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israeltoday.com

Jerusalem: A cup of trembling and a burdensome stone

Nicole Horrelt

Nov 23, 2010

(This is a guest post by Nicole Horrelt, an up and coming writer from Canada who has been a long-time reader of Israel Today.)

The prophecy of Zechariah Chapter 12 was written approximately 2500 years ago predicting a future day when the world's focus would be on Jerusalem:

"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem."

"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."

Further in verses 7, 8 and 9, the prophecy makes it clear that God will ultimately save the city and its people, but to the surrounding nations, the attempted conquest of Jerusalem will cause them great trouble, and to every nation pressuring to lift Jerusalem out of Jewish control, it will prove to be a heavy burden, and be injurious to them all. (Editors note: The timing of when this event happens is after the last seven years, and during the battle of armageddon)

This is widely regarded as an End Time prophecy, and by examining the current geo-political and spiritual situation of the Middle East conflict, it is safe to say the time-frame of this prophecy is upon us.

The words to Israel's national anthem, "Hatikvah" (The Hope) written in 1886 by Naphtali Herz Imber, express the powerful emotion and inmost God-given desire of the Jewish people, and the deep longing of the Jewish heart while living in exile among the nations, for their homeland. Praying, they faced Jerusalem, and never gave up the hope for their promised return there, as prophesied in the word of God. (Isaiah 11:11-12; Ezekiel 36:8-11 Ezekiel 37:21-22; Ezekiel 38:8, Isaiah 43:5-6; Jeremiah 31:7-10)

Today, millions of Jewish people have returned, and many are still making aliyah, as prophesied in the Bible.

However, the Islamic community, the nations surrounding Israel (Psalm 83:4-8), the international community, and the Vatican - all have a different goal in mind for Jerusalem. They would all remove complete Jewish control over the city and erase the Jewish victory in the June 1967 (miraculous) Six Day War, and either divide Jerusalem, or attempt a complete conquest of it, if they could.

The call of the world at this time then is the attempt to lift this 'immovable rock,' but in return, to only find that the word of God is the unshakeable truth. All who burden themselves with pressuring Israel in changing what God has said in His word concerning Jerusalem, will find themselves facing nothing less than God's judgment. Jerusalem will be a cup of trembling to the surrounding nations attempting to take it over from Israel; the Six Day War is an example of the supernatural protection around this Holy Land. His word is faithful and true.

At present, the US and Israel are negotiating a deal that would effectively bring both the Palestinians and Israel back to the table for direct peace talks, under the pressure from the international community, with the prospect to bring about a "two-state solution" that would supposedly solve the Middle East conflict.

The negotiations are stalled at the moment as Israel is waiting for a written letter of promise back from the Obama Administration assuring them that this current construction freeze demand does not include "East Jerusalem"; it is "only" imposed on construction in Judea and Samaria. Israel is to receive certain military gestures, security guarantees, and 20 aircraft, in return for agreeing to the freeze.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly declared to the Obama Administration that "Jerusalem is not a settlement, it is our Capital!" He has stated previously that Jerusalem is not to be included in this round of talks. However, the letter from the US is slow in coming back - apparently the Obama Administration does not want Israel to continue building in East Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a burdensome stone!

Israel is like a banner to the entire world that the word of God is the truth. With each passing day, as Jerusalem becomes more and more the center of the world's attention, it will become increasingly difficult for anyone to dispute the incredible accuracy of these ancient prophecies. Truly, the time to seek God is now, if you don't know Him. Zechariah Chapter 12 ends with the Messiah's prophesied return:

"And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn." (Editors note: The timing of this happens after the last seven years during the wrath of God, preceding the Lord's return to earth with the armies of heaven at armageddon)

Let us Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem - Psalm 122. (There will be no lasting peace in Jerusalem - until Jerusalem accepts the Prince of Peace when He returns)

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The U.N. will vote that Israel should return the occupied territories, & demand, "You've got to give back Old Jerusalem!" But Israel will flatly refuse. Then--probably with the Antichrist's help--the U.N. will say, "Well, we'll make a compromise. We will internationalize the city & make it accessible to all races, all peoples, all religions."--Because it's already got three religions there & three of the most holy places of those religions--"We will internationalize it & make it accessible, available, open to all." In other words, make it U.N. territory, U.N.-governed & guarded territory to ensure its accessibility to all. ("The Beginning of The End!", David Berg, December 1988)

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