This past week there was a significant event that took place in the history of the nation of Israel
And because of that I have entitled my message Jerusalem Countdown
On May 14, 2018, the U.S. officially opened its Embassy in Jerusalem
Why should we care? What does this have to do with anything?
Does is signify anything in biblical prophecy?
Let’s explore this together and see if there is anything we need to pay attention to.
Read Matt 24:30-25 & Zech 12:1-6 / Pray
Trans: As we begin, the first question we might answer is…
1. Why Does Jerusalem matter?
Jerusalem is prophetically significant and really it is the center of the prophetic world
The entire earth is fixated upon Jerusalem – and as time goes by, it will become the focal point for everything in the prophetic
Jer 3:17 “At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord.”
In Matt 24, at the beginning, Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives teaching his disciples – Mount of Olives is in Jerusalem just east of the Temple Mount
Why is that significant? Because it’s where the Lord ascended from and will return to upon His second coming
Zech 14:2 “I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it…”
Zech 14:4 “On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west…”
Jerusalem will be attacked but God will protect her
Zech 12:2-3 states “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all surrounding peoples reeling…on that day, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.”
Jerusalem is ground zero and the time clock for end times prophetic events
Trans: Let’s take a brief look at some of…
2. The History of the City of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the city in which God chose for Himself to put His name there
2 Chron 6:6 “But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people”
Jerusalem became the capital city of David’s kingdom and reign
2 Kings 19:34 “For I will defend this city, to save it, for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake”
In 2 Kings 25, around, 586 BC, Jerusalem is captured by Babylon who was ruled by King Nebuchadnezzar
He destroyed the city by burning it all down to include the temple and nation of Israel held captive for 70 years – keep that number in mind
Around 446 BC Jerusalem is restored through Ezra and Nehemiah as the walls are rebuilt as well as the temple is rebuilt
Around 30 AD, Jesus rides into Jerusalem and looks upon the city and weeps in Luke 19 because he knows of the coming destruction in 40 years
70 AD, 40 years later, Romans, led by Titus, come in and destroy the city and the second Temple and approximately 1.5 million Jews were killed
Around 306 AD, When Roman Emperor Constantine the Great came to power, Christianity began to be the dominant religion of the Roman Empire
From 600 – 1099 AD, the prophet Muhammad brings the teaching of Islam and Caliph Omar captures Jerusalem
During this time the Dome of the Rock is built and power shifts to Muslim reign and the teaching of Islam – all churches are converted to mosques
Palestine and Jerusalem become part of the Ottoman Empire during the time of Napoleon – this period lasted 200 years from 1517 – 1917
WWI in 1917 began the British Mandate period and lasted until 1948 as Jerusalem fell into the hands of the British Empire
1917 the Balfour Declaration was made in which part read “His majesty’s government views with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for Jewish people”
WWII – Jews flee Jerusalem for their lives because of Hitler’s terror and reign
1947 was a significant year that led up to the UN resolution declaring an Israeli and Palestinian state in 1947 – Jerusalem divided by west bank
May 14, 1948 – historic as Israel was recognized by the U.S as a nation
1967 – Arab nations threaten to annihilate Jews – Jews strike first – 6 day war that led to capture of Jerusalem back to Jews – significant event
City reunified and back under Jewish control
2017 – Dec 6, 2017 – United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announces moving US Embassy there
May 14, 2018 – US Embassy formally opens in Jerusalem
Trans: I know that seems like a lot, but these years have significant meaning.
3. SIGNIFCANT MEANING OF THE YEARS
One of the most significant years of the 20th Century for Israel was 1917
The British Empire made the Balfour Declaration for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people
This led to the birth of the nation of Israel as a sovereign nation on May 14, 1948
Ezek 37 prophecy fulfilled as dry bones become flesh
This was the first time Israel had been recognized as a nation for over 1800 years
Even though Israel was born a nation – Jerusalem was still divided – ½ Jewish; ½ Palestine (Arabs) – east and west
Jun 1967 – Arab nations decided to take all of Jerusalem and invade Israel – thwarted and Israel won 6 day war – captured west bank – Jerusalem reunited as a whole city
Now – from 1917 until 1967 is how many years? 50 years – bible calls the 50th year a year of jubilee – a year of restoration & reunification
Where is that at? Turn to Leviticus 25:1-4; 8-13
At the time of the year of Jubilee – a shofar or trumpet is sounded throughout the land
This was a time of proclaiming liberty to all the inhabitants of the land
1967 was the year of Jubilee – Jerusalem had been fully restored back to the nation of Israel
1967 – 2017 is how many years? 50 years – another Jubilee?
Dec 6, 2017 – for the first time ever, the city of Jerusalem is to house a major superpower’s embassy – the US.
Every nation’s capital has housed our Embassy EXCEPT for Jerusalem, the capital of Israel – until NOW
Israel’s Netanyahu proclaimed three major historical events in modern day Israel’s history
1. 1917 – Balfour Declaration
2. 1967 – Reunification/liberation of Jerusalem
3. 2017 – Jerusalem finally housing US Embassy
When the year of Jubilee is proclaimed – the Shofar or the Trumpet is sounded
On May 14, 2018 – the day the US Embassy moved there – a shofar or trumpet was sounded
Now get this – watch this – what is our President’s name: TRUMP
The original name or surname for TRUMP is TRUMPETER
Somebody ought to shout right there!
And notice that date Israel became a nation of May 14, 1948 and then the US recognized Jerusalem as capital on May 14, 2018
That’s 70 years – is that significant?
Matt 24:32-35 turn there
The figs tree hear is Israel – notice that vs. 34 says this generation will not pass until all these things have passed – look at vs 30 – 31
How long is a generation? Israel was born 1948 – Jewish babies born May 1948 – they are 70 years old today
Psa 90:10 “The length of our days is seventy years or eighty…”
This year, May 14, 2018 marked 70 year birthday of Israel
Could this be the beginning of when the Lord will return?
Conclusion
This generation will not pass until all these things come to pass
It is very well possible – I know we are living in the end days
Jerusalem is the key – it’s the center of all of humanity – it’s the prophetic time clock
Whenever the 70 birthday came, did that start the clock for the Jerusalem countdown to the coming of the Lord?
Our response is Matt 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day the Lord will come”
Pray
