4.4 Declaring War on God!

The ultimate Conflict between the world’s 3 major religions,  universal agnostics and the Creator God!

• Who will ultimately rule Jerusalem – The Palestinians, the Pope, the Jews of Israel, the Christians, Islam – or who?
• What will be the final outcome of the Middle East Peace Negotiations?
• What will be the outcome of the Arab – Israel Conflict?
• How does it affect each and every person on earth?

READ THE BIBLICAL DECLARATION & SOLUTION FOR THE JERUSALEM CRISIS.

Since 1997,  Jerusalem,  one of the world’s most ancient cities,  once more stands at the entrance to the war arena in its 3000 year-long traumatic history.  Many scholars fear that this time,  this confrontation which has now become known as  “The Battle for Jerusalem”,  could escalate into that final cataclysmic War of Jerusalem,  by “all the nations of the world”,  as foretold in the Prophecies of the Bible – the War of Gog and Magog (generally known as the ‘War of Armageddon’).

PRETENDERS FOR OWNERSHIP OF JERUSALEM

There are several greatly diverse and opposing forces in this latter day “Battle for Jerusalem”.

Firstly, the returning Jews, currently numbering almost 6 million, claiming Jerusalem as the “eternal indivisible Capital of the Jews”

Secondly, the local Palestinians who claim Jerusalem as their Capital.

Thirdly, Israel’s surrounding Arab neighbours (like Syria, Iraq, Iran, Egypt), who, with several North African nations (like Libya, Sudan) support the Palestinian claim on Jerusalem,  although these Arab nations are greatly divided amongst themselves.

Fourthly, International Arab and Muslim factions, some backing the Palestinians,  claiming Jerusalem as a Muslim religious City of high importance (though 3rd after Mecca and Medina).

Fifthly,  Roman Catholicism, to which the successful establishment of a Jewish State threatens the validity of their declared theology,  which does not allow for a physical modern State of Israel – the ancient State having been dissolved “in punishment for having crucified Jesus”.  The Pope promotes the idea of an Internationalised Jerusalem, “Capital of 2 nations and 3 Religions.”

Sixthly, the United Nations, claiming international status for Jerusalem under Resolution 181(II),  which was passed by the General Assembly in 1947 following the Return of the Jewish population to their ancient Homeland after they had been ravaged by Hitler’s genocide in Europe.

Although most nations do not specifically claim any right to Jerusalem, they do deny the sole right of the Jews to this City and thereby, unwittingly,  support the cause of Jerusalem’s declared non-Jewish pretenders and claimants.  On 1 Dec 1999, a UN Resolution was adopted by 139 votes in favour, to 1 against, (the vote of Israel itself), with 3 abstentions (Swaziland, United States and Uzbekistan),  that Israel’s imposition of its own laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem is illegal, null and void.

DIVINE RESTORATION OF JERUSALEM FORETOLD – 2500 YEARS IN ADVANCE OF TIME!

The Hebrew prophets, citizens of ancient Israel, whose Prophecies were recorded in the Bible, seem to have had amazing insight into the future.  Many of their other predictions regarding the future of that controversial race, the Jews, have since become facts of history.

One of the amazing facts, right at the outset of this discussion, is that, even 50 years ago, this looming War over Jerusalem could not have been such a universal fiery subject as it is today.  In 1948, when the modern version of Israel was re-established,  Jerusalem was a barren, derelict, dirty and dusty desert city of ruins and poverty.  Two thousand years of abandonment by its once proud Jewish citizens, who became dispersed across the length and breadth of the earth,  caused it to degrade under the regular changing rule of gentile nations,  from one of the most impressive cities of the old world, to this derelict status.

The last 70 years, under the rule of Jerusalem’s returning ancient owners, the Jeqwas, have witnessed the amazing and certainly miraculous fulfilment of yet another main theme of these ancient Hebrew Prophets:  the rebuilding of Jerusalem on its ancient ruins, after it has served out its prophetically pre-destined period of desolation determined on it by Divine Retribution.  In merely 70 years of modern existence Isreael was raised from dessert wilderness and pest infected swamplands torank among the Top 1o of Nations – on many platforms it ranks first.  Today, it boasts a modern, tree-lined, flowering Jerusalem which draws millions of world tourists annually.  The country of Israel has raised itself  from an unproductive, third-world country  to the top ranks of the world’s technological, medical, military, educational and agricultural achievers.  Hardly a day passes that the current affairs of Israel and Jerusalem are not mentioned amongst the headlines of the news media of the world!

