Looking at the headlines in the news, it seems bizarre that a little smidge of land and one spec in particular dominates so much of it. What is the nation of Israel, about the size of the state of New Jersey, and the city of Jerusalem that draws so much contention and strife?

It doesn’t make sense unless one reads the Bible and takes it at its Word. Israel and the city of Jerusalem are the focal point of an epic battle, a play for dominance, between the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the Lord of Hosts – and the spiritual forces of wickedness referenced in Ephesians 6:12. The principalities, two of which are named in Daniel 9, warring against God.

God has made his covenant promise to the Jewish people, to show his strength through them to the nations, and has said he will return there. He has even said how he would return, through the East Gate of Jerusalem. Which is why when under Muslim control, they walled it over in an attempt to prevent it If Jesus broke the chains of death . . . I don’t think some concrete and a few bricks will hold him back.

Psalm 48 speaks of the confidence in the protection of God who has claimed Jerusalem and Mount Zion for his own. Psalm 98 speaks of his ultimate victory and when he will judge all in righteousness, and Psalm 148 again proclaims that all the earth praises him.

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Psalm 48

1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
is Mount Zion, on the north sides,
the city of the great King.
3 God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.
4 For, behold, the kings assembled themselves,
they passed by together.
5 They saw it, then they were amazed.
They were dismayed.
They hurried away.
6 Trembling took hold of them there,
pain, as of a woman in travail.
7 With the east wind, you break the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we have heard, so we have seen,
in the city of the LORD of Hosts, in the city of our God.
God will establish it forever.
Selah.
9 We have thought about your loving kindness, God,
in the middle of your temple.
10 As is your name, God,
so is your praise to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion be glad!
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice,
Because of your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go around her.
Number its towers.
13 Mark well her bulwarks.
Consider her palaces,
that you may tell it to the next generation.
14 For this God is our God forever and ever.
He will be our guide even to death.

Psalm 98

1 Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made known his salvation.
He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and the voice of melody.
6 With shofars* and sound of the ram’s horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.
7 Let the sea roar with its fullness;
the world, and those who dwell therein.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands.
Let the mountains sing for joy together.
9 Let them sing before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 148

1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens!
Praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all his army!
3 Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you heavens of heavens,
You waters that are above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the LORD’s name,
For he commanded, and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever.
He has made a decree which will not pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures, and all depths;
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds;
stormy wind, fulfilling his word;
9 mountains and all hills;
fruit trees and all cedars;
10 wild animals and all livestock;
small creatures and flying birds;
11 kings of the earth and all peoples;
princes and all judges of the earth;
12 both young men and maidens;
old men and children:
13 let them praise the LORD’s name,
for his name alone is exalted.
His glory is above the earth and the heavens.
14 He has lifted up the horn of his people,
the praise of all his holy ones;
even of the children of Israel, a people near to him.
Praise the LORD!

Passages from the World Messianic Bible