“At that time Jerusalem will be called, Yahweh’s Throne, and all the nations will be gathered to it, to the name of Yahweh in Jerusalem.” Jeremiah 3:17

“The city will never again be uprooted or demolished.”

Jeremiah 31:40

Some people think that all the Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled already.   Certainly, enough of them have been that we can be assured that God’s word is true.  But there remain numerous prophecies to be ultimately fulfilled regarding Jerusalem, the City of Peace.   The promise from Jeremiah above remains unfulfilled and also Zechariah 14.   But maybe it is soon to be fulfilled!

The city was demolished after Christ’s time on earth.  Jerusalem was ravaged by Titus 70 AD; again by Hadrian in 135 AD; warfare over and in her has continued over the centuries.  But God’s word will be fulfilled and Jerusalem will be a City of Peace, as her name foreshadows, never again to be “uprooted or demolished” ,or in the King James, “be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.”

One could over-spiritualize the prophecies in Jeremiah.  But a wholly spiritual interpretation of “Jerusalem” would not be so precisely geographically defined as in Jeremiah 31:38-40:

“38 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner. 39 And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath. 40 And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever”

The promise of the City of Peace is also stated in Joel 3:17:

“Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.” 

Historically, Jerusalem has been invaded in the last two thousand years more than once!

Why has history revolved so much for centuries around this city?   Crusades have been launched over her; she has truly been a “cup of trembling” for the nations. (Zech 12:2)  And why?   Since God has chosen Jerusalem, Satan defies the Holy One of Israel!  Hence, this battle over Zion, over Jerusalem, God’s City of Peace!

The beginning of Joel 3:17 declares:

“So you shall know that I am the Lord your God,
who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain.”

Satan wants that which belongs to God!

Jerusalem is the city God has chosen for His own.  Granted, it has often played the harlot.  But God loves her nonetheless and though He has judged her often, He will remain faithful to her.

Yes, I realize there is also a spiritual understanding of these verses but that does not diminish the obvious.  God is not a liar.   If a person made a contract with you to give you land and then afterward said, “Well, I didn’t mean physical land; I was referring to pie in the sky”,  you would feel as if you had been cheated and take that man to court.  God is not a liar nor a trickster.

God asked His people to pray for the peace of Jerusalem!  (Psalm 122) If you want peace and security, seek her good – not only the “spiritual” city, but also the actual city to which all these Scriptures refer.  I pray for the peace of the city of Jerusalem situated in the country of Israel AND I pray for the people all over the globe who are a spiritual Israel, the Church.   But someday “all Israel,” all the princes of God, will be saved.  (Romans 11:25-26)  That will include many Israelis who are “inhabitants of Jerusalem” who will “look on [Christ], the One they have pierced…”  (Zech 12:10- 13:1)  The fountain of salvation will open to them, for God will open their eyes who are blinded for now, and this will be to God’s ultimate glory.  They will receive their Messiah!   “And so all Israel shall be saved!”  God wants us who already know the Messiah to pray for those beloved, those of God’s election (Romans 11:28) who will in God’s time and for His glory also know Jesus of Nazareth as their promised Messiah!

Will you not join with the Lord in praying for His eternal purposes?  Or will you be like so much of the institutional, historical church who throughout centuries has despised, mistreated and killed the people through whom were entrusted the Scriptures and the seed of Messiah?   God forbid!  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!