Now – rebuilding an ancient city is not such an amazing fete in itself,  and it could well fit into the forecasts of any moderately efficient soothsayer.  Like with all the Biblical Prophecies though.  Divine Inspiration and Wisdom has taken care to include many “amazing” and paradoxical elements in the Biblical Prophecies regarding Jerusalem. In this way Biblical Prophetic fulfilment is secured beyond any doubts – that is, for those who wish to contemplate on the matter and who are brave enough to confront their own traditional, cultural, religious and educational beliefs head-on.

So, what are these elements of “amazement” with regard to the rebuilding of Jerusalem which we have witnessed over the last 70 years?

• The fact that these Biblical Prophecies claimed (3,000 years in advance) that Jerusalem would be rebuilt by the returning remnant of its Biblically documented nation, the Jews,  This would require their return from exile amongst the nations  after their universal Dispersion and Persecution over a span of 2,000 years!  It would become such an internationally contentious issue, that it would draw the disfavour of all the other nations against itself, eventually causing a World War of nuclear or bio-chemical proportions – Armageddon, or the War of Gog Magog predicted in Bible Prophecy.  Sewveral Bible sections define such a War of all nations agauinst Jerusalem – Zech. ch 12, 14, Ezek. 38.

Please note that these were Hebrew prophets who proclaimed  ‘doom’  over their own nation.  Modern propaganda by Israel’s opposers accuse Israel of wanting to “rule the world” (the Illuminati theory, Elders of Zion, etc) and of usurping and displacing the Palestinians from their Homeland.  The Zionistic spirit of the Jews are condemned world-wide as aggressive opportunism and labeled as “terrorism” and “Nazism” by the Palestinian propaganda machine.

Author’s Note:  Since we are dealing here with a subject of such vast proportions,  it is difficult to present, in a few pages, both the undeniable, foundational statements as well as the factual back-up thereto,  more so because of the contentious and explosive nature of our subject.  Readers are assured though, that all statements made in this essay, are well backed by supporting reading aand research materials which are abundantly available on the internet and in libraries,  all based on historical factual evidence.  Space does also not permit the quotation here of the many comprehensive Biblical Prophecies which clearly describe such a War of nuclear proportions on Jerusalem.  

• The fact that Jerusalem would be rebuilt by the very same nation, the Jews, who would be regathered from across the whole earth where they have been dispersed for 2000 years,  and led back to the “soil of their forefathers.”

Again, it requires a library to contain all the books which authenticate the historical facts of this nation which has been miraculously preserved through the amazingly long span of 2000 years, outside of their own country, Israel.  It defies the imagination, how that a nation, which has been dispersed throughout the ends of the earth,  strewn amongst all nations who were generally hostile to them (the Jews) and persecuted them individually and en masse (culminating in the German Holocaust),  not only survived such a long period,  but could emerge on the opposite side, basically with the same culture and religion!  This notwithstanding the fact that there was hardly any communication between them in the various regions of the world  (during the dark ages before the modern technological age) – travel was burdensome and public radio and telecommunications were non-existent until this 20th century.  Also in spite of the fact that,  throughout these many years, wherever they lived, they were generally haunted and persecuted for what they were:  Jews.  To mention just a few of their horrendous persecutions:

– the Spanish Inquisition
– the Russian Pogroms
– the German Holocaust

• The fact that the Prophets foresaw an ingathering “from the four corners of the earth” – and that they would re-institute their ancient lost language – Hebrew.  That “they would make the deserts of Israel bloom” once again.  That they would return from their “exile under the sword”, and still not have peace in their own land.

There are many more “amazing elements”.  May this suffice though, for purposes of this discussion.

The current “Battle for Jerusalem” has grown out of the after-results of this predestined restoration of Jerusalem.

CITY OF INTERNATIONAL CONTENTION

Jerusalem, unlike any other city in the world, has the unique capability to draw the whole world into its wake.  The main reason for this,  probably is because it is the birth place of 2 of the 3 major religions of the world:  Judaism and Christianity.  It is also linked to the world’s 3rd major religion, Islam,  historically and geographically.  It is surrounded by Arab Muslim countries,  some of which own the major Oil Fields of the world.  Although not mentioned even once in the Quran, and regarded as only the third most holy city to Islam in the world,  it now has also become the envy of Islam.  Islam currently holds the religious rights to the ancient religious nucleus of Jerusalem,  the heart and soul of Jerusalem, namely the Temple Mount, where currently the Muslim “Dome of the Rock” stands.  This structure was erected by the Muslims in the 6th century on the exact building site where the first and second ancient Jewish Temples stood, and where ‘Jesus Christ’, the contending Jewish Messiah, overturned the tables of the traders.

