The Uniqueness of Jerusalem

In Jerusalem, it is not external beauty that matters. The city's beauty lies in the ideal of a spiritual essence. Jerusalem is God's thought manifested in stone and history, making it unique among the cities of the world.

Jerusalem is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, boasting a history of 4,000 years. In the city center, the bedrock lies as deep as 27 meters below the current surface in certain areas. The various layers bear witness to the periods of the Jebusites, Jews, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, and Turks.

The Bible first mentions Jerusalem in Genesis 14:18 under the name Salem, which means peace. This was around 1900 BCE. King David made it the capital of his unified kingdom, and from that time on, it became the political and spiritual center for the children of Israel and the Jewish people. King Solomon built the temple there, making it the center of an eternal spiritual reality.

Jerusalem has endured more destruction due to wars and earthquakes than most other cities. Since 587 BCE, it has been captured more than twenty times. Nevertheless, Jerusalem still stands approximately where it has always been.

Jerusalem is also unique in how it was chosen as a nation's capital. Other capitals of the world were economically significant and attractive metropolises that naturally drew commerce. Jerusalem never had such natural advantages. It is not located at a critical crossroads, as the major ancient trade routes ran east or west of the city. Jerusalem has no port and does not lie on a coastline or riverbank. Its water supply is also precarious, with water being channeled into the city center through a 500-meter-long tunnel. Jerusalem became the capital of Israel because it was chosen by God.

This divine selection has made Jerusalem not only an incomparable city but also a place of relentless and intense conflict. It is not merely the capital of an earthly nation but also the embodiment of a spiritual ideal. This has made it a constant source of strife, a focal point of opposing national and religious interests. Behind every battle, destruction, and suffering are spiritual forces seeking to destroy the earthly symbol of God's eternal purpose and calling.

The history of Jerusalem is a history of struggles—victory and triumph, suffering and hardship. It chronicles great sanctity and profound sins, steadfast loyalty and dark betrayals, victorious faith, and helpless defeat. An old Jewish proverb encapsulates Jerusalem's history: "God measured out ten portions of suffering for the world, and nine of them fell to Jerusalem." The story of Jerusalem proves that God's narrow path is paved with suffering and hardship.

Jerusalem will be the first city to welcome the returning Messiah, as God has promised that His pierced feet will once again touch the ground of this city. Jerusalem was the city of Jesus, both earthly Jerusalem and the heavenly one.

There is no city in the world comparable to Jerusalem. Its origins are marked by God's choice, it is preserved by His grace, and it will ultimately be glorified by Him. Truly, Jerusalem is a matchless city.

Lance Lambert "A páratlan Izrael", Evangéliumi kiadó, Budapest, 1994