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Did Jesus Live in "Occupied Territory"? Posted to Jans_Articles DID JESUS LIVE IN “OCCUPIED TERRITORY”? By Jan Markell A delusion of many years will not die—that is that the solution to much of the world’s problems is the creation of a Palestinian State in the heartland of Israel. The effort thus far has been fruitless, and the failure nothing short of abysmal. But dreams and delusions die hard and this one will not go away. And while most nations sign on to the idea, the cheerleader-in-chief is our own State Department. What’s wrong with the idea? It will strengthen the Islamic world’s determination to do away completely with the Jewish state. It rewards terrorism and appeasement never works. And while there are many Palestinian people who want to raise their families and live in peace, the Palestinian leadership, even without Yaser Arafat, is inherently so corrupt little good can come from them. One thing is being overlooked in the controversy: A Palestinian State would shatter the biblical foundations on which much of Christianity and Judaism stand. The specific land that the Jewish people are being asked, ordered, and even coerced into surrendering is the very cradle of its existence as a nation. This includes specific areas God entered into an eternal covenant with Abraham promising him ownership of the land forever. All you read about in the Bible concerning Judea and Samaria took place in areas that would be given over to questionable leadership. The area surrendered houses the tombs of Joseph, Samuel, and King David. Here Abraham built altars. The area was home to the prophet Samuel. In the land given up lies Bethlehem, and Jerusalem is being demanded as a capital for this state—the City of David and the headquarters of our soon-coming King. In “Palestine-in-the-making” lie Bethany where Lazarus was raised, the Mount of Olives where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and Gethsemane where He was arrested. Here was Pilate’s courtyard, the Via Dolorosa where Jesus stumbled under His cross, and Golgotha where He died. The Garden Tomb was here as well. If the world gets its way with this Palestinian State, it would be the home to the most glittering prize of all, the Temple Mount, the place where the God of Israel chose to place His Name forever. It is the hill on which Abraham offered up Isaac, and the site of the first and second temple. The future Millennial Temple where the Messiah is destined to rule will also rest on that spot. Today this area is called “occupied territory.” Others call it “disputed territory” but to God it is neither. Israelis live here and many of them are called “settlers” as they’ve come from many nations to build up the land in what is often some rugged conditions. One really has to wonder if Jesus were alive today if He would be criticized by our State Department, the United Nations, the European Union, and more, as being an “obstacle to peace” living in “occupied territory”? Would He just be an inconvenient “settler”? The bottom line is that Islam would wield control over much that is sacred to Jews and Christians. To partition God’s Land with the formation of a Palestinian State will sever both Jews and Christians from their roots, from the past, and could tarnish their future. America’s leaders have a choice to make. They can listen to the prophets of old in the Bible or to mortal men who do not have any concern for the interests of Jews, Christians, the Bible, or God. Little wonder the Psalmist commands us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…..” (Ps. 122:6).