1) God's Witness to the Christian faith: Israel

The daily news is the greatest evidence there is for the existence of a powerful Creator. Israel is the grit in the world oyster, evidence that the Gospel is the pearl without price (Matthew 13:46). At the pearl's centre is Jerusalem.

If Israel is grit, Jerusalem is to be a heavy stone. Once Jerusalem was relatively unimportant. For example, at the time of the writing of the Koran it was so unimportant that it was not once mentioned in the Koran, by any name. But the God of the Bible said at a specific time,

In that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all peoples. All who lift it shall be cut in pieces, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. (Zechariah 12:3)

History has shown the world 'that day' that God appointed was June 7, 1967. The effects of 'that day' are still felt worldwide as the nations pressure Israel about the 1967 border. America has already been cut for taking hold of the issue of Jerusalem. It is powerful evidence that,

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7)

The Apostle Paul stated some would see the power of God at work and have great faith, whereas others would not believe,

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:13-17)

2) A Nation as Witness to God's Existence

The Jews' destiny was clearly prophesied, so that the fate of the Jews has verified God's existence. This is the foundation for Christian belief and faith. A remarkably preserved scroll of Isaiah dating back to the days of Christ was found in 1947. God's word to Isaiah was,

Let all the nations be gathered together....: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore you are my witnesses, says the LORD, that I am God. (Isaiah 43: 9-12)

Therefore Jews are still today God's witnesses, a sign to all nations and people.

Very early in Israel's history, Moses (approx. 1500BC) told the people that their attitude would not always reflect the qualities and obedience that God required of his chosen people.

And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and you shall be left few in number among the nations, where the LORD shall lead you. ...
When you are in tribulation, and all these things are come upon you, even in the latter days, if you turn to the LORD your God, and shall be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD your God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake you, neither destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore unto them. (Deuteronomy 4: 26-31)

Note the promise to the fathers of Israel would not be broken. Both the punishment for disobedience and the covenant are kept. Unlike humans who often make promises that they can't keep, God will keep all his promises.

In this Christians can trust and have faith. We can see the evidence of a powerful God in the unfolding of Jewish history over thousands of years. Moses reveals God's prediction of Israel's future.

It shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations, where the LORD your God has driven you, And shall return unto the LORD thy God, and shall obey his voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart, and with all your soul; That then the LORD your God will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, where the LORD your God has scattered you. (Deuteronomy 30: 1-3)

To redeem God's promise Jews had to keep the law of Moses with their whole heart. To the consternation of the secular world, the religious revival that began in renewed Jewish settlement in Palestine in the late 1800's has in recent years been renewed as the people of Israel are increasingly keeping the law of Moses.

The Living Witnesses

Abraham was promised that his descendants would become a nation in approx. 2000BC. They became a nation approx. 1400BC led by Moses. The following is a brief summary of Israel's past showing the fulfilment of the prophecies in Deuteronomy, recorded by Moses.

• Blessing 1000BC Under king David & Solomon the nation reaches its greatest heights as a dominant power of the Middle East.

• Curse 722BC The Assyrians invade and destroy the capital, Samaria, of what was the northern state of Israel and the people are slain or dispersed, due to centuries of brazen idolatry.

• 587BC Jerusalem is destroyed by the Babylonians, many are slain or dispersed and many were taken captive to Babylon, where they remained for 70 years due to idolatry and corruption.

• Blessing 517BC Revival of Judah/ Judea under Ezra and Nehemiah. Renewed study of the law of Moses and an absence of idolatry.

• Curse 70-73AD Romans destroy Jerusalem and scatter the people.

• 70-1881 Scattering to every nation, Persecution.

The blessing and the curse happened as God foretold. This is the foundation for our faith that God will keep his promise to us.

3) Restoration of Israel: Evidence of God's Mercy

Moses prophesied that Israel would be gathered from all the nations where God had scattered them. They would return to the land that God had promised their forefathers as a possession.

