Jerusalem Restored

AP - US embassy jubilantly opens in Jerusalem as Gaza rages
The AP reports: "The United States opened its new embassy in Jerusalem Monday with a high-powered American presidential delegation joining Israel’s top leadership in a celebration of their countries’ friendship and the city’s history as the ancient capital of the Jewish people. [...] For Israelis, it marked the first official recognition of their capital after 70 years. But the move infuriated Palestinians, who seek the eastern part of the city that Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war as their future capital. Also absent were the ambassadors of many European nations that opposed the move ... [...] As significant as the event was for many Jews, it appeared to be equally important for Israel’s Christian allies. [...] Evangelicals say their affinity stems from Christianity’s Jewish roots, and some view Israel’s establishment as fulfilling biblical prophecy."

Comment: What a great day, and yes, it is indeed prophetically significant. Why, you ask, does this fulfill prophecy? Because either directly or indirectly, it affirms the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The prophets foretold that Jerusalem would be established as a city and capital for the people of Israel, who would themselves be restored to the land after being scattered among the nations. Jerusalem also has a great destiny to be the future capital of the planet. You see, God's original plan was for the light of grace to shine in Jerusalem and for the nations to come to Jerusalem learn the ways of God. When Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah, God turned it around, the Good News of salvation would go out from Jerusalem to all nations. When Christ returns and establishes His kingdom and rules on the Throne of David, then once again the nations will come to Jerusalem, the city of the Great King, to learn the ways of the Living God.

See:  Isaiah 44:26 / Jeremiah 30:1-38:22 / Zechariah 8 & 12.

A special note about today,  let's not forget to gives thanks for the United States, Guatemala and Paraguay as the bravest of the brave, the only nations to honor Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. I'm praying that God will richly bless these nations for blessing Israel (Genesis 12:3).

Update 5/24/18: I'd like to update this and clarify that the above comment about the status of Jerusalem in God's design for history did not come from me but from Dr. David Jeremiah, who likened Israel to the center of a wheel with the spokes radiating out to the nations.