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.