Tag Archives: Jerusalem

Luke 19- Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem

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And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. Luke 19:41-44

During the event of “Palm Sunday”, Jesus made a prophetic statement that still holds true , even today. Often we hear people talk about how Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus, however Jesus also wept over the city of Jerusalem. So what happened to Jerusalem and why was it so important? Well first you need to understand that Jerusalem is the City of God, it was the only place on Earth where the presence of God dwelled with people before Christ came. In fact all of prophecy is based around Jerusalem, and there will be a New Jerusalem in the New Heavens and Earth

Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple, and even today the Temple was never rebuilt again. This is significant because you can’t keep “The Law” or Torah without the Temple. Because Jesus fulfilled The Law at the cross (Matthew 5:17) and the Temple was destroyed after than in 70 A.D. The New Covenant was established by the blood of Christ. The old system has been fulfilled, the priest line, the sacrificial system, ect none of these are possible without a Temple

As I stated, before Christ, the only place on Earth where God dwelled on Earth was The Temple. But God became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14) Jesus is now our High Priest, Jesus is now our sacrifice for sin, Jesus is now our Temple. Immanuel, God is with Us, and then the Holy Spirit was poured down upon us at Pentecost and living inside of us now (Acts 2)

Many believe that the “Great Tribulation” Jesus talked about in Matthew 24, was actually the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. While I am a partial Preterist and believe there were fulfillments there, I don’t believe all of the Tribulation was fulfilled, something to read and ponder. The point is Jerusalem is the center of all Gods prophecy, and when Jesus rose from the dead, it changed everything and the evidence is still present, even today

Jesus knew the Temple would be destroyed, he knew Jerusalem would be destroyed, and he also knew the Jewish people were going to be persecuted. Why? Because the majority of them rejected their own Messiah, they even crucified Him on a cross. Jesus is still weeping over Jerusalem today, until the day comes when Christ returns and they receive him as their King and Lord Amen!

Luke 13- Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem

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The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. Luke 13:31-33

Jesus makes some very interesting statements in our reading today, first the religious leaders are warning Jesus that King Herod wants to kill him and to get out of Jerusalem. Now are the Pharisees being honest or do they just want Christ to leave them alone? Either way Jesus makes it clear he’s not too concerned with what Herod thinks of him. In fact Jesus uses an interesting term for Herod, he calls him a fox, which in those days was a reference to being feminine. Jesus was calling out Herods immoral lifestyle and weak masculinity

Secondly, Jesus had alot of work to do, he still had demons to get rid of and people to heal. Jesus wasn’t concerned about Herod’s agenda or the Pharisees agenda. Notice Jesus says “On the 3rd day I will be perfected” , Christ is prophesying about his own resurrection. 

Jesus makes another very interesting statement “It cannot be that a prophet perishes outside of Jerusalem” , as we know prophets and apostles have died outside of Jerusalem, so what is Jesus referring to? First , I think he is prophesying about his own death on the cross, secondly I think he is referring to the accountability Israel has for the death of the prophets. Jesus made it clear throughout his ministry, that Israel was responsible for the death of God’s prophets (Luke 11:49-51)

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which 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. Luke 13:34-35

Jesus mourns over Jerusalem, remember Jerusalem means City of God, this was the only place on Earth that Gods resided until Christ came. But the religious leaders corrupted God’s Holy City and killed his prophets and apostles. Jesus knows the fate of Jerusalem and The Temple, as they will all be destroyed in 70 A.D.

Notice Jesus makes another prophecy “You shall not see me until the time come when they say “Blessed is He that comes in the name of The Lord” Most people recognize this as the statements made when Jesus rolled through Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Jesus was prophesying about Palm Sunday and it was also fulfilled. 

God is sending a New Jerusalem in the New Heavens and Earth, be ready for Christ is coming again soon Amen!

Acts 21- City of God

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And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Acts 21:8-12

While Paul was on his journey to Jerusalem, he stopped and visited Philip the evangelist. While he was staying there a prophet named Agabus, stopped and gave Paul a prophecy that he would be taken prisoner by the Jews and handed over to the Gentiles. The Christians who heard this pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

Earlier in this chapter when Paul was visiting Christians in Tyre, by the Holy Spirit they pleaded with him also to not go to Jerusalem. It’s interesting though Paul still continued his journey despite several warnings by the Holy Spirit. Was Paul really doing the will of God or was God testing Paul? Its interesting to ponder, but Paul kept saying “Let the will of The Lord be done”

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.Acts 21:13-16

Paul didn’t want anyone to weep over him, because Paul was ready to die for the Lord Jesus Christ! Paul ran his race and now was ready to finish his work, but it was only by the will of The Lord and not his own. Its amazing how focused Paul was on God’s eternal kingdom and not focused on this temporary world

Notice also how Jerusalem is the center of the world in Paul’s eyes. Even though Paul evangelized all throughout Asia Minor, he wanted to end his ministry in Jerusalem, the city of God. Just as the Bible said Jesus would return on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4) It’s interesting Jerusalem has and always will be the City of God and the center of prophecy

Acts 20- Paul Heads to Jerusalem

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And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Acts 20:18-22

 Paul was now saying farewell to the Church of Ephesus, as Paul’s mission was to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost. As we know from the Epistle of Ephesians and the book of Acts, Paul spent a great deal of time there, and made alot of relationships as the Church. Paul declared he had taught them all the doctrines of God that he knew and didn’t hold anything back

 One of the interesting references here is Paul said he taught from “house to house”. Displaying that the early Church worshipped in houses before Church buildings were established. This is another interesting fact about how today’s Church differs from the early Church. With all the pressures of mortgages of large buildings and budgets, could this issue easily be resolved if we used our houses as a place of worship?

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. Acts 20:23-26

Paul is declaring to the Ephesians that he fulfilled his purpose by Christ to preach the gospel, and the Holy Spirit is his witness that he did all things with purity and there was no deceit or corruption with his ministry. He also makes the sad announcement that the Church of Ephesus will never see him again, as Paul knows he is probably going to die in Jerusalem.

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Acts 20:27-31

Paul reveals he was in Ephesus for 3 years, preaching the gospel and building the Church. As Paul declared, Christ purchased the Church with his own blood! As he reminded them to watch over the flock and feed them with the Word of God

Paul also gave a final warning about false prophets and teachers coming in to deceive the Church when he leaves. Remember Jesus warned his Apostles about the same thing, even today false prophets and teachers continue to invade the Church and lead many astray. 

Before Paul left the entire Church prayed together and wept, what a beautiful sight of unity and love with the Body of Christ!