About 142 B.C.E., Simon Maccabaeus was able to make Jerusalem the capital of a region ostensibly free from subservience to or taxation by Gentile nations. Aristobulus I, Jerusalem’s high priest, even assumed the title of king in 104 B.C.E. He was not, however, of the Davidic line. Jerusalem was no ‘city of peace’ during this period.

New Jerusalem is part of a government. Ancient Jerusalem was the capital of Israel, the place where King David, his son Solomon, and their descendants ruled “on Jehovah’s throne.” ( 1 Chronicles 29:23 ) Jerusalem, called “the holy city,” thus represented God’s rulership in …

Nov 1, 2011 · When Was Ancient Jerusalem Destroyed? —Part Two. What the Clay Documents Really Show. This is the second of two articles in consecutive issues of The Watchtower that discuss scholarly questions surrounding the date of the first destruction of ancient Jerusalem. This two-part series presents thoroughly researched and Bible-based answers to ...

Then he said: ‘Please, let me go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.’ King Artaxerxes told Nehemiah that he could go, and the king made sure that he would be safe on his long journey. He also made Nehemiah governor of Judah and gave him wood for the city gates. When Nehemiah arrived at Jerusalem, he inspected the city walls.

Jerusalem is at an altitude of 2,500 feet (750 m) in the central mountains of Judea. The Bible refers to its “loftiness” and to worshipers as ‘going up’ to reach it. ( Ps 48:2; 122:3, 4 ) The ancient city was surrounded by valleys: the Valley of Hinnom on the west and south and the torrent valley of Kidron on the east.

But Jehovah’s prophet Isaiah also said that Cyʹrus would give the command for Jerusalem and its temple to be built again. Did Cyʹrus give this command? Yes, he did. This is what Cyʹrus tells the Israelites: ‘Go, now, to Jerusalem and build the temple of Jehovah, your God.’ And this is just what these Israelites are on their way to do.

Oct 1, 2012 · “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. Then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains, and let those in the midst of her withdraw.” (Luke 21:20, 21) Jesus gave those instructions to his disciples concerning the destruction to come upon Jerusalem. Is there evidence ...

It is springtime. Thus, it is the time for Joseph’s family, along with friends and relatives, to make their yearly trip to Jerusalem. They go there to celebrate the Passover, as the Law directs. (Deuteronomy 16:16) From Nazareth down to Jerusalem is a trip of about 75 miles (120 km). It is a busy and exciting time for all.

The Israelites are busy building the walls of Jerusalem. When King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar destroyed Jerusalem 152 years before, he knocked down the walls and burned the city’s gates. The Israelites did not build the walls again when they first came home from Babylon.

21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth;+ for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away,+ and the sea+ is no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God+ and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.+ 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with ...