JERUSALEM — “Jerusalem is a port city on the shore of eternity.”

- Yehuda Amichai

The most important and holiest city in all of Scripture, Jerusalem has been known by different names throughout its history: Salem (Gen. 14:18); Jebus (Jud. 19:10); Jerusalem (Josh. 10:1); City of God (Ps. 46:4); Zion (Isa. 60:14); the Holy City (Isa. 52:1); Hephzibah (Isa. 62:4); Ariel (Isa. 29:1-7); Aelia Capitolina (Hadrian, A.D. 135); Al-Kuds (Arab). It is also the most frequently mentioned city in Scripture. During the Herodian Period (40 B.C.—A.D. 70) Jerusalem expanded northward, surrounded first by the Second Wall, then the Third Wall. It was just outside the city walls that Jesus was crucified, buried and rose again. The city was destroyed in A.D. 70 by Vespasian & Titus (predicted by Christ in Matt. 24).