever:for the land is mine; for ye are
strangers and sojourners with me."
THE PLO AND THE ARAB NATIONS SEEK
TO DESTROY THE NATION OF ISRAEL
Furthermore,
the nations of the world are putting their trust in having a "just,
lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East" into the hands
of Yasser Arafat and the PLO. Yasser Arafat is a murderer and a
terrorist and the PLO was founded to destroy the nation of Israel and
drive them into the sea. It is completely illogical for the nations of
the world to believe that there can be a "just, comprehensive and
lasting peace in the Middle East" by putting their trust for peace
into the hands of a murderer and a terrorist (Yasser Arafat) and an
organization (PLO) which was founded with the initial goal of destroying
the nation of Israel and driving them into the sea. The plans of the PLO
in confederacy with her Arab nations to destroy the nation of Israel and
drive them into the sea is prophesied in Psalm (Tehillim) 83:1-8
as it is written:
"
Keep
not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O
God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee
have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy
people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
They have said, Come,
andlet us cut them off
from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in
remembrance.
For they have consulted together with
one consent:
they are confederate against thee:
The tabernacles of Edom, and
the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and
Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is
joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot. Selah."
G-D WILL JUDGE THE NATIONS
This
injustice by the nations of the world against the Jewish people and the
nation of Israel by rejecting the covenant that the G-d of Israel made
with Abraham and His descendents forever and by rejecting the
sovereignty of the city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) will bring
the wrath of the G-d of Israel upon the nations of the world. The wrath
of the G-d of Israel will be fully expressed during the period of time
known as the tribulation or Jacob’s (Ya’acov’s) trouble to the
house of Israel (Christianity) and as the Chevlai shel Mashiach
or the birth pangs of the Messiah to the house of Judah
(Judaism). The wicked plan of the nations and the judgment of the G-d of
Israel against the nations because of the controversy of Zion is spoken
about in Psalm (Tehillim) 2:1-4 as it is written:
"
Why
do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth
set themselves and the rulers
take counsel
together,
against the Lord,
and
against his anointed,
saying, Let us break their
bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in
the heavens shall laugh:
the Lord shall have them in derision."
Because
of the wicked plans of the kings of the earth against the L-rd, against
His land, against His people and against His holy city of Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim), the nations of the world will drink the cup of the
wrath of the G-d of Israel. In Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 25:15-17,
27-28 it is written:
"
For
thus saith the Lord God of Israel unto me; Take the
wine cup
of this fury
at my hand, and
cause all the nations,
to whom I send thee,
to drink it.
And they shall drink, and be
moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.
Then took I the cup at the Lord’s hand, and made all the nations to
drink, unto whom the Lord had sent me …Therefore thou shalt say unto
them, thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and
be drunken, and
spew,
and
fall,
and rise no more, because of the
sword which I will send among you. And it shall be, if they refuse
to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto
them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink."
The G-d
of Israel will judge the nations who come against the city of Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) with the plague of nuclear warfare. In Zechariah
(Zecharyah) 14:12 it is written:
"
And
this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smiteall the people
that have
fought against Jerusalem;Their
flesh
shallconsume away
while they stand upon their feet,
and their eyes shall consume away in
their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth."
THE SCORNFUL MEN WHO RULE JERUSALEM
Not only
will the nations of the world be severely chastised because of the
controversy of Zion but the nation of Israel will also be severely
chastised by the G-d of Israel for agreeing to the plan of the nations
of the world to divide the land of Israel and make Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) an international city. By agreeing to these plans,
the nation of Israel will experience the most difficult time in her
existence as a nation. This period of time is known by the house of
Israel (Christianity) as the tribulation or Jacob’s (Ya’acov’s)
trouble and to the house of Judah (Judaism) as the Chevlai
shel Mashiach or the birth pangs of the Messiah.
