God Promises All Will Come to Jerusalem

Psalms 87:1-4 He has set his foundation on the holy mountain; 2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are said of you, O city of God: 4 “I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me – Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush – and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”
 
FROM Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells us Jerusalem is God’s chosen city. We first see the image of Jerusalem when Abram returns from rescuing his nephew Lot from several kings who had taken him hostage. Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Melchizedek was from Salem, a region near Jerusalem. “Salem” means “peaceful”, similar to the Hebrew greeting “shalom”.
   When Israel settled the Promised Land, Jerusalem was home to the Jebusites (Joshua 10 & 15). Because it was set on a mountain, Jerusalem was nearly impossible to conquer. But eventually Daivd’s army found a way to take the city. It was called the City of David for many years. During David’s rule, God brought his ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. And then Solomon built the temple. God’s glory was evident in the city and the temple. Nations came to enjoy Jerusalem’s peace and prosperity.
   This reign illustrates God’s eternal plan for Jerusalem. Long before the gospel, the psalm writers prophesied God’s universal peace in Jerusalem. The foundation on the holy mountain expresses Jerusalem’s fundamental role in revealing God to the world. God protected Jerusalem from many invading armies to reveal his strong arm of protection for his people. He also used Jerusalem to display his justice when Babylon destroyed the city.
   But the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. He sent Nehemiah from Persia to rebuild the city’s walls and Ezra to rebuild the temple. But Jerusalem’s story has been one of conquest and foreign rule. Today the Muslims rule the Temple Mount. Where is God’s promise? 
   His promise is in the future kingdom reign. The prophecies of the new heaven and earth point to the glorious things said of you, O city of God: God said, “I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me – Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush – and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’” These were all Israel’s enemies. But one day all the redeemed world will be in the New Jerusalem. Through the sacrifice of Jesus’ crucifixion, the power of his resurrection and the glory of his ascension, the Holy Spirit poured out the gospel onto Jerusalem at Pentecost. From Jerusalem and Judea, the gospel now covers the earth. One day all opposition, even Egypt and the Islam controlled countries will submit to God to worship him in the new Jerusalem.
   The peace of God will rule the eternal city. Our Great High Priest Jesus will draw all people to him. And we will submit in joy and reverence to the One who loves us. Revelation 21:2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”