What Christadelphians believe about ...

Jerusalem

If you are a believer in the Bible, you will be greatly interested in the subject of Jerusalem.

1 Jerusalem is the place where God chose to place His name (Deuteronomy 12:11; 2 Chronicles 6:6).

This would seem to be a circumstance that should make every friend of God feel an interest in it. "A mere historic interest?" you say. Oh, much more than that. Please read on.

2 Jerusalem is the city of Christ.

"Thy king cometh unto thee" is the language of prophecy addressed to Jerusalem (see Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-7). Because Jerusalem was his city, he forbade his friends to swear by it (see Matthew 5:35).

If the city was so sacred in Christ's estimation that he prohibited his disciples from the familiar use of its name, ought it not to have a place in your reverence and affection? You say, "Sentimentally, perhaps." Come closer, and your feelings on the subject will grow stronger.

3 The manifestation of the glory of God upon earth in the coming day appointed (when the glory of Yahweh shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea), is associated with the future of Jerusalem.

"Be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for behold I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in my people, and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying" (Isaiah 65:18-19).

4 Jerusalem is divinely assured of happier days in God's word of prophecy.

"Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished. Her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins " (Isaiah 40:2)

"Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury … Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion: put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth, there shall no more come unto thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust: arise and sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion " (Isaiah 51:17; 52:1-2).

Jesus says: "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luke 21:24).

Can you be indifferent to the future of Jerusalem emphasised by Jesus in this way? Consider the next proposition.

5 If you are to have any part in the salvation God has promised, it will be as a lover of Jerusalem and in connection with her restored glory in the Holy Land.

"Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her all ye that love her. Rejoice for joy with her all ye that mourn for her, that ye may suck and he satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. For thus saith the Lord, Behold I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream; then shall ye suck; ye shall he borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you: and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb; and the hand of the Lord shall he known towards his servants, and his indignation towards his enemies" (Isaiah 66:10-14).

6 At that time, the throne of the Lord shall be established in Jerusalem.

"At that time, they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord" (Jeremiah 3:17).

"The Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem" (Isaiah 24:23).

7 The divine glory will thenceforth be established in Jerusalem for ever.

"The name of the city from that day shall be, the Lord is there." "Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not he taken down. Not one of the stakes thereof shall ever he removed" (Isaiah 33:20).