For a period of time yet in the future the City of Jerusalem will be a “cup of trembling” and a “burdensome stone” to all people, to the nations of the world! She is nearly that now, an object of hatred too, in the year 2020 at least. The two terms in “quotation marks” are direct quotes from Zechariah 12:2-3, by the way.
But yet further into the future … for at least a thousand years of Utopia, Biblically called the Millennium … Jerusalem will become the Capital of the whole world! The center of geography! The “City of the great King!” So says Isaiah 48:2, verbatim … “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.”
Listen in our Text today, pay attention to Almighty God as He “testifies” to Israel. Wooing her back to Himself! Isaiah 44:24 … “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself.” Touching words, not a scintilla of judgment in them either!
God immediately continues, verse 25, describing Himself … “That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish.” Down go all Israel’s “stupid” adversaries! Here is God scattering His (and Israel’s) enemies!
One more consecutive verse must be considered … “That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof.” Isaiah 44:26, God establishing/proving/fulfilling the words (the prophecies) of His servants and His messengers (the Prophets of old, including Isaiah), especially their predictions and promises concerning Jerusalem!
Men who have said to Jerusalem … “Thou shalt be inhabited.” Prosperity as never seen before, in an environment of Peace! But there is more, listen intently … “And to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof.”
Wow, real urban renewal!
Yes, Jerusalem will be the “center” of the universe during the Millennium! A City mentioned 811 times in the Bible! No other place comes close, even “Heaven” to be frank!
Salvation miraculously available … “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” Zechariah 13:1, as in “There is a Fountain filled with Blood!”
“And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.” Now quoting Zechariah 14:11.
Even the Psalmist agrees … “The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.” Psalm 128:5
And urges, if not commands … “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6
Yes, God has already filed His coming “change of address” card … “Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 135:21
But I must stop!
Just one more … “The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.” Psalm 147:2, sounds promising!
The Old Testament is often called (in academia anyway) “the Jewish Scriptures” or even “the Jewish Bible” … and while I do not use that term personally … I can see why they do!
No wonder Jesus (during His first earthly Ministry) so loved that City! “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
The Lord willing, more tomorrow …
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