JERUSALEM

Jerusalem ("City or dwelling of peace") is lifted toward heaven by the Judean hills and has been crowned the Holy City in all the earth for the past 30 centuries. It is a holy city to Christians, Jews, and Moslems. It is situated on a triangular plateau about 2,500 feet above sea level. This is where Abraham met Melchizedek, "priest of the most high God." (Genesis 14:18) King David took over this stronghold and made it the political and religious capital of the Jews in the tenth century B.C. The Prophets, as well as Jesus and His disciples, came to this beautiful city where the Temple stood. Solomon had built the Temple on Mount Moriah, one of the hills upon which the city is built. After it was destroyed the Second Temple was built and then reconstructed by Herod the Great. It stood here until its destruction in the year 70 A.D. In this "city of peace" more wars have been fought than any other city in the world. This is where Jesus taught, healed, ministered, died, and was raised from the dead. One of the Psalms of ascent says, "Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together." (Psalm 122:33) The city seems to have been inhabited from about 3,500 B.C. Zion is one of the hills upon which Jerusalem is built and serves as a name for the city itself.

The tribes of Israel came to Jerusalem three times a year so that they could all appear before God. (Psalm 84:7) Jerusalem is the herald throughout the earth for monotheism. "For out of Zion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Volumes can be written on the history of this great city. It is the climax and highlight of a visit to the Holy Land. Why is it so important? The answer may be found in the thoughts of I Kings 14:21 "Jerusalem, the city which the Lord did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His Name there."