Hesed Ministries

Jerusalem, The Burdensome Stone

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: