For millennia, Jerusalem has been an important city, often commanding the attention of much of the world, and the city figures prominently in both biblical history and biblical prophecy. Jerusalem is central to many important events in the Bible.
 

The city of Jerusalem is situated on the edge of one of the highest tablelands in Israel, south of the center of the country, about thirty-seven miles east of the Mediterranean Sea and about twenty-four miles west of the Jordan River. Its situation, lined on two sides by deep ravines, provides a natural defense for the city. Jerusalem is called by various names in Scripture: “Salem,” “Ariel,” “Jebus,” the “city of God,” the “holy city,” the “city of David,” and “Zion.” Jerusalem itself means “possession of peace.”

 
JERUSALEM IN PROPHECY
The Bible predicted that the Jewish people would return to Israel, and Jerusalem figures prominently in prophecies concerning the end times (Joel 3:1; Jeremiah 23:3, 30:7; Ezekiel 11:17, 37:1–14). Someday, the Jewish temple will be rebuilt in the Holy City (Daniel 9:27, 12:11; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).
 
THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM
During the Millennial Kingdom, the Lord Jesus Christ will reign over the Earth from Zion, and the nations will come to Jerusalem for instruction and blessing (Isaiah 2:2–4, 35:10; Psalm 102:20–22; Revelation 20).
 
Until that day comes, we are commanded by God to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). (a)
 

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Below is a brief timeline of selected biblical events related to Jerusalem, which were excerpted from the chronological chart of noted sieges & attacks that took place upon the city throughout the ages:
 
2084 BC The initial Old Testament reference to Jerusalem comes after Abram rescued his nephew, Lot, at the Battle of Siddim. In the account, Abram meets with Melchizedek, King of Salem (Genesis 14:1-24).
 
1374 BC Fast forward about 700 years to after the Twelve Tribes of Israel reached the Promised Land of Canaan. Here, the men of Judah attacked Jebus and put the city to the sword and set it on fire (Judges 1:1-36).
 
1003 BC King David led the Israelites in capturing Jebus from the Jebusites, a Canaanite tribe. They rename it Jerusalem and make it the capital city of the United Monarchy of Israel (2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 11:4-9).
 
966 BC King Solomon begins construction of the First Temple and his palace in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1-7:51, 2 Chronicles 3:1-2).
 
586 BC Led by their king,  Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonians complete a three year siege upon Jerusalem by looting and destroying the Temple. Israelites are either killed or forced into Babylonian Exile (2 Kings 25:1-21; 2 Chronicles 36:15-23; Jeremiah 39; ref prophecy in Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10).
 
516 BC Returning to their ancestral land, a group of Israelites complete construction of the Second Temple (Ezra 6:15). Prophecies fulfilled:  2 Chronicles 36:21; Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10-14; Daniel 9:2.
 
445 BC The Prophet Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem and rebuilds the walls around the city in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15).
 
167 BC Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), King of the Seleucid Empire, massacres thousands of Judeans and desecrates the Second Temple by sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls and erecting an altar to Zeus (non-biblical/explore www.marionmannaproject.com/seleucid-empire).
 
  70 BC The Roman Empire, under General Titus (future Emperor), destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple (prophecy of Jesus fulfilled/Matthew 24:1-14; Luke 21:5-38).

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The narrative (a) offered herein has been published with permission (b) and no monetary gain is being sought. Any footnotes within the narrative have been inserted by The Marion County Manna Project and re-direct to our webpages (unless otherwise noted) for additional spiritual insight and reflection.

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If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (82). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (83) (c) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!
 

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (84), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (85), Discipleship Encounters (86) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!
 
Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.

