Importance of Jerusalem

97Jewish History

Importance of Jerusalem

The name ‘Jerusalem’ is in two parts. ‘Jeru’ means house, ‘Salem’ means peace. Jerusalem means ‘the house of peace’. It is also called “Jebus” because a tribe by name Jebusites were living in that city from a long time. Even the Judas could not drive them away and so they lived together in Jerusalem even today. The first name Salem was given by Melchezidec who later called himself king of salem.

He was from the family of Sidon and grandson to Canaan. He was a shepherd boy. He knew only feeding the sheep and nothing else. God was with him and liked his innocence. He won the wars with Nimrod. God had chosen Melchezidec from all generations of men as God chose Mary among all women for the purpose of the birth of Christ. He chose Melchezidec and anointed him to be the High Priest of the Almighty. Then God asked him to go to a distant place which He would show and build a city in His name. As per the Word of God, Melchezidec left his duty of a shepherd boy and traveled a long distance. He laid the foundation for a new town which he called Salem, that later became Jerusalem. He became the king also to that city, Melchezidec, ‘King of Salem’ (Genesis 14:18).

He remained there permanently and served bread and wine at the Altar of high God. He found the surrounding place as a place of milk and honey and called it Canaan the name of his grandfather Canaan. The place was given to Abraham later, as a promised land to his seed Israel. Melchezidec was called the King of Salem. The King of North and the King of Righteousness.

Once, Abraham met Melchezidec while he was returning from the battle with other kings who took Lot his brother’s son. Melchezidec was happy to see Abraham. He blessed him and served him with bread and wine. He also gave Abraham the shepherd stick of his young age as a presentation.

Abraham in return gave 10th part of his property to Melchezidec which he got from the Kings. So, giving tithes to God started from Abraham... Since

Importance of Jerusalem

then Melchezidec remained in salem permanently serving bread and wine on the altar. It was he, who laid the foundation for the present Jerusalem. It was he who gave the name Canaan to the land of milk and honey. As a narrator he told the whole story about the genealogy of Noah’s family to his servant boy “Ali” and Jerusalem was in existence even at the time of Abraham who lived in about 2000 B.C.

Jerusalem had some other names

1.Jebus

2.The House of Peace

3.Holy City

4.City of God

5.City of David

7.Zion of the Holy One of Israel

8.City of Sunset Jerusalem is

1.The nerve center of the world geographically (Ezekiel 5:5)

2.The salvation center of the world spiritually. (John 4:22)

3.The story center of the world prophetically (Zach 14:19)

4. The glory center of the world ultimately (Isaiah 2:15) The old city Jerusalem had a wall around and it had eight gates.

1.Jafa gate

2.New gate

3.Damascus gate (It is also called Shechem gate)

4.Herod’s gate (It is also called flower gate by Arabs)

5.St. Stephen gate (Also called the Lion’s gate)

6.Golden gate (Called the Eastern gate)

7.The dung gate

8.Zion gate (Arabs called it the gate of David prophet)

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When God created beauty He created 10 parts of it and gave 9 parts to Jerusalem. When God created 10 parts of knowledge He gave 9 parts of that knowledge to Jerusalem. When God created 10 parts of suffering He gave 9 parts of that suffering to Jerusalem. It is the holiest place to Jews, Christians and even to Muslims after Mecca and Medina.

Israel got independence in May 14, 1948 from the British Government. Prior to that, it was ruled by many dynasties. It is said about sixteen dynasties waged wars and ruled Israel. Jerusalem is first Mentioned in the Bible in (Genesis 14:18) as “Salem”. Melchezidec, the king of Salem (Genesis 14:18) the word Jerusalem is used 600 times in the Old Testament alone. There are some important places in and around the city of Jerusalem. They are 1. Mount of Olives, 2. The Mountain ranges of Moriah, 3. The Gethsemane garden, and 4. Via Dolorosa.

The Mount Of Olives

This is just East of Jerusalem across the Kedrone valley. It is about 2641 feet above the sea level and it is 318 feet higher than the temple mountain area. There are eight churches on the mountain, built by the people from different countries, and the church of Heliona is one of them. It was built by her son Emperor Constantine in memory of his beloved mother. Its Northern summit is marked by the “Ascension church”, built by the Russian orthodox people.

Its importance

1.It is called the Mount of Olives because the Eastern part of it is full of

olive trees.

