JERUSALEM: CITY OF THE GREAT KING

by David Kiern

Our mission at I AM ISRAEL is to bring the Land of the Bible to YOU! So get ready to explore Jerusalem, The City of the Great King.

Here's an excerpt from our coffee table book, I AM ISRAEL: The Believer's Guide to the Rebirth of the Promised Land,  plus beautiful photography for you to enjoy!

In all of the world, there is but one city where the God of the Bible declared His eyes and His heart will always be...

“My eyes and My heart will be there at all times.”

II Chronicles 7:16

The Bible describes Jerusalem as the epicenter of the earth. It was here that God led Abraham, told him to offer up his son, Isaac, and provided a ram in his place. First conquered by King David in 1004 BC, Jerusalem has been home to the Jewish people and the capital of Israel for more than 3,000 years. Solomon built the first Temple here, still memorialized as one of the most beautiful elements of architectures in human history.

The Second Temple, built by Ezra and Nehemiah, and enlarged and beautified by King Herod, drew worshipers from all over the world until its destruction by the Romans in 70 AD. Since then, Jerusalem has been the site of conquests, crusades and wars.

The Old City and modern city of Jerusalem still draws millions of people to its streets every year during holidays, celebrations and pilgrimages of faith.

If you consider yourself a part of the Abrahamic faith, Jerusalem holds the key to your past, present and future. When dedicating the first Temple, Solomon asked God to answer the prayers of both Jew and Gentile if they would only stand and face their prayers toward Jerusalem. God appeared to Solomon in a dream and granted his request. Jerusalem is a place where those who believe in the ancient Scriptures can find spiritual growth, blessing in God’s covenant to Abraham and fulfillment in engaging with the holiest place on earth.

WESTERN WALL

The Wailing Wall, Western Wall, or in Hebrew, the Kotel is the only retaining wall left from the destruction of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem. The Romans laid siege to Jerusalem’s walls, and after months fighting, the Temple was the last fortress standing. Legend has it that when Titus saw the beauty of the Temple courts, he strove to keep his soldiers from destroying it. However, a Roman soldier threw a torch into the sanctuary, the Temple went up in a blaze. Roman soldiers tore down the walls, and threw the stones to Jerusalem’s streets below. The Western Wall was an outer retaining wall for the Temple Mount which escaped the Roman army’s destruction.

Today, it attracts pilgrims from all over the world who come to place their hands on the ancient stones and slip prayer notes into the cracks of the wall. Jewish, Christian, secular, and religious - the Wailing Wall attracts people from all walks of life.

Jews and Christians pray in this special place because it is the closest public area of prayer to where the Holy of Holies was located.

THE TEMPLE MOUNT

The Temple Mount is the most hotly contested pieces of real estate in the world. The Foundation Stone, believed to be the place where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac, lays underneath the Dome of the Rock. The Scriptures record that David purchased this site for 50 shekels of silver. Also known as Mount Moriah, this is one of several sites in Israel where the Bible records a land purchase for a specific amount of money.

Ironically, Jews and Christians are not allowed to openly pray when visiting the Temple Mount. Entrance for non-Muslims is only allowed through one out of twelve gates, and visits are only allowed during very short hours on certain days of the week.

This ancient and sacred place is where the 1st and 2nd Temples stood, and where the House of God will one day be rebuilt. Yeshua quoted Isaiah when He declared...

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations”

MARK 11:17

The Dome of the Rock was originally built in 692. On the inside of the Dome, an inscription on the wall written in Arabic proclaims, "It is not for Allah to have a son," rejecting Jesus as the Son of God and mocking Christian beliefs.

Ancient columns, mosaics and marble walls decorate the Dome of the Rock. Many Christian and Jewish visitors see a demonic image near one of the entrances. This shocking image has never been explained.

THE EASTERN GATE

The Eastern gate of Jerusalem is also known as the Golden gate, and in Hebrew - the Gate of Mercy. It is the only one out of the eight entrances to Jerusalem that is sealed.

The Eastern gate was closed in 810 by the Muslims, then reopened in 1102 by the Crusaders, then walled up again by Saladin in 1187, and finally sealed in its present form by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman in 1541. Legend says that the gate was closed to keep out the Jewish Messiah, but Saladin could just have easily sealed the gate as a defensive maneuver.

According to Jewish tradition, the Shekinah (Divine Presence) would appear through this gate and will again appear when the Messiah arrives in Jerusalem. Jewish tradition also holds that it is through this gate that the Messiah will enter, led in by the prophet Elijah. This is based on the prophecy of Ezekiel 44:1–3.

For centuries, Christians have held to the belief that one future day, Yeshua will walk through this very gate, crush the enemies of Israel and rule as King.

According to Zechariah 14, the Messiah will land on the Mt of Olives when He returns. Similar to His first triumphant entry into Jerusalem, He very well may enter into the holy city via the Eastern gate, breaking open the seals that have held it captive for so many centuries.

Showcasing over 550 stunning photographs, illustrated maps and powerful stories, I AM ISRAEL: The Believer’s Guide to the Rebirth of the Promised Land unveils the inspiring story of Israel in a way that will make your spirit soar!

Through this book, you will: