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Scripture
tells us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem". This
ancient city was called Salem, and means "city of peace" or
"foundation of peace".
Even
though called a city of peace, Jerusalem has seen little peace and
is know for much war and bloodshed. It is a holy City of God
and was the original headquarters of the Church. There are
eighteen names recorded in the Bible for Jerusalem which it has been
called through the ages.
Jerusalem
was a Jebusite city before David conquered it and made it the
capital of the United Kingdom of Israel. This is the place
where the most extraordinary events of history have taken place.
God, angels, and men have all played a part in the history of this
ancient City of God. This is the place where the Holy temples
of God have been and will again be located.
The
most important event of human history took place in this city.
It was here where our Lord was crucified, buried, and resurrected to
live forever. Jerusalem is where Jesus will come again at the
second advent or day of the Lord. He will reign and rule
forever when He comes to this City where the gospel message was
first preached.
Psalms
122: 6 tells us "pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall
prosper that love thee."
As
we hear of wars and rumors of wars, let us pray for peace. We
know that when peace is declared, sudden destruction will be upon
them; but God's plan will be carried forth. The Lord declares
a day of trouble as no other time in history will come upon this
world. It is called "Jacob's trouble" or a time of
tribulation as the world has never known. This time and God's
plan will bring God's chosen back to Him.
The
armies of the world will gather with the Antichrist against
Jerusalem. They will be destroyed by the brightness of
Christ's coming and by the sword of the Lord. Christ will rule
with a rod of iron and his elect shall be gathered unto Him.
Those that endure until the end shall be saved according to God's
Word.
The
New Jerusalem will come down from heaven which is the city of God.
God shall dwell with his people and wipe all tears from their eyes.
This will be the final realization of God's eternal plan for earth
and for men who will be blessed eternally . Death will be destroyed
at the end of the Millennium and the former things of earth's
creations under the curse of sin. All things will be made new
and the former will be remembered no more.
The
true bride of Christ will be the holy Jerusalem. All who go to
live in this city make up the Bride of Christ as the redeemed ones.
Every Christian is promised this City of God. All Saints will
be members of the Bride of Christ, the Holy Jerusalem, which is
"the Lamb's wife". The Church becomes a part of the
bride when it goes to live in the New Jerusalem as well as all
redeemed of all other ages. The rapture or
"ingathering" of the Church is an event all believers in
Christ anticipate. The dead in Christ shall rise first and
those which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds and shall be given an incorruptable body.
We
have the wonderful promise
of the Lord's return to
rule
and reign forever and know the faithful shall forever be with the
Lord.
We
have comfort in the words of our Lord and can comfort one another
with these words.
God
is faithful to do what He has promised and the time of His appearing
is near. The signs of the times are everywhere and declare it
is nearing the "midnight hour". Let us be watchful
and ready for we know not the day or hour of his appearing and our
blessed hope.
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