Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing!

We are left in a world where it is written: “Glorify the Lord, Jerusalem: Zion, offer praise to our God, who has strengthened the bars or your gates, blessed your children within you, brought peace to your borders, and filled you with finest wheat.” (Ps 147; 12 - 14). “God has not done this for other nations; of such laws they know nothing, Hallelujah!” (Ps 147: 20).

When will the nations realize that when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt their destination would become Jerusalem, the city that Jesus said; “As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this you only knew what makes for peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” (LK 19: 41 - 44).

The greatest trip of Moses freeing the grip of Pharaoh upon the Jewish nation and promised his chosen people a land of milk and honey. To this day over two thousand years after this great exodus God’s promise still stands the time of history and much suffering by neighboring nations. Picking up on the lyrics of “The Holy City“ “And then methought my dream was changed. The streets no longer rang. Hushed were the glad Hosannas the little children sang. The sun grew dark with mystery, the moon was cold and chill as the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill: Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Hark! How the Angels sing, Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to your King!”

Signs of a new mystery, the Incarnation, Jesus’ mission of forgiveness, his crucifixion,

death/resurrection and the establishment of Jerusalem. But what has happened to this tiny country that God promised to his people?

The imminent war that began a short time ago is on the verge of disaster to the whole region of Israel and too many nations fighting over a small strip of land called Gaza.

Included in all this territory are the Middle East, Iran, Chima, Russia, and the United States. Where will all this end is anyone’s guess, but with nuclear weapons in the hands of most of those mentioned, we need to look at the final lyrics of “The Holy City.” “And once again the scene was changed. New earth there seemed to be, I saw the Holy City beside the tideless sea, The light of God was on its streets, the gates were open wide and all who would might enter, and no one was denied. No need of moon or stars by night, or sun to shine by day. It was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away. “Jerusalem! Jerusalem, sing for the night is o’er. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna for evermore!”

A time of glory as we await the 2nd coming of Christ; The Parousia the final battle that calls all the enemies of God to their final demise. God sends no one there; those who go make their own choice to be away from the love who is God Eternal.

Ralph B. Hathaway