Does God Have Any Real Interest in Jerusalem?

A commentary by Jerold Aust
Senior Good News writer, Mobile, Alabama

This May the modern nation of Israel will celebrate its 60th anniversary as an independent state. Israel finds itself in possession of some of the choicest real estate in the world. Located at the junction of Asia, Africa and Europe, it sits astride ancient trade routes connecting these three continents commercially.

Jerusalem is strikingly different from other notable cities. It sits on a mountainous ridge. No river or major highway runs near it. It has no sea port and has to pipe in water from the Sea of Galilee.

Yet Israel's capital city of Jerusalem (pop. 732,000) is considered by many people to be the most important city on earth. Three major religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) regard it as a holy city.

Currently, both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem. They have fought over it almost continuously since the U.N. gave Israel sovereign status in 1948. It officially became Israel's capital in 1967, following her six-day war with Egypt.

Paradoxically, the very name Jerusalem means "city of peace". In his book The Fight for Jerusalem, former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Dore Gold explains Israel's view of Jerusalem's origin and the meaning of its name.

"But Jerusalem, according to the Midrash, already had the name Shalem, which was given by Shem, the son of Noah. Thus Jerusalem is not only relevant to the tradition of Abraham, the Midrash concludes, but rather to all the sons of Noah—in other words, to the rest of mankind. Therefore, it suggests that God chose the name Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) as a combination of Yir'eh [meaning, "the place which the Lord will show"] and Shalem [peace]" (2007, p. 45).

Jerusalem is directly linked to the God of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures and to Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Prince of Peace (Hebrews 1:2; John 1:41; Hebrews 7; Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 21).

Anciently the city of Jerusalem was conquered by Joshua, King David, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Antiochus Epiphanies, Roman emperors, Ottoman Turks and the Crusaders. In more recent times it was captured by the British, and ultimately its western half was given to the modern Israelis. During all this time Jerusalem has known precious little peace.

What about the future of Jerusalem and the land of Israel? Many Jews and Christians are convinced that God has restored the Jews to their homeland for a prophetic purpose. What do the Scriptures reveal? Will that city ever receive the permanent peace promised to it by the God of the Bible?

The prophet Isaiah wrote that the time will come when all nations afflicting the city of Jerusalem "shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 60:14). How will this happen?

According to Scripture, God chose Jerusalem to become the capital city of the Kingdom of God that will become a reality at the return of Jesus Christ. "On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley ... The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name" (Zechariah 14:4, 9, NIV). 

At that time Jerusalem is prophesied to become "an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations" (Isaiah 60:15). For Jerusalem's future glory God has promised, "Instead of bronze I will bring gold, instead of iron I will bring silver, instead of wood, bronze, and instead of stones, iron. I will also make your officers peace, and your magistrates righteousness. Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise" (verses 17-18).

Also "This is what the Lord says: 'I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain'" (Zechariah 8:3, NIV). God's goal for Jerusalem is to fulfill its name as the place which the Lord will display His peace [Yerushalayim] before the whole world.

For a clear explanation of the reasons for Jerusalem's present suffering and exciting future, let me suggest that you request or download our free, enlightening booklet: The Middle East in Bible Prophecy.