Jerusalem: God’s Heart
Jerusalem, commonly referred to as the City of Peace, is the most contested piece of real estate in the world. This ancient biblical city, situated in the very heart of the land promised as an unconditional, everlasting covenant from God to Abraham and his descendants, is today, anything but peaceful.
Fought over for centuries, Jerusalem remains at the center of intense international conflict and bloodshed: a political hotspot and a lightning rod of spiritual activity.
Today, as in centuries past, we see nations vying for control over the City, and all of Israel, as they devise their plans to divide and conquer her.
Jerusalem has been the eternal capital of the Jewish people since c. 1010 BC when King David captured the City from the Jebusites. The biblical City of Jerusalem—known today as Old City Jerusalem—was destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and has been captured and recaptured 44 times[i]. At the root of these intense battles lies a fierce spiritual war to attempt to unseat the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob from the very City where He chose to establish His throne.
Jerusalem has never been about a battle of Jews vs. Arabs; of BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) vs. the economic growth and stability of Israel; of covenant-keeping Christians vs. replacement theologians. The battle for Jerusalem has been a battle between principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this age—spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places… against our God (see Ephesians 6.12)—a spiritual battle manifest through natural hostilities.
God makes clear in His Word that Jerusalem is a city where He continually rests His heart—a City that resonates with His very heartbeat…
Jerusalem: The Dwelling Place of God…
Scripture makes it clear that Jerusalem is where God abides—where His footstool and throne are found. Like the loving Father that He is, He makes known to his children that His heart’s desire is to dwell in their midst forever!
“For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.’”—Psalm 132.13-14
“…this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever.”—Ezekiel 43.7
“So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy… For the Lord dwells in Zion.”—Joel 3.17-21
Jerusalem: Where the Very Name of God Rests…
Jerusalem is God’s Holy City—His Holy mountain—His earthly dwelling place. God said that His name would rest upon Jerusalem, forever.
God placed His very signature in the natural topography surrounding Jerusalem. Viewed from above, the three valleys that run between the hills of Jerusalem—the Kidron, Hinnom and Tyropoeon—form the Hebrew letter shin (ש), the abbreviated name of God, El Shaddai (God Almighty).
“I have chosen Jerusalem… that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually”—2 Chronicles 6.6, 7.16
Jerusalem: Inscribed on the Palms of God’s Hands…
One of the most beautiful expressions of God’s everlasting love for Jerusalem is when He says that she is inscribed on the palms of His hands. This expression of love and commitment cannot be removed, washed away, or cancelled. It is never forgotten or annulled. God cut an unconditional, everlasting covenant with Jerusalem (see Ezekiel 16.60-63), and she is continually before Him.
“See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.”—Isaiah 49.16
Jerusalem: Where the Voice of God is Heard…
God, in His Word, says that He speaks and roars from Zion. Like rolling thunder, the voice of the Lord reverberates from Jerusalem out into the nations of the world.
“The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake; but the Lord will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion My holy mountain, then Jerusalem shall be holy…”—Joel 3.16-17
“…The Lord roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem…”—Amos 1.2
Jerusalem: The Apple of God’s Eye…
God calls Jerusalem the apple of His eye—a city that He chose for His very name to dwell in. As we come closer to God and gaze into His eyes, we can see our reflection radiating from them. Because God has chosen Jerusalem as His dwelling place, He is close and intimate with her; her reflection is forever cast upon His eyes.
“For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you [Jerusalem] touches the apple of His eye.’”—Zechariah 2.8
“I have chosen Jerusalem… that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually”—2 Chronicles 6.6, 7.16
Jerusalem: The Gateway to Heaven…
It is said that when you pray in the City of Jerusalem, it is as if you are before the very throne of God—at the gateway to Heaven. Jerusalem is the divine gateway between Heaven and earth.
“How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”—Genesis 28.17
Jerusalem: The City of our Great King…
Despite the wars that continuously rage around Jerusalem, we know that Jerusalem will always be the City of our Great King.
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.”—Psalm 48.1-2
“But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.”—Matthew 5.34-35
Jerusalem: The Source of Our Salvation…
From Jerusalem comes the source of our salvation—our faith, our Messiah, and our redemption—Yeshua. Yeshua knew He must give His life for the sake of our salvation in this most Holy City:
“I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.”—Luke 13.33
It was only in Jerusalem where Yeshua could give His life—shed His precious blood—for the salvation and redemption of all humanity. Only there, overlooking God’s throne, could He be resurrected and ascend to Heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father.
“Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!”—Psalm 14.7
“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls.”—Joel 2.32
“But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness…”—Obadiah 1.1
“And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east.”—Zechariah 14.4
Jerusalem: The Birthplace of the Church…
Following Yeshua’s command, the apostles remained in Jerusalem after His ascension. It was there where they were instructed to wait for the “Promise of the Father”—the gift of the Holy Spirit—and would be transformed from a small group of apostles into a true ekklesia (assembly)—the Church.