The G-d
of Israel through the prophet Isaiah (Yeshayahu) warns of the
scornful attitude of the modern day leaders of the nation of Israel who
have no regard for the land that the G-d of Israel promised to Abraham
(Avraham) and his descendents forever through Isaac (Yitzchak)
and Jacob (Ya’acov) and the judgment which will come upon them
and the nation of Israel as a result of their scornful attitude. In
Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 28:14-18 it is written:
"
Wherefore
hear the word of the Lord, ye
scornful men,
that
rule this people
which is in
Jerusalem.
Because ye have said, We have
made
a covenant with death,
and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge
shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for
we have made lies our
refuge,
and under falsehood have we hid
ourselves: Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion
for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a
sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.
Judgment also will I lay
to the line, and
righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the
refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And
your covenant with death
shall be disannulled,
and your agreement with hell shall
not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye
shall be trodden down by it."
THE NATION OF ISRAEL WILL SUFFER
GREAT TRIBULATION
Because
of the rejection of the covenant that the G-d of Israel made with
Abraham (Avraham) and the embracing of the "covenant with
death" as advocated by the nations of the world, the scornful
leaders and the entire nation of Israel will experience their most
difficult time that they have ever experienced as a nation. However, the
wise will understand these things and give instruction and counsel to
many. In Daniel 12:1-3 it is written:
"
And
at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth
for the children of thy people: and there shall be a
time of trouble such as
never was since there was a nation
even to that same time: and at that
time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found
written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the
earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and
everlasting contempt. And they that be
wise shall shine
as the brightness of the
firmament; and they that
turn many to righteousness
as the stars forever and ever."
THE G-D OF ISRAEL WILL PURIFY HIS PEOPLE
During
this time, the G-d of Israel will bring His people through the fire and
refine them as silver is refined and try them as gold is tried. They
will call upon the name of the L-rd and the L-rd will deliver His people
through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. In
Zechariah (Zecharyah) 13:9 it is written:
"
And
I will bring the
third part
through the
fire,
and will
refine them
as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall
call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people:
and they shall say, The Lord is my God."
THE JEWISH MESSIAH WILL SAVE
THE NATION OF ISRAEL
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus will arise as a
mighty warrior and save the nation of Israel and deliver them from their
enemies when they call upon His name. In Luke 13:35 it is written:
"…
verily
I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye
shall say,
Blessed is he that cometh in the name
of the Lord."
In that
day when the nations of the world seek to destroy the city of Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim), the G-d of Israel will pour out the spirit of
grace and supplication upon the house of David and the city of Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim). When the nation of Israel calls upon the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus, He will save them and deliver
them from their enemies. In Zechariah (Zecharyah) 12:8-10 it is
written:
"
In
that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he
that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the
house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before
them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that
I will seek to destroy all
the nations that come against Jerusalem.
And I will pour upon the house
of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace
and supplications: and
they shall look upon me whom they
have pierced,
and they shall mourn for him, as one
mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as
one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."
THE JEWISH MESSIAH WILL FIGHT FOR JERUSALEM
When the
nations of the world seek to destroy Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) and
when the nation of Israel calls upon the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus for their deliverance, the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus will fight against those nations and
defend the covenant that the G-d of Israel made with Abraham
(Avraham) and His descendents forever, the land, the people and the
city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). Then, He will set His feet down
upon the mount of Olives and be King over all the earth. In Zechariah
(Zecharyah) 14:2-4, 9 it is written:
"
For
I will gather all nations
against Jerusalem
to battle … then shall the
Lord go forth, andfight against those
nations,
as when he fought in the day of
battle. And
his feet shall stand
in that day upon the
mount of Olives,
which is before Jerusalem on
the east … And the Lord shall be
king over all the earth:
in that day shall there be one
Lord, and his name one."
THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS KING OF THE UNIVERSE AND HIS
THRONE IS IN JERUSALEM
The G-d
of Israel is King over all the earth and the city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim)
is the place of His throne. Psalm 47 is a coronation psalm proclaiming
that the G-d of Israel is King over all the earth. In Psalm
(Tehillim) 47:1-9, it is written:
"
O
clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of
triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over
all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations
under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the
excellency of Jacob
[both the house of Israel (Christianity) and the house of Judah
(Judaism)]whom he
loved. Selah. God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound
of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto
our King, sing praises. For
God is the King of all the earth:sing ye praises with
understanding. God reigneth over the heathen:
God sitteth upon the
throne
of his holiness. The princes of the
people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham:
for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted."
