Two Jerusalems, Pt.

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By, Apostle John Eckhardt, www.impactnetwork.net

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There are two Jerusalems in Scripture, as well as two temples. The first is earthly and physical, while the second is heavenly and spiritual. Both cities go by the name Jerusalem. Both temples go by the term Temple. It is for us to know which one is being discussed in any portion of Scripture.

Not only did the glory depart from the temple, but He also forsook Jerusalem itself. Why, then, does Scripture prophesy also of the restoration of Jerusalem? Jerusalem in Scripture is always written in the plural. It is Ieru shalayim, Jerusalems. While the ancient rabbis discussed this fact, they never understood that there were two Jerusalems. There was the old city, and there was the New Jerusalem, revealed in the New Testament by men who understood the difference.

But we who are Christians, claiming to believe that the New Testament is part of the inspired word of God, should have no trouble accepting the fact that God has blessed the heavenly Jerusalem, rather than the physical city on earth.

The key, of course, is to understand that Yerushalayim is a plural word, indicating more than one city. Though the prophets of the Old Testament never mention the heavenly Jerusalem, they prophesied of it nonetheless by use of the plural name. And so, when we read the Old Testament, we must seek to know which Jerusalem the prophets were referencing. As a

general rule, when the prophets speak of Jerusalem in positive terms, they prophesy of the New Jerusalem. When they speak of Jerusalem negatively, it speaks of the Old Jerusalem. (Stephen E. Jones)

The earthly Jerusalem would not continue as the center of worship. It is not a continuing city.

Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Clarkes Commentary on the Bible For here have we no continuing city Here is an elegant and forcible allusion to the approaching destruction of Jerusalem. The Jerusalem that was below was about to be burnt with fire, and erased to the ground; the Jerusalem that was from above was that alone which could be considered to be , permanent. The words seem to say: Arise, and depart; for this is not your rest: it is polluted: About seven or eight years after this, Jerusalem was wholly destroyed.

Vincent Word Study Here, on earth. Continuing city. Let us go forth without the gate to Jesus; for the system which has its center in Jerusalem, the Holy City, is no more ours. We are excluded from its religious fellowship by embracing the faith of him who suffered without the gate. The city itself is not abiding. As a holy city, it is the center and representative of a system of shadows and figures (Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:9, Hebrews 9:23, Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:1), which is to be shaken and removed, even as is the city itself (Hebrews 12:27); Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 9:10; Hebrews 10:9, Hebrews 10:18. If the epistle had been written after the destruction of Jerusalem a reference to that event could hardly have been avoided here.

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