Grab Your Passport | 12 | Jerusalem

“The City of Jerusalem” from the lesson series Grab Your Passport, April 2021

our Scripture

When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

Acts 18:22 ESV
NIV Acts 17:1-9 NIV	NASB Acts 17:1-9 NASB	NLT Acts 17:1-9 NLT	MESSAGE Acts 17:1-9 MESSAGE

 

Other Scripture references:

Acts 27:2

Philippians 4:16

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

2 Timothy 4:10

2 Thessalonians 3:17-18

 

our Lessons

Jerusalem is the capital city of biblical Israel, known also as the “City of David,” “City of God,” “Holy City,” and “Mount Zion.” Jerusalem is the central location for Israel’s understanding of their identity and role as God’s people. The earliest references to Jerusalem are found in ancient Egyptian texts, dating back to 1900-1800_BC.

 

It is possible the name Jerusalem is a compound word, doming from yarah, “pillar,” and shalom, “peace.”  The old city of Jerusalem is located atop a limestone plateau. Early references in the Bible come from Isaiah 32:14; Micah 4:8; 2 Kings 5:24; Nehemiah 3:25-25; Nehemiah 11:21.

 

There are other names for the city. In Isaiah 29:1 the city is called the “hearth of God.” In Isaiah 1:26 it is called the “city of righteousness.” There are times when it is called “the city” in contrast to “the land” (Psalm 72:16; Jeremiah 32:24; Ezekiel 7:23). There are many times that we understand a sanctity of the city. The term “holy city” is found in Isaiah 48:2; Isaiah 52:1; Nehemiah 11:1; Matthew 4:5; Matthew 27:53). The word “Zion” is sometimes used to describe Jerusalem and sometimes the nation of Israel as a whole.

[su_pullquote align=”right”]Jerusalem & Mt Zion

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Jerusalem is a holy city for the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Throughout the background of all three religions, Jerusalem call for redemption and reconciliation among people. It bids for pilgrimages. It attracts both citizens and visitors. It has been destroyed and rebuilt. It is the location of peace and conflict.

 

For the faithful, Jerusalem represents both a physical and a spiritual location where God’s presence flourishes and He provides nourishment and protection for His people. Jerusalem is the place where the Lord dwells (Isaiah 8:18; Psalm 74:2). In Jerusalem God himself reigns as King (Isaiah 24:23) and He has established His king, David (Psalm 2:6).

 

But Jerusalem also foreshadows what God intends to provide for His people. The New Jerusalem is the heavenly city which God has prepared for the end of time when He makes all things new. It is described in detail in Revelation 21:9-27. The New Jerusalem will not just be a revamped, new and improved version of the old city. God’s creative majesty will once again reign without sin.

 

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