“Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem” — Mission Forgotten

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We have a few brief hours to embrace an aspect of our mission that I think we’ve largely forgotten, namely, praying for the peace of Jerusalem. What does it mean to pray for the peace of Jerusalem? Jerusalem will never have peace until they recognize the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Some we can reach now, in which case they become a member of the Church. Some will not believe until it’s the last hope in a very, very dark, and painful world after the rapture of the Church. Let’s make sure that we have uttered a prayer for that nation. They are surrounded by enemies. They are facing from a human point of view, certain annihilation. You know, Henry Kissinger said in ten years there will be no nation of Israel. That’s the best joke I’ve heard in a long, long time. They will never be driven out. So how can you know? I’m asked this question all the time. How can you know? How can you know that they won’t be driven out and scattered again and things that go on for a thousand years? Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is they’re there to stay. The bad news is you don’t have another thousand years. We’d like to think that we do. But we are are at the conclusion of our short paragraph in history.

Check out Isaiah 11:11. The prophet foresaw that there would be two dispersions and two returns, and “after the second time” God will re-gather them and then will return. And, folks, it has happened! And He’s coming. Israel is not going to be driven out, but it’s going to be painful in the extreme. A third of those who survive into that time are going to believe (Zechariah 13:8).

We have a mission mandate, and that mandate is to all the nations of the world. But I do believe that there is a specific focus of that mandate and that that aspect of the mandate is with special attention to the children of Israel. Israel is a burning passion in the heart of the impossible and should be to you and me. You remember that Paul in Colossians 1:24 that it was his pleasure “to suffer on their behalf because he was filling up that which was lacking in the sufferings of Christ.” Paul saw very clearly that it was his responsibility as a member of the Body of Christ to continue what His Lord had begun, what Christ came to do. That’s what Paul was here for, and what Christ died for. That was what Paul was willing to die for and therefore to carry on Christ’s ministry. And Paul, in Romans 10:1, we see how he makes this a little bit more specific. “ Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”

You know, my friends, the Bible commands us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” comes from Psalm 122. What does it mean to pray for the peace of Jerusalem? When you and I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, there will be no peace in Jerusalem until Jerusalem and Israel receives the prince of peace. And therefore, we pray for the opening of their eyes. Have you ever thought that a prayer that you utter today could impact the soul of someone who will live in the next dispensation? A thousand years before Christ, David prayed for us in the Psalm 102. This is similar to when Paul says, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Don’t you think, Paul, being doctrinally accurate and having the mystery of a new creation revealed to him would just say, “Who cares about them?” And “we’re done with them.” “We’ve moved on to new ground.” A thousand years before Christ came, there was someone praying for you.

David, by the way, often praise as an expression of the trials of Messiah when He would come. I like the way Dietrich Bonhoeffer puts it. He said, “When you read the prayers of David, you are reading the prayers of Messiah, because the prayers that David prayed, Messiah prayed when he was here.” Interesting thought, isn’t it? Psalm 102 is picturing the whole history of the nation of Israel, which is summarized in brief in Revelation Chapter 12, which tells us that “the woman will conceive and bear a child,” and because of that child that she brings, she “will be driven into the wilderness.” The hatred against the nation of Israel that existed in David’s day and the hatred that existed against Israel in the time of Nazi Germany, and that exists today comes from the same source. It’s satanic in origin because Satan still knows that God’s plan for those people is not done. And so Satan stalks to the woman who is in travail. Psalm 102 says in part, “But you all Lord shall endure forever, And the remembrance of your name to all generations. You will arise and have mercy on Zion for the time to savor her. Yes, the time that was set has come.” What time is he talking about? Jesus Christ’s Second Advent, right? The Psalmist continues, “Your glory for the Lord shall build up Zion. He shall appear in His glory. He will regard the prayer of the afflicted. He will not despise their prayer.” Did you get the message that he just said this that is promised is going to happen? “He will not despise their prayer.”

