The world has its fair share of breath taking views and
sights. There are countless cities that attract millions to their
specific geographic regions. Despite the exotic locations, beaches,
night life, and physical features, there is one city that seems to trump
all others for very distinct regions. The city I am referring to only
encompasses 35 acres of land. There is nothing internally that makes it
attractive, yet it has unquestionably been the most sought after piece
of land in human history. In fact, its ownership is still up for debate
to this very day. The city I am speaking of is Jerusalem, Israel.
History dates the existence of Jerusalem back to the 4th Millennium BC,
making it one of the oldest cities in the world. Roughly forty wars have
been fought over her controlling rights. Jerusalem's majestic like
nature undoubtedly comes from its rich religious history. Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam all find their roots within the "Holy City."
Islam regards Jerusalem as its third "holiest" city behind Mecca and
Medina. Judaism and Christianity regard Jerusalem as the center of the
world as we know it. In the Christian Old Testament as well as the
Hebrew Bible, the Lord says He will "put His name there," meaning
Jerusalem, thirty-seven times. God instructed Solomon to build the first
Jewish temple in 960 B.C. on Jerusalem's temple mount. The specific
location of the mount has been narrowed down to either Mount Zion or
Mount Moriah. With this being said, the temple was where God's presence
dwelt at all times. A second temple was built in 516 BC after a period
of Israeli captivity and slavery. Christianity prides itself on being
the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. Jesus walked on the streets of
Jerusalem, spent time in the temple, and taught his disciples and
followers in the city. Both Judaism and Christianity believe that a
third temple will be built in Jerusalem in the future. Currently Islam's
Dome of the Rock occupies the spot where the first two Jewish temples
stood. The book of Revelation mentions that the battle of Armageddon
will be fought over Jerusalem and that all nations will gather to her
for this final battle. It also mentions that their will be a "new
Jerusalem" where Jesus will reign for 1,000 years.
Currently there is tremendous controversy and tension over Jerusalem.
This seems to only reinforce the importance and significance of the
city. There have currently been goals set in place to reach an
Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement by the end of April. It will be
interesting to see how the scenario plays out as the eyes of the world
are set on Jerusalem. Regardless of what happens, Jerusalem will never
lose its grandeur. There have been billions of people who have been
forever changed by the messages that have come out of the city. It would
be impossible to imagine a world without Jerusalem.
