Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible but not even once in the Quran. Why is that?  

The first mention of Jerusalem appears in Genesis 14:18, dating back over three and a half millennia. Here, we are introduced to Melchizedek, the King of Salem—the ancient name for Jerusalem. The word “Jeru” means “founded,” and “Shalem” translates to peaceful, complete, just, or perfect. Thus, Jerusalem is “the City founded on Peace” (Genesis 14:1-24).  

In this passage, Abraham fights a great battle against four ruthless satanic kings, led by Chedorlaomer from Elam (modern-day Iran). These kings attacked Sodom and captured Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Though Abraham was not a man of war, he gathered 318 trained servants born in his household and pursued the invaders all the way to Damascus in the north. There, he defeated them and rescued Lot and his family.  

On his way back Abraham came to a certain place where he met Melchizedek, the King of Salem (Jerusalem, the City of Peace) and Priest of the Most High God. According to Hebrews 7:1-10, Melchizedek was none other than Jesus, the Son of the Living God, without earthly ancestry. Melchizedek blessed Abraham with bread and wine—the ancient symbols of Covenant that the Lord Jesus used at Passover to represent Himself, and it was Jesus who declared that Jerusalem is no ordinary city but the city of the “Great King” (Matthew 5:35).  

It will become the future capital city of this planet but only under Jesus.

This ancient place originally called Jerusalem was situated in what was called the “King’s Valley” or the “Valley of Shaveh.” We know from 2 Samuel 18:18 that the “King’s Valley” is where Absalom made a shrine for himself which stood in the Valley of Hinnom just south of the city of Jerusalem. It is closely equated with the Kidron Valley which runs from the east to the southeast of Jerusalem. So it was in this immediate area of modern-day Jerusalem that Abraham met Melchizedek the King of the City.   

A Spiritual Conflict

When Abraham came back from his battle, the king of Sodom, a type of Satan and representative of the present worldly satanic order, pitched up and wanted his cut. He tried to broker a deal with Abraham to let him keep all the “booty” for himself as long as he could have all the souls. Typical of the devil, he will offer all the kingdoms of the earth and its wealth in order to possess your souls. 

Abraham refused to take even a shoelace, nothing of this world’s goods. He was looking for an Eternal City and Kingdom, that city is Jerusalem. The earthly city is only the symbol of the heavenly.  Hebrews 11:8-10. Jerusalem still belongs to Jesus Christ, and the battle for its possession has continued for millennia. 

When Jesus rode into the city on his little donkey, he came as its King but was rejected. When he left the Passover meal and went out to the brook of Kidron in the valley of Gethsemane, he drank the bitter cup of rejection and judgment. (2 Samuel 15:23, John 18:1.) He was then crucified and died, and he rose again and will return to this very place. This will be at the end time of world judgment. (Joel 3:2, 12-14, Zechariah 14:12-15.)

Praying for Peace

We are instructed to pray for the “Peace of Jerusalem”, but there can be no peace until the Prince of Peace takes up residence in his own city. Psalm 122. Peace does not mean peace in the worldly sense of some deal brokered by the world nations; it means the judgment, removal and destruction of those things that cause war and the permanent establishment of the true Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:9-15.

This very first Battle between Abraham and the King of Chedorlaomer and his allies, and the subsequent meeting with KING Melchizedek and rejection of King Sodom, was only a preview of the coming conflict that will be fought in this same place, around the walls of Jerusalem. 

It is significant that at the meeting with Melchizedek, the king of Sodom was also in the vicinity. Why did he not also pay Melchizedek homage? If he had, he could possibly have spared his entire city. Sadly, it was soon to be entirely destroyed. Not only that but Lot was trapped within it and only just escaped. One would think that after his rescue by Abraham, he would not have gone back there, yet he did. What was it about Sodom that so attracted and ensnared him? 

Let me assure you the Battle for Jerusalem is entering a new and deadly phase. Leaders from all around are making speeches and making threats. People are fighting on the streets and in the corridors of world institutions. The Bible says the whole world will be divided because they “have divided up my land.”  Joel 3:1-3. 

The “Valley of Jehoshaphat” is none other than the valley between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount, the very place where Abraham met Melchizedek and where King Sodom was deposed and then later destroyed. It is also called the “Valley of Decision”, where all the nations of the world will gather and decide on which side they stand. Those who oppose the true King of Peace will be destroyed. Joel 3:12-17.

A Call to Awareness

How long will it be? We do not know dates, nor do we look for them, but stop looking for a rapture and start understanding what is currently taking place on planet Earth.

This post will be followed by Part Two which is, “WHO OWNS THE TITLE DEEDS OF THE CITY OF DAVID”. In this study, we will consider another important part played in the life of Abraham and also how King David later fully purchased its Title Deeds. Part Three is about the price Jesus paid for Jerusalem and the current prevailing events in the light of Biblical prophecy. Many people do not know that Jesus actually bought Jerusalem. 

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and encourage you.