Tag Archives: repentance

The City of Peace, Jerusalem

Sunday Worship Notes from 12/6/2020

Is Jerusalem a physical city or a spiritual place?

Originally Jerusalem was founded by Shem-from Egypt and Ebur, patriarchs from Abraham. The Egyptians were also known as “Shemites”.

The inhabitants of Jerusalem were disobedient to God and had an evil ruler as their king, Adoni Zedek. The inhabitants were known as giants and feared by others around. They had become “unrecognizable” by God because of their corrupt ways. 

Melchizedek was King and Priest of a place called “Salem” which is eventually known as Jerusalem. It was unusual at that time to be the king and a priest for the people of God.  In Hebrew, the word "Salem" means “Peace”, like the word “Shalom”. 

Look up the following scriptures about  Melchizedek, he is the King of Peace, sound familiar? Remember,  Jesus was referred to as the Prince of Peace. The following scriptures link Melchizedek and Jesus together-  the priestly line of Melchizedek was Jesus- read Heb 5:6; Heb 7:17 and Heb 7:21 and Psalm 110:4 - Jesus is the King of Peace, a forever priest in the Line of Melchizedek. What is the role of a priest in the old testament?

Abraham gave Melchizdek 10 percent of his plunder as a gift, another proof that he was seen as  a priest. 

Read Joshua 10

Joshua was tasked with leading a new group of Israelites from the desert into the promised Land after the death of Moses.

Joshua was obedient to God and totally destroyed these sinful inhabitants of Jerusalem. Joshua obeyed God and destroyed all of the depraved and corrupt nations that were living in that area. The sun even stood still as he accomplished this task. This is a billboard, a parallel of Rev 8:6-13, the destruction that is taking place. 

Adonis Zedek should have had a clue as to what his city’s name really meant.Let’s explore further: Jerusalem means Peace, but not as we know it. 

The word JERUSALEM is a combination of two words. In Hebrew, the words are read from left to right.

“Jeru”- in Hebrew means, “Fear or Awe”, it has two Hebrew characters which translate into “God’s hand” and “ Prince”- remember, Jesus is the Prince”!

“God’s hand” which is 'yod' and “ Prince”- which is 'resh'- meaning, God’s mighty hand doing mighty deeds. 

There is a  linking symbol between the “Jeru” and the “Salem”- “vov”  which means “and”. This symbol  links two words together that go together, like “love and marriage”.

“Salem”- Shalom, which means Peace, has three Hebrew characters: 

“sheen”- which means God’s destruction

“lamed”- two letters together  and is a letter of authority or a shepherd’s staff guiding you to correction 

“mem” - which means flood or destruction, massive chaos or death

Therefore: Jerusalem literally translates into “the mighty hand of God doing mighty deeds of destruction of the enemy, satan. 

There is no peace until the mighty hand of Jesus destroys all the work of the one causing massive chaos and destruction. Jesus does this with authority.

Do you remember where this concept is greatly displayed in the BIBLE?

Jesus’s death on the Cross. 

Jerusalem is destroyed by Joshua, then comes peace for the Israelites.

As disciples we are to carry our cross daily to voluntarily put to death our sinful nature.

We voluntarily fall on the “rock” to be broken in humility, but our Lord Jesus puts us back together as he sees fit. If we do not voluntarily submit, he tells us, the rock  will fall on us, then we will be crushed. Read Matthew 21:44.

What are some ways we can surrender to the rock?

Confess sin- James 5:16, when we confess our sins to each other, we get healing

Pray continually- etc

Jesus will NOT allow anyone in Jerusalem otherwise . Depravity sin is destroyed there. The only way to to deal with the sinful nature is to destroy it completely and categorically. Just like Joshua did in Chapter 10. Sin is hostile towards God and repentance deals with sin. 

So, is Jerusalem a physical city or a spiritual mindset?

Prophecy about Jerusalem

Zechariah 12:2-5 Jerusalem will not be shaken

The physical city of Jerusalem has been at the center of many wars: it was destroyed twice, 23 times besieged, 52 times attacked, 44 times captured and recaptured

Jeremiah 3:17 NIV

[17] At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.

Is God interested in the physical city of Jerusalem as we know it?

Heb 11:8-10, 11:13-16 Abraham saw it.

Rev 3:12 the name of the city is the New Jerusalem

Rev21:2 John saw it in a vision

Jeremiah 3:17 Jeremiah saw it

In Conclusion, Jerusalem is a spiritual place, where sin is not present and God is the full authority. If we surrender ourselves to Jesus’s teachings and obey his word, we will rest in this place of peace.

Tagged , ,

Restore to Me the Joy of Your Salvation

Do you feel guilty or feel bad about something that you've done...thought...said? Ashamed? Full of regret? Have you shared your struggle(s) with anyone?

In Psalm 51, David shares how he felt when he was dramatically confronted with his sins by the propet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-25): an extended experience of lust and adultery that led to murder and resulted in tremendous guilt and the loss of his infant son shortly after his birth. In this Psalm, he experiences the fulness and depth of guilt, shame and regret, yet in the very realization of how his sin is not just against Uriah and Bathsheba, his court and his nation, but against God...David experiences the joy of hope in God's forgiveness and ultimate salvation. This Psalm is a great example of why David was known as a man who was "after God's own heart." His example of dealing with his adultery, murder, lying and covering up his sin when confronted is a great example not only of true repentance, but of faith and hope in God's power and will to save. To redeem. To transform us into the people he envisions us to be.

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells a story about two men praying. He highlights the spiritual result of being humble and in touch with one's own sinfulness in a healthy way (c.f., Psalm 51:14-19). Repentance and inward spiritual transformation must occur in order for ritual sacrifices to be meaningful (c.f., Psalm 51:18-21).

Psalm 103 reminds us that the God who made us from dust knows exactly who and what we are. He made us. He knows we are weak and sinful and he loves and forgives us. He is full of compassion and grace. "Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger, abounding in kindness."

Hebrews 10 explains that Jesus is the ultimate "once and for all" sacrifice that really does take away our sins for good. So "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
Skip to toolbar