Now, get this, because here is the kicker in Psalm 102:18, “This will be written for a generation to come. There are people yet to be created, may praise the Lord.” Do you see the church there? He’s not just talking about the next generation of Jews. He’s not just talking about another generation. He’s talking about a new people. Generation is often used for race that are race yet to come of people yet to be created. I believe that David here anticipated, and maybe because of something He saw in the writing of Moses, Moses knew there was more to be revealed, but he knew that it was not for the children of Israel, it was for someone else. David knew that the things he wrote would be an encouragement and a strength to a people who did not yet exist. He didn’t know who they were. He didn’t know what they would be called. The idea of church never entered his mind. The concept of being in Christ was beyond his ability to comprehend. Although I would say that of all the prophets of the Old Testament, no one came as close to church age truth as did David in the Psalms. The Psalms are timeless and express the prayers of Christ. I would even be willing to bet that the Lord Jesus Christ had the entire Psalms memorized and uttered each of them at their proper place throughout the time of his pilgrimage on this earth may be continues to pray them. Who knows? He intercedes in our behalf. If David had a concern for a people that would not yet be created, how much concern can you and I have for a people who preceded us?

If the last are going to be first, how great will they be? Paul asked the question in Romans 11 If their casting off is the salvation of the world, what will their reception be but a resurrection from the dead? It’s going to be something amazing. Pray for the opening of their eyes. Our nation is no longer a friend to Israel as we have been. But somewhere there has to be a people that will not only pray for that nation and speak out for that nation, but if necessary, shelter that nation. Those Christians who fought in the resistance for the sake of the Jewish people, they did what the church is supposed to do. And through their dedication and devotion, many, many people of the Jewish nation have come to Christ. Many people will yet come to Christ. How many will come to Christ because you played your part?

Let’s pray that you and I can play the part through our prayers. Stand up for them, be their advocate, be their defender, and above all, be their intercessor. It will make a difference. The priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. See the previous video “I will bless those who bless you – Mission Forgotten” for more detail.