2.It is called the Mount of Offence (1 Kings 11:4-8)

3.David fled from Absalom’s rebellion (II Samuel 15:20-32)

4.The servant gave provisions to David on this mountain.

(II Samuel 16:1-2)

5.Jesus’ triumphant entry (Mathew 21:1-11)

Importance of Jerusalem

6Jesus stayed here for the last week of his ministry (Luke 21:37)

destruction of the temple (Luke 19:41-44)

8.Jesus cursed the fig tree (Mathew 21.18-21)

9.The olive discourse (Mathew 24:25)

10.Jesus went to that mountain after eating the last Passover (Mathew 26:30)

11.Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to his disciples (Luke 24:49)

12.Jesus ascended to heaven from this mountain (Acts 1:9-11)

13.Jesus will return to this mountain on His Second Coming (Zach. 14:4)

Eight Different Churches on the Mount of Olives:

People of different countries constructed churches on the Mount of Olives. They are:

1.In 378 A.D. “The Matron Poemenie” founded “The Church of

Ascendancy”. But this church was destroyed by the Persian rulers in 614

A.D.) Later it was renovated by the crusaders. For the second time, it was

destroyed by the Muslim rulers and a Mosque was built in its place.

2.The Russian Orthodox people built one church there. Its name was “The

Church of Ascendancy’’.

3.The Lutheran “Church of Ascendancy” with the name “Augustus Villa”;

was built at the highest part of the mountain.

4.The Greek Orthodox Church people built another church, “Viri Galilee”.

It is for the members of Galilee. It is referred to the Messengers of Galilee.

5.“The Church of Peter Noster” (Latin), it means for our father. This was

the place where Christ gave the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples.

6.“The Church of Heliona”. This was constructed by Emperor Constantine

in memory of his mother who became Saint later. This is also in memory

of Christ and his preaching to his disciples.

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7.“Dominus Flivet” This Church looks most beautiful with its wonderful

structure. It was built by the people of Franciscan Church. This Church

tells us how Christ wept for the future pathetic condition of Jerusalem

and the temple.

shaped domes. It canbe seen even from a long distance. “Czar” Alexander

IIIrd of Russia built this church in honour of his mother “Maria”. Today it

is under the control of Russian Orthodox Nuns”.

Mountain Ranges of Moriah

This place is known to the people from the time of Abraham because he tried to sacrifice his son Isaac on this Mount. Its area is about 35 acres of land.

Its importance

1.Abraham offered his son on this mount (Genesis 22:1-2)

2.David bought the Jebusite threshing floor of Araunah (II Samuel 24:18-

24)

3.Solomon built God’s temple on one of those mountains called Mount

Zion (Chronicles 3:1-2)

4.The second temple was also built by Zerubbabel on the same foundation

(Ezra 3:8-13, Ezra 4:22-24)

5.Herod the great rebuilt and enlarged the temple in 20 B.C.

6.Jesus was presented at that temple on the 8th day of his birth (Luke

2:22)

7.Jesus came to the temple when he was 12 years old (Luke 2:42)

8.Jesus Christ drove out the money changers (John 2:13-15)

9.Jesus attended the festival of Tabernacle (John 7:10)

10.Jesus gave the judgement on Pharisees and Sadducees (Mathew 21:23)

11.The disciples mentioned, the temple rebuilt by Herod, to Jesus (Mathew

24:1-2)

12.Peter and John went to the temple to pray (Acts 3:1)

Importance of Jerusalem

13.The Muslims believed that Muhammad prophet Ascended to heaven

from this mountain.

14.The rock on which Abraham tried to sacrifice his son was changed into a

mosque.

Gethsemane Garden

If we want to go to the Mount of Olives we must go through the garden of Gethsemane. There had been some graves in between the two places and those graves have some historical importance. According to their belief, Christ on his second coming would come down to the Mount of Olives. Then he would pass through the Gethsemane garden and enter Jerusalem city through the golden gate and finally go to the judgment hall. So, when Christ would come to the grave yard, all the People might rise from their graves. With that belief all the important Jews and prophets like Haggai and Malachi were buried there.

Christ, before he was arrested from the garden by the Roman soldiers, sat on a rock and prayed to God painfully. So that rock was called the “rock of agony”. On that rock, a church was built latter with the contributions from about 16 countries. It is said that the church is more beautiful than any other church today. The name of the church is called “the Church of all nations” and also “the church of agony”. Later three more churches were built on that area. The latest Church was built in 1924. At present this church is maintained by the Franciscons. In that garden there were eight olive trees at the time of Jesus Christ people had a doubt when Titus destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D, he must have cut down the trees also. But there are two trees we see today which are the over growth of the trees of Jesus’ time.