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FOOTNOTES:
  (1) https://marionmannaproject.com/campaigns-for-canaan
  (2) https://marionmannaproject.com/judah-2
  (3) https://marionmannaproject.com/jerusalem
  (4) https://marionmannaproject.com/siege-of-jebus
  (5) https://marionmannaproject.com/Israelites
  (6) https://marionmannaproject.com/jebusites
  (7) https://marionmannaproject.com/sack-of-jerusalem
  (8) https://marionmannaproject.com/Shishak
  (9) https://marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-egypt
(10) https://marionmannaproject.com/temple-first
(11) https://marionmannaproject.com/battle-of-jerusalem
(12) https://marionmannaproject.com/God-of-the-Bible
(13) https://marionmannaproject.com/Arabs
(14) https://marionmannaproject.com/philistines
(15) blank
(16) https://marionmannaproject.com/jehoram
(17) https://marionmannaproject.com/Ahaziah
(18) https://marionmannaproject.com/jerusalem-invaded-804
(19) https://marionmannaproject.com/Aram-Damascus
(20) https://marionmannaproject.com/jerusalem-invaded-796
(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jehoash
(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-israel
(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Amaziah
(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-judah
(25) https://marionmannaproject.com/battle-of-beth-shemesh
(26) https://marionmannaproject.com/siege-of-jerusalem-732
(27) https://marionmannaproject.com/rezin
(28) https://marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-aram-damascus
(29) https://marionmannaproject.com/pekah
(30) https://marionmannaproject.com/ahaz
(31) https://marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-assyria
(32) https://marionmannaproject.com/tiglath-pileser-iii
(33) https://marionmannaproject.com/southern-kingdom-of-judah
(34) https://marionmannaproject.com/siege-of-jerusalem-701
(35) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/sennacherib
(36) https://marionmannaproject.com/Hezekiah
(37) https://marionmannaproject.com/Isaiah-1
(38) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/angel-of-the-lord
(39) https://marionmannaproject.com/Assyrians
(40) https://marionmannaproject.com/siege-of-jerusalem-605
(41) https://marionmannaproject.com/nebuchadnezzar
(42) https://marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-babylon
(43) https://marionmannaproject.com/Daniel-1
(44) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/exile
(45) https://marionmannaproject.com/siege-of-jerusalem-597
(46) https://marionmannaproject.com/Jehoiachin
(47) https://marionmannaproject.com/Ezekiel-1
(48) https://marionmannaproject.com/siege-of-jerusalem-589
(49) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/judah-exiled-into-babylon
(50) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/babylonians
(51) https://marionmannaproject.com/jerusalem-invaded-320
(52) https://marionmannaproject.com/ptolemy-i-soter
(53) https://marionmannaproject.com/sabbath
(54) https://marionmannaproject.com/egypt
(55) https://marionmannaproject.com/jerusalem-invaded-198
(56) https://marionmannaproject.com/antiochus-iii-the-great
(57) https://marionmannaproject.com/kings-of-seleucid-empire
(58) https://marionmannaproject.com/judean-rebels
(59) https://marionmannaproject.com/jerusalem-invaded-168
(60) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/antiochus-iv-epiphanes
(61) https://marionmannaproject.com/temple-second
(62) https://marionmannaproject.com/maccabean-revolt
(63) https://marionmannaproject.com/antiochus-v-eupator
(64) https://marionmannaproject.com/siege-of-jerusalem-134
(65) https://marionmannaproject.com/antiochus-vii-sidetes
(66) https://marionmannaproject.com/john-hyrcanus
(67) https://marionmannaproject.com/High-Priest
(68) https://marionmannaproject.com/siege-of-jerusalem-63
(69) https://marionmannaproject.com/romans-1
(70) https://marionmannaproject.com/siege-of-jerusalem-37
(71) https://marionmannaproject.com/herod
(72) https://marionmannaproject.com/parthians
(73) https://marionmannaproject.com/rome
(74) https://marionmannaproject.com/fall-of-jerusalem-70-ad
(75) https://marionmannaproject.com/titus-roman-emperor
(76) https://marionmannaproject.com/emperors-of-rome
(77) https://marionmannaproject.com/jesus-ot-prophecies
(78) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/third-jewish-roman-war
(79) https://marionmannaproject.com/simon-bar-kokhba
(80) https://marionmannaproject.com/day-of-the-lord
(81) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Jesus-Christ
(82) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(83) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(84) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(85) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(86) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
 
PAGE CREDITS:
  (a) What is the Significance of the city of Jerusalem?, accessed September 18, 2020
https://www.gotquestions.org/city-of-Jerusalem.html
 
  (b) Copyright Policy, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 11, 2020 https://www.gotquestions.org/about.html
 
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
  (c)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020    https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html
 
  (d) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible, accessed September 18, 2020
https://www.biblegateway.com/