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father… ‘But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’”—Acts 1.4-
”So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”—Acts 2.46-47
Jerusalem: The Throne of Our King, Yeshua…
As Believers, we eagerly await the soon coming day of our King, Yeshua!
“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. 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. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”—Isaiah 2.2-4
Jerusalem: The Center of Worldwide Conflict…
All of history is coming together, and the focus of the nations is 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 12.3
“For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem… but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.”—Zechariah 14.2-3
Because nations are attempting to divide up God’s covenant Promised Land, and their governments are pressuring Israel to trade off parcels for ‘Peace,’ covenant binds Him to fight for Jerusalem.
Jerusalem: City Where God has Set Watchmen to Pray…
God’s intention is for His people to align with Him—with His very heartbeat. We are called to be a part of a Kingdom of priests—ambassadors of Heaven where Yeshua, our Messiah, is seated on His throne at the right hand of the Father. As we align ourselves with the heavenly heartbeat of Jerusalem, we become one sound—one heartbeat resonating throughout the world—as a sign and a wonder of His love for all of humanity.
A key part of our destiny, as the Body of Christ, is to offer up prayers and intercession for His City…
“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”—Isaiah 62.6-7
Jerusalem: Where God’s Very Heartbeat is Found…
In recent months, the world has watched breathlessly as innocent blood has been spilled throughout the City of Jerusalem. The most recent was the blood of two Israeli Border Police officers spilled near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem by Arab terrorists. In the midst of tears of anguish and dismay, I asked the Lord what exactly Jerusalem meant to Him, and this was His reply …
“My heart beats in the midst of My ancient city—Jerusalem. It is beating with the rhythm—with the pulse—of those who are in love with her. As your heart is turned toward Me, your heartbeat becomes a part of that rhythm—becoming louder and louder as your eyes are drawn near this magnificent city. And when your heartbeat stabilizes into a perfect cadence—into unity with Mine—together we become a powerful sound—a force like no other. Together our hearts beat continually for her and that sound becomes deeper and deeper—ever entrenched in an ancient harmony that has given life to all mankind from the beginning of time.
“The hearts of those who have gone before you continue to beat with Mine and with yours, and together we drown out the voices of the enemy who are attempting to cause disruption in the flow of our symphony. The enemy has tried to cause disruption with death and destruction throughout the ages, but does not My Word say that even your brother’s blood cries out from the ground?
“I have a secret weapon that will not keep silent. This weapon is in the blood. As blood has been spilled upon the streets of My Holy City, that very blood is added to the rhythm of the heartbeat that continues forward and is never forgotten.
“The sound is becoming louder as the end of the age comes near. Can’t you feel the heartbeat of the martyrs? Can’t you feel the heartbeat of those who have gone before you? Can’t you feel the heartbeat of those who are awakening to the beauty of My City? Can’t you feel the sound of My heartbeat? Can’t you feel the sound of the blood of the Lamb?
“Jerusalem is indeed the center of My heart… at the very core of My being—of all existence. Can’t you hear My heartbeat for this magnificent city? It is beating in the cadence of the ages and is coming to a crescendo. ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings!’
“My heart yearns for you, O Jerusalem. For you are a diamond, a beacon, a city set high upon a hill. My entire existence on earth begins and ends with you. It flows from My heart—Jerusalem—and inhabits the nations. I am truly captivated by your beauty. I have given you My heart and all favor and authority will come from you and to you. Take up your mat and walk in your wholeness, in your beauty, and in the authority that I have given you. Stand up and declare the Word of the Lord to the nations. Let the nations begin to rise up to the dawning of your beauty. Let them hear your voice and hearken unto your authority. Hear the Word of the Lord coming from Jerusalem and you will hear My very heart.”
Jerusalem—the epicenter of the heartbeat of the Father—has a glorious future. We have been called to lift her up in prayers and intercession until the time of fulfillment has come and our King, Yeshua is seated on His throne.
For this reason, we must continue to quicken our hearts to pray for Jerusalem as is commanded by God. As we are faithful in prayer and intercession, His promised blessings will overtake our lives. Remember always to pray for God’s City—a City at the very center of His heart…
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.’ For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.”—Psalm 122.6-9
“The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!”—Psalm 134.3
[i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem
Jeris L. Joyner joined the Curt Landry Ministries team as Sr. Editor in 2010. She comes to the Curt Landry Ministries with prior experience in Editorial management and Publications, and graduated, Magna Cum Laude from the Fellowship of International Revival and Evangelism, under the direction of Dr. Michael L. Brown.
With her Jewish heritage, Jeris holds a deep burning desire toward the nation of Israel. Her passion is to see Jew and Gentile walk together as One New Man, and for Israel to come into her fullness, beholding the Messiah square in the face as her Kinsman-Redeemer, Yeshua—as God had intended from the beginning.