GETTING BACK TO ZION

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Thus says the Lord : I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the Lord of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the Lord of hosts? Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness."
Zechariah 8:3‭-‬8 ESV

¶This idyllic picture of Jerusalem is one of a city at peace with itself and with the world. We pray for peace on earth. Prophets envision peace on earth, but peace on earth is not physically impossible at any time. It does not require supernatural intervention to attain it. It is within the capacity of men to achieve it, but for the fights and quarrels that spring from our evil desires. So, embedded in this peaceful scenario is the promise of a deeper solution, not just of a change in circumstances, but of a change of heart, of a world reconciled to itself, and of God, in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.

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