Restoration Ahead

Restoration Ahead

Last week we began talking about Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem that is to come following the millennial reign of the Messiah. Last Sunday night, the Pastor starting me thinking even more about Jerusalem. In the evening service, George brought up the fact that if we say we believe something we need to back it up with Scripture. I have always believed that but not always put that into practice. When it comes to Jerusalem, God’s chosen people; I have always believed that it was important how they are treated even in today’s political climate. I have heard that said from many pulpits and in many Sunday school classes, but very rarely I have heard the biblical backing for this thought. Therefore, I decided that I would look into this subject a little deeper. Not being a Biblical scholar, I was unsure where to find more information concerning Jerusalem, so I decided to go to the Old Testament books of prophecy and see if I could locate anything. I started reading Zechariah. Zechariah is not a book that I read a lot because it is full of symbolism. For a concrete thinker like me, books like Zechariah can be daunting at the least. Reading it this time, I was specifically looking for facts about the future of Jerusalem. I not only found that information but came across even more jewels in the book. In Zechariah 1:14, we are introduced to God being a jealous God. “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion (1:14).” I can somewhat understand God being a jealous God. I chose my wife 16 years ago and am very jealous for her. I would do anything to protect her. This is a very small scale jealousy compared to God’s jealousy toward Jerusalem. Zechariah chapter 1 refers to God’s judgment on those countries that seek to hurt Jerusalem. There were countries in the past that God used to bring judgment on Jerusalem, but now he is ready to bring restoration to His chosen people and destruction to those countries against His chosen people. In Deuteronomy 32:10, Jerusalem is even described as “the apple of God’s eye.” Harming God’s chosen people is like striking the pupil of God’s eye. Chapter 2 describes the restoration of Jerusalem in great detail. Also in this chapter, we find that there will be others who are joined with God’s chosen people in the future. There will be a place for even you and me. Praise be to God!

And now let the earth resound with praise,
For our Savior God He Reigns!
He is high and lifted up!
Arise! For the King of glory waits!
HE IS COMING BACK AGAIN!

Please pray for our Nation during this time to be wise in our relationship to Israel!

Aaron Hodges