Philipscom: J is for Jerusalem And Jesus Christ

J is for Jerusalem And Jesus Christ

Picture Credit.
Confident Living Magazine

Pic. by Dr. Woodrow Kroll

Jerusalem: It is the holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims. It is the capital city of a tiny land called Israel.

In the 1948 Arab Israeli war it became divided into two Israel and the Arab Country of Jordan. Israel held West Jerusalem and Jordan controlled East Jerusalem. Israel won East Jerusalem in the brief Arab-Israeli war of 1967 and combined it with the western zone. West Jerusalem is the modern part of the city. East Jerusalem includes the Old City the place for many ancient monuments of holy places.

Jews consider it a holy city because it was their political and religious center in Biblical times. Around 1000 B.C. King David made Jerusalem the capital of the united Israelite tribes, later David’s son Solomon built the first Temple of the Jews in the city. Christians consider it holy because Jesus Christ was crucified there, and many events in his life on earth took place in this city. Muslims believe that Muhammad, the founder of Islam rose to heaven from this city. It is their third holiest city after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Pic. Credit. A to Z Challenge

Jerusalem‘s three-fourth population is Jews. They live in West Jerusalem where some Christians and Muslims too live. At the same time East Jerusalem’s majority are Arabs, about four-fifth of them are Muslims. Rest is Catholics of the Byzantine Rite or people belonging to Greek Orthodox or Roman Catholic churches. In short this city stands like a glittering diamond in the geographical centre of the earth. And the destiny of all mankind is bound up in the life of this unique city.

Interestingly this city is also known as the city of three Sabbaths—Friday (Muslim)
Saturday (Jewish) and
Sunday (Christian).

As said, though it is a tiny little land its presence is visible almost every day in newspapers and other visual media. If one look from the perspective of the Word of God, one begins to understand the battle that is raging over the status of Jerusalem, the immigration of Russian Jews, the resettlement of Judea and Samaria, and the very principle of Israel’s continued existence. From its inception it has been set apart from other nations. That uniqueness of separation is still continuing and it’s fighting for its survival in the midst of a hostile world.

Why its presence is visible every day in the media? What is it that important to this little nation of over a five million people, occupying less than the one percentage of the earth’s surface? Why such a nation be a stumbling block in international affairs, major nations are discussing it seriously in their debates and decision making? And why is it the most sought after fiercely contested piece of real estate in the world?

To find out an answer to these questions one need to go into the pages of Bible and need to set Jerusalem and Israel apart from the rest of the world. The Bible says: "The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1). However God lays special claim to Israel in general, calling it “My Land” and Jerusalem in particular, calling it “My City”

In the eyes of man this city may not qualify as the biggest, the brightest or the best city in the world. Yes, it lacks many features as the world count as best or greatest city. Yet it holds a great splendor and glory that is incomparable to many other cities of the world.

Yes, its uniqueness stems from the fact that God has chosen this city to be the capital of His Kingdom. From His Throne in Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus will rule over the nations, and from the nations people will come up to Jerusalem to worship the King. The whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord and that glory will emanate from Messiah’s Throne in Jerusalem!

Of all the cities in the world, only Jerusalem is referred to as

The Holy City (Isaiah 52:1)

The City of the Great King (Matthew 5:35)

The Throne of the Lord (Jeremiah 3:17)

The Place of God’s Name (2 Chronicles 33:4)

The Object of God’s Love (Psalm 87:1-3)

The Cause of God’s Joy (Isaiah 65: 19)

The Dwelling Place of God (Psalm 135:21)

The Seat of God’s Government (Isaiah 2:3)

A Crown of Glory and a Royal Diadem (Isaiah 62:3)

The City of Truth (Zechariah 8:3)

In this sense, Jerusalem is the most ‘elevated city on the face of the earth!

But today it may be a dim reflection and at worst, a contradiction of its God-given designation. But people of faith can see through the eye of the Spirit, the restoration of all things that the prophets have spoken. This process of restoration will be completed in the day of our Lord’s appearing

Jesus Christ: The Savior of the World.

But unfortunately for many Jesus Christ is just a leader of one of the greatest religion in the world.

Yes Christianity or Christian religion was founded on His life and teachings. But a majority of Christians believe that He is the Son of God who was sent by God the Father to earth to save humanity from their sins. Even a good number of non-Christians too believe that He was a great and wise teacher lived ever. In reality He is the Savior of the world. Those who believe in Him have everlasting life. Yes this belief in Jesus Christ has united people from many lands. Christians make up the largest religious group in the World. Muhammad, the founder of Islam regarded Jesus Christ as a great prophet and adopted many of His ideas. Moral standards of equality, responsibility and care for the weak owe much to Jesus’ lessons in brotherhood and kindness.

The first four books in the Bible’s New Testament tell about Jesus Christ and His life. These books are called Gospels (Good News).

You can read these books here at these links:

1. Matthew

2. Mark

3. Luke

4. John

Here is a visual treat for those who want to see these Holy places. No need to go to Jerusalem, sit at home and see those lovely places. To watch and read more about this visual effect please click on the below link:

NO NEED TO GO TO ISRAEL

Thanks For Your Precious Time.

P V Ariel & Associates

Secunderabad

A.P. India.

Source:

The Holy Bible, (The Bible Gateway).

Bible Country, by Dr. Woodrow Kroll
Confident Living Magazine (The Good News Broadcasting Society)

Bible Sabdasaagaram, G Susheelan

Halley’s Bible Handbook Halley

The Holy Spirit and Israel, Bruce R

Israel’s Final Holocaust. Dr. Jack Van