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The City of Death

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut into pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” – Zechariah 12:2-3.

It goes without saying that Israel’s birth in 1948 among the nations of the world was original and questionable; never before had the nation been born in time before AD 70-74, when it was taken apart by the Roman Empire. Israel lives again! In the last thirty years it has grown to become the Middle East superpower. Four years ago, many would have questioned that power and structure of the nation, but it seems that God has made it clear that things are wrapping up very quickly to reveal the end of time. If you read the Bible literally, like I do, then you know that God is at work in the modern day Holy Land.

I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Romans 11:25

Consider carefully the moves and adjustments in the state of global nations; Christians know that Israel will come to the place in which most, if not all, will be against it. And up to that point the nation will struggle with the land and people around it, claiming ownership. Terrorism is rampant, and Jerusalem is the centerpiece of conflict today. As we look closer at the Bible, we discover two cities that are mentioned the most in God’s Word: (1) Babylon, the city that rebels against God. Today, it is virtually nothing, very little in power. Many believe that it will be rebuilt as the end of time comes. (2) The most mentioned city in the Bible is “the city He loves” – Jerusalem.

Today, a modern census reports that there are about 850,000 in the city, more than ever before in all of time. This is very interesting because it is the LORD who promised to place His Name there, and that He will come and live there in the end of time. This makes the city the most known and watched in the world. There is a reason that everyone wants a part of that place called Jerusalem.

The Western Wall during Sabbath in Jerusalem, Israel

We should watch Jerusalem and listen for God’s call to that city as He readies Himself for the closing of this chapter of time. This is the time when Jerusalem has come from being known as the “city of death” to what many now call the City of Life.

“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you…. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” – Romans 11:17-18, 23-25

Pastor Rod Hembree, ThD, DE is the founding pastor of Good Friends Fellowship in Ontario, Canada. He brings his extensive production background and Biblical training together to serve the Body of Christ as the daily host and Executive Director of Bible Discovery. He also hosts a YouTube channel for live prayer and difficult questions.

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  1. Has Israel been given its second chance or is it happening now!!!!!?????????????????