Jerusalem and the Holy Land

His first work will be to resurrect those amenable to judgment (John 5:28-29; 2Corinthians 5: 10), and reward with immortality those believers who have obeyed his precepts (Romans 2:6-7). Then, with almighty power, he will compel the nations to submit to his rule (Zechariah 14:1-S). "He must reign," taught Paul, "till he hath put all enemies under his feet" (1 Corinthians 15:25).

When Christ has triumphed over the present rulers of a spiritually dark and evil age, when every social, political, moral and ecclesiastical evil has been suppressed, and man’s power brought into subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ, "glory to God in the highest peace on earth and good will toward men" will result.
Food, raiment, shelter, health, strength, even life itself, come from God, and therefore it is only reasonable that praise and adoration be presented to Him. This is the fundamental characteristic of all who would serve Christ even now, and it will be required of all people when Christ rules in the earth. It will be reflected particularly in the services to be conducted in the great temple to be erected in Jerusalem under the supervision of Christ - the "house of prayer for all nations" to which he referred when he visited the temple almost 2,000 years ago.

Peace and True Economics will be the Condition of Life
Christ’s universal rule will dispense with war, so that peace shall at last prevail. He will introduce a new economic system, providing adequate opportunity for all, for various nation’s "merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing" (Isaiah 23:18). His divine system, which will provide for man’s material needs as well as his spiritual requirements, shall eliminate want and rivalry It will dispense justice and mercy towards all without partiality (Micah 4:1-4; Isaiah 11:1- 3).

A new educational system, based on divine truth, shall replace the present inadequate system. Children will be taught the fear and admonition of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:7; Malachi 4:6), with the result that juvenile delinquency shall cease; every evil traffic, every degrading vice, will be eradicated: "The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful (Isaiah 32:2-6).

An Unmistakable Sign of Christ’s Imminent Coming
Christ’s second coming should not be considered as something yet remote. The signs that it is near at hand are clear and obvious. Pre-eminently among these is the sign of Israel. The Bible presents the restoration of the Jews to their land, and the modern revival of the nation of Israel as a sign of Christ’s coming. Consider the threefold prophecy of Ezekiel 37:21-22: "I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land; and I will Make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all" (Ezekiel 37:21, 22).

The prophecy requires three progressive stages:
[a] Return of the people;
[b] Revival of the nation;
[c] Restoration of the monarchy.
Two parts of the prophecy have had token fulfilment, and the third is yet to occur.

Who is the promised king? Listen to the message of God given to Mary the mother of the Lord: "Thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:32-33). Clear, unequivocal language. It requires the preservation of the Jews (called in this verse "the house of Jacob") as a people, and their revival as a nation in preparation for Christ’s return. Notice that the evidence of Christ’s is linked with the modern revival of Israel: "When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory" (Psalm 102:16). Again: "I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first" (Jeremiah 33:7). Obviously the revival of Israel is an integral part in the purpose of God.

The phrase "at the first," refers to the time when Israel was constituted a nation of twelve tribes with its capital in Jerusalem, where "the throne of David" was established. If Christ is to be given "the throne of his father David" as promised, it must be restored again - in Jerusalem. And that is exactly what is to follow the return of Christ to the earth, for the Bible claims of Christ: "I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord" (Acts 15:16-17).

Thus Christ will return to establish his power in Jerusalem, as the nucleus of his rule that shall extend to the ends of the earth. The Jews at present in the land will be humbled and disciplined, and compelled to accept the Lord Jesus as their Messiah: "They (the Jews) shall look upon me (the Christ) whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son." (Zechariah 12:10). They shall mourn their past blindness: the folly and ignorance that led them to reject their Messiah, almost 2,000 years ago. Their repentance leads to their conversion and the forgiveness of their national sins in a new covenant in Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-36).

Israel’s Full Restoration Yet to Come
Today, Israel occupies an increasingly important place in the counsels of the world’s governments. Although it is obvious that the Jews are in the land to stay, people little realise the full significance of what is taking place! Israel is more than a Jewish foothold in the Middle East: it is a modern miracle destined to have world-shaking effects, with drastic changes to the way of life of every person on the earth.

