Journey to Jerusalem: The Jewel of the Jews A to Z Blogging Challenge

Jerusalem...one of the oldest and most sacred of cities.  For the Christian and Jew, it is a city of symbolism, hope and prophecy.

Other names for Jerusalem:


Mt Moriah (where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, but, provided a lamb instead)

Jebus (Jebusites, of course, lived there.)

City of David (the oldest part of the city, which King David won from the Jebusites in battle)

Zion (reflects the religious aspects of the city)

The Holy City

View of Jerusalem from the Mt of Olives

Jews all over Israel would flock to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate their religious festivals.  It was the center of their lives.  Since the city was on a hill, no matter which direction the people would travel from, they would always say they were going "up to Jerusalem."

Here are some other facts about Jerusalem through the centuries:

Jews came here to celebrate Passover each year

Solomon's temple was built on this spot

God's presence was found here in the ark of the covenant which the children of Israel placed in the temple

David ruled as King in Jerusalem, at that time called 'the City of David.'

David's harp...a symbol of the City of David

Known as the "Beautiful City" by the Jews
Destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC but rebuilt in 516BC   Psalm 137

Remodeled by Herod the Great  in Jesus time (1st century)

Place where Jesus was crucified, buried and raised alive from the tomb.

He will come again and place his foot on Mt of Olives and reign for 1,000 years.  Isaiah 65:18-19.
There will be a 'New Jerusalem' where Christ will reign forever with His saints. Revelation 21-22

Isaiah 2:3
And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.

Here are some links you might find 
interesting:


City of David
Christian/Jewish Religious gifts from Israel
Friends of Israel
Michael Rydelnick: Messianic Jew and Bible
Teacher, author and tour guide.
Shabbat Shalom Cooking
Charlie Dyer: Holy Land Expert
Joel Rosenberg, Author of 
"Epicenter" and other Middle East
Thrillers

Our family had the opportunity to take an "Into the Promised Land" tour in 2010.  You can find our blog posts here.

When you think of Jerusalem, what comes to mind?  Shalom!