Jerusalem: A Historical Overview

A city washed in blood through centuries of endless conflict awaits its prophetic destiny.

The information I will be sharing here is thirty-five dates broken down into sets of five parts, and seven sections so instead of it all being together, you will see it spaced out in a way you will be able to understand.

If you would like to take notes feel free to do so. If you would like to share with your friends and families feel free to do so. Information is meant to be shared, not kept in silence.

---

c. 1895BC—-Melchizedek, King of Salem, blesses Abram and receives his tithes (Genesis 14:18-20). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was a priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the highest God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the highest God, which hath delivered, mine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

c. 1850BC—-God instructs Abraham to take Isaac to the land of Moriah to sacrifice him there (Genesis 22:2) Later, God provided a ram sacrifice in place of Isaac.

Genesis 22:2-And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

c. 1406BC——Joshua defeats Adonizedek, King of Jerusalem (Joshua 10:1-5, 23-26). The Jebusites retain parts of the city (Joshua 15:63).

Joshua 10:1-5-Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them;

v.2. That they feared greatly because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.

v.3. Wherefore Adoni-Zedec king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,

v.4. Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.

v.5. Therefore the five kings of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

Joshua 10:23-26-And they did so and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

v.24. And it came to pass when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, and put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near and put their feet upon the necks of them.

v.25. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom he fight.

v.26. And afterward, Joshua smote them and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanged upon the trees until evening.

Joshua 15:63-And a lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout Mount Bethel.

c. 1038BC—Judah conquers and burns Canaanite Jerusalem ( Judges 1:8).

Judges 1:8-Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.

c. 1000BC—-Jerusalem is captured by King David ( 2 Samuel 5:6-9) and the citadel becomes the City of David. Jerusalem becomes the capital of all Israel. Several years later God chose the threshing floor of Araunah, adjacent to the City of David, for David to offer sacrifice in order for God to stop the plague on Jerusalem (2 Samuel 24:16). This would become the future location of God’s temple.

2 Samuel 5.6-9-And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

v.7. Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

v.8. And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul

c. 966BC- Solomon begins construction of the temple during the fourth year of his kingship (1 Kings 6.:1)- And it came to pass in the four hundred and eighteenth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.

c. 925BC- Shishak, King of Egypt, fights against Rehoboam King of Judah. The temple was plundered (1 Kings 14:25-26)- It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. And He took away the treasures of the king’s house; he took away everything, He also took away all the gold shields Solomon had made.

c. 775BC—King Jehoash of Israel attacks King Amaziah of Juda. The wall was breached and the Temple was plundered (2 Kings 14:13-14)—Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh; and he went to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the CornerGate—four hundred cubits. And he took all the gold and silver, all the articles that were found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.

586BC—King Nebuchadnezzar comquers and destroys Jerusalem and the temple (2 Kings 25:8-10). And the fifth month , on the seventh day of the month ( which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon). Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the King of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.

He burned the house of the LORD and the king’s house, all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire.

And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.

539BC—Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon. He subsequently allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. ( 2 Chronicles 36:22-23).—Now the first year of Cyrus King of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD GOD of heaven has given me . And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up!

### Overview of Jerusalem: Its Significance Then and Now

Jerusalem, often referred to as the "City of Peace," holds a central place in the history, religion, and politics of the world. As one of the oldest cities in human history, it has been a focal point for religious devotion, cultural identity, and political conflict for thousands of years. This article explores what Jerusalem signified in ancient times, its contemporary significance, and the reasons behind the current state of affairs in this contested city.

---

### Jerusalem in Ancient Times

#### 1. **Biblical and Religious Significance**

Jerusalem’s importance in ancient times is deeply rooted in the Bible and its role as the spiritual center for the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths.

- **Judaism**:

Jerusalem became the capital of Israel during King David’s reign around 1000 BCE. He established it as the political and religious center by bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the city. His son, King Solomon, built the First Temple, solidifying Jerusalem as the heart of Jewish worship.

- *"But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there."* (2 Chronicles 6:6)

The destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE were pivotal events in Jewish history. These destructions marked periods of exile and diaspora but also reinforced Jerusalem's role as a symbol of hope and restoration for Jews.

- **Christianity**:

Jerusalem is central to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Key events such as the Last Supper, Jesus’ crucifixion at Golgotha, and his resurrection all occurred in or near Jerusalem. The early Christian church also emerged from this city, making it a spiritual epicenter for Christians.