The remarkable revival of Israel in spite of all the obstacles it has had to surmount, and the bitter opposition it has experienced, is God’s greatest witness of modern times.

At present, however, Israel comprises only a tiny strip of territory along the Mediterranean seaboard with a population of about six million people. Through incredible hardship and unremitting toil, a measure of fertility has been brought to the one-time arid soil. And whilst this is in fulfilment of Bible prophecy, it is only a token of the full restoration which awaits Christ’s return. The apostle Paul taught: "There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob," so that "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26).

By "all Israel" is meant the twelve tribes. By this restoration of its ancient political constitution the nation shall be completely rebuilt as "in the days of old" (Amos 9:11). As it was then divided into twelve tribes, so it will be when restored by Christ. The regathered families will be separated into twelve tribes, and established in the land as outlined in the last chapter of Ezekiel’s prophecy, as illustrated on page 12. However, the nation has never been established in the land in this way, it must still be future. At that time, it shall be placed under the authority of the twelve resurrected and glorified apostles. The Lord Jesus promised them: "Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28).

THE PROMISED LAND
The borders of the various cantonments allocated to the twelve tribes of Israel for occupation during Christ’s reign on earth, according to Ezekiel 48. In Genesis 15:18 the northern and southern borders of the land promised Abraham are the Euphrates and the Nile. Each of the apostles was promised a place of authority over one of the tribes (Matthew 19:28). Such prophecies and promises illustrate how tangibly related to the earth are the facts concerning Christ’s coming reign.

The King and his Associates
Where will Christ be at that time? As already mentioned, the "throne of his glory" is the ancient "throne of David restored," to be located in the city of Jerusalem where it existed previously. Hence that city will become "the city of the great king" (Matthew 5:35), to be acknowledged as "the throne of the Lord" (Jeremiah 3:17), from whence he will reign as "king over all the earth" (Zechariah 14:9).

He will not rule in single, isolated splendour. He will have as his associates his resurrected and glorified followers. In Revelation 5:9-10, the Redeemed are presented as singing to the glory of Christ and saying: "for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth."

Christ’s followers will comprise a royal priesthood in the Age to come, designed to draw all mankind to God in the millennium of peace and glory yet to be manifested in the earth. A royal priesthood requires a royal temple.

Christ’s Throne In Jerusalem
The centre of Christ’s administration will be Jerusalem. The city will be changed from what it is today, however, and will comprise a great temple-city, the centre of world worship. It shall become the rallying point for the nations, uniting them in one common belief, one universal law and one ideal. International antagonism will cease, religious controversy will give place to truth, and diverse races will worship together in universal adoration of, and submission to, God.

The last chapters of Ezekiel’s prophecy (chs. 40-48) describe this temple in such detail that the late Henry Sulley, an architect of Nottingham, England, was able to draw its ground plans and elevations. When the Hebrew measures are converted to English equivalents, there is presented a building of such magnitude and beauty as to exceed anything the world has ever seen.

It provides for a mile-square "house of prayer" set in the centre of a forty mile-square reservation in the centre of the Land of Promise, called the holy oblation, meaning "the portion" set aside for divine use. This will be entirely separated from the surrounding country for the purpose of worship.

It is to this centre that mankind will regularly assemble: "It shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which come against Jerusalem (at Armageddon), shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts" (Zechariah 14:16).

An artist’s impression of the glorious temple of the Age to come as depicted by Ezekiel the prophet (chs. 40-48). The dimensions of the future temple-city of Jerusalem are also outlined in Jeremiah 31:38-40 where the prophet declares: "Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord" (ie. As a temple). At no stage in the long history of Jerusalem has the city ever reached the dimensions described. It will do so when Christ returns, and supervises its rebuilding as a centre of world worship (see Isaiah 60:10-14).

The tourist and commercially-orientated Jerusalem of today is to be entirely removed to provide for this great temple-city. Gone will be the impurities and rubbish of the centuries, covered over by a tremendous earthquake that will elevate Mt. Zion in Jerusalem, whilst levelling the surrounding country (Zechariah 14:4,10). Around this elevated mount a new Jerusalem will be built "to the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:23-24; Isaiah 60:10-11). Zion will be encircled by a range of buildings some 60 metres (200 feet) wide and 600 metres (2,000 feet) high, and some 4.5 kilometres (2½ miles) in circumference.

