Its history goes back 4000 years to Melchizedek, Gen. 14:17-20. It is mentioned well over 1000 times under its various names. Often destroyed, it has risen from its ashes to continue its astonishing world influence. There Christ was crucified and resurrected, and there the Holy Spirit descended to inaugurate the age of the church.
God made and fashioned the site long ago, Isa. 22:11, placed it “in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about,” Ezek. 5:5, and chose it for His habitation, Psa. 132:13. There His glory dwelt, and will one day return, when the millennial temple is erected, Ezek. 11:23; 43:2.
The times of the Gentiles are said to be fulfilled when they no longer control the city, Luke 21:24. Gentile times will end when Christ reigns from Jerusalem, Zeph. 3:14-17. The holy city is to become a source of world wide trouble in the last days, Zech. 12:2, 3. All nations will gather against it to battle, Zech. 14:2. The Lord will return and deliver the city, Zech. 14:3, 4.
During the kingdom age, it is to be the world metropolis from which Christ will rule all nations, Jer. 3:17; Isa. 24:23. It will be elevated above the countryside; from it will flow a great river, Zech. 14:8-10. Rejoicing will fill the streets of the city, Jer. 33:1-16. It will be the joy of the whole earth, Psa. 48:2.
William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible, (Chicago: Bible Institute Colportage Assoc., 1912), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 301-302.
AMEN & AMEN.