Nothing or Everything

Nothing or Everything?

“They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Luke 21:24

The 2005 movie Kingdom of Heaven tells loosely the story of the Christian Crusades’ defeat to the Arabs and the surrender of Jerusalem to the Islamic hands in the 12th century. It’s a bloody movie and twists things to paint Christianity unfavorably while favoring the Arabs so I’m not recommending it. The main character is Balian. He is a knight and the leader of the Christian Crusades to protect Jerusalem, and Saladin is the leader of the Arabs. Balian has struggled the whole movie with religion and knowing his standing before God. The Christian leaders in the movie failed to teach him the truth. They were cowering and weak examples for the Gospel.

Near the end of the movie, Balian and his army have been trapped inside the walls of Jerusalem by the conquering Saladin. Balian and his men have battled for days to hold Jerusalem and to not let Saladin in. However, he decides to save the lives of the people who have survived the siege. He comes out to negotiate and to surrender Jerusalem to Saladin so he can save as many of the people’s lives as he can. After they agree to terms, Balian has to ask Saladin one burning question. You see, he struggled through the entire battle to hold Jerusalem. He never understood the passion of the Crusaders. He only fought because he was a warrior and a leader who protected people. He asked him, “What is Jerusalem worth?” Saladin very plainly says, “Nothing.” He turns his back and walks away.

The camera shows Balian’s face again. In just a couple of seconds, his face communicates his thoughts so well. His expressions made me think that his thoughts must be something like, “So this was just another land for Saladin to conquer. This is no special treasure. Why did so many people have to die for this land? Why, we can find land somewhere else.” Then, Saladin stops walking and turns to Balian. He says with a passion and a fire in his eyes, “Everything!”

While this is just a movie loosely based on some real people, I realize how well this hits the mark. You see, beloved, to the common eye, to someone who does not understand the Word of God, Jerusalem doesn’t seem like it’s worth all of this fighting. However, with spiritual eyes, God put His name on the city (2 Chronicles 6:6) and said He would dwell there forever (Psalm 68:16). When He did that, He placed a target on top of Jerusalem. The evil one hates Jerusalem. He has sought to control, oppress, and destroy it through the ages. It represents God’s name and peace on earth.

Luke 21:24 tells us that one of the signs of the Lord’s return is that Jerusalem will no longer be under Gentile control. In the Six Day war in 1967, the Jewish people took control of Jerusalem for the first time since 70 A.D. The reoccupation of Jerusalem has come true in our time. There has been more bloodshed over Jerusalem than any other city on earth. There is a sinister force that longs to destroy the ancient city. Terrorism never ends there. In the past 3,000 years, 26 empires have conquered her. However, today, my friend, Jerusalem is no longer trodden under foot by the Gentiles. Today, the Jewish people have control over Jerusalem. This means that our Lord’s return is very soon. Oh, beloved, do you see the signs of the times in which we live? Are you ready for our Jesus to return for His bride, to assert His power, and to avenge His people? Are you willing to stand against any leader who tries to return parts of Jerusalem to Gentile control? Are you committed to praying for Jerusalem because it bears the Name of the God whom you love? Oh, let’s be relentless about this, precious one, and let’s be watchwomen for Jerusalem!

Pray with me: Almighty God, we praise You for the fulfillment of Your prophecy. Your precious Jerusalem that bears Your Name has been trodden upon through the centuries. The kingdom of darkness seeks to defile anything that You love and Your Name. I cry out for the many people who have died there. I cry out for the peace of Jerusalem. When there is peace in Jerusalem, there will be peace on earth.

The evil one knows that his time is short since the Gentiles no longer have control of the city. He will do anything to undo the inevitable. Soon, precious Jesus, You will come soon for Your bride. You will assert Your power and avenge Your people. The first time You came to earth You laid down Your power, took on the nature of a servant, and were obedient even unto death on the cross. The second time You will assert Your power to cleanse the world of sin and rebellion against God. You will be invincible. You are the warrior of warriors! It is in Your Name, Yeshua’s Name, that we pray, Amen.

Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study,
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