This imposing circular structure will be beautified by tall, massive pillars and facades of arabesque masonry, upon which will creep the luxurious growth of vines and creepers. This vast range of buildings, beautiful in appearance, majestic in design, significant in spiritual symbolism, and reflecting to the glory of its divine architect, shall constitute the temple proper.

In the centre of this range of buildings, beyond which no mortal shall pass (cp. Psalm 24:3-6), there will be seen the elevated hill of Zion, called "the mountain of the Lord’s house" (Isaiah 2:2). The summit of this mount will serve as a massive altar to receive the offerings of worshippers from all over the world (Ezekiel 43:12,13; Isaiah 56:7; 60:7).

Surrounding this circular range of buildings will be the large outside structure, foursquare in design, consisting of a double range of buildings, each 36 metres (120 feet) high, and 15 metres (50 feet) wide. Each of the four sides is approximately 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) in length, and will completely enclose the inner, circular temple. At each corner rise tremendous towers, 110 metres (360 feet) square and 146 metres (480 feet) high. They are the places where food will be prepared to feed the worshippers who assemble. It is estimated that the building will hold well over one million worshippers at the one time.

The mortal subjects of Christ’s kingdom (as distinct from those who elect to follow Christ now, and who then shall be his immortal associates) will congregate in the areas set aside for their use, in the vast corner courts of the outer square range of buildings which enclose the circular temple. From there they will be able to view the elevated altar and see the great king surrounded by his glorious retinue of immortalised associates.

Participating in such worship before such august company, will have a tremendous impact upon the worshippers. Even now, the contemplation of the reality of Christ’s coming rule can draw us closer to him. It can help us visualise the future and clothe it with reality, so providing an incentive for godly living. It will enable us to see beyond the evil present to the glorious consummation of God’s plan with the earth and man upon it.

New Meaning to Important Bible Statements
Many Bible verses shine with new significance when set against the background of the great temple-city of Jerusalem. Consider the following:

"All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He is the governor among the nations" (Psalm 22:27-28).

"It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, ’Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths, for out of Zion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many nations, and shall rebuke many people, and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:2-4).

This is the glorious future awaiting this earth when Christ reigns from Jerusalem, and the world is united in the worship and teaching stemming from the temple to be erected there. It is a wondrous picture that can inspire us with hope and anticipation in spite of the darkness and distress of the present.

What This Can Mean to You
The call of the gospel is an invitation to accept the way of life in Christ now, so as to become associated with his glorious future. Christ’s immortal associates, under his direction, will be set the task of educating in principles of righteousness those mortals that remain after the holocaust of Armageddon (Isaiah 30:20,21). Thus eternal satisfaction, as well as eternal life in the near future, is held out to those who lay hold of the hope in Christ - fulfilling the deepest desire of the human heart.

What is required?
This is set forth in the commission the Lord Jesus gave to his apostles: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved" (Mark 16:15-16).

A knowledge and endorsement of the gospel, followed by baptism into the name of the Lord, and obedience to his precepts are essential to salvation. Paul taught that the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Romans 1:16). Jesus declared: "true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23).

Baptism, therefore, commences a process that can culminate in life eternal. It is the outward token of an inward change that will provide the foundation for a change of nature at the return of Christ (2Corinthians 5:4; 1Corinthians 15:42-46).

The status of the approved will be that of king-priests. Please do not confuse the title "priest" with its present use amongst Christians. The priests of the future age will be quite different from those who misrepresent the teachings of the Scriptures, and fail to provide the true direction for salvation. The term in Scripture signifies a teacher of righteousness: "The priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 2:7). In Christ, therefore, is found a life of satisfaction now, to culminate in one of greater glory and usefulness in the age to come.

By following Christ today, we can build for the world tomorrow. It is an investment for the future. We urge the reader to think carefully about life, and its purpose. Take a moment to deeply consider the issues that face thinking men and women, and determine to discover for yourself the invitation of Almighty God to participate in the future He has set forth in His Word. No other decision is of any real value.

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