Jerusalem Fallacy: Avoiding the Deception

By Amy Ryan

As we approach the End Times and the return of our Messiah, one of the most central topics of interest today from Bible readers is the city of Jerusalem. It is the city our Creator chose to put His Name and will again be the city from which our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) will reign on this Earth.

Few subjects invoke more passion, but also more confusion, than the role of Jerusalem in the Tribulation. What does the Scripture reveal to us about our role in relationship with this city and surrounding area? How does the city of Jerusalem affect every person today? Are there misconceptions about Jerusalem today that Bible believers need to be aware of? This book explores all of this and more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716738142

Book preview

Introduction

Jerusalem has the attention of many people around the world.  We watch news reports to learn what is happening in Jerusalem.  We read our Bibles and ask questions about Jerusalem.  Is prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes?  Are the world leaders making plans for Jerusalem that point to Yeshua’s return in our days? Are the events in Jerusalem good or bad for God’s people and what ought we to think about them?

As we get closer to the return of Yeshua, we want to be sure to have YHWH’s perspective on world events.  We want to know the truth, and we want to do what pleases God in order to avoid any kind of deception that will come upon His people.  If YHWH wants us to support Israel, we will do it.  If He wants us to be there at His return, we want to go.  As believers in Yeshua, we do not want to be led astray. 

There is a fallacy about Jerusalem that is leading many believers in Yeshua astray.  It is plaguing the Body of Messiah.  The vast majority of believers are in a state of confusion not knowing what to believe or who to trust regarding this city.  Being ignorant on this subject is not helpful as it will have consequences.  Yeshua wants us to be aware of what will happen in Jerusalem before His return.  He taught on this subject, and His teaching was clear.

Many Bible teachers are teaching about Jerusalem too.  They are quoting the Scriptures to tell us that Jerusalem is a good place and the ‘apple of God’s eye.’  They want us to go to Jerusalem, and they use the Bible to convince us that Jerusalem is the place to be, and if we can’t go there personally, we should send our money there.  However, there is something unsettling about their message.  They seem to be leaving out some details written in the Book.  Overlooking the Scriptures about Jerusalem’s destruction before Yeshua’s reign, these Bible teachers are misleading many.  They do not know they are leading people astray.  They think they are leading people to the truth, but it’s time to get the truth from the Bible and not from news reports or even ‘well-meaning’ Bible teachers. 

What will happen in Jerusalem before Yeshua returns affects all of us.  It’s not just about the people living in Jerusalem or Israel.  Nor is it a regional issue exclusive to the Middle East.  As the chosen place of Yeshua’s throne, the throne of the King of Creation, the events in Jerusalem pertain to everyone on the Planet.  Yeshua does not want us to be unaware.  He taught on the subject of what will happen in Jerusalem before His return.  He has a plan to save all His people who are scattered around the world right now.  His people need to follow His instructions in order to be saved and be ready for His return. His people need to understand what Yeshua said will happen in Jerusalem. 

The Bible has a lot to say about Jerusalem.  I would like to take an honest look at what is revealed to us regarding this city.  I have asked some of the harder questions concerning what the prophets told us will happen in Jerusalem and even what Yeshua Himself told us will happen there.  What the writers of our Bible understood and wanted us to know about Jerusalem has implications for us in our day. 

I realize I am yet another person teaching on a subject that does have relevance to God’s people.  What I write should be tested.  Does it match what is in the Bible and what the Set-apart Spirit confirms?  If it is true, it will.  If it is not, discard it. 

Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Yerushalayim, Let those who love You be at rest. The Scriptures 1998

I pray for Jerusalem.  I love Jerusalem.  I have guarded my heart toward this city.  I will not blaspheme Jerusalem.  What I say, think, and write is known by YHWH, our Creator.  He is my Judge.  He has given His Word, the Bible, to help with all insight and understanding.  I have sought YHWH in His Word for understanding about Jerusalem in the days we are living, the days before the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah, the true King of Israel.  It is with this heart and love for Jerusalem that I write this book called The Jerusalem Fallacy. 

So, with that said, let’s go to Jerusalem!

