Of all the nations of the world, God choose Israel as His people. He put them at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa (Ezekiel 5:5). God choose Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Despite their many failures, God is not finished. The world hates the Jews but God promises to bring them back home, change their heart, redeem them and reign from Jerusalem.

The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he swore to your fathers, the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).

Abraham

God chose Abraham. He was from Ur and Haran (Iraq) and moved to Canaan (Israel). God promised him a great nation, blessing and great name. He is the father of many nations by Ishmael, Esau and Isaac. Abraham is called the friend of God (James 2:23).

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, unto a land that I will show you: And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3).

God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac but substitutes a lamb as God gave His own Son for the world. Hebrew 11 recognizes Abraham faith with the move to Canaan, promise of a son and his sacrifice of Isaac. Through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God choose the people of Israel for redemption of humanity, writers of Scripture and starting the Church.

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall your seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19)….

David

In 1043 BC, King David conquers the city from the Jebusites and built the palace and capital. He moves the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, the city of David. King Solomon builds the Jewish temple. Shalom or salem means peace but since it is the City of God, it has been the center of war. Because of idolatry, Assyria captures the northern tribes of Israel in 716 BC and Babylon captures the southern tribe of Judah, destroying the temple and Jerusalem in 586 BC. Rome destroys the second Jewish temple in 70 AD. Despite detours and delays, God choose seven specific days to fulfill redemption in Jerusalem. Jesus the Messiah died, was buried, rose again and returns to Jerusalem.

Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel: But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel (2 Chronicles 6:5-6).

Roman & Muslim Control

Jerusalem is important to three major religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The Jewish people are dispersed throughout the world without a nation, capital or borders. The land is a desert wasteland far away from Roman and Muslim powers. On September 23, 1867 (9/11, Teshuvah), a stranger from a far land enters Jerusalem and describes the Holy Land as desolate and under God's curse (Deuteronomy 29:22, 23, 24-25).

Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes. Over it broods the spell of a curse that has withered its fields and fettered its energies. Where Sodom and Gomorrah [raised] their domes and towers, ... in whose bitter waters no living thing exists ... about whose borders nothing grows but weeds....
Palestine is desolate and unlovely. Why should it be otherwise? Can the curse of the Deity beautify a land?
----Mark Twain, The Innocence Abroad, 1867

World War I

During World War I, the British promise a homeland for the Jews. In the battle for Jerusalem, British General Edmund Allenby is ordered to take the city without a battle. On December 8, 1917 as part of the Anglican lectionary, he reads Isaiah 31 to his troops. In the evening, he orders airplanes to fly over Jerusalem and drop leaflets that said, "Surrender immediately! Allenby". The Arabic interpreter translates his name wrong. Muslims were fearful of the strange birds and read Allah beh [son of God]. Most people flee the city. In the morning, the mayor flies a white flag to surrender Jerusalem. Haggai says consider the 24th of Kislev, God overthrows Greek Syria, Ottoman Turks, Satan and Antichrist (Haggai 2:18). The day and Muslim year are 1335 (Daniel 12:2). On December 11, 2017 (Hanukkah), Allenby walk through Jerusalem not as conqueror but to free the people from the Ottoman Turks. After World War I, the British control Mesopotamia, Palestine and Transjordan.

For thus has the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it (Isaiah 31:4-5).

Israel

On May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation with Jerusalem as its capital. Under Harry Truman, the United States recognizes Israel as a legitimate nation. In June 1967, Israel unites all of the city of Jerusalem. Previously, a few countries had embassies in Jerusalem but were pressured to leave. December 6, 2017, fifty years later (Jubilee), Donald Trump and the United States recognize Jerusalem as its seat of government. On May 14, 2018, the embassy is moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Israel is a sovereign nation with the right like every other sovereign nation to determine its own capital. It was seventy years ago that the United States, under President Truman, recognized the State of Israel. Ever since then, Israel has made its capital in the city of Jerusalem - the capital the Jewish people established in ancient times.
----US President Donald Trump

Tribulation

Today, we see Jerusalem as a city in conflict as nations fight for control. God said Jerusalem will be a burdensome stone. After the Covenant with many, Israel is at rest, building the temple while World War III decimates the world (Revelation 9:15-16). When Antichrist rules, he will sit in the temple and World War IV begins. Toward the end of the Tribulation, armies of the world gather at Armageddon. They attack and capture Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2-3). At the Second Coming, Jesus Christ will defeat and expel His enemies from earth and bring peace to the City of Peace and to the world.

In that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth are gathered together against it (Zechariah 12:3).

In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat [in Jerusalem]. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. (Joel 3:1-2 NIV).

Millennium

The capital of Israel will be capital of the world. During the Millennium, Jesus Christ will rule the world from Jerusalem. All nations will go to Jerusalem during Tabernacles to worship the King of Kings.

It shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16).

God will make a new heaven and new earth. New Jerusalem comes down from heaven. The New Jerusalem will be the eternal capital of New Earth.

I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God (Revelation 21:1-2, 3).

References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq Wars & End Wars Chapter 14 - Israel's Time Out, Chapter 20 - Players in the Game, Chapter 23 - World Wars, Cold War, Battle of Jerusalem, Israel, US Embassy, Jewish Calendar, Revelation Outline, Covenant, Tribulation, Revelation, 21st Century View, Daniel, America, Cities, Resurrection, Timeline of the Tribulation