Its importance

1.Jesus agonized in prayer in Gethsemane (Mathew 26:36-46)

2.Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested by the Roman Soldiers. (Mathew

26:47-56)

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Via Dolorosa

It is also called “the way of cross or the way of sorrow”. It is a traditional route that Christ carried the cross on His shoulders to the mount Golgotha. It is now located outside the old city. There are fourteen stations on the way and the last four are in the church campus of the church of the holy sepulcher. The following are the names of incidents that took place in those 14 stations:

1.Jesus was committed to death

2.Jesus took up the cross

3.Jesus fell under the cross

4.Jesus met his mother

5.Cyrene Simon was forced to carry the cross for Christ.

6.Veronica wiped out the sweat from the face of Jesus

7.Jesus fell down for the second time

8.Jesus consoled the women of Jerusalem

10.Jesus was stripped off His garments

11.Jesus was nailed to the cross

12.Jesus died on the cross

13.Jesus was taken down from the cross.

14.And Jesus was laid in the tomb

Its importance

1. Jesus walked out of the judgment hall at the beginning of the Via Dolorosa.

(John 19:13)

2.Paul made his speech to the people of Jerusalem at the site of Herod’s

fortress.

As Christ was crucified on Friday, people called it, “Black Friday” for 200 years. Later it became God’s Friday and at present it is called Good Friday. Even today the Franciscan church members used to go on in a procession

Importance of Jerusalem

on every Friday singing songs in praise of Christ. Some tourists also join the Franciscan church members and go on in the procession to Via Dolorosa.

Jericho

According to historical information this city Jericho was called the oldest city built in 7000 B.C. It was here the tax collector Zaccaeus touched by the spirit of Christ and gave half of his property to the poor.

It was also here Barthimeas a blind man happened to be cured of his blindness. This city is called the fragrance city of palms and it is also famous for date fruits. There is Elisha spring we can see it even today. The Jericho city is located at the Northern side of the Dead Sea and at the West coast of the Jordan River. It is 17 miles from Jerusalem and about 853 feet above the sea level.

Its importance

1.It is called the city of palm trees (Deuteronomy 34:3, Chronicles 28:15)

2.Rahab a harlot received the spies into her house. (Joshua 2)

3.Jericho was the first city that Joshua captured.

4.Jericho’s destruction

5.Joshua uttered a curse against all who try to rebuild Jericho (Joshua 6:26)

6.Elisha’s translation (II Kings 24:15)

7.Herod the great built a luxurious palace and made it his winter capital.

8.The mount of temptation can be seen from Jericho

Nazareth

Today Nazareth is called one of the holiest places in Israel. At the time of Christ its population was about 150 people only. It is in two parts today.

The upper Nazareth, where majority of the Israel Jews were residing, and the lower Nazareth, where Israel Christians and Muslims residing together. At present its population is about 70,000. It is in the mid way between the

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Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. It was an unimportant village at that time. It was about 1230 feet above the sea level.

Its importance

1.It is the place where the Angel announced the birth of Christ. (Luke 1:26-

35)

2.Nathaniel said “can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46)

3.Joseph and Mary left here to go to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7)

4.Joseph and Mary came back from Egypt to live here after the death of

King Herod. (Mat.2:19-23)

5.Jesus spent his early years here (Luke 2:51-52)

6.Jesus preached His first sermon from here (Luke 4:16-30)

7.Jesus was called “the Nazarene” by his enemies. (Mathew 21:11)

8.After the sermon and the rejection of him Jesus never returned to Nazareth.

Capernaum

It is two and half miles from where the Jordan River enters the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum is called God’s own Town. It is situated along the trade route from Damascus to Mediterranean coast and Egypt. Tolls were collected by the Roman government and it was here Jesus called Matthew.

It was a military center for Romans in Jesus time. The town had about 10000 population at that time.

Its importance

1.Jesus asked peter to pay the tribute money from the mouth of a fish.