Islam fears, and is easily aroused by rumours, true or false, that the Jews want to build their 3rd Temple, on the same site, in the near future.  An international campaign has been launched by the Palestinians, supported by many Christian denominations, denying that there is any archeological proof whatsoever, that the Jews have any historic right to Jerusalem and the Holy Temple Mount.  To the right,  there is the claim of Zionistic Judaism to “the undeniable eternal right of the Jews to a Jerusalem undivided”.  To the left, there are the Christian claims,  spearheaded by the Roman Catholic Pope’s vision of  “a Jerusalem of Peace – one capital of two nations and three religions” and internationalisation of Jerusalem is posed by him as a solution.

No other city in the world could arouse such universal yet diversified animosity and intrigue.  What is renowned to be “God’s Holy City of Peace”, is now turning out to be a ticking Time Bomb of international strife – exactly as prophesied 2500 years in advance.

Surely, if religion forms such a major part of this contentious issue,  then one should take note of what the most authentic Source Writings have to say on the matter?

If we go back to the most ancient Source writings of the 3 major religious contenders on Jerusalem, then we are left with:

• The Tanach – Basic to Judaism and known to Christianity as the ‘Old’ Testament.
• The New Testament – Basic to Christianity, and
• The Quran – Basic to Islam.

Seeing that the Koran has no referral to Jerusalem,  we are thus left, for purposes of our study subject, with the two oldest versions of the three, namely:

• The Tanach, which is almost entirely set in, or aimed at, the establishment of,  and the continuous and ultimate fate of Jerusalem, and
• The New Testament which, almost entirely, is set in, around, and regarding Jerusalem, past and future.

Before referring to these sources for guidelines regarding the ultimate fate of Jerusalem as a World City, and to be perfectly fair to the majority of readers who, for secular or other reasons,  do not regard these Scriptural directives as applicable to our modern age, we will have to revert to the only other means (even if speculative) outside of religion,  namely that of common sense and logic.  Unfortunately, in academic circles, such reasoning does not carry any weight at all – hence the source of speculative non-conclusive academic jargon and endless inconclusive reasoning.

Rather than closing the matter as “unresolved” and before turning to biased sources or inconclusive reasoning, we are left no alternative but to consider the logical.  Thereafter we will consider the Scriptural position on the matter.

THE CRISIS – ARISING FROM A DIVINE MANDATE

The Arab Israel Conflict is rooted in a Divine Mandate, almost 4000 years old.  This mandate entailed a Divine Promise to Abraham, (patriarch of both the Arabs and the Israelites) of inheriting the Land of Israel,  “for the Blessing of all nations”  (Gen. 12:3;  18:18;  22:18;  26:4). This Blessing was destined to proceed through the first-born sons, down the family line to their descendants.  According to the Bible record, this Divine Mandate of Inheritance of the Land of Israel,  proceeded from Abraham, through his son Isaac, to his son Jacob, who became the father of twelve sons from whom descended the Twelve Tribes of Israel.  The Arab nations,  descending from the same patriarch, Abraham, but not through the line of Jacob,  were therefore excluded from this Divine Inheritance of the physical Land of Israel, as a nation (not as individuals who may choose to join Israel – like thousands of Egyptians did in the Exodus from Egypt, 3500 years ago).  (For more details, read Genesis chapters 12 – 30).

The Tanach (‘Old Testament’ by Christian interpretation), records the subsequent history of these twelve Tribes from approximately 1800 years BCE;  their conquering of the Land of Palestine and of Jerusalem from the local inhabitants (1000 BCE) (on Divine Instruction);  their establishment of the Land of Israel;  their raising it to a World Empire under the rule of King David and Solomon (ranking amongst the World’s Empires of Babylon, Greece, Rome, and even the USA of modern times – a historicaL fact which is suppressed by the World’s academics today!);  their building of two successive Temples on the same Mount where many centuries later, in the 7th century CE (or AD) the Muslim Temple (‘Dome of the Rock’) was erected and still stands today.

The Christian ‘New Testament’ follows on, with records of the life of YAHU’SHUAH,  the Messiah, and His ultimate Crucifixion in Jerusalem (30 AD).

History subsequently extensively records the dispersing of the Jews from the Land of Israel after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans (70 CE or AD) and their 2000 years exile amongst, eventually, all the nations of the earth.  This exile culminated in the death of millions of Jews during the German Holocaust, after which their destiny was  ‘turned around’ – as they gradually returned to the land of Israel,  their original Homeland.   In 1948, the Modern ‘reborn’ State of Israel was officially declared over much of the territory which, by this time, had reverted back to its ancient name, Palestine – and the Arab Israel Conflict escalated in earnest.  Three major wars later (1956, 1967 & 1973), Israel has recaptured much of their original Homeland as well as the whole of Jerusalem, leaving in its wake the massive problem of the displaced Palestinian inhabitants – millions of whom now live as refugees in neighbouring Arab countries.

