Introduction

Jerusalem. No city is as famous. Pliny, already in the 1st Cent AD, calls it "by far the most renowned city of the ancient East." No city also tucks or tears on the hearts of as many people. No city harbours the sacredness of its space for as many people. No city has had as many wars fought in and for it by as many foreign powers. No other city has had as many songs and inspired by or books written about it. Continuously occcupied for more than three thousands years of sometimes glorious but usually painful history, few other cities have stories to tell like Jerusalem. No other city has provoked as much division in the past, continues to provoke in the present, and will provoke for many long years still to come. And, no doubt, no other city can claim have enthused God so much that He would call it His 'holy hill,' (Zeph 3:11) and yet caused Him such pain and anguish that He would destroy it. Certainly no city embraces such hopes that the ultimate hope of all is called 'the New Jerusalem.'

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