(Matthew 17:24-27)

2.Jesus made his head quarters here (Mathew 4:15-16)

3.The centurion’s servant was healed (Mathew 8:5-13)

4.Peter’s mother-in-law was healed here (Mathew 8:14-15)

5.Greater multitude was brought for healing (Mat. 8:16-17)

6.A man sick of palsy was healed (Mat. 9:1-8)

Importance of Jerusalem

7.A woman with an issue of blood was healed (Mathew 9:20-22)

8.Two blind men were healed. (Mathew 9:27-30)

9.Raising of a ruler’s daughter. (Mathew 9:18-19)

11.Capernaum failed to repent so it came under Christ’s Judgment. (Mathew

11:23-24)

12.Noble man’s son was healed. (John 4:42-54)

13.Jesus “the bread of life” discourse took place here. (John 6:24-71)

14.The synagogue of Capernaum was built by a Roman centurion. (Luke

7:1-6)

Bethlehem

‘Bet’lehem means House of Bread It was an agricultural village. Emperor Constantine built the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. Because Christ was born here it was called the holiest city for Christians. In 614 A.D, the Persians invaded and razed all churches. But they spared this church without much damage. Later this church was renovated by Emperor Justinian. In 1333 the Franciscans were permitted to conduct prayers in the church. Then in later years the Church of Nativity and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher were jointly maintained by Franciscans Greeks, and Armenians. The Church of Nativity was built in 335 A.D with 44 columns on either side of the church. It was built on the same cave or “grotto” where the birth of Christ took place. Along with that there were two more caves. One was named after 200 boys of less than two years old and who were brutally killed by King Herod. The third cave was named after St. Jermy who translated the Bible from Greek in to Latin.

Its importance

1.When Rachel died she was buried here after she gave birth to Benjamin

(Genesis 35:16-18)

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2.Ibzan, the tenth judge of Israel was born here (Judges 12:8-12)

3.The story of Ruth is centered in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:4)

4.David was born here.

5.David was anointed here as the king of Israel (I Samuel 16:4)

6.David killed a lion and a bear here (I Samuel 17:34)

7.David tamed his father’s sheep here (I Samuel 17:15)

8.David poured out a drink offering here (II Samuel 23:14)

9.Jesus was born here (Luke 2:7)

10.The shepherds worshipped Jesus (Luke 21:5-17)

2:7-11)

12. King Herod slew about 200 innocent baby boys here (Mathew 2:16-18)

Hebron

The original name of Hebron was “Arba”. Arba was the name of a great man among the people of Arkins tribe. The place was famous for constant wars. There was a city with that name also which latter became Hebron. Hebron is situated at the south west of Jerusalem. The distance between Hebron and Jerusalem is about 19 miles.

Its importance

1.It is also called Kiriath Arabian ancient times. (Joshua 14:15, Joshua

20:7)

2.In Arabic language it is called Elkhalil which means friend (Isaiah 41:4)

3.Abraham came here to dwell after he was separated from lot (Genesis

13:18)

4.Hebron was built in 1700 B.C, (Numbers 13:20)

Importance of Jerusalem

5God appeared to Abraham concerning Isaac’s birth (Genesis 18:1-15)

6.Abraham made an appeal to God to save Sodom and Gomorrah from

destruction. (Genesis 18:16-33)

7.Sarah died at Hebron but she was buried in the cave of Mechpelah.

(Genesis 18:33) After her Abraham Isaac Rebecca Jacob, and Leah were

also buried there and it was known as the tomb of patriarchs

8.Isaac also lived here for some time (Genesis 35:27)

9.Jacob lived here after the death of Rachel (Genesis 37:14)

10.The spies took a branch of grapes and bananas from Kadesh and went

back to their place (Numbers 13:22-23)

11.Joshua captured Hebron when he took the land (Joshua 13:36-37)

Jerusalem (II Samuel 2:11)

(II Samuel 15:7-12)

Mechpelah

Western wall or wailing wall

This is Jerusalem’s holiest site and the closest part of the original Structure of God’s temple. The western wall is also called the synagogue of the wall. Every day the Jews would come and pray to God by beating their heads to the wall in devotion. After that they put a letter also in the holes of the wall which is like a message to God.

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It is said that the wall is 200 feet long and 90 feet high. The upper part of the wall was built by Ottoman, the middle and the lower part was built by King Herod during his time. King Solomon built this God’s temple in 1057 B.C, the Ark of Covenant and the Ten Commandments were kept in this temple. But they were destroyed by the king of Babylon in 586 B.C. Then in 440 B.C, people like Zerubbabel tried to rebuild the temple on the same foundations called second temple. The king Herod renovated the temple and expanded it in 20 BC.