Then the LORD thy God will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, where the LORD your God has scattered you. If any of yours be driven out unto the utmost parts of heaven, from there will the LORD your God gather you, and from there will he fetch you: And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and he will do you good, and multiply you above your fathers. (Deuteronomy 30: 3-5)

Isaiah proclaimed that Israel would restore and rebuild the land, which would be devastated by generations of invaders.

They that shall be of you shall build the old waste places: you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called, 'The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in'. (Isaiah 58:12)

These prophecies have been fulfilled.

Due to God's mercy and compassion, the nation of Israel, which would be revived, would obtain forgiveness for their sins, as God will fulfil the promises that were made to Abraham. Micah wrote;

Who is a God like unto you, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retains not his anger for ever, because he delights in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. You will perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which you have sworn unto our fathers from the days of old. (Micah 7: 18-20)

A Christian must see that the mercy they rely on for salvation is also shown to Israel. There remains only a small remnant of Jews, estimated at approximating 15-16 million. Some are in Israel and the rest are still scattered throughout the nations of the world. The remainder of the remnant shall yet return to their homeland,

The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. (Isaiah 10:21-22)

The Jews have suffered humiliation and persecution, but as a witness to us they will be saved and return to Israel.

But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: you shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. (Isaiah 45: 17)

And, in addition, once the nation is revived, Israel is promised a king.

Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Therefore, behold, the days come, says the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD lives, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD lives, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries where I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. (Jeremiah 23: 5-8)

Modern Israel Still Witnesses today to God's Existence

Humans cannot predict the future with any certainty whatever, but the Bible reveals the end from the beginning. God has declared:

"I am God, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure" (Isaiah 46:10).

The prophets of the Bible accurately predicted that certain nations would totally disappear; Nineveh (Nahum, Zephaniah 2), Babylon (Isaiah 13, Jeremiah 51), Tyre (Ezekiel 26), Edom and Ammon. It said others would remain until the setting up of the Kingdom of God on earth, including Arabia, Persia (after 1935 called Iran), Libya, Ethiopia, Egypt (Ezekiel 29-30) and, in a special case, Israel. It was predicted that "the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt" (Isaiah 19:14-17).

The prophets said after the Jews had been scattered among the nations,

• A remnant would be saved.

• A remnant would return to their homeland.

Jews have always lived in the land, but after 135AD, they were few in number. In the closing years of the nineteenth century with the Zionist movement, more Jews filtered back into Palestine. But it was not until WW2 when they were driven out of Europe, that large numbers of the remnant of the Jewish pre-war European population sought a homeland. In 1948 the United Nations declared a partition of Palestine, which all Arab Nations rejected, but which gave a homeland for the Jews.

Today we witness a continuing fulfilment of Bible prophecy. You might argue that the New Testament changed things and the Old Testament has little relevance to today. You might consider that Christianity changed the way we should consider the Old Testament.

4) New Testament supports the Old Testament Prophets

Jesus (Yeshua) frequently warned the leaders of his day that they needed to know the writings of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets. Does this still apply to us today? Look at what James says. He is quoting from Amos 9: 11-12 to prove that Israel would again be rebuilt.

Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 'After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, says the Lord, who does all these things.' (Acts 15: 14-17)

Jesus also made a prophecy and firm promise to the disciples, about the “regeneration” of Israel. We are seeing the “regeneration” or rebirth of Israel. In our privileged position we can look back at history and see those witnesses, the Jews, through all their adversities and successes fulfilling the prophecies given thousands of years ago that we might have a sure hope in the future of a Kingdom and peace on earth.

And Jesus said unto them (the disciples), “Truly I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration (rebirth/restoration) when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)

Like the Hebrew prophets, Jesus confirmed a regeneration for the nation of Israel. In the past fifty years we have seen that beginning. There are prophecies yet to be fulfilled, but we can have faith that they will be and that ultimately there will be peace on earth and salvation for the faithful. The letter to the Hebrews assures us that God's promises will not fail.

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. (Hebrews 6: 17-20)

The Old Testament on the Mountains of Israel: Judea and Samaria

God declared concerning Israel that they would dwell in the land safely:

"I will gather them out of all countries, where I have driven them in My anger, and in My fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely ... yea ... I will plant them in this land assuredly with My whole heart and with My whole soul" (Jeremiah 32:37-41).

