The Name of YHVH Remains in Jerusalem Even Today
The Eternal Presence of God's Name in the Holy City
The LORD (YHVH) has placed His Name in Jerusalem/Zion forever. His Name remains there, even after the destruction of the Temple. This truth is valid even today: the place remains holy!
Here are some relevant Scriptures:
1 Kings 9:2-3: "That the LORD (YHVH) appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. And the LORD (YHVH) said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."
2 Chronicles 7:16: "For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."
Psalm 132:13-14: "For the LORD (YHVH) hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it."
Some may counter this with Isaiah 66:1: "Thus saith the LORD (YHVH), The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?"
However, Solomon had already addressed this issue centuries before Isaiah. During his prayer of dedication for the Temple, Solomon said:
1 Kings 8:27: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?"
Yet, Solomon continued in verse 28-29: "Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD (YHVH) my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place."
It is true that the glory (Heb. Kevod) of the LORD (YHVH) departed from Jerusalem (Ezekiel 10:18), but we know His glory will return, as foretold in Ezekiel 43:4-5.
Some might cite Jeremiah 7:14, yet the Name that was placed in Jerusalem has never been removed. We must not confuse God’s Name with His glory (Kevod).
Despite the destruction of both the Temple and the city by Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel continued to pray toward Jerusalem three times a day during the reign of Darius (Daniel 6:10). This practice aligned with Solomon's instruction that people should pray toward Jerusalem, and toward the Temple, even while in captivity (1 Kings 8:48).
Thus, we can confidently say that God's Name still resides in Jerusalem, as it was placed there forever.