Imagine a place where pain and sickness are none existent and the everlasting love of God flows, surrounds and consumes you with each passing day; a land gushing with milk and honey and where praises unto God last far into the nights. This description fits what the New City of Jerusalem will be like but what Jerusalem today?
Jerusalem was appointed the Holy Land early on in the Bible after Abraham's diligent works and unweaving faith in God. In Genesis 22:16-18 we see that God has commanded Abraham to slain his only son and use him as an offering unto the Lord. Abraham never doubted that God would provide a scapegoat for them. So as Abraham bound and laid his son down to be killed, he heard the word of the Lord telling him to stop and as Abraham looked he saw that there was a ram stuck in the bushes next to them. The ram was used for his offering and Abraham named the place Jehovah Jireh, which means: The Lord will provide. It was because of Abraham's faithfulness in God's word that he and the many nations that he would farther became blessed.
Nothing has changed since then and God's blessing still resides in that land where Abraham made his sacrifice to the Lord. Today, the Holy Land is one of the richest nations in the world and people come from near and far to witness and worship on the grounds that many Biblical icons once walked upon.
However, despite being God's chose people and living on blessed soil, Israel has found itself in constant war with its neighboring countries. The conflicts over land, religion and the people has left the great nation weary and exhausted of resources but in spite of all the surrounding problems that entangle Israel it still manages to stay on top and keep the its high favor with God. It's a constant remainder that even with our downfalls God is always there.
As the end times become ever present we can only take example from Abraham and trust in God's power and unfailing word to help us hold out until we reach the Holy Land.
