Jerusalem Day

Posted: Tue 11th May 2010 6.12 PM  | Author: Ofer Amitai

Tonight Israel begins to celebrate Jerusalem Day in honor of the reunification of Jerusalem 43 years ago, in 1967; After 2000 years finally the city became one, under Israeli rule.

The city’s official symbol, above, includes a stone wall, protected by a lion which is the symbol of the tribe of Judah, to show the tribes’ connection to the city. The two olive branches represent the Jewish people’s desire for peace.

But, I would rather think of the Lion as representing The Lion of Judah, Yeshua the Messiah; the two olive branches represent Him as well since they represent the Holy Spirit, or the anointing of the Holy Spirit - which is what the word ‘Messiah’ actually means; the anointed one. The stone wall represents the city itself and hints that the Lord is building Zion. “When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.”  Psalm 102:16

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Just a little over 3000 years ago a young king sat in his newly built palace in a small city called Jerusalem, or Zion. On that night, David expressed his deepest longing to Nathan the prophet “Nathan, here I sit in a beautiful house while the Lord dwells in a tent. Oh, how I long to build God a house...”

It was one of the most important nights in the history of the world. God had been waiting to find a man who would so long for Him. “David,” he said, “ You will build me a house? I will build you a house” and right there and then, God spoke through the prophet and promised David that the Messiah, would come through His seed.

From that day on, Zion or Jerusalem is forever associated with Yeshua the Messiah, for He has made it His City. Here, He walked in His humanity, here he walked in His humility, here in His city He was humiliated. It is the city of His death, it is the city of His suffering, it is the city of resurrection and triumph. It is the city of salvation and grace.

But having ascended, Messiah has never given up the rights to His city. To this city, He will return.

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives....” Zech. 14:4

“Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.” (Is. 24:23)

“...I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.” Zech. 8:3

And although God’s passion to save is universal, His passion and commitment to gather Israel to Himself and rule over them as their king is as deep as His love for man.

“And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.” Ezekiel 37:24-28

One last thought: Without this city the world is doomed. If God does not intervene and brings order to this earth, mankind will annihilate itself. Mankind is not getting better, just more sophisticated in his ability to destroy the earth and all life on it.

But, God will not leave the earth to man nor to the devil.

“ Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful togetherBefore the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.” Psa. 98:8-9

“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 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 God 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, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Is. 2:1-4

Aren’t you glad there is a Jerusalem? Aren’t you glad that the Lord is fulfilling His Word? Aren’t you glad He will not leave the earth to the enemy or to man?  

“Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her” Is. 66:10

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psa. 122:6

Happy Jerusalem Day, rejoice with us, for God has done and will do great things, for us and for the world.


Blessings in Messiah,

Ofer
Jerusalem, Israel

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