"I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel"-"it shall be in the latter days" (Ezekiel 38:8,12,16).

Christians should take note of Ezekiel's comment. No less than their God wants to feed Israel on the mountains. The mountains of Israel are Judea and Samaria. They are disputed territory.

5) How ought Christians view the issue of Israel and the Palestinians?

On what is Christianity based, unless it be on the words of Christ and his apostles? Unless it is solely based on the words of Christ and the Apostles, it might as well be be solely based on the words of Joe anybody. If a person's belief contains substantive contradictions of the Christian text then how can that person be a Christian follower? On that basis then, how should Christians see the political issue of who possesses the mountains Israel (or part thereof)?

How should Christians view who owns the disputed territories?

Many Christians place great reliance on the writings of the apostle Paul. Paul affirms very strongly that the promises belong to Israel.

Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever.Amen (Romans 9:4-5)

It was very important to Paul that Christ is descended from the fathers of Israel (a view shared with Jesus see John 8). Paul also tells all Christ's followers that they are 'adopted' as Abraham's seed (Galatians 3:29), and 'grafted in' (Romans11:17-24). Paul re-iterates this to the Ephesians, saying that the servants of Christ must regard themselves as attached to the covenants of promise, which belong to Israel.

That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)

This implies there is no hope for a Christian except in the covenants of promise. Paul said he was bound in chains for the hope of Israel (Acts 28:20). The issue of the fathers is so important to Paul he devotes long discourses to it. He speaks of 'the promise(s)' 36 times, 'the Fathers' 5 times, Abraham 29 times, Isaac 7 times and Jacob 5 times.

For believing the promise of Isaac, the son, Abraham was accounted righteous (Romans 4:3). But as yet Abraham, Isaac & Jacob (and the fathers) have not inherited 'the promise', which is the hope of Israel,

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39-40)

The promise which was not received, the hope of Israel, has political implications today. The Bible is very clear on what has been promised.

Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built there an altar to the LORD. (Genesis 12:6-7)

Therefore, for perpetuity, Shechem and the environs are given to Israel.

Map locating the places of the promises and the disputed territory.

He (Abram) went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, ..between Bethel and Hai; ..the LORD said unto Abram, “Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed for ever. And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth:.. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the width of it; for I will give it unto you. Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. (Genesis 13:3-18)

For perpetuity the land of Canaan, as far as Abram could see with the naked eye from Bethel, is Abram's and also his offspring's. It is clear Abram could see to Hebron as he obeys God 'arising' to walk through the land given to him and goes there. Later at the valley of Shaveh (the kings valley) near Salem (Jerusalem), God says,

“I am the LORD that brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it. ...In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto your seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: (Genesis 15:7,18)

The last description determined the maximum length. The Euphrates was the river Abraham crossed from Haran to the North to enter the Land. The centre of the area called 'the Land' was to be from Bethel to Hebron. Later Ishmael was specifically excluded from the inheritance of the offspring (Genesis 21:12). It is with Isaac, near Salem (Jerusalem), that Abram is promised that his offspring (through Isaac) will inherit the gate of their enemies (Genesis22:11). It is in Hebron that Abraham buys land from the Hittites. Isaac is promised land while in Gerar, on the border of modern Gaza, bordering the land of the Philistines,

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for unto you and unto your seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swore unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: (Genesis 26:3-6)

If Isaac was promised Gerar, Jacob was promised Bethel. There God said

“I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed;.. “

And he (Jacob) was afraid, and said, “How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” ... And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. (Genesis 28:13-19)

Therefore for perpetuity the land of Bethel is promised to Jacob and to the offspring of Jacob. Jacob's name is changed to Israel at Bethel, and he is again promised the land. God said,

“Your name is Jacob: ...Israel shall be your name”: and he called his name Israel.” And God said unto him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of you, and kings shall come out of your loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to you I will give it, and to your seed after you will I give the land.” (Genesis 35:9-12)

Paul says a non-Jewish Christian is only 'adopted' as an Israelite, and the land belongs to those born to Israel. Because Paul in his discussions reinforces the promises as being literal, the modern Christian has no choice but to understand that the promises given at Shechem, Bethel, Salem (Jerusalem), Hebron and Gerar relate to a perpetual promise of this land at these particular spots to the natural sons of Israel.

