Jerusalem is mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible. The first indirect reference is found in Genesis, when Abraham encounters Melchizedek, identified as the king of Salem.

In Joshua 10, there is the first overt mention, as the fearless Israelite warrior Joshua defeats five regional kings, including the king of Jerusalem.

The Israelis celebrated Jerusalem Day today, and the whole world trembles with rage. The world has a problem with Jewish sovereignty in the holy city.

In Luke 21, Jesus tells the apostles about a future time for Jerusalem. He says that “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Although I am not dogmatic about it, it is interesting to note that Gentile rule over Jerusalem ended in June, 1967, when Israeli commandos under the leadership of General Motta Gur burst into the Old City and vanquished their Jordanian counterparts.

Today Jerusalem is under Jewish control, not Gentile control.

Interesting.