JERUSALEM, THE CITY OF GOD

Jos 15:63

"But the people of Judah were not able to drive out the Jebusites, who lived in Jerusalem. The Jebusites still live there with the people of Judah."

In Old Testament we know that Jerusalem was struggled from Jebusite, then this city was by turns dominated by several nations till up late now Jerusalem is controlled by Israel and become a capital for the country although not be admitted by some nations in the world.

Jerusalem city now becomes a Holy City for three religion communities in the world. Israel for the Temple of God (which is now only the wall remained) and the Holy Bible says that this city is the City of God. Moslems consider this city as the Third Most Holy City with their Al Aqsa Mosque. And Christian with Jesus Christ and same with Moslem consider this city as God's City.

The problem is God Himself had chosen this city become His Chosen City, although historically God often punished this city because of the choice of the people to worship idols than God. And refer to the Bible God will comes and dwells in Jerusalem on His second coming forever.

How should we be attitude as Christian towards this city: there are 3 attitudes that we could do as Christian.

First, support the existence of this city as the Holy City of Christian.

Second, be unconcerned because we have no relation with it.

Third, reject the existence of this city as the Holy City of Christian and only consider it as a historical city because of the amount of Christian history archaeological remains inside.

To know Jerusalem city status towards Christian, we have to go back to basic i.e.: back to the Bible which guide our live in this world. In the Bible, since the beginning God had determined this city as His belonging, His Chosen City.

About the reason why God chose this city it is His own 'Prerogative Right'. Maybe we can ask Him later in heaven about his reason of choosing Jerusalem city. The verses in the Bible which say that Jerusalem is God's City are in the Old Testament:

1 King 11:36
" but I will let Solomon's son keep one tribe, so that I will always have a descendant
of my servant David ruling in Jerusalem, the city I have chosen as the place
where I am worshiped".

Psalm 137:5
" May I never be able to play the harp again if I forget you, Jerusalem! "

Isa 62:2
Jerusalem, the nations will see you victorious! All their kings will see your glory. You will be called by a new name, A name given by the LORD himself.

Isa 62:12
You will be called "God's Holy People," "The People the LORD Has Saved." Jerusalem will be called "The City That God Loves," "The City That God Did Not Forsake."

Isa 2:3
"and their people will say, "Let us go up the hill of the LORD, to the Temple of Israel's God. He will teach us what he wants us to do; we will walk in the paths he has chosen. For the LORD's teaching comes from Jerusalem; from Zion he speaks to his people."

Jesus Himself cried for Jerusalem because of the obstinacy of the citizen.

Mat 23:37
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me!"

And God Had spoken that He will lives forever in Jerusalem, although the place where will become God's City is not Jerusalem city at present. Because Jerusalem which is existed now will be destroyed because of the Day End War

And God Had spoken that He will lives forever in Jerusalem,
God will send down a New Jerusalem from Heaven where His Holy people stay at the city. And God will dwells in, but must be remembered the New Jerusalem will be at Jerusalem city right now. The supporting verses:

Isa 65:19
"I myself will be filled with joy because of Jerusalem and her people. There will be no weeping there, no calling for help."

Rev 21:2
And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband.

Rev 21:10
The Spirit took control of me, and the angel carried me to the top of a very high mountain. He showed me Jerusalem, the Holy City, coming down out of heaven from God

So how we should be attitude? There are several things that we can do:
- We pray for the peaceful of this city
- If we have money we could visit this sacred place:

Psalm 122:1-9
Psa 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the LORD's house."

Psa 122:2 And now we are here, standing inside the gates of Jerusalem!

Psa 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you prosper.

Psa 122:7 May there be peace inside your walls and safety in your palaces."

Psa 122:8 For the sake of my relatives and friends I say to Jerusalem, "Peace be with you!"

Psa 122:9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I pray for your prosperity.

We pray for Jerusalem not for the purpose that Israel keep occupied that city, not because we support Israel. We pray Jerusalem because it is the City of God. And God of the universe will dwells with His members/ people inside.

Jesus will lives in Jerusalem forever

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