Chapter 1

The City Called by the Name of YHWH

Before we can take a look at the ‘Jerusalem Fallacy,’ we need to see Jerusalem the way the prophets saw the city.  The prophets told us a lot about the city of Jerusalem.  Though their love for Jerusalem is clearly seen, their messages also included the consequences for not obeying God’s law for the inhabitants of the city.  Without understanding the love that YHWH has for this city and also the love the prophets had for it, we will never understand how to interpret the events in Jerusalem in our day. 

If there is one thing a good student of the Bible will not tolerate, it is taking Scripture out of context.  As we look at the topic of Jerusalem, we are going to do our best to consider the context of the Scriptures given.  We will look at the good the Bible has to say about Jerusalem, as well as the seemingly not-so-good.  Regardless of what Scriptures we are looking at, we will consider the context of the Scriptures.  It’s a challenging discipline, especially as we address prophetic Scriptures; however, our diligence to be true to the writers of the Bible will be rewarded with greater understanding. 

We’ll start with a man who studied the Scriptures well.  He studied Scriptures written by the prophet Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2) and made observations.  Daniel, a student of the Scriptures, was also a prophet.  He was a good man.  He had insight, knowledge, and understanding.   He was teachable and respectable.  It’s no surprise that the angel Gabriel visited Daniel to give him understanding; Daniel was committed to prayer and to the law of his God. 

Daniel was an exile.  He was taken as a captive from his homeland to serve a foreign king.  He was taken from the city of Jerusalem to serve the king of Babylon.  God gave Daniel favor and compassion from those who exercised authority over him. 

Daniel was trusted, sought out, and esteemed in the land of his captivity.  The favor upon Daniel aroused the jealousy of his peers, those who wanted the position and authority given to him.  His peers sought an occasion to condemn him before the king.  They were unable to find any corruption in him.  They realized they could trap Daniel if they used the law of Daniel’s God.  They could count on him to obey God’s law above the law of the land; Daniel would not fail to pray to His God. 

Knowing the new law of the land, Daniel prayed to YHWH.  He opened his window that faced toward Jerusalem and knelt down on his knees and prayed.  Three times a day he did this despite the fact there was a decree that anyone praying or petitioning any god or man, other than the king of Babylon, for thirty days would be thrown into a den of lions.  Daniel was steadfast.  He continued in his custom—the custom to pray three times a day toward Jerusalem.

There is a lot to learn from the life and faithfulness of Daniel.  One thing that I have picked up from him is the custom to pray toward Jerusalem.  I have been praying toward Jerusalem for several years now.  It’s not that I utter every prayer facing Jerusalem, but if I can, in the quietness and comfort of my home, I turn toward this special city.  As I go about my days, even when I am away from my home, I have an awareness of my position on this Earth in relation to Jerusalem, and my heart often goes there.  When I read my Bible, I notice that my God, the God of Daniel seems pleased with this practice. 

Daniel prayed for Jerusalem.  Though he was far from Jerusalem, he turned toward Jerusalem and prayed for this set-apart city.  Though Jerusalem was in ruins, Jerusalem was God’s city and the place called by His Name.

Daniel 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name."

YHWH says Jerusalem is the city where He has chosen to put His name.

1 Kings 11:36  Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name.

The words in this verse were spoken by the prophet Ahijah.  He was speaking to a man named Jeroboam, who would succeed Solomon’s son for the throne of Israel.  Solomon was told by YHWH that if he guarded YHWH’s commands, he and his family line would maintain the throne for all of Israel.  If he did not guard the commands of YHWH, the throne would be taken from Him. YHWH was committed to two things:  His promise to David, His servant, and to Jerusalem, the city He chose to put His Name.  Though the throne would be taken from Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, and though the tribe of Judah would no longer rule over the whole House of Israel in Jerusalem, YHWH would give David ‘a lamp before Him in Jerusalem, the city where He has chosen to put His Name.’   

In fact, YHWH says that He put His name in Jerusalem forever. 

2 Chronicles 33:4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, "In Jerusalem shall my name be forever."

In this verse, we are told that YHWH put His Name in Jerusalem forever.  However, what is not obvious when this verse is pulled out of context is that this is in