Jerusalem: Center of Conflict, Center of Peace
Putting aside all the claims and counterclaims about the ownership of
Jerusalem, what does the Bible say about this historic city? Who is its
real owner, and what is its ultimate destiny? How will the city of almost
continuous conflict become a city of enduring and everlasting peace? Let's
examine the intriguing biblical story—past, present and future.
by John Ross Schroeder
Jerusalem has been synonymous with conflict, sieges, wars and battles
almost from its very first mention in the Bible. It is now the capital
of the state of Israel, whose very existence has been threatened by wars
and conflicts with the surrounding nations. Today the Palestinians desperately
want to take control of East Jerusalem—which includes the Temple
Mount, the Western Wall and the old City of David.
Factional divisions within also trouble Israel. Secular Jews dream of
an inclusive, utopian homeland based on diplomacy. The ultranationalist
Jews stand on expansionist territorial claims and rely on military domination
as the key to survival.
3,500 years of conflict
The 50-plus years of contemporary conflict since Israel's modern
founding actually extend far back into ancient history. There we discover
a climate of trouble and violence reminiscent of present-day troubles
in the Holy Land.
Although very early Jerusalem is mentioned in the ancient Tell el-Amarna
tablets, the first biblical reference is found in Genesis 14:18-20. Melchizedek,
king of Salem (identified as Jerusalem in Psalm 76:1-2), greeted the
patriarch Abraham after he had won a decisive battle, with God's
help, against regional kings. Abraham had gallantly rescued his nephew
Lot, who had been taken captive.
This is the only time that Jerusalem itself is mentioned in the Pentateuch,
the first five books of the Bible—though Moriah, a mountain just
to the north of the original city, is mentioned in Genesis 22:2.
Yet this historic city—now sacred to the three major monotheistic
religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) and also regrettably often
the site of horrendous violence—is destined to far outdistance
all other cities in world importance. Jerusalem is destined to become
the glorious global capital city of peace and truth to which all countries
on earth will look.
God has had His eyes on Jerusalem since the time Melchizedek, the King
of Peace (Hebrews 7:2), met Abraham—and perhaps even long before.
(To understand the true identity of Melchizedek, please request or download
our free booklet Who Is
God?)
Judah and Jerusalem: an intertwined biblical history
To understand our current dilemmas, a strong sense of Bible history is
supremely important! It is an accurate guide, especially in understanding
this long-troubled region.
A relationship between the Jews (the tribe of Judah) and Jerusalem began
early in the history of ancient Israel. Joshua, Moses' successor, defeated
the king of Jerusalem in the course of conquering the Promised Land (Joshua
10:1-10). The ancient Amorites had occupied the city. It was part of the
territory to be inherited by the 12 tribes of Israel (Joshua 12:7-10).
Later we find the Jebusites, apparently a Canaanite tribe, still occupying
Jerusalem (Joshua 15:8). The Scripture states: "As for the Jebusites,
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them
out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to
this day" (Joshua 15:63).
The Bible also clearly states that the tribe of Benjamin was to inherit
Jerusalem (Joshua 18:21, 28). Putting together all of these passages
in Joshua (and later in Judges), plainly the tribes of Judah and Benjamin
became closely associated with Jerusalem. Eventually they would ally
together to form the southern kingdom of Judah. Remember that the apostle
Paul was a Benjamite.
The Jews conquer much of Canaan
After the death of Joshua the Israelites asked God which of the 12 tribes
should lead in fighting the pagan Canaanites (Judges 1:1).
Notice God's immediate reply: "And the Lord said, 'Judah shall
go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand'" (verse 2).
The tribe of Judah was specially chosen by the Creator Himself to fulfill
both His immediate and long-range purposes in conquering the land of the
ungodly Canaanites. According to the inspired Word of Holy Scripture,
this choice was distinctly God's and not man's.
