Jerusalem: the Heavy Stone / August 2000

The problem is Jerusalem. The problem has always been Jerusalem. You can go back and ask previous world empires such as the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Turks, and the British Empire. Each of them have attempted to hold and control Jerusalem. Each of them have given up in frustration. Only when Jerusalem has been in Jewish hands has there been peace. You would think that the world would understand this by now and come to terms with it. However, we still live in the days when the world thinks that anyone can have Jerusalem, except the Jews of course.

After more than two weeks of grueling negotiations to complete the seven-year Middle East Peace Accord (The Peace and Security Agreement) at Camp David with President Clinton, here are the results: dissatisfaction, frustration, exhaustion, and no agreement in sight. The American proposal to bridge the two sides (Israel and the Palestinians) has been met by stiff opposition from Arafat. Even with Barak of Israel agreeing and billions of American dollars on the table, the President can't buy a legacy from Arafat.

The real problem here is that Jerusalem doesn't belong to any of the parties negotiating for it. Jerusalem belongs to the Lord and it is obvious that the Lord is going to have the final say about these events. Does that mean there will be no agreement in the future? On the contrary. The Lord says that a division will take place. The Lord says that the 7 year agreement with Israel called the "covenant with death" will be cancelled. The Lord says that these events will lead to a disaster with world wide consequences. The problem of Jerusalem will spread to the world. The Bible is very clear on this. It is just as the Scripture warned us.

Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! Surely Thou hast utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, 'You will have peace'; whereas a sword touches the throat."

Jeremiah 4:10

Here is a simplified overview of the American proposal. Barak has already accepted the idea; however, Arafat has refused so far.

The Palestinians would receive:
1. Sections of existing Jerusalem transferred to Palestinian control to connect various Arab neighborhoods.
2. Palestinian administrative control of Arab neighborhoods.
3. Sections of the Palestinian area outside of Jerusalem to become part of Jerusalem (further annexation).
4. Wide religious and civil powers within the Old City over the Muslim and Christian quarters. This would include formal custodial status over the temple mount. The Palestinians would be able to fly the Palestinian flag over the Dome of the Rock.

The Palestinians would have administrative authority over parts of Jerusalem while Israel would retain national sovereignty. What exactly that means is not clear. But it might be that the Palestinians have authority over local police, fire, and community services, while Israel provides for national defense. This power sharing scenario is closer to what happens here in America between an individual state and the federal government. But, I would remind everyone. Israel is not America, folks.

Israel would receive:
1. The right to annex existing Jewish settlements into Jerusalem.
2. International and Palestinian recognition to redraw Jerusalem as the city continues to grow.
3. The right to pray on the temple mount.

You have heard of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank (Yesha) region. This deal would permit Israel to permanently claim those areas and to allow the city of Jerusalem to grow naturally over time. But it is the third provision that should make the prophetic hairs on the back of your neck stand up. We'll discuss that in a moment. As we said, Arafat has balked and refused to accept the American proposal. Arafat's position and desires are as follows:

1. The Palestinians want all Jews out of the West Bank.
2. The Palestinians want all of the Old City including the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall.
3. The Palestinians want Israel to receive 4 million Palestinians into remaining Israel and return any disputed lands to them.
4. The Palestinians want Israel to recognize the new state of Palestine and to apologize for all past wrongs that have ever happened to the Palestinian people.

The bottom line is that the Palestinians must win everything back to the June 1967 borders and Israel must be made to look like they lost. This is win/lose politics. This is how you negotiate in the Middle East if you want the Arab side to agree.

Even the President admitted that this was Arafat's posture. Almost unheard of in these days of international relations, the President clearly stated that the lack of agreement fell squarely upon Arafat's intransigence. Normally, characterizations of the negotiations and negotiators are presented in a neutral fashion. But, Arafat's position and approach are nothing less than outrageous and uncompromising. The American administration has not backed away from communicating that characterization. Even the Saudi Arabian papers offered their own scalding review of Arafat's obstinance.

Arafat returned to the Middle East hailing himself as a hero for not agreeing with the Israelis and proclaiming himself as the representative of the Arab world. It appears that the rest of the Arabs took issue with Arafat on this last point. In the Arab world, there is a very clear pecking order and much ego between the differing nations. The Egyptians, Syrians, Iraqis, Iranians, and Saudi Arabians are distinctly different peoples by their own definitions. This is part of the reason that they do not get along well with each other. About the only thing that they agree on is their hatred of Israel. Arafat and the Palestinians are somewhere in the same social order among the Arabs as a guy who panhandles and sleeps under the bridge at night as compared with the mayor and the city council of the same city. If the homeless guy gave a press conference concerning the city, the mayor would probably take issue with his proclamations.

Strange as it may seem, the Palestinian negotiators began meeting with the Israelis shortly after returning to the Middle East. The President gave an interview for Israeli television praising Barak and suggesting that he will move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. (Don't hold your breath on the latter. We'll see what happens.) These are efforts to bolster Barak's diminished position without a clear coalition government. Still working the background of this entire affair is the Vatican. Their ideas might still come into play as a way to divide Israel and Jerusalem. The Vatican wants to declare Jerusalem, particularly the Old City with the temple mount, as an international city with extraterritorial status. Don't count this scenario out yet; it is a good counter to the American proposal.

