Jerusalem — Yerushalaim in Hebrew — is more than an ancient city. It is the city chosen by God, the place of His dwelling, and the center of His redemptive plan for Israel and the nations. Throughout the Scriptures, Jerusalem stands as the physical and spiritual heartbeat of God’s covenant with His people, the place where Heaven and Earth meet, and the city to which Yeshua the Messiah will one day return. 

God’s Chosen Dwelling Place 

The significance of Jerusalem begins not with man, but with God Himself. From the time of King David, God chose Jerusalem as the city where His name would dwell. David declared in the Psalms, “For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling, saying, ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it’” (Psalm 132:13–14). 

It was on Mount Moriah, in the heart of Jerusalem, that Abraham prepared to offer his promised son, Isaac — the son born through Sarah when Abraham was ninety-nine and Sarah was ninety. This same mount later became the Temple Mount, the location where the presence of God filled Solomon’s Temple. The connection is powerful: just as Abraham was willing to offer his beloved son, God the Father offered His only begotten Son, Yeshua, in this same city. (As a side note, it’s fascinating to note that God instructed Abraham to sacrifice “his ONLY son” although Abraham also has another son, Ishmael, from Hager. Yet, God called Isacc Abraham’s “only son”. Why? Since Isacc was the son of the promise, born of Sarah, as God promised Abraham many years before (Gen.17:15-16, 18:10). The shadow of Mount Moriah stretches all the way to the hill of Golgotha, where Yeshua, the promised Messiah of Israel, was crucified. 

The City of David and the Promise of the Messiah 

Jerusalem is also called “the City of David” (2 Sam. 5:6–10, 1 Chron. 11:4–9). David established Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, not for political reasons, but because he desired to bring the Ark of the Covenant — the very presence of God — to dwell there (2 Samuel 6). From David’s line, God promised a Messiah, saying, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). 

Yeshua, born in Bethlehem, the city of David, fulfilled that promise. He entered Jerusalem not as a conqueror on a horse but as a humble King on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). 

Yeshua in Jerusalem: Death, Resurrection, and Ascension 

Jerusalem is where the most pivotal events in history took place. Here, Yeshua was crucified, buried, and resurrected. From this same city, He ascended to Heaven, promising to return in the same way (Acts 1:9–11). Before His ascension, Yeshua told His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). 

Notice the order — Jerusalem first. This is not a coincidence. The gospel began in Jerusalem, and according to God’s plan, it will return there. As Shaul (Paul) later wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). 

The Prophetic Future of Jerusalem 

Yeshua wept over Jerusalem and spoke words that still echo today: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you… you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord’” (Matthew 23:37–39). 

This is the key — Yeshua will not return until Jerusalem, the Jewish people in Jerusalem, welcomes Him back as their Messiah. This is why sharing the message of Yeshua in Israel is not optional; it is essential to God’s redemptive plan. 

When He returns, Zechariah tells us exactly where His feet will touch the earth: “On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem” (Zechariah 14:4). The Mount of Olives stands directly across from Mount Moriah — the place of Isaac’s near-sacrifice, the Temple, and Yeshua’s own crucifixion. Every layer of this geography tells the story of God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel and His plan of redemption through the Jewish Messiah. 

The Meaning of Yerushalaim 

The Hebrew name Yerushalaim is profound. It carries the root of two important words: Yeru (from “seeing”, in plural) and Shalaim (from shalom, meaning peace, completeness, wholeness). Literally, Yerushalaim means “They will see peace.” This dual form in Hebrew also points to two Jerusalems — the earthly one and the heavenly one to come. 

Revelation speaks of the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, the eternal dwelling of God with His people (Revelation 21:2–3). Just as God’s presence once filled the Temple in Jerusalem, His glory will once again fill the New Jerusalem forever. 

The Call to Pray and Proclaim 

Psalm 122:6 commands us: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Yet prayer alone is not enough. Prayer prepares the soil, but the seed must still be sown. “Faith comes by HEARING, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). The peace of Jerusalem will only come when the Prince of Peace, Yeshua, is received by His own people. 

Isaiah prophesied about the One who would be called “Sar Shalom” — the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Thus, when we pray for Jerusalem, we are not merely praying for political peace; we are praying for the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah among the Jewish people. 

Romans 11 reminds us that salvation came to the nations to provoke Israel to jealousy — to stir the Jewish people to see the beauty of their own Messiah. The nations received the gospel from Jerusalem; now it is time to bring it back to Jerusalem. This is why evangelism to the Jewish people matters so deeply. 

The Cup of Trembling and the Stand with Israel 

Zechariah 12:2 warns, “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.” Today, we see this prophecy unfolding before our very eyes. Nations are becoming intoxicated concerning Jerusalem — politically, spiritually, and morally confused about its significance. Yet those who follow the Jewish Messiah must remain clear-minded and faithful to God’s Word. 

Authentic followers of Yeshua, grafted into the olive tree of Israel (Romans 11:17–18), must never stand against the Jewish people or God’s city. We are not called to replace Israel but to be joined with her in God’s covenant plan. 

Proclaiming the Jewish Messiah 

Today, through ministries like Israel Media Ministries and others committed to sharing the message of Yeshua in a culturally relevant, Hebrew-minded way, believers have the opportunity to bring the good news back to where it all began — the fulfillment of promises given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. 

Until Yerushalaim declares, “Baruch haba b’shem Adonai” — “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” — Yeshua will not return. Therefore, praying, proclaiming, and partnering for the salvation of Israel is not just another ministry focus; it is the heartbeat of God’s prophetic plan. 

Conclusion 

Jerusalem stands at the center of God’s eternal purpose — the city He chose for His dwelling, the place of sacrifice and resurrection, and the future throne of the returning King. It is where redemption began and where it will be completed. 

To understand Jerusalem is to understand the heart of God. To love Jerusalem is to align with His promises. And to proclaim Yeshua in Jerusalem is to prepare the way for His return — when Yerushalaim will truly see peace, and the world will know that the King of Israel has come to reign forever. 

Yeshua Necklace in Hebrew - Gold or Silver

It is a critical time for us to proclaim the name of Yeshua to Israel and to the world. If you’re watching the news, antisemitism is on the rise! My people are under attack. And as you probably realize now, Israel is also divided, and a house divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:25). The only One who can save Israel is Yeshua. I have created a new piece of jewelry, silver and gold necklaces, to call supporters of Israel to declare the name YESHUA over Israel. They are available in both Hebrew and English (Yeshua).

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