The Prophetic Significance of Jerusalem

Why is Jerusalem so important in the Bible, and why does it still dominate headlines today?

No other city claims to be where God dwells. Psalms 132:13-14ClosePsalms 132:13-14 For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem*;  he has desired it for his home. "This is my resting place forever," he said.  "I will live here, for this is the home I desired. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) tells us,

For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.”

Jerusalem is the site of the Temple—planned by David, built by Solomon, rebuilt by Zerubbabel, and expanded by Herod.

Luke 21:6CloseLuke 21:6 "The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) records that as people admired the Temple, Jesus prophesied,

“Not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

This was fulfilled when Titus destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D., and later when Hadrian plowed the Temple Mount and renamed the region Palaestina in an effort to erase all memory of Israel.

Today, only the Western Wall remains—a retaining wall of the Temple Mount, the foundation upon which the great Temple once stood.

Jesus continued in verse 24,

“They will … be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

The times of the Gentiles have now been fulfilled. God promised in Jeremiah 31:35-36CloseJeremiah 31:35-36 It is the LORD who provides the sun to light the day  and the moon and stars to light the night,  and who stirs the sea into roaring waves.His name is the LORD of Heaven's Armies,  and this is what he says: "I am as likely to reject my people Israel  as I am to abolish the laws of nature!" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) that as long as there is a sun and moon, the Jews will be a people. Over the centuries, they have suffered unimaginably, yet they have endured.

As Ezekiel 37:13-14CloseEzekiel 37:13-14 When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the LORD. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the LORD has spoken!'" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) says:

“Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land.’”

Today, the Jews have returned to Israel from all over the world to live in their own land, with Jerusalem as their undivided capital.

These are days of comfort for Israel. As Isaiah 40:2CloseIsaiah 40:2 "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.Tell her that her sad days are gone  and her sins are pardoned.Yes, the LORD has punished her twice over  for all her sins." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) says,

“Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her.”

Yet God warns in Zechariah 12:3CloseZechariah 12:3 On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) :

“And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”

The Battle of Armageddon is the battle for Jerusalem. Already, the nations of the world are gathering against Israel. Now more than ever, we must heed the command of Psalms 122:6ClosePsalms 122:6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem.  May all who love this city prosper. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) :

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

We can also join in declaring Psalms 126:1-2ClosePsalms 126:1-2 When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,*  it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter,  and we sang for joy.And the other nations said,  "What amazing things the LORD has done for them." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) to the world:

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,…they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

God bless you.

Scripture is quoted from the NKJV.