Trouble in the Middle East

Jerusalem!

• A rock fortress , spring fed, Zion!

• A Jebusite city , became the city of David.

• A city of 3 Temples: 1st built by Solomon, 2nd built by order of Cyrus, 3rd by Herod.

• All three temples desecrated and destroyed.

• The  most excavated place on earth!

• Precious to Jews!

• 3rd most holy place to Muslims!

• There Jesus was crucified and Risen.

• Salem = peace, but  hardly a place of peace .

In Jerusalem, God promised David.

In Jerusalem, Jesus is proclaimed both Lord and Christ! 

II Samuel  7:12,13,  “…I will establish the throne and his kingdom forever….”

Matthew 1:1, “...Jesus, son of Abraham, son of David…”

Acts 2:29-36,  “…God had promised him  (David) on oath that he would place one of his  descendants on his throne…he spoke of the  resurrection of the Messiah….God has made  this Jesus, whom you crucified, both  and  Christ …”

The Kingdom, the Church, and  Jerusalem!

1. Isaiah 2:1-4, “…in the last days….all nations  will stream into it……the law will go out from  Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem……”

2. The “kingdom,” the “church,” and the “body  of Christ,” was established in Jerusalem and  still exists today per the New Testament.

3. Christ is head.  Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:13-24.

4. Per John and Jesus, the kingdom was “at  hand.” Matthew 3:1; 4:15-17.

5. The kingdom came in the Apostles’ lifetime,  with “power.” Mark 9:1.

Luke 24:44-49,  everything written about him  must be fulfilled,…forgiveness of sins will be  preached in His name to all nations...  Witnesses…stay in Jerusalem until you have  been clothed with power from on high.

Acts 1:4-9, But  you will receive power when  the Holy Spirit comes on you ; … witnesses… Jerusalem…Judea…Samaria….. to the ends of  the earth...

Acts 2:1-36, …spoken by the prophet  Joel…in the last days...I will pour out of My  Spirit on all flesh…Lord and Christ