GLEANINGS FROM THE SCRIPTURES THE FINAL DETERMINATION OF JERUSALEM By Keith L. Estes There are some deep and anguished cries of persons recorded in the scripture that demonstrate an abiding love for others. A case in point is when King David mourns his son's death. His wail can still be felt from the reading of his words: "O Absalom, my son, my son Absalom, would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! Then again when Jesus stood with his disciples looking down upon the city of Jerusalem and his voice uttered this heartfelt cry, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." David Anderson of The Religious News Service reports that an interfaith group of Christians, Muslims and Jews, many of them from Jerusalem, has issued a joint statement expressing hope that the city "might yet be a city of peace and reconciliation."...Its current and future political status is one of the most sensitive and volatile issues in the Middle East conflict. Just what is the future of this city, which is coveted by these three faiths? What does the scripture say about the end time events surrounding this city? Allow me to assure you that it looks bright indeed! Roy Gustafson, now deceased, was a tremendous teacher of the scriptures and a graduate along with Billy Graham of the old Florida Bible Institute in Tampa. He led many tours to the Holy Land. He was one of the few teachers I would drive many miles to hear. On one of these tours he and his group had the privilege of meeting with Golda Meir, the Prime Minister of Israel. At that time the Israeli's were having difficulty forming and strengthening the new young nation. Roy was mentioning to her about the prophecy that said that the law would proceed from Jerusalem that would govern the whole world. Golda, with that spark of interest that comes from having been a schoolteacher, asked " And do all of these people who have come on the tour with you, know this?" "Yes," Roy replied, "Everyone of them knows it". Here is that beautiful text that comes from the prophet Isaiah that Roy was referring to: "In the last days Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord will become the world's greatest attraction, and people from many lands will flow there to worship the Lord. "Come," everyone will say, "let us go up the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Israel, there he will teach us his laws, and we will obey them." For in those days THE WORLD WILL BE RULED FROM JERUSALEM. The Lord will settle international disputes; all the nations will convert their weapons of war into implements of peace. Then at the last all wars will stop and all military training will end. O Israel, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord, and be obedient to his laws!" (TLB) Luke 13:34, 2 Sam. 18:33 from the King James Version. Verses marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible, copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House publications, Inc. Wheaton, Ill. 60189. All rights reserved. Return to Home Page Return to Current Edition Contact us