Jerusalem the Golden

The hymn Jerusalem the Golden is based on a text by the twelfth century monk Bernard of Cluny. The hymn concludes with this prayer:

Oh, sweet and blessed country
The home of God’s elect!
Oh, sweet and blessed country
That eager hearts expect!

In mercy, Jesus, bring us
To that dear land of rest!
You are, with God the Father
And spirit, ever blest.

These words symbolically associate Jerusalem with Heaven. But the Bible’s interest in Jerusalem is on earth. Jerusalem plays a central role in God’s redemptive plan, especially in the days that lead up to Christ’s return.

The designation “prophecy” or oracle in verse 1 indicates the predictive nature of Zechariah’s message. The siege in verse 2 must refer to the battle of Armageddon described in Revelation 16:13–16. It cannot be the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians since it had already taken place. The extent of the battle also makes it unlikely that it refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 a.d. by the Romans. The battle that Zechariah describes involves “all the nations of the earth” (v. 3).

The outcome of the battle is certain. Those who oppose Jerusalem will be defeated. God promises to make Jerusalem “an immovable rock.” Those who try to carry it away will only “injure themselves” (v. 3). The Hebrew word used here means to cut or lacerate. Their defeat is a self-inflicted wound brought on by the hostility of the nations toward Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s defense will not come about by ordinary military means. Her armies or her allies will not save her. God Himself will defend Jerusalem. He will strike terror into the hearts of Jerusalem’s enemies (v. 4). Second Thessalonians 2:8 says that when Jesus comes, He will overthrow the Antichrist “with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.”

Pray with Us

Heather Shalley, interim VP of Student Enrollment Services, invites you to pray for further expansion of Moody education in the new school year as we seek to increase our student population. It’s the support of friends like you that makes it possible.

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.