The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! (Psalm 110:2)

When Abraham returned from defeating the four kings (see Genesis 14:1-17), his hungry and exhausted men were greeted with bread and wine by Melchizedek, “the king of Salem” (the name first given to Jerusalem). Much later, the city of Jerusalem was a stronghold held by David’s foes (known then as Jebus) before he captured it at the beginning of his reign. The point is that the city of Jerusalem — aka Zion — has long been recognized as the symbol of Israel’s spiritual strength, even though it is situated among Israel’s enemies. Still, it is written of Zion, “Behold, the kings (of the earth) assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, they hastened away” (Psalm 48:4-5).

Throughout history, the nations of the world have sought to redefine Jerusalem’s role and significance in God’s plan for His people. They have attempted to destroy it, occupy it, rename it and divide it among the nations. To this day, the nations refuse to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. But the God of Israel says, “I will enter into judgment with them on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land” (Joel 3:2). He has declared, “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion” (Psalm 2:6).

From time immemorial, the Creator has established the purpose for Zion’s sanctity — from her, the Lord God will rule the nations. That is why David, in the spirit of prophecy, declared that the Lord will “send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.” When the Messiah returns and is seated upon His throne, Israel’s enemies will be vanquished and it will come to pass what is written: “The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem” (Joel 3:16). With a rod of iron, He “will reign over the nations in Mount Zion, from now on, even forever” (Psalm 2:9, Micah 4:7). Therefore, let the nations rage and the kings of the earth plot a vain thing; the One who resides Heaven will have His way. He will rule over all the earth. Even so, come Lord Yeshua!

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill