Jerusalem, The Burdensome Stone

by Jesma O'Hara

From the "Watchmen on the Walls" series of studies

"Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup or bowl of reeling
to the nations round about, and against and upon Judah
also it will be in the seige against Jerusalem.

And in that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone
for all peoples; all who lift it or burden themselves with
it shall be sorely wounded. And all the nations of the
earth shall come and gather together against it."

Zechariah 12:2-3

It's significance in these days:

Few bible believing Christians would dispute that the world has entered that period of history known as the `last days'. The increase of wars and rumours of wars, of famines, earthquakes and increasing worldwide apostasy are all pointers to the soon return of Messiah to set up His throne in Jerusalem.

Along with these pointers to the lateness of the hour has come a change in the focus of world attention away from America, Britain and Russia to the Middle East.

It is here that all the great end time events take place, rather than in New York, London or Geneva.

At the centre of the dispute stands the ancient city of Jerusalem with it's 500,000 people - not a great city by world standards. Indeed it is almost at the opposite end of the scale with no harbour, no natural resources, no water supply and no great wealth. And yet increasingly it takes centre stage in world events.

It has become the central issue in the turmoil concerning the Middle East at this time. That the battle is primarily a spiritual one must be seen to understand the pressure placed on the Jewish people to give it, or at the very least a part of it, to the Palestinians.

The Temple is no longer on Mount Moriah and in it's place stands the Dome of the Rock, Islam's third Holiest Shrine, built to commemorate Mohamed's flight to heaven on a white horse.

The false religious spirit which can also be associated with Christianity is also very much in evidence in Jerusalem where the atmosphere pervading many of the "Holy Sites" is more to be associated with death and decay than resurrection life!

The battle which is raging in the Halls of the UN in the conference rooms where Middle East Peace Talks are in progress, and which is seen in the terrorist attacks ( a constant cause for concern) are merely a mirror of a greater battle which is taking place in the heavenlies. The Hosts of Heaven, preparing for the Lord's return and the Armies of Darkness are engaged in arguing over the Lordship of this strategic city.

It's Prophetic Destiny:

Read Zechariah 14:4; Isaiah 24:23

What do these scriptures tell us about the destiny of this city?

Why then is it the focal point of so much spiritual opposition?

When the Lord returns to Jerusalem to set up His throne the city will truly become the City of Peace and a blessing to the whole earth.

"But in the latter days it shall come to pass that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and peoples shall flow to it.

And many nations shall come and say, "Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and we may walk in His paths. For the Law shall go forth out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." - Isaiah 4:1-2

Read also Zechariah 14:16-17

What do these scriptures say about Jerusalem's place amongst the nations when the Lord returns?

Our Responsibility As Believers:

The knowledge that this city has been chosen by the Lord as His and that it is central to His purposes in these days brings with it a responsibility on the part of believers.

The first responsibility is to PRAY.

Psalm 122:6 exhorts us to PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM!

Since true peace will only come to Jerusalem when the Prince of Peace return there to sit on His throne, anyone who prays for the peace of Jerusalem is actually praying for the Lord's Return!

Read Psalm 122

What application do verses 7-9 have in these days?

Our second responsibility as believers is to SPEAK OUT concerning God's purposes for Jerusalem.

Then entire world will eventually be putting pressure on Israel with regard to Jerusalem as evidenced in Zechariah 12:

"Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup or bowl of reeling
to the nations round about, and against and upon Judah
also it will be in the seige against Jerusalem.

And in that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone
for all peoples; all who lift it or burden themselves with
it shall be sorely wounded. And all the nations of the
earthshall come and gather together against it."

It is not generally known that on the same day that the UN resolution entitled "Racism Is Zionism" was rescinded, another resolution was quietly passed which called on all UN members to remove their embassies from Jerusalem.

Israel was the only state to vote against it.

Not only is political opinion polarising against Israel, but also church opinion.

Support for the Palestinian cause has become synonymous with showing Christian love.

It becomes obvious when reading some church publications that their feeling is that it is not necessary to show that same love to the Jewish people. God does have blessing in store for the Palestinians, but it is bound up in the injunction given in Genesis 12

"I will bless those who bless you (the Jewish people)
and curse those who curse you"

The church is standing at the same crossroads today that it paused at in the 1930's when it was becoming increasingly obvious that Hitler's intentions towards the Jewish people would bring death and destruction. During that time neither the nations nor the church stood with the Jewish people and they perished.

Today the nations of the earth are increasingly turning from Israel and one by one her friends are deserting her.

Unfortunately it appears that once again the church will be found wanting. In the United States recently, fifteen church organisations banded together to urge President Bush (snr) NOT to support loan guarantees.

It is time for believers with a love for Israel to be infected with the same zeal which caused the prophet Isaiah to say:

"For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace and for
Jerusalem's sake I will not rest until her
imputed righteousness and vindication go
forth as brightness and her salvation radiates
as does a burning torch." Isaiah 62:1

"Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her;
rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;
For thus says the Lord, behold I will extend peace
to her like a river., (Isaiah 66:10,12)

Introducing John & Jesma O'Hara John, a businessman & Jesma have five children, and two grandchildren, Isabella and Asher. Both serve on the Eldership of Hesed Fellowship and are board members of International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem, Australian Branch and Jesma has also been the Editor of their magazine for the past 12 years. Hesed Ministries is involved in supporting a number of projects : Field workers in Israel, Orr Shalom Children's Homes, Kesher Friends of WIZO and Mercy International in Thailand. They also support orphanages and schools for AIDS affected children in Malawi and Kenya. Jesma is Chairman of the Board of Nambour Christian College, co-educational inter-denominational college of over 1200 students, from preschool to year 12. They are also the Australian Representatives of Orr Shalom Children’s Homes. Jesma's Qualifications Masters in Early Judaism and Early Christianity. B A major in Religious Studies Studied in Jerusalem at AMI Jerusalem Centre For Biblical Studies and Research and Educator’s From Abroad Study Course at Yad VaShem.