Jerusalem is at the core of the eternal plan of God and the key to the future of mankind, but no one seems to care. We can’t afford to ignore this special city. We must watch Jerusalem.

“Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen” (1 Kings 11:13). God has chosen Jerusalem! This city bears significance unlike any other.

“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy,” wrote King David (Psalm 137:5-6). King David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). He will rule over the 12 tribes of Israel in the World Tomorrow. This important man was passionate about Jerusalem, just like God is today.

To understand prophecy and to become perfect like God the Father, we need the same passion for Jerusalem that David had.

Nuclear Games

For thousands of years, horrifically brutal wars have been fought for control of Jerusalem. Jerusalem may be God’s chosen city, but it is presently the bloodiest city on Earth. The Jewish people face a gloomy and threatening reality on a daily basis. Knife assaults, suicide bombings and rocket attacks are commonplace. The Bible says life in Jerusalem is about to get a lot worse before it gets better.

In March of last year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke out against the Iran nuclear deal before the United States Congress. “In this deadly game of thrones, there’s no place for America or for Israel; no peace for Christians, Jews or Muslims who don’t share the Islamist medieval creed; no rights for women; no freedom for anyone,” he said.

At the time of Netanyahu’s speech, America hadn’t yet finalized the deal that is guaranteed to lead to the premier state sponsor of terrorism obtaining the nuclear bomb. Iran repeatedly clamors for the destruction of Israel, but America treats its aggression like a game. Jerusalem will be the primary victim of the worst foreign-policy blunder in American history.

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22). At what time in human history has it been possible to exterminate every person on Earth? Only recently have scientists created a weapon that could cause such devastation. The number-one problem facing this world is human survival!

Compassed With Armies

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” (Matthew 24:15). Jerusalem is the holy place described here. Before this age of man finally ends, Jerusalem will be at the center of the calamitous events that precede the return of Jesus Christ.

“Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city” (Zechariah 14:1-2). Half of Jerusalem will soon fall! Think about the intractable problem in this city. The Arabs already inhabit the eastern half. Your Bible says it is only a matter of time before they forcibly seize control!

Here is what I wrote in my booklet Jerusalem in Prophecy:

Consider it: The Day of the Lord and the dispute over one half of Jerusalem are presented in the same context. That is because when half of Jerusalem goes into captivity, that crisis triggers a series of events that leads to the return of Jesus Christ! One half of Jerusalem being taken captive is like the first domino to fall leading to Christ’s return and battle against all nations in Jerusalem! It all begins and ends in Jerusalem.In other words, the current dispute over East Jerusalem is a strong sign that the Day of the Lord is almost here!

Another foreign power will see the chaos in Jerusalem and come to the rescue. After conquering radical Islam led by Iran, a European army led by Germany will surround Jerusalem. “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto” (Luke 21:20-21).

“Jerusalem compassed with armies”: This is the biggest sign God gives us that it’s time to flee—or be destroyed!

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (verses 34-36). Watch Jerusalem and watch yourself. Make sure you don’t let down; time is too short. Hear God’s instructions and apply them in your life.

There are many more details about the shocking chain of events that leads to Christ’s return, but the main takeaway is that Jerusalem is at the heart of it all. It is comforting to know when Christ will return, but this is only a less important physical reason to watch Jerusalem.

New Jerusalem

“Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem” (Zechariah 1:17). Jerusalem will soon become the headquarters of the universe! God will dwell there for all eternity.

“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” (Isaiah 2:3). The Word of God will go forth from Jerusalem and cover the Earth. All people will learn God’s way and live according to His law.

“Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her … As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:10, 13). No city has suffered more than Jerusalem. No city will rejoice more than Jerusalem! God will stop all the violence and misery. He will heal all scars and wipe away all tears. What a contrast to the unfathomable bloodshed just ahead! (Joel 3:2; Revelation 14:19-20).

“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). The great patriarch Abraham had his mind locked in on New Jerusalem! God the Father will soon bring this city down to Earth and establish His throne among us! Those of us who do His Work today will share His throne forever as the Bride of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:7). We will look and act just like God.

God has chosen Jerusalem. To become perfect like Him, we must make it a priority to do the same.