All Depends on the Nail

Quaint John Bunyan used an illustration which is as helpful as it is simple in showing how secure the believer is in Christ.
He takes the simile of Isa. 22:23, 24 where Christ is seen as "a nail in a sure place," and of which it is said, "They shall hang upon Him all the glory of His Father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.”
Everything for God's glory depends upon Christ and His glorious work, and everything for the sinner's salvation and for the believer's security depends upon Him and His glorious work as well.
Bunyan says that there is a nail driven securely into a strong wall, and on that nail hangs a great iron cauldron in perfect safety. That vessel weighs perhaps half a hundred weight. Beside it on the same nail hangs a little tin cup. Both are in perfect safety. They both depend on the same support, but the little tin cup shivers and shakes and wonders if the nail can hold it up. Then he supposes the cauldron saying, "You silly little tin cup, the nail holds me safely, and it can hold a thousand like you.”
The work of redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ upholds all the glory of God: His majesty, His honor, His faithfulness. All is maintained by Christ, and His work holds up safely every believer too. Trust Him fully. "He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him." Heb. 7:25.
Editorial
Where Is Israel Heading?
Lately there seems to be a renewed interest in the events in and around present-day Israel. It is good for us to be interested in that part of the world which God has chosen and where one day, not too far distant, He will place His Son upon His holy hill. The second psalm says, "Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion.”
People are asking, "What about Israel's giving up Jericho and the West Bank and Gaza to gain some peace with their enemies—especially the Palestinians?”
1. Will it work out well for Israel?
2. How long will it last?
3. Can peace be purchased with territory?
4. Will Israel lose Jerusalem?
5. What will happen to the Mosque of Omar?
6. Who will possess the temple site?
These are all very interesting questions to which a short-term answer is difficult to give. Events sometimes move quickly and sometimes slowly. Even before these lines are published and read, some of the answers could be evident or even history. As to the final answers to these questions, it seems to me that God's Word gives a clear response. We refer you to Matt. 24:1-28 and then on to verse 44. All of this section is Jewish.
Already there has been a partial fulfillment of the first two verses, but prophecy always looks on to the end. That is, it looks on to Christ and His coming to claim the earth. Verse 8 mentions the beginning of sorrows which is the first part of the 7 years of judgment to precede the 1000-year kingdom period. Verse 21 speaks of the great tribulation. This is the last half of the 7 years.
1. In considering God's Word we will say in answer to the first question that it will not work out well for present-day Israel.
2. As to the second question, we cannot tell how long some measure of peace will last from recent national negotiations, but probably not very long.
3. If peace is purchased with territory, it surely will be limited and is even likely to cause Israel's enemies to desire more concessions later.
4. To the question, "Will Israel lose Jerusalem?" we say, "Yes, they will.”
5. Surely the Mosque of Omar will come down.
6. As to who will possess the temple site, Psa. 132 gives a definite answer. "For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation. This is My rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it." vv. 13, 14. Ed.
"Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart."
Matt. 11:29