Sunday, March 17, 2019

Jerusalem and God's Peace (Haggai 2:9)



Most of us probably know Star Wars.  We might think of the science fiction epic created by George Lucas in the 1970s, or the missile defense system proposed in the US in the 1980s.  When we hear “satellite wars” we might imagine satellites in space waging war in the heavens or launching attacks upon earth. 

I envision a different kind of conflict.  Presently it is a war of words, rhetoric, and ideologies revolving around the place of ascent.  A man, a woman, and her children surrounded by a number of nations.  Some are Moslem, others Christian, others are secular, and some are even communist.  Some, though not all, are of good will.  In Syria, Turkish President Erdogan appears to have a hand in the new Waqf council that rules over the mount.  Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, speaks out concerning the hill.  King Abdullah II of Jordan is a supporter of the Waqf Islamic Trust, which oversees the palisade.  Pope Francis visited the Dome of the Rock on the esplanade in 2014 with Sheik Omar Abboud and Rabbi Abrahan Skorka who are friends of the pope from Argentina and traveled with him on his visit to the Middle East.  During the visit Francis called for “respect and love” among the Abrahamic religions as “brothers and sisters.”  Russian President Putin has visited Israel several times and expressed his solidarity with the sacred space.    President Trump visited the Western Wall during a portion of his visit to Jerusalem in 2017.  Although he has made it clear that he supports Israel, recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and has moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem, the president has not made public his position on the high point.  Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledges the importance of the Temple Mount to the peoples of three monotheistic religions, but has made it clear that he upholds the Status Quo. * 

So there are presently a number of leaders who extend a line of influence toward the Temple Mount.  These satellites of nations encompass the Old City of Jerusalem.  In the coming days it will be eventful on the mount.  Prayerfully, I ask that all will be able to live peaceful and godly lives in Jerusalem.  When I visited the old city in 2017, I experienced a sign.  Literally, I saw it and I heard it.  On the wall was a saying in three languages (Hebrew, Arabic, and English). 

When I entered this man greeted me “Peace.” 

I walked away realizing that one day God will fulfill his promise of Peace.

God’s Peace (Hag 2:9)

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