Christ Will Fight For Jerusalem

The Return of Christ

Christ will indeed return in power and glory at the last trumpet blast. We celebrate that on this special holy day. He comes to judge the nations as king of kings, and implement the will of God on earth for 1,000 years.

Let's look into the important supporting role played by Israel during that historic turning point.

Zechariah 14:1-4 the nations gather to battle Jerusalem… Judah and the city are attacked and over-run. Then Christ will descend upon the Mount of Olives to battle the gathered armies (Revelation 19:19).

Zechariah 14:12-15 Christ will use similar tactics to what He used when Assyria surrounded Jerusalem in the days of Hezekiah.

Zechariah 12:1-5 Jerusalem has become the focal point of international resolve. They will decide they have had enough of this troublesome nation and all that it represents. Judah and Jerusalem have no great wealth or natural resources to gain control of... the importance of Jerusalem is that it is the one place on earth that represents the presence of this troublesome God YHWH, with His rules, His warnings of judgment, His claims to rule over us all.

Psalm 2:2 humanity does not want God to rule over them, judge them, or tell them what to do. And Israel and Jerusalem remind them of everything they despise.

God Works Through Jerusalem

 YHWH is zealously interested in that chunk of real estate called Jerusalem. What happens there reflects upon His name, His reputation, and how He is seen and understood by the nations. Jerusalem has seen good time and bad... God uses both as teachable moments for the nations. The lesson are there for all to see... even today… and even in the future.

2166 BC. Abraham was called and sent to live in Canaan. God promised to give the land of the Canaanites to Abraham's descendants. Canaan's evil behavior was reflecting badly on God's presence there. In Salem there was a priest of the one true God... a priest named Melchizedek.

1406 BC. God redeems Israel from Egypt, they receive His covenant, He then moves them into the land to replace the previous inhabitants. Israel was given God's law, and a system to atonement for trespasses. In this way they had been sufficiently equipped to properly represent YHWH in the land. God would bless them for obedience intending that the surrounding nations will see these blessings, associate them with Israel's knowledge of YHWH, and seek out the same knowledge for themselves.

722 BC Northern Israel grossly violated the covenant through evil and sin. They are punished with exile in Assyria. Judah also violates the covenant through evil and sin. Jerusalem falls to the Babylonian army in 586 BC… Judah is exiled from the land. Even in tragedy, YHWH teaches the nations about His nature.

1. His centuries long patience and forbearance with Israel teaches about His great patience with sinners, giving time for repentance… encouraging them to change.
2. His judgment upon them and the penalty of exile teaches that He will not overlook evil. The penalty for disobedience will come. Furthermore, He is just. All must answer equally for their sins even God's chosen people.

516 BC God restores a repentant Israel to the land and they build a small replacement temple in Jerusalem. Israel’s restoration teaches about YHWH’s great mercy and forgiveness. A lesson played out  on the international stage.

31 AD Judah rejects Jesus, the Messiah, who has come to His own temple in Jerusalem. Then, in 70 AD Roman armies drive them out of the land and destroy Jerusalem completely. The lesson... without Christ there is no covenant with God.

1948 AD (76 years ago) a portion of Judah returned to the land... in 1967 they reclaimed Jerusalem. The stage is now set for Christ's return to unfold as prophesied in Zechariah. You could not have said this 100 years ago... Judah was not in the land... they did not possess Jerusalem.

The nations have not yet gathered together to attack Israel, but they will. Because Judah’s presence in Jerusalem is a reminder of the God humanity will not accept as King, or Judge… and at that time…

Christ Will Fight For Jerusalem

Does modern Israel properly represent Christ? Israel reflects certain biblical values; compassion, equity, freedom, consent... but not without huge contradictions... morally, they have most of the same vices and commandment breaking problems found in our own country.

Also, the people of modern Israel have not accepted Jesus as Messiah. They have not accepted Him as their atonement for sins against YHWH. Their sins are left not atoned for and they are defiled. Why will Christ fight for them?

Ezekiel 36:2 the nations will say they have won and rid themself of the God of judgment and law. But Christ will fight for Jerusalem and return Israel to the land…

Ezekiel 36:20-36 He fights not for their sake… but for what it tells people about God. The purpose is to teach all the nations yet another lesson.

• The God of Abraham, the God of the bible... is the one doing battle with them.
• The God who gave Israel the law, gave Israel the land, judged Israel, punished Israel and forgave Israel is real
• The God who came to Israel as redeemer, but was rejected  is alive, active, and the same as ever.

Christ Will Purify Israel

Israel's spiritual purification involves a lot of suffering and tribulation. They are attacked, they are overcome, they are abused and many are killed.

Zechariah 13:1-4 He will remove the false teachings that cloud their minds like a veil of darkness. Israel can start thinking straight... without deception. Ezekiel told us God's spirit would begin working with them in a new way so they can understand. No longer spiritually blinded.

Zechariah 12:10-11 they will receive their Messiah and repent. They will receive mercy and forgiveness. God will bless them more than He ever had in the past. Which sets up their future role in the millennial rule of Christ.

Zechariah 8:23 The nations will see that their own rebellion against the God of Abraham can be overcome, forgiven, and they too can be blessed… and they will seek out these good things for themself.

Conclusion

One final lesson: If God is faithful to the promise made to Abraham and his children... in spite of all their mistakes… God will be faithful to you.