By Matthew Clark
This is an article predicting that one day the Holy City of Jerusalem will be under the control of individuals who worship our Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless with the recent events in Gaza it is relevant to briefly touch upon the present secular situation in Israel.
A dispassionate analysis of the governing bodies of both the Israeli government, as well as Hamas, indicates a genocidal mentality among both groups. To the extent that this impulse is held in check can be attributed to the disapproval of some of their allies, and that of a significant number (not necessarily a majority) of their own constituents. Therefore from a moral perspective to endorse one side, or the other, is counter productive. Furthermore since Israel itself in any political form is not an essential interest to North American nations, it is nonsensical to get involved in it's present political morass. Non-intervention is the preferred geopolitical position for Western Hemisphere states.
That being said, who shall rule Jerusalem is of importance to the soul of every human being on earth.
It is an indictment on the state of contemporary Christianity that, presently, most Christians are conducting a vehement debate on whether Jewish, or Islamic, worshippers should control the Holy City of Jerusalem. From a Christian viewpoint Jerusalem is Holy to Christians because it is Holy to Jesus. With the Resurrection of Jesus, and his presence there throughout that period of time, Jerusalem became the centre of Christianity!
Yet today Christians residing in Jerusalem are treated as second class citizens. In Jewish controlled Jerusalem the Latin Patriarch Pierbattista claims, with justification, that the Israel government is persecuting Christians. Jews regularly harras clergy while also vandalizing their property. Why any Christian nation would tolerate such a condition is bewildering. It is also true Moslem political entities, such as Gaza, or the West Bank, also treat Chrisitians as second class citizens. That does not make the Israel behaviour any less repugnant. It only means, as in much of the midddle east, there are many bad actors.
Even if one were to ignore the religious aspect of this issue (not advisable) common justice itself calls for this situation to be remedied. We have a wonderful legacy in the west (sadly fading) of individual rights. This allows for a true expression of conscious. While it is unwise to coerce other peoples into our form of civilization, it surely makes sense to refuse to endorse nations who persecute fellow believers. It is not difficult to imagine that God would be displeased with Christians who parlay in amity with those who oppress his worshippers.
Jerusalem is not a Jewish, or Moslem question. It is a Christian issue through and through. It is of prime importance to Jesus, and thus it is of maximum concern to us. Those who recognize this are, arguably, following Jesus will. Indeed he said, "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that it's desolution is near ( Luke 21:20). Who are these armies? The apostle John wrote "Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the gentiles. And they will tread the Holy City underfoot for forty two months (Revelation 11: 1-2).
So, according to the Bible, Christians with Gods blessing shall capture Jerusalem. Christian rule will then be reinforced by the Saviours arrival in the Holy City. This too is foretold in the Bible. That is the Chrisitian belief. To subscribe to the opinion that Jerusalem is a Jewish, or Moslem, entity is contrary to the Bible, and thus, Christianity. Christians should not be involved in the present Israeli-Moslem conflict as both interests run contrary to the case of the true church.
As is true of most Westerners contemporary Christians are turning their backs on history, traditions, beliefs. In secular terms this means the loss of Western Civilization, the most enlightened of all civilizations. In spiritual terms this rejection of the past results in the rejection of the future, the loss of Jerusalem, and perhaps the loss of our souls!
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