Why Jerusalem?
The fuse that ignited the recent wave of violence in the Middle East was when Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount a year and a half ago. This site is known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif or the Noble Sanctuary. To Jews and Christians, it is known as the Temple Mount.
Why all the fuss over Israel? Why all the tension over the Holy City Jerusalem? Why is the Temple Mount so important? Following are some of the key factors that make Jerusalem the most important city in the world.
The Temple Mount, in the heart of Jerusalem, is where the Jewish Temple stood in Biblical times. The Western or “Wailing” Wall is a retaining wall located on the western side of where the Temple stood, thus making this the most important religious site to religious Jews.
Religious Jews believe that the Temple Mount is where redemption will take place when the Messiah comes. Christians also recognize this location is where the prophets and angels said Jesus would return. To give up this holy site, to give up on the city itself, is like giving up on the hope for redemption. If the Messiah is to come to Jerusalem, then you hold on to this most important piece of real estate.
For the Muslims, the Haram al-Sharif is where the Dome of the Rock is located and the al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site. They believe this is the place where the Prophet ascended to heaven.
In 1967 Israel captured the Western Wall. In fact the whole of Jerusalem is now under Israeli control except the Temple Mount, where Muslims oversee the area.
The Palestinians are desirous to have their capital in East Jerusalem. This is a vital factor of any future Palestinian State.
There has been a lot of political jockeying regarding how to solve this problem. Some suggestions have been from full Israeli sovereignty to twin capitals to sharing government control over the city.
So why Jerusalem?
The current Middle East crisis is not a surprise to the student of the Bible. Events unfolding are exactly how the prophets said they would happen.
To understand what God is doing in the world we need to understand what God is doing with Israel. Specifically Jerusalem!
Historically:
• The first mention of Jerusalem is found in Genesis 14:8 where the city is called Salem. Salem means “peace.”
• Ezekiel mentions that the area was once populated by the Amorites and Hittites (Ezekiel 16:3).
• Jerusalem is also in the area of Moriah where Abraham bound Isaac (Genesis 22).
• God gave to David the city, via conquest, from the Jebusites around 1,004 BC, over 3,000 years ago (1 Chronicles 11:4-9).
• David bought a threshing floor for 50 shekels of silver (2 Samuel 24:24) and built an altar unto the Lord. (same area where Abraham bound Isaac)
• This threshing floor is where Solomon, David’s son, built the Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1).
• This is the site of the second temple and the temple that Herod embellished in the time of Jesus.
• Jesus rode into the city as people praised and worshiped Him as Messiah.
• Jesus was crucified outside Jeru-salem’s walls.
• Jesus ascended to the Father from the Mount of Olives overlooking the Temple.
The Future:
• This will also be the sight of the Tribulation Temple (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
• Jerusalem will be hated by all nations (Zechariah 12:2,3).
• Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies (Zechariah 14:1,2).
• Messiah will descend in this area (Zechariah 14:3,4).
• This is where the Millennial Temple will stand (Ezekiel 40; Zechariah 2,3).
• God desires Jerusalem (Psalm 132:14).
• Jerusalem will be the center of Messiah’s Kingdom.
• Jerusalem will be the global capital (Isaiah 2:2-4).
Perhaps now we can begin to understand why Jerusalem is so important to God’s program and the people of the world.
Jesus said when these things begin to happen to “look up”!
Time is short, life is precious and Jesus is coming soon!