Verses 17-18 record Judah's victories over the various Canaanite enclaves,
including Gaza, most notably in the more mountainous areas. However, hilly
hard-to-conquer Jerusalem (then called Jebus and inhabited by the Jebusites)
somehow escaped the victorious hand of Judah, just as it did in the days
of Joshua (Joshua 15:8).
Benjamin also had failed to conquer Jerusalem. Judges 1:21 tells us that
"the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited
Jerusalem; so the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem
to this day [the time the book was written]." So for a considerable
time the city apparently remained a Jebusite stronghold in the midst of
Israelite territory.
Courageous King David finally conquers Jerusalem
Conquering this almost-impregnable stronghold would be left to King
David of Israel, a descendant of Judah and a royal ancestor of Jesus
Christ through Jesus' mother Mary.
The biblical record briefly summarizes David's conquest some 3,000
years ago: "In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six
months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel
and Judah" (2 Samuel 5:5).
A key passage then states that "David took the stronghold of Zion
(that is, the City of David)" (verse 7). Renamed Jerusalem (meaning "City
of Peace") by the king, it would also be known as the City of David.
One key factor to always keep in mind is that God Himself chose David
to be king over Israel in place of Saul and his descendants (1 Samuel
15:22-28; 16:1-13). The Creator directly intervened in the affairs of
the nation. He was the behind-the-scenes Author of the conquest of Jerusalem.
After the 40-year reign of David, his son and successor Solomon allowed
blatant idolatry to afflict Israel—especially in the later years
of his rule. As a divine punishment, God decided to divide the nation
after Solomon's death.
God chose Jerusalem
In announcing His intentions to Solomon beforehand, the Creator stated: ".
. . I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to
your son [Rehoboam] for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen" (1 Kings 11:13).
Later in the same chapter a slightly expanded repetition states that
Solomon's son Rehoboam would retain one tribe "for the sake
of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel" (verse
32). Clearly it was the Creator who used David and his descendants to
accomplish His overall purpose in this holy city. God personally chose
Jerusalem!
The Bible is a divinely inspired book that reveals God's dealings
with and purposes for humanity. It records His major interventions in
the past and His future plans that ultimately will bless all mankind.
More than one passage of Scripture tells us that the Creator owns the
whole earth. It all belongs to Him.
The destiny of Jerusalem
Even while firmly challenging the chosen city for her many sins, God
said: "This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations
and the countries all around her" (Ezekiel 5:5). Located between
Europe, Asia and Africa, for over three millennia Jerusalem has seen
many invaders. Here lies the crossroads of mankind.
This crucial passage, however, isn't just referring to mundane geopolitics.
It also alludes to what we might call "sacred geography"—to
be fulfilled during Christ's coming millennial reign and even more so on beyond that period.
But for the present and the foreseeable future, the local and regional
inhabitants, surrounding nations and even faraway countries including
the United States are continuing to fulfill, in part, a disturbing prophecy
in Zechariah:
"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding
peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall
happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all
peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though
all nations of the earth are gathered against it" (Zechariah 12:2-3).
Just as this prophecy foretold, the unpleasant regional and even international
fallout from involvement in Jerusalem's affairs has been considerable.
This passage in Zechariah also applies on one level to the modern nation
of Israel (more accurately Judah), custodians of the ancient city. It
has developed a huge siege mentality during the 56 years of its existence
as a state.
Why? In addition to enduring endless skirmishes and frequent terrorism
since its founding, Israel has fought at least four major wars: 1948,
1956, 1967 and 1973. Again and again, the surrounding Arab nations have
periodically threatened—and attempted—to drive it into the
Mediterranean Sea. Only in recent times has there been any alleviation
of such "final solutions."
As noted author Conor Cruise O'Brien observed: "Does Israel have
the right to exist? The State of Israel has lived since its birth—and
even before its birth—under the pressure of that question. And that question was preceded by another question: Do the Jews have a right to exist?" (The
Siege, 1986, p. 25).
In 1936 British Zionist pioneer Chaim Weizmann put it bluntly when he
asked the Peel Commission: "Do we have the right to exist?"
