Jerusalem - The Burdensome Stone

Zechariah 12:2,3 NASB
Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

Zechariah 12:2,3 KJV
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Zechariah 12:2,3 NIV
I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.


From almost any Bible translation you might prefer to use, the message is clear. The Lord God is warning that in the last days just before Jesus' return, Jerusalem would be the center of attention and conflict for all who would attempt to control that great city, the apple of God's eye.

One cannot listen to the news broadcasts or read the printed media today without learning of some new treaty proposal, on-going terrorist actions, high-level meetings between world leaders, military threats, sanctions, matters of occupation, etc. The list goes on and on - and the battle over Jerusalem is intensifying each week.

The nations involved, including the USA, seem to be obsessed in their efforts to divide Jerusalem, with some determined to destroy Israel as a people and nation. The intensity of those efforts was hardly news worthy just a few years ago, but now occupy the news headlines everywhere.

Bible prophecy continues to rapidly unfold even as you read this. Yes, Jerusalem has now become the burdensome stone the prophet Zechariah wrote about almost 2500 years ago. From those Scriptures, we also know that God has promised to destroy the nations that go up against Israel. I personally believe that Jerusalem is God's "line in the sand", and when crossed, His fierce wrath and judgment will be unleashed on the unbelieving world.

Our Lord came here the first time...exactly as Scripture said He would. Our Lord is sure to return a second time...exactly as the Scriptures say He will. We are living in the last days. His return is imminent. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Don