Page 3 - August 2025 - Truth & Tidings

he recent 12-Day War between Israel heaven (Zec 12:10; Rev 1:7). Essentially,
and Iran has brought an ancient then, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem
Tprayer request back into the spot- today is to pray for the return of Christ,
light. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” who will establish His glorious kingdom
comes from Psalm 122:6 and, if David is on earth and usher in peace, not only for
the author, is one of the oldest prayers in Jerusalem but for the world. The day is
1
history. For centuries, God’s people have coming when Psalm 122:6 will finally be
been heeding the psalmist’s request and are answered. “Jerusalem shall be safely in-
still waiting for an answer. Interestingly, habited” (Zec 14:11).
Jerusalem means “foundation of peace,” Therefore, the psalmist’s prayer is con-
yet the city’s history has known almost sistent with two important prayers which
constant conflict. bookend the New Testament: “Thy king-
Scripture teaches that God has set aside dom come” (Mat 6:10), and “Even so, come,
His earthly people Israel during this pres- Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20).
ent Church Age, and that Jerusalem is Finally, what does the end of Psalm
no longer the place (neither is any other 122:6, “May they prosper who love you
earthly location) where God commands [Jerusalem],” mean? Those who love Jeru-
His people to go to worship. Clearly, the salem are those who appreciate its spiritual
tribes (v4) cannot go up to Jerusalem to significance for God’s future kingdom on
observe the annual feasts because “the earth. Israel and Jerusalem will play a key
house of the LORD” (mentioned twice in role in God’s purpose for this world. Israel
the psalm) is not there to offer their sacri- will be the head of the nations during the
fices. The “thrones of the house of David” Millennium when the Messiah reigns, and
(v5) are evidently absent. No temple, no Jerusalem will be the location of His earthly
sacrifices, no Davidic King. So, are we still throne (Isa 2:2-4; Psa 48:1-2). The psalmist
to offer up this prayer today for the peace asks the Lord to prosper the people who
of Jerusalem? How can we when so much love Jerusalem. Whenever we love what
else in the psalm seems to be irrelevant? God loves, and whenever we obey His
Our prayer for the peace of Jerusalem is Word (which in this case is praying for
not merely for the cessation of warfare and the peace of Jerusalem), He will bless us,
bloodshed, important as that may be. We as countless Scriptures affirm.
pray for spiritual peace, both the turning of
Israel to their Messiah, the Prince of Peace, So, yes, “Pray for the peace of Jerusa-
our Lord Jesus Christ, that they might lem!”
enjoy peace with God through Him (Rom 1 The New Testament teaches the return of Christ
5:1), and the culmination of all the prom- in two stages, separated by at least seven years.
ises of God made to Israel through Christ. The first (His coming to the air at the Rapture)
Scripture says that a national turning, a will end the Church Age, and the second (His
nationwide repentance and embracing of coming to the earth to reign) will inaugurate the
Millennial Age. A seven-year tribulation period
the Messiah, will occur when they look on will occur in between the two stages of His
the One they pierced at His return from coming.

227
TruthandTidings.com I August 2025 227