LOGICAL CONCLUSIONS

No one can deny that the major origin of the “Battle for Jerusalem” is a religious matter.

Common to the whole contentious matter, is that all three major constituents, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, base their religion on the existence of the SAME God, viz.  the Creator,  God of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau.

Now, from the bystander’s  point of view:  IF this Creator God really exists, would it not be a logical conclusion (since each group insists on their own uniquely owned and “divinely ordained” version), that this God will have:

• ONE unique System (religion)
• ONE culture
• ONE unique Law (or set of rules)

Further, since Jerusalem plays a part in each of these three groups: past, present and future,  would it not be logical to conclude that there should be ONE unique Divine Purpose for this City and that some factions may have an incorrect interpretation or understanding of this Divine Purpose?

Now, as much as each faction believes that only they are correct, yet they all differ grossly on the issue, the question is whether it is at all possible, until such time as they may come to agreement, that they could live peacefully together in the presence of this obstacle in their midst?   The only way that this could be achieved, is by humanity’s modern solution of “dialogue”.  An acceptable “communal” System, rather than the ONE unique Divine System, will then also have to be agreed upon.  This System, obviously,  will differ from the Divinely recommended System – if such indeed exists.

Assuming this was agreed upon – is it not much like getting a hyena, a wild dog and a jackal to peacefully share the carcass of the same animal?  Some of us may reason, that because we are humans, advanced in the art of dialogue and human relations,  it could in fact be possible.  What, may we ask,  has changed since the long centuries of human genocide, even to this day,  and of wars in the name of religion?   Terrorists, religiously inspired, even contemplate how many deaths they can cause by blowing themselves up as “a Divine Offer to God!”

So, why would this stop when Jerusalem is shared by these very factions?

And who will rule Jerusalem, may we ask:  Christians, Muslims or Jews – or a mixture?

Without stretching the issue, it should be evident that we have an unresolvable issue at stake here.

Shall we give up?  Disband?  Continue strife?

The logical answer should be to consider giving some attention to the Source Scriptures which, incidentally, contain a mass of material on the subject, as well as a solution to offer:

SCRIPTURAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

If this ‘communal’ God of the three major contenders for Jerusalem (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) does exist at all, then it is logic that the solution to the problem should be found in the Scriptures which He claims to have inspired.  These Scriptures, generally known as the Bible, are after all, accepted by 2 of the contenders, Jews and Christians.  Islam, serving the same God,  base their claims on the Quran – which does not mention Jerusalem at all and dates several centuries after the Bible.  If any Divine directives do exist, it should therefore have to be found in the Bible.

Due consideration of the Bible’s position on the explosive subject of the disputed Ownership of Jerusalem, will reveal a very logical though not popular solution.  We will consider this from two perspectives:

• The Scriptural declaration in the matter
• The Scriptural Solution for the benefit of all humanity

THE BIBLE’S DECLARATION ABOUT THE OWNERSHIP OF JERUSALEM

As Sovereign Creator and Owner of the Universe (Gen. 1:1),  it is God’s sovereign Right to determine and allocate the borders and territories of nations.   As such, He initially gave the contested territory (which today is known as Israel, some would say Palestine) to seven nations of Canaan.  Of His own Will, He later decided to give it to the 12 Tribes of Israel unto all eternity.

Who dare to question this Divine Decision?

Scripture is also clear and emphatic that God intends to establish Jerusalem as earthly Headquarters for His future World Empire.  From here He will reign over the world,  having established a Dispensation of Peace, which mankind, in all the time allotted to them, have failed to establish.  As such, He has a special Purpose for Jerusalem.  Does this not give Him the Divine Right to decide which nation He wishes to establish as ‘owners’ of Jerusalem?

If God is the Sovereign Owner of the world –  as Creator thereof,  if it behoved Him to take the Land from the Canaanites and give it to the nation of Israel;  if He decided, 2000 years ago,  to banish the whole nation of Israel from the Land into universal exile;  if He took a Divine Oath to regather this dispersed nation from the four corners of the earth;  if He fulfils this promise in miraculous fashion and brings them back to rebuild Jerusalem and make the deserts bloom,  as the world has witnessed over the last 50 years and as He has foretold in writing through His Prophets 2500 years in advance;  if, on their return He returns territory to them in equally miraculous fashion in three Wars of self-defense;  who then would dare to question it?  Who will have the authority to reclaim the conquered territories of the Promised Land?  Who will have the authority to exhort Israel to return these Territories to anyone else than Israel itself?

