!

Ephesians 5: 26-27 ‘That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.’

DAILY READING – Luke 11:1-28; Genesis 19; Psalm 12

On September 28, 2000, retired Israeli General, Ariel Sharon visited Jerusalem’s historic Temple Mount under a cloud of tension.
The Temple mount is a point where history, religion and national aspiration converge. The 35-acre site is at the very heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has been the single biggest obstacle to peace between the two sides.
While the Jews claim it as the site of their holy temple and center of who they are as a people, for Muslims it is the site of one of Islam’s most sacred shrines, the dome of the rock.
Many Palestinians were angered to see the Israeli General, Ariel Sharon march up to the Haram al-Sharif, the site of the gold Dome.
When he came down 45 minutes later, there was an eruption of fury. Though Ariel Sharon was surrounded by hundreds of armed riot police, Palestinians heaved chairs, stones, rubbish bins, and whatever missiles came to hand at the Israeli forces.
After Sharon left the compound, more than 200 Arab protesters surged forward, throwing stones in protests and rioting, which the Israeli police put down with rubber bullets and tear gas.
This incident launched a series of bloody battles and Palestinian uprising against Israel which came to be known as the Second Intifada. Palestinian suicide bombings were a prominent feature of the conflict, mainly targeting Israeli civilians. At the end of it all, the death toll, including both combatants and civilians, is estimated to be about 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, as well as 64 foreigners.

Such bloody conflicts mirror the tension that has existed in Jerusalem through the ages. At the heart of the Israeli/Arab hostility is the struggle for Jerusalem.
Jerusalem has been fought over in varying ways and the conflicts over this ancient city go back thousands of years — to Biblical times.
However, this contention over Jerusalem has a spiritual significance. At the end of the age, there is coming a New Jerusalem. It is a city for those who have seen much spiritual conflicts and battles and yet have emerged victorious.
Revelation 21:2 speaks of “The Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband”
This New Jerusalem, which is also called the Tabernacle of God, the Holy City, the City of God, the Celestial City, is literally heaven on earth.
The New Jerusalem is the ultimate fulfillment of all God’s promises. It is where God’s goodness is made fully manifest.
Those who will be part of this beautiful new city of Jerusalem are the overcomers by the Blood of the lamb, who have triumphed in great spiritual contentions and battles on earth.
They are part of the glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle, which Christ is coming to rapture.
To be part of this glorious Church there is a need for us to live in righteousness and be constantly cleansed by the Word.
Ephesians 5: 26-27 says ‘That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.’

Purity begets power. As we live in holiness we will be empowered to live in victory and dominion on the earth.
As believers in these last days, we are ordained to show forth God’s glory and power to the world. We are destined to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We are to be the head and not the tail; above only and never beneath. We are to take the lead, while others follow. That is our heritage in Christ Jesus in these last days.
To be part of His glorious Church, we must be steadfast in our commitment to live in holiness and never compromise. Despite great trials, temptations and tribulations, we must continue to stand for Jesus. Our focus should always be on the Heavenly race and eternal prize before us. Certainly, nothing in this world is worth missing Heaven for.
Great grace and Anointing is being released in these end-times, we must therefore remain sensitive not to miss our portion.
As we live in purity and righteousness, we will certainly emerge victorious in spiritual battles and conflicts.
The victory with which we overcome the world is our faith. Because, faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word, let us therefore receive grace for a lifestyle of diligent study of the Word.
As we remain spiritually fervent, surely, we will not only live glorious lives on the earth, we will also have the promise of arriving at the New Jerusalem, the city that God has prepared for us.

PRAYER:
Lord, please help me to live in holiness and righteousness as I run the race before me. May my light so shine in the world that many souls will be brought into Your Kingdom in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained victorious end for you.- WORDBITE 222.