Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, located about 15 miles north west of the Dead Sea. It is built on two small hills, Mount Zion and Mount Moriah, and is surrounded on three sides by slightly higher mountains.

In Abraham's time it was known as 'Salem' (The City of Peace). When King David a thousand years later consolidated the nation of Israel, he expelled the heathen Jebusite tribe from the fortress of Zion and made it his capital city. Later in his reign he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and his son Solomon under God's direction built a magnificent Temple on the adjoining Mount Moriah to house the ark, and surrounded the whole area with a fortified wall. Jerusalem was later destroyed by the Babylonians, and Israel taken captive. Since that time it has been occupied, conquered, destroyed and rebuilt several times. In the time of Jesus it was a religious centre for the Jews, and a political and military provincial capital for the Roman army of occupation. Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem were dispersed after a long and terrible siege. In 70 AD the Romans entered the city, and the Temple was destroyed by fire.

God has expressed His love for Jerusalem, and His intention to guard and protect the city: "For the Lord has chosen Zion, He has desired it for His dwelling: This is My resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it." (Psalm 132:13-14).

The prophets write of a time still future, when it will become a centre of learning and true worship, and the administrative capital of the whole world under the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ. It will exist to glorify God.

"In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.' The Law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide." (Micah 4:1-3).

Jehovah
Jerusalem
  New Jerusalem
Jesus
Jews
Joy, Joyful, Rejoicing
Judge
Justification