What does all this mean to us who are looking to the Lord's hand and plan at work? It is clear now that the 7 year Middle East Peace Accord is nearing its final completion this September 13, 2000. For seven years, we have watched the "Peace and Security" theme weave its way through Aland for peace," UN resolutions, Rabin's death, bus bombs, Netanyahu, and now Barak. We are on the brink of the Palestinian State being unilaterally declared. We are on the brink of a full collapse in the negotiations. We are on the brink of war in the Middle East. Truly, Isaiah the prophet spoke of this as the "covenant with death." Isaiah also said that a day would come in which the Lord would cancel and annul the entire affair.

And your covenant with death shall be canceled, and your pact with Sheol [grave] shall not stand; Isaiah 28:19a

At the very beginning of the Middle East Peace Accord, the leaders of Israel said that the purpose of the agreement was to prevent wars for the next generation. Since Israel's modern existence, it has faced numerous wars. The agreement is to get the Arab world to accept Israel's right to exist, to get a security agreement. Shimon Peres, the foreign minister in September of 1993, spoke of the agreement as a way of "allowing the overwhelming scourge of war to pass them by." Trying to understand the purpose of the agreement and its consequences is also addressed by the prophet. It is clear from the prophet's words that the disaster is soon approaching Israel. In fact, he says that the overwhelming scourge (war) will not pass by. Instead, he says Israel will become the trampling place.

When the overwhelming scourge passes through, then you become its trampling place. As often as it passes through, it will seize you. For morning after morning it will pass through, anytime during the day or night. And it will be sheer terror to understand what it means. The bed is too short on which to stretch out, and the blanket is too small to wrap oneself in. For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be stirred up as in the valley of Gibeon; to do His task, His unusual task, and to work His work, His extraordinary work.

Isaiah 28:18b-21

What is it about Mount Perazim and the valley of Gibeon that we should remember? What unusual work and extraordinary work is the Lord alerting us concerning this agreement and what is about to happen?

Mount Perazim and the valley of Gibeon have to do with Joshua and the children of Israel when they took the land of Israel as a nation. This is not taught as often as how Israel left Egypt. But Israel's entry into the land and their resulting victories over the seven nations was just as dramatic of God's hand. Let's review the story to understand how God rose up.

Israel made peace with the Gibeonites; however the Perrizzites, Amorites, and others came against Gibeon for making peace with Joshua. When Joshua came to the aid of Gibeon, the Lord also came to the battle. It is described this way.

So Joshua came upon them suddenly by marching all night from Gilgal. And the Lord confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon, and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And it came about as they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, that the Lord threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword. Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, "O sun, stand still at Gibeon, and O moon in the valley of "ijalon." So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.

Joshua 10:9-14

The sun and the moon stood still for Joshua as he carried out a great judgment against the Amorites. The Lord Himself killed more of the Amorites by hail stones (probably a meteorite shower) than the Israelites could kill by sword. Therefore, when the Lord says that He will rise up at Mount Perazim and go to the valley Gibeon, He is referring to a judgment day on the enemies of Israel that will be a unique day, a day in which hailstones fall from the sky, a day in which the sun and the moon does not operate normally. This is exactly what is referred to in the events of the Great Tribulation.

One particular part of God's plan that demands our focused attention is the starting event of the Great Tribulation. The key question of the disciples asked of the Messiah was what will be the sign of the end of the age and your coming. Yeshua answered this question with precision, "When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel… Then there will be Great Tribulation… Immediately after the days of the tribulation, the sign of the Son of Man will appear…" The key issues for us concerning the end of the age are the same events that lead to the abomination of desolation. What is the abomination of desolation, and how will it occur?

Let's review. There have been many abominations (totally opposed to the Lord) in Israel's history. However, there is a specific event that leads to the antichrist, his 42 month rule, and destruction to the world as the world has never seen before. The key event is the cessation (the shutting down) of an altar operating on the temple mount (holy place) in Jerusalem. Presently, no such altar exists. However, we are looking for such an altar to be established so that it might be opposed in the future. Any event that moves toward a future altar on the temple mount should be duly noted by every prophecy student.

For more than five years, Lion and Lamb Ministries has alerted many brethren to the prophetic significance of the Middle East Peace Accord. We have stressed the prophet's message of 7 years, of Jerusalem being the centerpiece, and of the altar that will be built on a portion of the temple mount. We have spoken of these things from the very beginning. For example, I said that this agreement would be about Jerusalem when no one would admit anything about Jerusalem. But in early 1996, Israel came clean and confessed that Jerusalem was at stake in the negotiations. I said that this agreement would become a 7 year agreement. Only in September of 1999 did this emerge. In fact, the agreement is dated to the very day as a 7 year agreement. I have encouraged the brethren to watch the negotiations concerning Jerusalem and pay close attention to the temple mount. In 1998, Arafat began to complain that the Jews wanted to rebuild the temple again, but no public statement was ever made to even indicate Israel's interest in the temple mount. Now, as a result of the press releases from the Camp David negotiations, it is clear. Israel wants a piece of the temple mount for Jews to pray. Look at the third element in the American proposal that Barak has agreed to.

