Jerusalem: World History’s Ground Zero

A Really Big Deal

On December 6, 2017, President Trump announced that the United States Embassy in Israel would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In so doing, he formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This is not just a big deal, but a colossal deal.

It is such a colossal deal because Israel, and specifically Jerusalem, has a special place in the heart of God. Religiously, or spiritually speaking, Jerusalem is the center of Planet Earth, and it is Ground Zero – the single location in the universe where all of human history is heading.

The Road to Jerusalem

As the world races to a collision with its Creator, all roads are leading to Jerusalem. In the end-times, the nations of the world will be making a beeline there. They will have a political reason for doing so, but the truth is, the nations will be trekking there because God wants them there. We read in Zechariah 14:2 (emphasis added): For I [God] will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

The first purpose of God in gathering the nations of the world to Jerusalem will be for punishing most (but not all) of Israel for her disobedience to Him over the centuries. It will be His final disciplinary act against His Chosen People.

Jesus echoes this in Luke 21:20 when He says: And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is [coming soon]. This event has both a near and distant application. It was partially fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Temple and Jerusalem were destroyed by the Romans. However, it will see its complete fulfillment at the end of the age.

The Lord Returns

Once God's first purpose for disciplining Israel is accomplished, He will then turn to His second purpose; pouring out His wrath on the nations as part of the earth's final judgment. Where will this judgment begin? No need to guess; we read in Zechariah 14:3-4: Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nation … And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east.

Jesus will not return to any other world capital. His return is assigned for one place, and one only – very specifically and very undeniably, Jerusalem.

And what will He do to the nations of the world which have gathered against Jerusalem once He returns? Zechariah 12:2-3 tells us:

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. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Regarding the return of the Lord Jesus to planet Earth, specifically to Jerusalem, He Himself tells us in Luke 21:25-27:

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

This terrifying return of Jesus will impact the entire world, and it will all begin in Jerusalem.

Ground Zero

Jerusalem is indeed world history's Ground Zero because it is the very specific location to which Jesus will return. From there – Jerusalem – Jesus will usher in the Day of the Lord, the time of final judgment upon Planet Earth.

All believers who long for the return of the Lord Jesus should be concerned with, and pay attention to, what is happening in the Middle East and Israel. Israel is the apple of God's eye (Zechariah 2:8) and He is deeply concerned over its wellbeing. It is no wonder He commands all believers in Psalm 122:6 to Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

David Ettinger is a writer/editor at Zion's Hope, Inc., and has written for Zion's Fire magazine since its inception in 1990.