(ibid., p. 196).
That it would be necessary to even pose such questions says something
about our so-called advanced, civilized world today. The only truly hopeful
consolation is a pervasive and permanent peace prophesied to come to
the Holy Land—and not by human efforts.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem"
King David penned at least a third of the Psalms and possibly more like
half. One of his most touching includes a plea for peace for the city
of peace. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper
who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces'" (Psalm
122:6-7).
This solemn prayer, penned by David some 3,000 years ago, is destined
to be answered in previously undreamed proportions. The Hebrew prophet
Zechariah adds: "Thus says the Lord: 'I will return to Zion
[referring to Christ's second coming], and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the Lord
of hosts, the Holy Mountain'" (Zechariah 8:3).
Other prophecies tell us that Jerusalem's destiny is to become a center
of peace for all nations on earth. Nations will send representatives to
her even from faraway places to learn and take God's ways back to their peoples. As Isaiah 2:1-3 says: "Now it shall come to pass
in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established
on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and
all nations shall flow to it."
In Bible prophecy, "mountains" and "hills" are
often used to refer to governments, nations or kingdoms. This prophecy
tells us that the government of Jesus Christ will be established and
rule over all the nations on earth.
Then Isaiah continues: "Many people shall come and say, 'Come,
and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God
of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.'
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from
Jerusalem."
Under the reign of the Messiah, war, weaponry, military forces and even
military academies will be consigned to the distant past (verse 4). Peace
with justice will be administered to all peoples from Jerusalem.
But in no way do these sure biblical prophecies represent conditions
in the Holy Land today—a region plagued by corruption, bombings,
terrorist acts, kidnappings and murders. Watch the news on television
or simply read your daily newspaper.
Yet these millennial prophecies assure us that "old men and old
women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff
in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full
of boys and girls playing" (Zechariah 8:4-5). Both old and young
alike will at last be safe from harm's way during Christ's coming 1,000-year
rule. Suicide bombers will have passed into the dim recesses of history.
The Bible pictures a majestic, millennial future with a relaxed and
peaceful life in the golden city. This is Jerusalem's destiny,
foretold centuries ago.
Looking beyond: The New Jerusalem
Jerusalem is far more than just a physical city. It is symbolic of
an entire nation. Human frontiers and borders tend to blur when they
touch the infinite. Jerusalem has a spiritual dimension that extends
into eternity.
The New Testament Church is called "Jerusalem above . . . the
mother of us all" (Galatians 4:26). The patriarchs, prophets and
kings of Hebrews 11 never received God's ultimate promises during
their human lifetimes. Neither will true Christians today.
Yet these promises of God are absolutely sure! In faith the patriarch
Abraham "waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder
and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). The Creator is the divine architect
of the New Jerusalem. All men and women of faith have envisioned the fulfillment
of God's promises, "having seen them afar off" (verse 13). They
know that God "has prepared a city for them" (verse 16).
In His message to one of the seven churches of Revelation, Jesus Christ
referred to "the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes
down out of heaven" (Revelation 3:12). Then the dwelling place
of God will be with spirit-transformed men and women in a transformed
world (Revelation 21:3). Death, sorrow, pain and suffering will have
passed into history as the ultimate new world order takes shape on a
brand-new earth (verses 4-5).
In summary, this is the true message of the enduring presence of Jerusalem
in the world. In spite of today's terrible conflicts, it remains a city
like no other, one with an awesome future that is unique. This is one
reason Jerusalem is mentioned some 850 times in the Bible. It is the symbolic
cornerstone of crucial prophetic messages promising permanent peace to
all of mankind— forever. GN
Recommended Reading
Jerusalem has been a center of conflict for centuries. This troubled
city lies in a troubled region, the Middle East, that will be at the heart
of end-time events as Bible prophecy plays out before Jesus Christ's return.
To understand what the Bible says about Jerusalem's prophesied role in
mankind's history, request your free copy of The
Middle East in Bible Prophecy.
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