Why is the Catholic Church so interested in having control of the Holy sites in Jerusalem?

For centuries the Vatican has been pushing its "replacement theology" also called "super session-ism" and this view has been adopted by Protestant churches as well. The doctrine states that the Catholic Church has replaced Israel as the "New Israel" in that the promises made to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob now apply to Christianity. The Catholic Church believes they are the embodiment of the New Israel and this view can plainly be seen in the writings of the Church Fathers. Constantine formalized much of it and wanted to "root out the last vestiges of Judaism" from the Doctrines of the church at the Council of Nicea and it carried on from there. The Catholic Church wants Israel to lose sovereign control over the old city of Jerusalem so that the "promises" apply to the "New Jerusalem" or the Catholic Church. If Israel controls Jerusalem it is evidence that Rome's claims are false and that the literal interpretation of Scripture is correct. There is no place for the restoration of Israel in its theology. How can the Vatican claim to be the New Jerusalem and rightful heir to the Kingdom of God if the Jews control Jerusalem? Before 1948 that wasn't a problem, but Israel has returned to the land by the hand of God. How can the Vatican convince the world that their version of replacement theology is correct with Israel in control? So, the real goal is to have the Vatican "take control" over the old city of Jerusalem. Any "peace" agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is just a cover story to hide what is really going on. The Muslims want control of the Temple Mount and the old city for the same reason. It shows the dominance of Allah over the God of the Bible. Either way, the Jews cannot have this control because it shows that Catholic replacement theology is in error. Violence in the Middle East serves both purposes and it is really a struggle over whose theology is correct. Violence serves the interest of both the Muslims and replacement theology Christianity. The end goal of the Vatican is to seize control of the old city of Jerusalem out of the hands of the State of Israel. They have committed themselves in public to supporting Palestinian authority in Jerusalem. A deal with the Palestinians would include control over the holy sites and to control the old city of Jerusalem. In short, their plan is to "steal" Jerusalem from the Jews by trying to negotiate agreements meant to transfer ownership of national Israeli property into the hands of foreigners. They initiate or support any process that will wrestle control of the Temple Mount, Western Wall and Jerusalem out of the hands of Israel. Remember that the Roman Church inherited the legacy of Rome as the destroyer of Jerusalem and who had the Jews exiled. All the churches that exist in the land are the result of that destruction and the Vatican wants it to stay that way.

Tree of Life Leaves of Healing

Q. In the last chapter of Revelation there is a statement that the leaves of the tree of life would be used for the healing of the nations. What affect do the leaves have and why are the nations being healed. Was it as a result of all the judgments poured out during the Tribulation?

A. The book of Revelation concerns the closing of God's "controversy" with creation, angels, Satan, and man. It links Genesis to Revelation and it is filled with Hebraic thought, images, symbols, and idioms called "apocalyptic style" and it is used to unveil and unfold things not previously known , either past, present or future and this technique is found in many other books of the Bible. They key to understanding Revelation is to be very familiar with biblical idioms, signs, and symbols. The verses you are referring to can be found in Revelation 22:1-2 and so we will concentrate on those verses. Chapter 21 and 22 deal with what happens after the Messianic Kingdom is over and where the Lord sets up "the World to Come" on earth. These chapters do not happen in heaven but on earth and that is very important to understand. Once you understand the idioms and phrases, these are very easy to understand. The best way to do this is to write the verse and in parentheses give the meaning of the symbolism or idiom.
"And he showed me a river (channel of truth) of the water of life (word of God) clear as crystal (no impurities) coming from the throne of God (the Father) and the Lamb (Messiah) in the middle of its street (the way of life). And on either side of the river was the tree of life (wisdom-Prov 3.13-19) bearing twelve (number of teaching and divine government) fruit (results) , yielding its fruit every month and the leaves (teachings) of the tree were for the healing of the nations (promotes life with no conflicts)." In other words, God will be present with the redeemed of mankind and there will be prosperity and peace throughout the world. The word of God will be known and obeyed and the wisdom that comes from that knowledge will promote peace among all the nations. There will be no more war, sin, death and all the things that weigh down mankind today. The earth will be restored back to the way it was in Eden and the Lord will be the center of all life and worship. Revelation 22.3-4 sums it up where it says that "there shall be no more curse and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (Shekinah, presence of God) and His bond-servants (believers) shall serve Him (experience His favor) and they (believers) shall see His face and His name (also known as the word of God -Rev 19.13) will be on their foreheads (seat of the intellect, profession and comprehension).