Salem

Jerusalem was originally called Salem, meaning peace. Melchizedek was the first recorded king of Salem.

“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” Hebrews 7:1-3. It seems Melchizedek was a godly person who resembled Jesus. He was greater than Abraham who was considered one of the most favoured  godly men at that time.

God’s chosen capital city

God made Jerusalem the capital  not only of Israel but of earth too. “"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her”. Ezekiel 5:5. It has seen its fair share of wars over the last few thousand years, but it has always risen again. Now Jerusalem is the capital of Israel once again. Israel has been overrun in the past, and has come under occupation from different empires. Now it has shaken off all other rulers and is ruling itself once again as an independent country. 

Jerusalem is built on mountains, and like our faith, built to last.

It is no coincidence that God’s capital in heaven is called New Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is where Solomon built the temple of God. No doubt the design of the temple closely resembled God’s throne and His holy place in heaven. The temple had four cherubim, and in heaven God on His throne is surrounded by four cherubim.

During Jesus’s lifetime on earth Jerusalem was the prominent city of Israel, though it was under Roman occupation. Jerusalem is where Jesus rode on the foal of a donkey. Believing friends were overjoyed to see Him enter Jerusalem this way, and  recognised Him as their king. They laid palm branches and other branches on the road before Him, to honour Him.

So was fulfilled the verse, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  Zechariah 9:9

“When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna! a“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” b

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts.” Mark 11:7-11

This was an opportunity for the friends and disciples of Jesus to really express their joy at seeing Jesus enter Jerusalem. They were witnessing a significant event in history, God entering Jerusalem. Almost like a prelude of what Jesus was going to do soon, enter the New Jerusalem in heaven on their behalf and as their king. 

Jesus dies and lives again

The crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus took place in Jerusalem.

”A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him.” Mark 15:21-24

“At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” John 19:41,42

Jerusalem is where Jesus was crucified, died, was buried and rose to eternal life. His death, burial and resurrection was the most significant event for all mankind since Adam and Eve sinned. They brought sin to all mankind, and Jesus took away all the sins of those who have a place in heaven. Because of Jesus we are set free from our sin, and even if we sin after we receive Him as our Lord and Saviour, and are honestly repentant, He forgives us quickly. We now live a fully reconciled daily personal relationship with

God, because Jesus died for each one of us who believe. This free gift is for anyone who simply believes He went to the cross for their sins. Our sins died with Him and we now live a resurrected life with Him while we are still on earth. We constantly now have direct access to God the Father, and always have the Holy Spirit within us.

New Jerusalem

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:1-3. New Jerusalem is a Holy City of heaven. It represents a new era of life for God, His angels, and the redeemed.

Michael Hume. The Holy Spirit teaches you everything.  Copyright belongs to author.