Jerusalem is a very special place. It is called the the “Beautiful City” in the Bible. It is first mentioned by name in the book of Joshua in the Old Testament, and lastly in the New Testament book of Revelation. The city is the setting for the establishment of the capital of Israel, the Temple location, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and the place where the Messiah will rule His earthly Millennial kingdom from.
Past
Around 1000 B.C., King David made Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Shortly after that, God allowed David’s son King Solomon to build the temple in Jerusalem, not far from where Abraham had offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. Around 586 B.C., the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Jerusalem was the the capital of Israel once again in 538 B.C. when the Jews were allowed to return. It remained the capital of Israel until the Rome conquered Israel, when Caesarea instead became the capital under Roman rule. On May the 14th, 1948, seventy years ago today, the State of Israel was formed and Jerusalem once again became the capital. On the very next day, Israel was attacked by five Arab countries (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq). At the conclusion of the war, Jerusalem was left divided with Israel retaining control of the Western section, and Jordan claiming control of the Eastern section. It remained split until the Six-day war of 1967 with Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. At that time, the city of Jerusalem was once again undivided and the whole of the city the capital.
Present
The city of Jerusalem remains the capital of Israel at this time. The city is under the administrative jurisdiction of Israel, and the temple mount area is under the control of the Muslim authority known as the Waqf. Areas within Jerusalem are also provided for the Christian and Islamic faiths, as both consider the city to be holy and part of their religious identity. The Jews of course claim Jerusalem as their capital city and home of their temples. The Islamic faith claims Jerusalem as it third most holy city, the place where the prophet Mohammed left the earth on his Night Journey. And Christians claim the city of Jerusalem as the place where Jesus ministered, died, and was buried and resurrected.
Future
Jerusalem is a big part of future events included in the New Testament. It is referred to as the location of Israel’s capital, and the site of the future temple location (the “third temple”). The two witnesses will preach from Jerusalem, the Antichrist will desecrate the third temple in Jerusalem, and during the Millennial Kingdom, the Messiah will rule from the City of Jerusalem (as described by several Old Testament prophets including Daniel, Ezekiel, and Isaiah). The book of Revelation describes the eternal dwelling place of all the righteous with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as New Jerusalem. It is the description of this city where we get the terms "streets of gold" and "pearly gates."
The moving of the U.S. Embassy by President Trump is just one more step towards the pieces all being in place to usher in the end of times. This is not to sound like a doomsday warning... it is simply the facts according the Bible as to what is to come, and most likely come soon. Even among all of the negative news, and the riots by the Palestinians, and the condemnation of the countries of the world; I am reminded of this promise from God to Abram (later renamed Abraham), the father of the Jewish Nation, found in Genesis 12:1-3:
Now the LORD said to Abram,
“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you;
And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