The Jews are to receive the right to pray on the temple mount.

The Mufti of Jerusalem, the leading Muslim Cleric, has insisted that no Jew will be permitted on the temple mount to pray. This has been the only evidence to suggest this was a negotiation point concerning Jerusalem. There is no question that the issue is coming into focus. What is it about Jews praying on the temple mount that is connected to the prophecy? The answer is right there in front of us. This is the first step toward an inner court, an altar, and the start of temple construction. Where are the Jews to go to pray? Not the mosque! Obviously, they will need an area for Jews so that they don't intermingle with the Muslims. There is such an area available on the mount. It is the northern gate area. Not only does the book of Revelation describe a divided area but it clearly states that an altar will be erected there. But the prophet Ezekiel also describes the northern gates will access the altar area.

And there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, "Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months."

Revelation 11:1-2

Then He cried out in my hearing with a loud voice saying, "Draw near, O executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand." And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate which faces north, each with his shattering weapon in his hand; and among them was a certain man clothed in linen with a writing case at his loins. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.

Ezekiel 9:1-2

The language of Revelation suggests a negotiated understanding. "You have your part and we have our part." This is the very nature of the Middle East Peace negotiations and the American proposal. This is also what Arafat has not agreed to. Ezekiel describes the first judgment of the Great Tribulation as coming from the altar and the altar being accessed by the northern gates of the temple mount.

So, what do I really think is going to happen? I think the Word of God is true and will be fulfilled. I believe that we will see the agreement annulled, Israel divided, an altar, war, and trouble like the world has never seen before. I also believe that we will see God's hand being made manifest in the most unusual way we have ever seen. I believe when it is all done, we will know the Holy One of Israel is in the midst of Israel. I believe Israel and the world will be confronted with the Living God.

There is one fundamental fact about Israel and Jerusalem that we must not lose sight of in this entire matter. The land of Israel does not belong to the people (Palestinian or Jew), it belongs to the Lord. It is not ours or anyone else's to divide. The same goes even more so for Jerusalem. It is the city of the King and a divided Kingdom does not stand. While the enemy may attempt to destroy the Lord's Kingdom by dividing it, the Lord will soon bring an end to this nonsense. This is what Isaiah was referring to when he described the Lord rising up.

For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be stirred up as in the valley of Gibeon; to do His task, His unusual task, and to work His work, His extraordinary work.

Isaiah 28:21

The controversy of the Middle East Peace Accord will build and lead to the hand of God fighting for Israel. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of this time expressing it this way.

And My holy name I shall make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I shall not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.

Ezekiel 39:7

It is noteworthy that the Lord doesn't say He is the Holy One of Israel; rather, He says He is the Holy One in Israel.

Jerusalem is now center stage, the very heart of the present negotiations. The passions concerning Jerusalem are really the showcase of whose God is bigger and better. Is Allah God? Or, is the God of Israel the real God? I believe God is orchestrating the concerns over Jerusalem and allowing the dividing of Israel for a time to focus the people of the world on who He really is. The Prophets Zechariah and Joel have clearly addressed the present issues of Jerusalem and dividing of the land.

Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. And it will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

Zechariah 12:2-3

I will gather all the nations, And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land.

Joel 3:2

I believe President Clinton and the world are learning just how heavy a stone Jerusalem really is. I believe it is heavier than Clintan can carry. The President, himself, described the negotiations metaphorically as sitting in a dentist chair for two weeks with no pain killer. Obviously, God is using the very center of Earth, Jerusalem, to anchor us together, to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. Many of us are paying close attention to signs of the end in an effort to be properly prepared. We and others are called "watchmen" in this endeavor. Listen to the prophet's exhortation concerning "watchmen" and Jerusalem.

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Isaiah 62:6-7

Jerusalem is an important place to three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. But in the end, Jerusalem will belong to the Lord and He will have the final say. Therefore, all these negotiations are the vain dealings of men and governments. Regardless of September 13, 2000 and what it may bring, regardless of the declaration of a Palestinian state, or war that may follow, in the end Jerusalem will belong to the Lord and will fulfill the words of the prophets.

So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord.

Zechariah 8:22

And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways, and that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 2:3

At that time they shall call Jerusalem "The Throne of the Lord," and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord; nor shall they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart.

Jeremiah 3:17

Brethren, we are living in exciting days. We are watching events spoken of by prophets from 2,500 years ago. These are the days when the Lord has called for us to watch His mighty hand move. Surely, we should be praying for the peace of Jerusalem as never before. We should be reminding the Lord of Jerusalem, so that He might make her a praise. These are days when we should be mumbling the words of the Psalmist every waking moment.

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget her skill.

Psalms 137:5

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