Jesus' Prophecy That Foreigners Would Live In Jerusalem
Jerusalem's Story: A City of Many Rulers
Do you remember how Jesus warned His followers that Jerusalem would be destroyed? One of the things He warned was that foreigners would tread down the city. That means that they would rule over the city and its people.
This is what Jesus said:
“And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (Luke 21: 26)..The Romans Arrive
Imagine powerful soldiers in shiny armor. These were the Romans, and they came to Jerusalem a long time ago. They took over around 63 BCE.
For a while, things were okay, but then the Jewish people didn't want the Romans ruling them anymore. So, there was a big fight which began in 66AD and ended in 70 AD.
In 70AD, the Romans, led by General Titus, fought against the city and destroyed much of Jerusalem. They also destroyed the beautiful temple, just as Jesus had prophesied said many years before.
After the Fight
After the Romans won, life was hard for the Jewish people. The Romans made new rules, and they weren't always nice. Sometimes, the Jews weren't allowed to go to Jerusalem, their own city.
Later on, they were allowed to visit only one day a year, on a day to remember the Temple's destruction. The Romans even changed Jerusalem's name to Aelia Capitolina to show that they were in charge.
New Rulers: The Arabs
Years and years passed, and new people came to Jerusalem around 638 AD. These were the Arabs. They brought new ways of life and a new religion called Islam. In Islam, people worship another god.
They built like the Dome of the Rock, which you can still see today! For a long time, Jerusalem was an important place for the Arab rulers.
So, Jerusalem has seen many different rulers come and go. It's had happy times and sad times, but it's always been a special place for many people.
A Long, Long Time Ago:
Jerusalem is an ancient city that is very special to three big religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jewish people have had a connection to this land for thousands of years, and this is a very, very long time,
Coming Back To Israel
In more recent times, starting over a hundred years ago, many people who said they were Jews returned from different parts of the world to Jerusalem. They wanted to build homes there. More and more of these people came, and their numbers in Jerusalem grew. These people created a new Jewish state called Israel in 1948.
The Arab Response: Concerns and Conflict:
Remember we said that the Arabs had been living in Jerusalem since 638AD? They too had made it their home. As more Jewish people came, the Arabs had concerns. They were worried about what these changes would mean for them, their homes, and their future in the land.
They felt it was their land, and they didn't agree with the idea of a new state being created there for the people called Jews. This led to disagreements and sometimes fighting between the Arab and Jewish people in the area.
A Plan to Share:
After a big war called World War II, the countries of the world, through the United Nations, had an idea. They thought the best way to have peace in the land where both Arabs and Jews lived was to divide it into two parts – one for a Jewish state and one for an Arab state.
They also thought Jerusalem should be a special city that belonged to everyone. Jewish leaders said okay to this plan, but Arab leaders did not agree with it.
The Fighting Started and Jerusalem Was Divided In 1948
Because there wasn't an agreement, fighting began when the British (who were in charge of the area at the time) left in 1948, It was a war between the new Jewish state and the neighboring Arab countries.
During this fighting, Jerusalem became divided. One part of the city, the western part, came under the control of Israel. The eastern part came under the control of an Arab country called Jordan. This area includes the very old section with many important places that are important to the Islamic religion,
Imagine a line being drawn through a city, separating neighbors and sometimes families. This is what happened in Jerusalem, and it was a difficult time for both Arabs and Jews who were affected by the division. It became hard for people to move between the two parts of the city.
The City Came Under One Control Again In 1967
Years later, in 1967, there was another war called the Six-Day War. As a result of this war, Israel took control of East Jerusalem from Jordan. This meant that the whole city of Jerusalem was now under Israeli control. Israel believes that Jerusalem is its capital city.
Still Talking About the Future
Today, the Israelis and Arabs living in the area still disagree about who should have control over Jerusalem. Both Israelis and Palestinians (the Arabs who live in the area) have very strong feelings and hopes for the city's future. It's a complex situation, and people are still working to find a way for everyone to live peacefully and for the city to be a place for everyone.
The conflict at the time of writing
At the time of writing, there is a big war between the Israel and Palestine. When there is fighting, it makes people very sad and scared. Many people around the world hope and pray that the fighting will stop and that the Israelis and Palestinians can find a way to live peacefully next to each other. I
t's a very hard problem, and many grown-ups are trying to help find a solution so that everyone can feel safe and have a place to call home.
Remember to pray for peace between Israel and Palestine. Children and other grown-ups have been hurt, some have fled from their homes and many are living in refuge camps.
Conclusion
As we end, we see how time has proven Jesus to right. We can trust His Word because He sees everything and tells us in advance.
Jesus also warned about a place of punishment for sinners when they die. It is called hell. After that, there will be the Great Eternal Judgment. Everyone who refused to receive His salvation will be thrown into a lake of fire.
