Jerusalem - The Capital of Israel

Commentary by Roger Oakland
Understand The Times International: Roger Oakland Ministries
 www.understandthetimes.org
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Anyone who has read the Bible knows that Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel since the nation’s foundation. So why is there such a controversy following President Donald Trump’s decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel now?

Here is how one news agency reported this historic event:

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will move its embassy there, breaking with longtime US policy and potentially threatening regional stability.

"Today we finally acknowledge the obvious, that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. This is nothing more or less than recognition of reality. It's also the right thing to do. Something that has to be done," Trump said during a speech at the White House.

Nevertheless, Trump emphasized that "This decision is not intended in any way to reflect a departure from our commitment to lasting peace. We're not taking a position on any final status issues, including Israeli sovereignty on Jerusalem. Those questions are up to the parties involved. We remain committed to facilitate peace agreement acceptable to both sides." [1]

The declaration that Trump made on December 6, 2017 is being challenged by world leaders as a threat to world peace. While Trump made it crystal clear that his objective is to continue with the peace process in the middle-east, he has been accused of creating a time bomb that could explode at any moment triggering a third world war.

The Palestinians’ chief representative to England was very outspoken. He stated:

Trump is 'declaring war' by naming Jerusalem Israel's capital, says Palestinian official. Donald Trump would effectively be declaring war in the Middle East if he recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the Palestinians' chief representative to Britain has warned. Manuel Hassassian said it would be the "kiss of death" to the peace process. "If he says what he is intending to say about Jerusalem being the capital of Israel, it means a kiss of death to the two state solution," Mr. Hassassian said in a BBC radio interview.[2]

Even Pope Francis has expressed his frustration with Trump’s action to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel. As the leader for over 1 billion Roman Catholics worldwide, the Pope declared: “I pray to the Lord that its identity is preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the whole world and that wisdom and prudence prevail to prevent new elements of tension from being added to a global context already convulsed by so many cruel conflicts.” [3]

It is interesting to note that those who are most upset by Trump’s announcement are the leaders of nations who have already vowed to eliminate God’s chosen people from the face of the earth. If they are so concerned about peace, then why do they want to create a war that would destroy Israel? Why is there such a rage and hostility directed toward Israel? Does the Bible give any indication why this is happening?

Bible believers should not be shocked by the hostile comments that are being directed towards the Jews and Jerusalem as the result of Trump’s endorsement. In fact, we can expect to see more and more hatred and threats of warfare and attack as time goes by. Speaking of the trouble that Israel would be for world leaders in the last days, the prophet Zechariah stated: “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.” [4]

The Pope, Arab nations, Europe, Palestinians, the United Nations, Iran, Russia, China, and all others can condemn Jerusalem as the capital of Israel all they want. None of this will change the future as foretold by the Bible. There is coming a day that God has ordained for Jerusalem to be at the center of global unrest. Perhaps, that day is sooner than we thought.

But while the nations of the world proclaim their disdain for the Jewish people and for Jerusalem, God has a special place in His heart for the Jews for He made an everlasting covenant with them, and Jerusalem will be remembered forever:

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. (Isaiah 65: 17-18)