Jerusalem

When Abram entered the land of Canaan around 2000 BC, the city of Jerusalem was called Salem (Genesis 14). After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. - Genesis 14:17-20. Melchizedek’s city was called Salem, or Shalem, which is also the name of the God whose worship was centered in the city. The full name of this God was “God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth” since he was the God of creation. That the name Salem refers to Jerusalem is evidenced by Psalm 76:2 which uses "Salem" as a parallel for "Zion", the citadel of Jerusalem. Acts 15, uses the statements “up to Jerusalem; down from Judea”, or essentially Jerusalem. To the Hebrews, Jerusalem was located in an elevated area, both physically and spiritually. The city of Jerusalem is certainly on a raised area, so this is literally true. But, there are other spiritual meanings as well. The word comes from Hebrew, Yerushalayim, literally "foundation of peace," or a place that indicates peace with God. God directed that a temple be built on this plain to remind those who believed in Him that He loved them and would protect them, so long as they were faithful to Him. Jerusalem came to represent the presence of God on earth, especially in the Holy of Holies within the temple. It was the place King David established the capital of the promised land. The location also reminded those to whom it was precious, they no longer needed to fight against God. It was here, at the temple, that their sins were not “removed,” but “covered,” or “pushed forward” each year. Removal would wait for Jesus’ sacrifice. He displayed what God wanted from His servants, but those of the religious firmament in Jerusalem, killed the messiah, the promised King. When Jesus came to earth, he was Emmanuel, a visible indication of “God with us.” When Jesus returned to heaven, believers were given the Holy Spirit to indwell them. Because of this, we now experience “God within us.” In the first century, the reminder of God’s presence was so strong the Holy Spirit led John to use a concept supplied by Ezekiel as he described the future relationship with God; it was a New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:1ff.). New leadership was being installed. This indicates a promise to enjoy continued peace and fellowship with God -  over, under, around, and through our being for eternity. As we travel our unique individual spiritual journey, this is the promised destination, being with God.