Gene Cunningham - January 28, 2003

Hebrews 02

Two things fixed in our minds throughout this study: 1. -Theme is the High Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. HEB 8:2 A Totally unique kind. We each have priesthood has a ministry. 1PE 2:5-9 We are to follow the lead of the High Priest. We minister outside the veil, while He is on the inside. 2. -Aim of theme is the fulfillment of its purpose , that we fix our eyes on Jesus Heb 12:2 Get our eyes off of our circumstances, weaknesses, problems and instead to fix our eyes on Jesus Heb 3:1 (to bear down in concentration in our mind) Heb 12:2 (to get our eyes off of other things and fix them solely on Jesus) These two things are essential if we are to fulfill our own priesthood. Heb 5:1 A priest ministers the things of God to the people. That is what He calls us to. We need to have that burden for the world around us. It’s not just for the pastor or evangelist or missionary, it is for you as a believer in Jesus. Key Word: Better Three areas of Superiority Person of Jesus Heb 1:1-8:5 He is better than the prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron Work of Jesus Heb 8:6-13, Heb 9:1-28, Heb 10:1-39 Better Covenant, tabernacle and sacrifice Faith vs works of the law Heb 11:1-40, Heb 12:1-29, Heb 13:1-25 Warning Passages 1. These are following a progressive error of the people of the time. The falling away of believers in their steadfastness in Christ. They show a progression of what happens to a believer, and what happens as their discipline. 2. Starts with apathy to Word of God Heb 2:3 (neglect) 3. Hardened heart against Word Heb 3:13-15 4. Danger of falling short of Grace of God Heb 12:15 (to fail to use His grace to accomplish His purpose for our life) 5. Willful sinning against God Heb 10:26-39 6. Refusing Jesus Heb 12:25-29 Final refusal of correction Him who is speaking is Jesus Christ. Don’t refuse Him. It will be dire consequences. If you follow this process your life will not be pleasant. God is jealous for you, a jealous love, and that jealousy will not accept second place. No one knows the author of Hebrews. This study is practical because it hits at the root of the problem for the life of a believer, the devil’s subtly. Maybe nothing big has happen, but he slowly turns us to become spiritually unconscious (asleep 1th 5:10) He wants to rob us of our first love for Jesus Christ. Do you love Him as much now as when you first were saved? Has your love diminished, if so, then the devil has snuck in and robbed you of that treasure. Written to Jews who believed in Jesus. 2ti 3:12 They suffered persecution. They were removed from their ancient heritage, and they had second thoughts. They wanted to go back into the temple to offer sacrifices, which is referred to in Heb 6:6. Accurate Analysis is dependent on: • Historical understanding/setting of the book • Grammatical questions and problems • Lay a doctrinal foundation (verified through Scripture) If you have Christ’s love for others then we need to be praying on behalf of other people in the world. The background of these believers and what they were facing spiritually, as well as in the world, with the revolt against Rome, and then the destruction of Jerusalem is the historical backdrop of this book. Heb 1:1-3 Starts off with so much truth, truth about the person of Jesus Christ. He wants us to stand in awe of Jesus, and without Him Christianity is nothing. Urgency in the tone of these verses. “in Son” a strong, powerful blow. God has spoken, and now God has said His last word, in Jesus Christ. 2pe 1:21 The amazing things that happened during the Old Testament that God used to proclaim the truth to the world is nothing compared to the grand finale: Son God has said everything He has to say to man in Jesus. The God, the same as the One who is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the same God now who speaks in Son. The author didn’t use the definite article before “Son” in order to present it in as forceful a way as possible. This grammatical construction magnifies the character of the person. Jesus: God’s final revelation Heb 1:1-3 Everything in the New Testament was quickly finished, roughly 60 years, when it took the progressive revelation of the Old Testament 1500 years to finish. Seven Superiorities, Uniqueness of Jesus: 1. He is God’s Son Heb 1:2, Joh 1:18, Joh 19:7 2. He is the heir of all things Heb 1:2, Psa 2:7-8 3. He is the creator of all things Heb 1:2 He made, designed, organized matter and space, spiritual 4. He is the glory of God made visible Heb being=eternal existence, a blinding light Joh 1:18 Character: stamp that left an impression. An exact match. That is was Jesus Christ is to God. If you want to know God, know Jesus. He wanted us to view God as our Father. How much more than our earthly Father. 5. He sustains the universe Heb Upholding/Sustaining=to carry or to bear, to carry something in motion Col 1:17 He does it by His spoken word. Verbal command. 6. He is the redeemer Heb 1:3 Jesus Christ made purification of all things. Construction: He made purification of sins. From beginning of human history with Adam and Eve, all the way to the last sin at the end of history, every kind of sin, He cleansed all of them. Whatever sin will continue has been paid. 1Jo 2:2 We can only wonder at what He did on the cross. 7. He is sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on High. Heb 1:3 His work is complete, and He can rest from His work, because it is finished. Work He continues while His work for us is finished, and that work is what He wants to do through us. Forgive, that shows Christ’s love to the world. What should the study of Hebrews do for us? God has an intention for us in this study. It should renew our first love for Jesus Christ. Where we love Him more than anyone or anything else. He will be a treasure, a source of joy, despite dire circumstances. He is always there for you. Gal faith works through love Call us to a greater purity in our devotion to Christ. He cannot use vessels that are unfit. God uses pure vessels. He is calling us to purge our life because Christ purged our sins. We can begin conquering and overcoming these things because His Spirit is in us. Ask Him what is in your life that you’re not letting Him deal with it, and if you’re honest and submissive, He will point it out, and let Him take care of it. Urgency, time is running out. Challenged to be faithful priests in our ministry to Him. We have been called to a position that only God can give. Heb 5:4-6 We are His personal possession. To treasure what they forsook. Learn how precious what we have here. It is something to defend and fight for. Heb 12:18-25. See to it, that you do not refuse Him who is speaking to you. Let’s not reject Him, let’s not harden our hearts to His voice.

Scripture References: Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 2:3, Hebrews 12:18-25, Hebrews 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:1-8, Psalms 2:7-8, Hebrews 13:1-25, Hebrews 5:4-6, Hebrews 6:6, Hebrews 5:1, Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 12:1-29, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 12:25-29, Hebrews 12:2, John 19:7, Hebrews 11:1-40, John 2:2, Hebrews 10:26-39, Hebrews 3:1, John 1:18, Hebrews 10:1-39, Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 12:15, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 9:1-28, John 1:18, Hebrews 3:13-15, Hebrews 8:2, Hebrews 1:1-3, Hebrews 8:6-13