That others may occupy it is clearly possible, as the Canaanites did so. While a building, or a piece of land is left vacant, many squatters may inhabit it and even destroy the building or the productivity of the land. Merely gaining temporary possession does not make them the owner of the land. In this case the God of the Bible says the land, in particular, Shechem, Bethel, Jerusalem environs, Hebron and Gerar is given to the offspring of Israel for-ever.

This presents one awkward factor to the modern world. Whereas Israel's possession of Tel Aviv, Haifa, Mt Carmel, Ceasarea, Akko, Tiberias and the Jezreel Valley are not disputed internationally, the very area at the centre of Paul's beloved promises to the Fathers of Israel is. In fact the only places where God gave the fathers of Israel promises for the land for their offspring is the heart of all the so called 'occupied territories'.

Following is a table listing every promise ever given for the Land in the entire Bible. Jesus implies we have eternal life through these promises,

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39) and

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56)

The apostles reinforce this. Paul wrote,

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all nations be blessed.' (Galatians 3:8)

Promise to	Passage	Location	Comment
Abraham	Gen. 12-1-3	Haran	Not considered part of Land
Abraham	Gen. 13:14-17	Shechem	Disputed
Abraham	Gen. 15:7-18	Shaveh near Jerusalem	Hotly Disputed
Abraham	Gen. 18:18	Hebron	Hotly Disputed
Abraham	Gen. 22:18	Mt Moriah Jerusalem	Hotly Disputed
Isaac	Gen. 26:2-4	Gerar	Location unknown near Gaza
Jacob	Gen. 28:13-15	Bethel	Disputed
Jacob	Gen. 35:9-12	Bethel	Disputed
David	2 Samuel7:8-16	Jerusalem	Hotly Disputed
O.T affirms	Isaiah 9:6-7, 22:22. Jeremiah 23:5-6, Micah 7:18-20, Ezek. 16:60-62
N.T affirms	Luke 1:32-33, 69-73, 13:28. Acts 3:25,7:5,13:23-26,32, 26:6-8. Romans 1:3, 4:11-16, 9:8, 15:8 Galatians 3:6-9, 26-29. Hebrews 6:12-15, 8:6-12, 11:8-10,39-40. Revelation 3:7, 5:5

Summary Table of Promises of Land and their location

Map of Jerusalem and David's city where the promise was made- Silwan is Disputed territory

This ought to be a wake up call to the Christian. Does God keep his promises? If God is righteous then he will ensure that the land is given to those who he promised it to, which was the sons of Israel.

To David is promised the land of his throne and a son who builds a house on that land. David bought the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, on which Solomon's temple was located. David was promised this land, his throne and son for perpetuity, implying his resurrection to receive it.

6) Jesus On Jerusalem

Christianity is based on the words of Christ. He only made one recorded prophecy that spoke of events into the modern era. There are 3 witness accounts. In that prophecy he makes a prediction regarding Jerusalem. One witness recorded,

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. ..For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. ...And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:20-24,27)

The trampling of Jerusalem by Gentiles began after 66-70CE. However, no less than the leader of all Christians said that there would a be a time when, as in his day, Jews would rule Jerusalem again. It is to be noted that in the day of Jesus (approx.30CE), the Jews ruled Jerusalem but were in turn overseen by Rome, the empire of the day. The situation is analogous to the Jewish rule of Jerusalem since 1967 where Jews determine much of what goes on in the city, but are subject to UN sanctions and American influence. From a passage which is not a recent addition, which cannot be denied, it follows that the Christian must view the post-1967 situation where Jews control Jerusalem as they did in Jesus' day, as a fulfilment that confirms their Lord is a prophet. This is agreed by no less than the Muslims who called Isa (Jesus, Y'shua) a prophet for 1200 years before the inconvenient fulfilment of his prophecy in 1967.