The G-d
of Israel is our King of glory. In Psalm (Tehillim) 24:1, 8, 10
it is written:
"
The
earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof; the world, and they
that dwell therein …
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle
… Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah."
In Psalm
(Tehillim) 48:2, it is written:
"
Beautiful
for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is
mount Zion,
on the sides of the north, the
city of the great King."
The
throne of the G-d of Israel is in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In
Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 3:17 it is written:
"
At
that time they shall call
Jerusalem the throne of the Lord…"
THE G-D OF ISRAEL WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
THE CITY OF JERUSALEM
Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) is always in the remembrance of the G-d of Israel.
In Psalm (Tehillim) 137:5-6 it is written:
"
If
I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If
I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my
mouth; if I prefer not
Jerusalem
above
my chief joy."
THE MESSIAH REMEMBERS
THE CITY OF JERUSALEM
Traditional
Judaism (house of Judah) expects that the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach) will fulfill two primary roles. He will be a suffering
Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben Yosef (Joseph) as
well as being a Kingly Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben
David. However, traditional Judaism (house of Judah) believes
that these two roles will be fulfilled by two different people. The
suffering Messiah (Mashiach) was seen as being a humble Messiah
(Mashiach) who would ride into Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) on
a donkey. On the other hand, the Kingly Messiah (Mashiach) was
seen as riding on a white horse.
In the
weekly Internet Orthodox Jewish Parasha Ki-Tetze 5757 written by
Orthodox Jewish Rabbi Mordecai Kornfeld who is associated with Ohr
Somayach, he writes about the Messiah (Mashiach) and his role
of riding on a donkey and on a (white) horse. In the article, he
explains that horses represent war and conquest. Furthermore, he states
in this parasha that the prophet (Zecharyah 9:9) describes
the Messiah as "a poor man, riding upon a donkey." He then explains that
the Gemara(Sanhedrin 98a) describes how King Shevor of
Persia scoffed:
"Why doesn’t your Messiah come riding on a horse?
If he lacks one, I’ll be glad to provide him with one of my best!"
The
article continues and the question is asked:
"Why, indeed, should the Messiah come on a
donkey? Isn’t a horse a more appropriate sign of military victory?"
Rabbi
Kornfeld’s article concludes with the response that the answer may be
learned from the words of the Gemara earlier on that same page
(ibid.). A poor man on a donkey is a description of how the Messiah will
appear if the Jews are not found deserving of a spectacular salvation.
Whether we deserve it or not, we will eventually be redeemed; however,
if we are not deserving the Messiah will only arrive riding on a donkey.
A horse is a sign of proud conquest; this Messiah will provide but a
humble Exodus. As the Gemara says in Shabbat152a:
"
One who
rides a
horse is a king; one who rides a donkey is but
a freeman."
THE JEWISH MESSIAH RODE ON A DONKEY
The
house of Israel (Christianity) understands that the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus will fulfill both the role of the
suffering Messiah (Mashiach) known by the house of Judah
(Judaism) as Messiah ben Yosef (Joseph) as well as the role of
the Kingly Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben David.
The suffering Messiah rode humbly into Jerusalem (Yerushalayim)
at His first coming on a donkey and proceeded to weep over the city of
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) because of her future destruction which
happened in 70 CE. At His second coming, He will ride in conquest and
victory on a white horse. In Matthew (Mattityahu) 21:1-9 it is
written:
"
And
when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto
the mount of Olives, then sent
Jesus two disciples, Saying unto
them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall
find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them
unto me. And if any man say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord
hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was
done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,
saying, Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold,
thy king cometh unto thee,
meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt
the foal of an ass. And the
disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the
ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him
thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the
way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in
the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed,
cried, saying,
Hosanna to the son of David:
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the
highest."