The sea of galilee

It is 13 miles long and seven and a half mile wide. It is 700 feet below the sea level and 200 feet deep. The rabbis used to say that Jehovah created seven seas and the Sea of Galilee is a delightful one. Josephus a popular historian called it “the ambition of Nature”. The Sea of Galilee has five names :

1.Chimerieth (Numbers 34:11, Joshua 12:3)

2.Kimereth

3.Gennesaret (Luke 5:1)

4.Sea of Tiberius (John 6; 1, John 21:1)

5.Sea of Galilee (Mathew 4:18, Mark, 1:16)

The cities surrounding the Lake of Galilee are Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. Plain of Gennesaret, Tabgha where Jesus fed 5000 men. Tiberius, Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitude.

Its importance

1.Jesus performed the miracle of the draught of fish (Luke 5:1-11)

2.Jesus stilled the winds and seas (Mathew 8:23-27)

3.Jesus walked on the stormy water to his disciples. (Mathew 14:22-33)

Importance of Jerusalem

4.Swines plunged to death after Jesus healed the Demoniac

(Mathew 8:28-34)

5.Jesus promised his disciples in Galilee after his resurrection.

The Dead Sea or Salt Sea

The Dead Sea is called the lowest part of the earth. It is about 1294 feet below the sea level. The lowest part in the United States is the Death Valley in California 282 feet below the sea level. The Dead Sea is formed with the water of Jordan River and other small rivers. It is 60 miles long and 13 miles wide. The Dead Sea lies between the Jordan River and the Judea mountain side of Israel. The depth of the Dead Sea is about 1300 feet. The sea has no outlet and it is estimated that 7000000 tons of water flows into the sea, daily and about the same amount of water will be evaporating daily.

The fresh water that evaporates daily may have salinity and the mineral content of 30 percent in the water. The salt Content is 7 percent. Sodom and Gomorrah existed at the lower end of the Dead Sea, called the tongue. It is also called the Salt Sea. (Genesis 14:3)

The name Dead Sea is suitable to it because no living Organisms will survive in its water. Its geological bottom is full of minerals like sulphur, iodine, and potassium. The Dead Sea is seven times dense as the sea water as 25 percent salt content.

People who take dip in the sea water apply mud to their skin and wait for some time. Again they take a dip. After that they come out and take bath with fresh water. People float on the water of the sea because of the density. The mud found at the bottom of the sea is medicinal for skin diseases. Actually skin products are commercially produced from the factory which is built near the Dead Sea. Towards the Southern end of the Dead Sea, we can see the pillar of salt emerge from the water, not far away, from the region of Sodom and Gomorrah.

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About the Holy Land

Holy Land is a unique and beautiful land, rich with variety of historical, archealogical and religious sites. Visitors are charmed by its sweeping vistas, hospitality of its citizens and inspirational images. This country is an enchanting mixture of ancient and modern culture.

In the holy land, you can experience the special thrill of walking in the foot steps of the Bible characters. Abraham roamed these sites four thousand years ago. About three thousand years have gone by since king David reigned here but Christians follow the steps of Jesus in the Holy land constitute its ultimate moment.

In these regions Jesus the son of God was born. Here he grew in wisdom and stature. Here he was crucified. Here God raised him from the dead. We can see the divisions as three regions. North, center and South. In the Northern and Central regions, Jesus visited Jerusalem, a sacred city and it is the Soul of the country. Southern areas are included because of its significance to patriarchs, prophets and kings of Judah.

This book will unlock the messages of the Bible and engage your mind and heart in the Wonderful world in which Jesus lived. We believe that this book is special as it describes the facts of the ministry of our Lord with the sites that recall his work & adds a rich new understanding to the meaning of the work of Jesus of Nazareth we trust it will also bring back many pleasant memories for those who visited the lands of the Bible. This land is unlike any other. This region has been called by various names such as Canaan, Palestine and new Israel in Biblical times. It was considered to be the center of the world and for three monotheistic religious Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

It has been the focal point of their respective religious beliefs. In Judea the Jewish people are still waiting for the messiah. For Christians, the new testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the messiah that is spoken of in the Old Testament has indeed become a reality in the person of

Importance of Jerusalem

Jesus Christ. For Islam on the other hand was founded in 6 AD by the Prophet Mohammed & both play an important role in this land. For Jews this land was predestined long ago by God. God also made them the chosen people, through Abraham and his descendants. For Christians this land is the cradle of Christianity for it was here that Jesus was born, lived dead & resurrected.

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