The Future Judgement and Final Glory of Jerusalem

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by Joseph Hunting

The great prophets of Israel prophesied the final regathering and restoration of the people of Israel to the Land. Isaiah referred to it as the second regathering: "It shall come to pass in that day that the LORD shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people who are left, from Assyria and Egypt, from Pathros and Cush, from Elam and Shinar, from Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth" (11:11,12).

It is important to note that this regathering is "from the four corners of the earth" , not just from those lands immediately north and east of Israel into which the people were taken captive during the first dispersion.

Jeremiah also foretold the time when the Lord would CAUSE His people to return to the Land and possess it (30:3).

Jeremiah links this return to the Land with "the time of Jacob's trouble" , a time which Bible scholars link with the last battle on earth, the battle of Armageddon. "For thus says the LORD, We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see, whether a man is ever in labour with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labour, and all faces turned pale?

"Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it … For I am with you, says the LORD, to save you; though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you ..." (30:5,7,11).

The events of the past fifty years combine to tell the world that God is fulfilling His promises to Israel.

That Last Battle

Of all the battles that have ever been fought over the Holy City none compare in magnitude with the final conflagration. It will not be only ONE nation, or even a confederacy of nations, for the Bible states that ALL nations will come against Jerusalem. The odds are too great and nothing can save the city except Divine intervention.

Let Zechariah describe this awful climax of the ages which will culminate with the return of the One Israel has long awaited, the Redeemer, the Messiah: "For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity ...

"Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.

"And in that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives ...

"Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You ...

"And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be, The LORD is one, and His name One" (14:2,3,4,5,9).

The Final Glory of Jerusalem

The glory of Jerusalem during the reign of King Solomon will not compare with the splendour and magnificence that will adorn the Holy City during the Messiah's reign. Not only will Israel worship the Lord in their midst, but the nations also will come up to Jerusalem to bless His holy name. It will be a time of justice, peace and equity such as the world has never experienced before, and war will be a thing of the past.

According to Isaiah: "Many people shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

"He shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, either shall they learn war any more" (2:3,4).

In contrast to the current hatred, violence and unrest, universal peace and blessing will follow in the reign of Israel's Messiah. Zechariah describes that coming reign: "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst, says the LORD. Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then will you know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.

"And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem" (2:10-12).

Yeshua's last words concerning Jerusalem were mingled with His tears as He wept over this city: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, You shall see Me no more till you say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD" (Matthew 23:37-39).