The concept of Zion and Jerusalem, in the world beyond Judaism and the Jewish people, has been a very ethereal concept for millennia. For most people the earthly Jerusalem was destroyed, even replaced by a more spiritual concept which rendered most prophesies in the TANAKH (Hebrew Bible) “pass their expiration date” or at least to be spiritualized and not to be taken literally.
Then 1948 happened. Israel happened – a nation was born in a day. The People of Israel were reunited with the Land of Israel. Ancient Prophecies of exiles returning, the desert starting to bloom under the hands of the Jewish people, old men sitting with their canes in the streets of Jerusalem watching the youngsters play, - prophecies suddenly started being fulfilled in fast succession. Millennia old paradigms were severely challenged, even shattered. Israel became a force to be reckoned with the Biblical prophecies vindicating the faithful guardians of God’s Word and promises, and lighting up the road ahead where the People of Israel will inevitably take their rightful place as the Priestly Nation, being a "Light to the Nations".
As the deeper meaning of Zion was hidden, so the true location was also hidden – even replaced. Up till a 150 years ago, everyone thought that the ancient Biblical Jerusalem lies within the confines of what is today known as the Old City. It was only 150 years ago, that the ancient Biblical Jerusalem, Zion – was rediscovered – by accident, by Sir Charles Warren. And leaping over three Yovel (Jubilee) cycles with significant events during the culmination of each cycle, the city is now shaking off her dust and taking her rightful place just like Isaiah foretold.
The origins of the city, and the location during the time of Abraham and Melchizedek, and even King David and Solomon ("and David took the stronghold of Zion and called it the City of David" - 2 Sam 5:7), lie outside of what is today known as the Old City. It is also lying to the East of what is today known as “Mount Zion” - its “Crusader counterpart”.
As we’ve seen, the spiritual and material are inseparable. And as more and more learn about the true location of the ancient city, so the true understanding of Zion and Jerusalem is resurfacing and vindicated.
There is a world wide awakening to the true meaning and deeper significance of Jerusalem/Zion as mentioned in the TANAKH (Hebrew Bible). This is joined with a hunger and searching to understand the authentic instruction and source encoded in the Hebrew language, as well as the meaning of the “Chagim” or Jewish Festivals. For this we will have to dig deep into the TANAKH to see what God intended Jerusalem to be, and what it inevitably and ultimately will become. A big part of the explanation can be gleaned from history, when we trace how the true and deeper concept of Zion – like the actual city itself – disappeared over two millennia. I invite you on a new journey in discovering the true essence of Zion.