After the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus rode into the city
of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) humbly on a donkey as the suffering
Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben Yosef (Joseph), He
wept over the city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) realizing her
future destruction to come by the Romans in 70 CE. In Luke 19:41-44 it
is written:
"
And
when he was come near,
he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Saying, If thou hadst known,
even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto
thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall
come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee,
and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall
lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and
they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou
knewest not the time of thy visitation."
THE JEWISH MESSIAH WILL RIDE
ON A WHITE HORSE
When the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus returns to the
earth at His second coming as the Kingly Messiah (Mashiach) known
as Messiah ben David, He will ride on a white horse as a mighty
warrior in victory over His enemies. In Revelation 19:11-16 it is
written:
"
And
I saw heaven opened, and behold a
white horse;and
he that sat upon him
was called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a
flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name
written that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a
vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called
The Word of God.
And the armies which were in
heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white
and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he
should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:
and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of
Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name
written,
King of kings, and Lord of lords."
When the
nations of the world gather against Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus will fight against
those nations as a mighty man of war. Following His victory over the
nations in battle, He will set His feet down on the mount of Olives and
be King over all the earth. In Zechariah (Zecharyah) 14:2-4, 9 it
is written:
"
For
I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle … Then shall
the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he
fought in the day of battle. And
his feet shall stand in that day upon
the mount of Olives …
And the
Lord shall be king over all the
earth: in that day shall
there be one Lord, and his name one."
Following
this event, the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus
will set up His Messianic Kingdom and rule and reign on the earth from
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) teaching the Torah to all nations. In
Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 2:2-3 it is written:
"
And
it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the
Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and
shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto
it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to
the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the G-d 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 [TORAH],
and the word of the Lord from
Jerusalem."
The G-d
of Israel desires to someday have a Torah based world government with
the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus ruling,
reigning and teaching the nations of the world the Torah of the G-d of
Israel from Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). When this happens, peace
(shalom) will come upon the entire earth. May the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus come to the earth as the Kingly
Messiah known as Messiah ben David and bring redemption,
restoration, reconciliation and unity to both houses of Israel and usher
in the Messianic Age speedily in our days. Amen!
The Northern Kingdom (Ephraim) and the
Southern Kingdom (Judah) differed both politically and religiously. They
have never been united since the split between them following the days
of Solomon. The Northern Kingdom was taken captive by the Assyrians.
Upon their captivity, the Ten Tribes have been assimilated and
intermingled into the nations of the world. The intermarriage of the
Assyrians and the descendents of the Northern Kingdom who lived in the
land of Israel were known as Samaritans. The Jews and the Samaritans
never got along with each other. Joseph being sold by his brothers
foreshadows the dividing of the nation of Israel into Northern Kingdom
and Southern Kingdom. Joseph's unification with His brothers foreshadows
the unification of Ephraim and Judah in the end of days. Ezekiel lying
on his side foreshadows the sin and punishment of the Northern Kingdom.
The suffering of a righteous individual can atone for the sins of the
nation of Israel. The suffering of Ezekiel foreshadows the suffering of
the Messiah for His people. The Ten Tribes did not unite with Judah at
the end of the Babylonian captivity during the days of Ezra and
Nehemiah. Orthodox Jews pray three times a day for the ingathering of
the exiles of Israel. The Ten Tribes will return to the land of Israel
and be united with Judah at the dawn of the Messianic Era. It is the
Messiah who will gather the exiles of Israel.
There is
no other city on the earth that is closer to the heart of the G-d of
Israel than the city of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). Combining both
the TeNaKh (Old Testament) and the Brit Hadashah (New
Testament), it is mentioned over 800 times. The heavenly Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) is the city of the G-d of Israel (Hebrews 12:22). It
is the city of the great King (Psalm [Tehillim] 48:2, Matthew
[Mattityahu] 5:35). The throne of the G-d of Israel is located in
Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) (Ezekiel [Yechezekel] 43:7). It
is from the heavenly Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) that He sits upon
His throne as King of the universe (Psalm [Tehillim] 47:2). The
heavenly Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) is also the city of the Bride
of the G-d of Israel (Revelation 21:2, 9-10).