Jesus makes another prophecy regarding Jerusalem which fits with his prediction above that Jerusalem would be ignored and trampled underfoot by non-Jews. He was talking to a Samaritan.

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship”.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you shall neither worship the Father in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know, we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is a spirit, and they who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth”. (John 4:19-24)

Jesus does not deny Jerusalem was the place of true worship, instead he makes 2 points. The first was that it was to be only a short time (her children's lifetime) until the time when people would no longer worship in either place. In fact, after 70CE a mere 40 years from this prophecy nobody worshipped at either place whether Jew or non-Jew (Mt Gerizim was rebuilt briefly 135-484). The second point is that Jesus by using “we” fully identified himself with the Jews (who said Jerusalem was the place of worship) saying that the God they worshipped (at Jerusalem) was the only true God and salvation is of the Jews. Jesus indeed did say outright that Jerusalem was the place of God.

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. (Matthew 5:34-35)

The great King was a name for God (Malachi 1:14, Psalm 47:2, 95:3). Jesus is quoting Psalm 48:2.

Jesus saw Jerusalem as God's city

The attitude of Jesus is confirmed in his actions at the Temple at Jerusalem. As a 12 year old he had to be convinced to leave the temple, thinking it was the place of 'his Fathers business' (Luke 2:45-49). Twice he cleaned it out.

He said to those who sold doves, 'Take these things away from here. Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise'. (John 2:16)

He taught, saying to them, 'Is it not written, "My house shall be called the house of prayer for all nations?" But you have made it a den of thieves.' (Mark 11:17, also Matthew 21:13 Luke 19:46)

There is no doubt at all Jesus was one of those Jews who said that Jerusalem was the place where men ought to worship. There are 3 records agreeing he said that people from all nations will worship there. By applying Isaiah Chapter 56 to the temple, Jesus shows he literally accepts a passage which also speaks of strangers (who keep the Sabbaths and know the Covenant) worshipping the Jewish God at Jerusalem. In addition, the context speaks of the outcasts of Israel being gathered. There is no other way to explain this than that the leader of all Christians valued the temple at Jerusalem and supported its central place in future worship at a time when Israel would be re-gathered.

There is no evidence to the contrary. In every instance Jesus is shown as valuing Jerusalem. He even tells some lepers to go to the priests to fulfil the Mosaic Law for cleansing (Luke 17:14). He keeps every feast and at the end of his life weeps over the city,

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones them which are sent unto you, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34)

Even after the resurrection Jesus says

that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

And in his last recorded words to his apostles, he told them to go to Jerusalem first,

You shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

For Christ, despite the fact he came from Galilee, Israel was defined by Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. This implies also that, for Christians, Judea and Samaria ought to be seen as the historic heart of Israel.

The Apostles on Jerusalem

The Apostles also value Jerusalem. Paul speaks of his “service for Jerusalem” (Romans 15:31) and writes to the Hebrews,

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, Jerusalem High, and to an innumerable company of messengers, (Hebrews 12:22)

The Apostle John also mentions Jerusalem 3 times as the hope of the faithful Christian and is described as 'the Holy City New Jerusalem' coming down to earth (Revelation 3:12, 21:2,10). As the new city is to come to earth, there is no reason to re-locate it.

7) How would Christ view dividing Jerusalem?

If Christians follow Christ they follow his thinking. According to Christ's prophecy Jerusalem is to be ruled by Jews again after a long era of oppression. When Jews rule Jerusalem, then Jesus will return. It is not in accordance with his prophecy that Jerusalem now cease to be fully ruled by Jews, and part given to people who would oppress it. Therefore, based on Christ's words, a Christian would support the view that Jerusalem now should be an undivided Jewish city.

Paul defines the Christian world view

Christians must seek to know God's way or they too may fail:

Because they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them...(Acts 13:27)

Boast not against the branches...Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not you. .. blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins...as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:13-29)

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