The Struggle for Control of Jerusalem

By Todd Strandberg

It is generally regarded as common knowledge amongst prophecy scholars that the foundation of the state of Israel was the beginning of the last days. Some would go as far as to say that the generation that witnessed the birth of Israel would also live to see the return of Jesus Christ.

The Bible actually includes more prophecy about Jerusalem than it does about Israel itself. During the tribulation hour, the focus will be on Jerusalem. God promises calamity for any nation that comes against His Holy City.

"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 in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zechariah 12:2-3).

Anyone with a secular mindset should find it odd that so much attention is being paid to Jerusalem. Jack Kelley rightly pointed out in a recent article that,

”Jerusalem has no natural harbor. It isn't situated astride any major trade route. Nor is it a gateway city. It's not a banking or industrial or commercial or medical or hi-tech center. It has no natural resources. While it's too hilly for an airport, it doesn't command any strategic high ground” (Leave Jerusalem Alone).

Despite its lack of qualities that mankind would regard as important, Jerusalem remains the center of world attention. There have been more UN resolutions about it than about any other city on earth. Several U.S. presidents have based their legacies on resolving issues relating to Jerusalem. President Obama has a special envoy, George Mitchell, who deals with issues related to Jerusalem. A series of Israeli/Arab wars have also been fought over this city.

Lately, Jerusalem has been very active in the headlines. Israeli leaders are under heavy pressure to freeze construction projects in the eastern part of the capital city. President Obama has been very vocal in calling for Israel to halt any new construction.

Obama has quickly earned the loathing of right-wing religious parties in Israel. Rabbi Eliezer Waldman, a former Knesset member, said,

“You are a racist! How dare you tell Jews that they can’t live in this place or in that location? We’re finished with such periods in our history!” Waldman then warned, “God Almighty has taken His people out of exile and brought them back home to its land! He has brought them to independence, to settlement, to life in its land that has now come to life once again! This is the ‘change’! And woe unto those who would interfere in this process of change!”

I believe America is in great danger because of its policies regarding Jerusalem. We are messing with the apple of God’s eye, and His wrath is being poured out on our nation. I think one reason America is in such poor economic health is because of past policies toward Israel and Jerusalem. Knowing God is slow in His judgment, I fear we have a huge backlog of vengeance coming our way.

There is no easy solution to the conflict involving Jerusalem. The Palestinian Authority has laid claim to all Jerusalem neighborhoods that were occupied by Jordan between the years of 1948 and 1967. This assertion basically means they want the entire old city. The Jews will never agree to such an arrangement because God has already declared the Jews as being the rightful owners of the Holy City. The Antichrist may come up with a temporary compromise, but in the end, there will be total war for control of Jerusalem.

Terry and I were talking the other day, and we said we were amazed to see Jerusalem so active in the news. If this city now matches the role it will play in the final moments of end-time prophecy, it makes us wonder how close we are to the tribulation hour.