Leslie M. John
The Holy city Jerusalem, the city of our Lord, is now desolate and not in good
shape. The city is forsaken and destroyed. But, the day will come when the city will be called “Hephzibah”, and its land “Beulah”. The Lord delights in making the city delightful for every one and the land like married woman. (Isaiah Ch. 62:4). This is a prophecy about the status of Jerusalem in the millennial kingdom of Jesus.
Lord Jesus Christ is the Messiah. The Jews rejected him and called upon
themselves the blood of Jesus in order that he may be crucified (Matthew
27:24-25). Peter’s speech testifies about those who crucified Jesus.
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God
among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst
of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate
counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have
crucified and slain” (Acts 2:22-23)
Indeed, they paid the price in AD 70 according to historians. Earlier, they
worshipped idols many-a-time and were chastised by God. They rebelled against
God and paid the price for their actions. Yet, they are his people; the city of
David is his city.
Like Boaz, who was kinsman redeemer of Ruth, Jesus is our redeemer. He came into
this world, died for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead on the third day
and later ascended into heaven. He is seated on the right hand of the Majesty
and interceding for us. We, who are redeemed by the blood of Christ, are greater
than the unrepentant Jews. But for those, who have accepted Jesus as their
personal savior, there is no condemnation irrespective of their race, ethnicity,
color, or creed.
Lord Jesus, who is the messiah, speaks and says that he will not sit quite, nor will he rest until he redeems city of Jerusalem again. He defeats the kings loyal to Antichrist at “Armageddon”, and sits on the throne of David and
literally rules. In the thousand years of his rule there shall be perfect peace. Satan will be bound with chains and thrown into abyss by an angel who comes from heaven. Later Satan will be released for a short time when he goes Gog and Magog to deceive the nations but fire from God comes down from heaven and devours Satan. (Revelation Ch. 20:8) The dead who did not accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior will resurrect at that time. The Lord shall judge them at the 'Great white throne’ and cast them along with death, hell, and the devil and his angels into the ‘lake of fire’ to be tormented for ever and ever. This is the second death. For those who are saved, there is no second death but they will have everlasting life to be with the Lord for ever and ever. Note here when Antichrist and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire! It is before the devil that deceived!!! Revelation 20:10 confirms it. When the devil was cast into the lake of fire, the Antichrist and the false prophet were already there in the lake of fire. These are only the ones who will be in the lake of fire before the ‘Great White Throne Judgment’ (Revelation 16:16 and Revelation 20:8-10). Does the Scripture say any body is thrown into the lake of fire before Antichrist and false prophet. No, not at all!
There shall come out of heaven a New Jerusalem and we, who are saved, shall be
in that Holy City. The Church is the bride of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus says that he has set watchmen upon the walls of Jerusalem and they will not keep quite nor will sleep but keep a watch over the city and will make the city a praise of the earth. This is a promise of Messiah and he has sworn by his right hand and by the arm of his strength. Messiah promised that no more the enemies of Jerusalem will eat its corn as their food no stranger will ever drink its wine. Gentiles will see its righteousness and kings will glory.
”And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou
shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.” (Isaiah
62:2)