Clearly, no one has the authority to return Divinely ordained Territory for a ‘promise’ of Peace by the enemies of Israel – not the USA, not the UN, neither the President or Prime Minister of Israel or any other political contender.

Clearly, Divinely ordained Territory cannot be negotiable!

Those who are conducting the battle against God’s Plan’s for Jerusalem and who side with those who wish to destroy Israel;  those who are pressurising Israel  to return territory in pursuit of a vague promise of ‘Peace’,  have not learned anything from the historical experience of the world.  They fail to recognise that all the major powers, even world empires of the past, which tried to destroy Israel and take the Land away from them,  all disappeared from the face of the earth (like Babylon and Rome) and suffered severe punishment!  In the same Divine Promise to Abraham regarding the inheritance of the Land,  God also repeatedly and simultaneously issued the Divine Warning that He will “bless those who bless Israel and Jerusalem and curse those who curse them.”  (Gen. 12:3;  Zech 2:8 etc).

According to God’s Decree, during all 19 centuries of Israel’s banishment from the Land, not one of the multitude of nations that ruled the Land during this long period, managed to put down successful roots in this Land.  What they did manage, was to totally destroy the Land and make it desolate,  again, exactly in accordance with God’s proclaimed Plan through the Biblical Prophecies – Scriptures which have been left intact to this day as a Testimony to His Sovereignty.  The Land waited, according to Divine Decree for the Return of its rightful heirs!  And within 70 years of this miraculous Return,  Israel has become a leader amongst nations in many advanced fields!  Do world leaders never learn?

Further to God’s Decree,  the Third Jewish Temple will be erected on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem,  where for 1900 years non-Jewish religions ruled.   Although a small remnant of Jews remained in the Land throughout the Dispersion,  God’s System and Law, as revealed to Moses,  have returned to the Land over the last number of decades.  Accordingly, God will certainly establish His Rule over the world from Jerusalem and “His House is going to be a House of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).

THE SCRIPTURAL SOLUTION TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL HUMANITY

The Solution to the Crisis of Jerusalem, according to the Bible, is exactly the same as the Solution to achieving Success and sense out of Life, generally:

That is: The Creator of the world and of humanity has provided the Keys to Peace and Success.  Like all good and successful things in Life, there needs to be a System and Rules to adhere to.  This applies to:

• driving a car
• piloting a ship or airplane
• steering a spaceship to outer space
• running a business or organization
• ruling a country
• running your home
  and your LIFE!

So, why should there not also be a System with Rules in the Plan of God?

In the Kingdom of God there will be:

• ONE System – the Creator’s System
• ONE Law – the Creator’s Law
• ONE Ruler and King – the Creator Himself,

all promised by Divine Oatrh in the Hebrew Scriptures through the Hebrew Prophets. As much as all religions like to believe that only they have the right System,  yet they all differ from each other.

Question thus remains: Which will it be in the future Kingdom of God?

Obviously: The System of its Creator.

Which is this?

Logic should confirm the right answer:  “That System which He revealed to Moses with the Divine Mandate to go and teach it to the Israelites, who should live according to the Divine requirements and Instructions and in so doing, be a living Witness to the nations of the Blessings which are reaped from abiding by this System, and the Curses incurred for rejecting it”

Until this System rules in Jerusalem, there will be no Peace.  There should be no doubts as to who would install such a System in Jerusalem:  Islam, Christianity or Judaism?

Any claim on Jerusalem which is not in line with the Creator God’s Purpose for this City (as expressed in prophetic Scripture), will amount to no less than a Declaration of War on God, in a vein bid and in the hope that His Purpose can be blocked!  Evil Powers will obviously influence those humans who have not taken God’s Purpose to heart, in an attempt to obstruct His Divine Plan for humanity.

Psalm 83.1-8

“O God, do not remain quiet; do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. For, behold, Thine enemies make an uproar; and those who hate Thee have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Thy people, and conspire together against Thy treasured ones. 
They have said, ‘Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.’ 
For they have conspired together with one mind; against Thee do they make a covenant: the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites; 
Gebal, and Ammon (Jordan), and Amalek; Philistia (‘Palestine’) with the inhabitants of Tyre (Lebanon); Assyria (Iran) also has joined with them; they have become a help to the children of Lot”

The choice is yours,  you may side where you see fit – the outcome has been Divinely predetermined and written in the Bible for anyone to read and convince themselves!