- *"Go and make disciples of all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."* (Luke 24:47)

- **Islam**:

For Muslims, Jerusalem is the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina. It is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, where Islamic tradition holds that the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Night Journey (Isra Miraj).

#### 2. **Political and Strategic Importance**

Jerusalem’s location at the crossroads of ancient trade routes made it a valuable and contested city. Its strategic position between major empires such as Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon led to repeated conquests and conflicts.

- Ancient Jerusalem was fortified and revered as a city chosen by God, making it a symbol of divine authority and earthly power.

---

### Jerusalem Today: Modern Significance

#### 1. **Religious Significance**

Jerusalem remains a sacred city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims:

- **Judaism**: The Western Wall (Kotel), a remnant of the Second Temple, is the holiest site where Jews pray, symbolizing their unbroken connection to the city.

- **Christianity**: Pilgrims visit sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Mount of Olives, retracing the steps of Jesus.

- **Islam**: The Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount are major religious landmarks for Muslims worldwide.

#### 2. **Political and National Importance**

Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, as declared in 1950, though this is not universally recognized. The city is also claimed by Palestinians as the capital of a future independent state.

- **Israel’s View**: Jerusalem is seen as the eternal and undivided capital of the Jewish state, rooted in historical and biblical claims.

- **Palestinian View**: Palestinians view East Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, as their rightful capital.

#### 3. **Cultural and Historical Legacy**

Jerusalem’s diverse neighborhoods reflect its rich and layered history. The Old City, divided into Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian quarters, encapsulates centuries of cohabitation and conflict.

---

### Why Are Things the Way They Are Now in Jerusalem?

#### 1. **Historical Conflicts and Conquests**

Jerusalem has been conquered and ruled by numerous empires, including the Babylonians, Romans, Byzantines, Islamic Caliphates, Crusaders, Ottomans, and the British. Each era left its mark on the city, contributing to its diverse religious and cultural heritage but also fueling disputes over its control.

#### 2. **The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict**

At the heart of modern tensions in Jerusalem is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Key issues include:

- **Control of East Jerusalem**: After Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967, Palestinians continue to contest this move, and many countries do not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the area.

- **Access to Religious Sites**: The Temple Mount/Al-Haram al-Sharif is a flashpoint due to its sacred status for both Jews and Muslims. Disputes over access and control have led to recurring violence.

- **Settlements and Evictions**: The expansion of Jewish settlements and the displacement of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem exacerbate tensions and are viewed by Palestinians as a threat to their claim on the city.

#### 3. **International Politics**

Jerusalem’s status is a contentious issue in global diplomacy.

- In 2017, the United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moving its embassy there. This decision was celebrated by Israel but condemned by Palestinians and many other nations.

- Ongoing international efforts to mediate peace between Israelis and Palestinians have made little progress, leaving Jerusalem’s status unresolved.

#### 4. **Religious and Cultural Sensitivities**

The overlapping religious claims to Jerusalem make it difficult to establish agreements. Efforts to divide or share the city often fail due to the profound emotional and spiritual attachment of each group to Jerusalem.

---

### What Does Jerusalem Signify Today?

#### 1. **For Jews**:

Jerusalem symbolizes their historical and spiritual homeland, a reminder of their covenant with God and their enduring connection to the Promised Land.

#### 2. **For Christians**:

Jerusalem represents the birthplace of the Christian faith, a site of pilgrimage and reverence for the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

#### 3. **For Muslims**:

Jerusalem is a symbol of Islamic heritage and faith, with its holy sites serving as a focal point for religious devotion.

#### 4. **For the World**:

Jerusalem is a symbol of the challenges and possibilities of coexistence. It reflects humanity’s shared history and aspirations for peace, even as it remains a focal point of conflict.

---

### Conclusion

Jerusalem’s significance lies in its unique role as a spiritual, historical, and political center for three of the world’s major religions. Its ancient legacy as a city of worship and conflict continues to shape its present-day reality. The challenges facing Jerusalem today—religious tensions, political disputes, and international involvement—highlight the complexity of reconciling the city’s multifaceted identity.

Despite its history of conflict, Jerusalem remains a symbol of hope for many, representing the possibility of peace, reconciliation, and unity in a divided world.