In what Israel’s Foreign Ministry is calling the third largest gathering of foreign dignitaries in Israel’s history, almost 50 world leaders are descending upon Jerusalem to attend the Fifth World Holocaust Forum. Taking place on January 23 at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Remembrance Center, the event commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, perhaps the most highly-recognized death camp of the Holocaust.

BreakingIsraelNews.com is reporting expectations of 26 presidents (including Russia’s Vladimir Putin), 4 kings, 4 prime ministers, and many other government officials, including VP Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi from the US. England’s Prince Charles is also scheduled to attend.

Who would have thought 50 years ago…or even 10 years ago…that heads of state from dozens of nations would gather in Jerusalem! Jerusalem was nothing but a tiny troublemaker until recent years, yet Israel has become a military, energy, and economic powerhouse, in addition to being a tinderbox among religious groups.

Yet God’s Word predicted long ago that nations will assemble there. Here are some examples:

At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the Lord,’ and all the nations will be gathered to it…

~Jeremiah 3:17

For I know their works and their thoughts; the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory.

~Isaiah 66:18

I will gather all the nations
And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.
Then I will enter into judgment with them there
On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
And they have divided up My land.

~Joel 3:2

God doesn’t waste opportunities, and His Word is forever true. I’m not suggesting there is a specific major prophetic event about to take place, only that this gathering seems to be a shadow of Biblical prophecy to be fulfilled with specific purposes as last days unfold.

Not all nations sending representatives are from countries friendly to Israel, yet they were included on the invitation list anyway. I find that fascinating, don’t you! One Jewish rabbi said this:

“Many of the nations that will be here in Jerusalem are the very nations that took part in the Holocaust. They are also the nations that want to take Jerusalem out of the world, take it away from the Jewish people. Many of these nations support the enemies of Israel who openly proclaim their intention to continue what the Nazis began.”

~Rabbi Hillel Weiss

The psalmists seemed to give warning to those who would disparage Jerusalem, and pronounce God’s favor upon the city of the Great King when it was written:

For, lo, the kings assembled themselves,
They passed by together.
They saw it, then they were amazed;
They were terrified, they fled in alarm.
Panic seized them there,
Anguish, as of a woman in childbirth.
With the east wind
You break the ships of Tarshish.
As we have heard, so have we seen
In the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God;
God will establish her forever. 

~Psalm 48:4-8

Indeed, the Lord of Hosts will establish Jerusalem forever as the city of our God, and He is about to put it on display for leaders around the world! Let’s hope they recognize and heed the warning of Genesis 12:2: those who bless Israel will be blessed, those who curse Israel will be cursed!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!