A LOOK AT MOUNT ZION

“And I looked, and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Zion and with him an hundred and forty and four thousand having his Father’s name written in their foreheads…” Rev. 14:1-5.

Looking at it from its historical and figurative background, Zion spiritually speaking becomes in the Psalm and in the prophets, the spiritual counterpart of the literal city of David.

In the words of Wick Broomall, I quote, “The theology of the ‘spiritualization’ of Zion has hardly yet been explored by expositors. A few gems from this rich territory must suffice:

(1) The literal Zion was a strong fortress (2Sam. 5:7); the spiritual Zion is immovable (Ps. 125: I);

(2) The literal Zion became the seat of David’s throne (2Sam. 5:9, 12). The spiritual Zion is the place of the Messianic (Christ) throne (Ps. 2:6, Rev. 14:1, 3);

(3) The literal Zion became the birthplace of David’s children (2 Sam. 5:13); the spiritual Zion is the birth place of God’s elect (Ps. 87:5, Isa. 66:8);

(4) The literal Zion was the place where David received the promise of an eternal house and throne (2 Sam. 7). The spiritual Zion is the place where “the everlasting covenant” is established (Jer. 50:5+, Heb. 8:6-10);

(5) The literal Zion, in contrast to the ceremonialism of Sinai, housed the ark in a single form of worship (1Kings 8:1+); the spiritual Zion becomes the eternal embodiment of the true worship of God ‘in spirit and truth’ (John 4:23+; Amos 13:15; Heb. 12:22+)” end quote.

If only we can realize that “…the Old Testament’s principle and names were but a ‘figure’ and a ‘shadow’ of good things to come, and not the very image of things…” (Heb. 9:8-14, 10:1); then it will not be difficult for us to comprehend the fact that “…they are not all Israel, which are of Israel, neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of God…” (Rom. 9:6-8); rather it is “…but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule (of the Spirit) they are the Israel of God,” Gal. 6:15-16.

Even so the literal Zion of old – ‘the city of David’ has translated into the spiritual Zion of the now. I am sure you are beginning to understand a few things as to what Zion is all about.

ZION OF TODAY, THE TRUE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

In Heb. 12:22-24, we read, “You have now come to Mount Zion and to the heavenly Jerusalem. This is the City of the Living God, where thousands and thousands of angels have come to celebrate. Here you will find all of God’s dearest children (the gathering or Church of the first born children) whose names are written in heaven. And you will find God Himself who judges everyone. Here also are the spirits of those good people who have been made perfect. And Jesus is here! He is the one who makes God’s new agreement with us, and His sprinkled blood says much better things than the blood of Abel,” CEV.

Looking at the above, what does Mount Zion speak of today? Mount Zion is the same thing as: (1) The heavenly Jerusalem; (2) The City of the Living God; and (3) It is the Church of the first born children or first fruits amongst men unto God (Jm. 1:18).

I am sure you can also agree with me that this heavenly Jerusalem, Mount Zion, is the same thing as the New Jerusalem of God. It is New as compared to the Old Jerusalem in the Middle East.

What is this New Jerusalem? Listen! “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 there came unto me (John) one of the seven angels… saying, come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, …having the glory of God…” Rev. 21:2, 9-11.

Here it is plain that the heavenly Jerusalem which is Mount Zion is the bride of Christ, the Lamb’s wife. And what else is the Lamb’s wife? It is the church that is made up of all that have so believed and are appropriating into their lives the sacrifice of Jesus – the Lamb.

We are told, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that he might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish… This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church,” (Eph. 5:25-32). “…The church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood,” (Acts 20:28).

So you can see that this New Jerusalem is not just a literal city up there in the sky somewhere called heaven. It is simply a gathering together of God’s people through the Word of God, which is the church. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” (Matt. 18:20).

From this gathering where He begins to speak or address the congregation, other sons are begotten. No wonder Paul said, “… Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all,” Gal. 4:26. See 1Pet. 1:22-23. In the words of Jesus to Nicodemus, “What is born of (from) the flesh is flesh – of the physical is physical; and what is born of the spirit is spirit. Marvel not – do not be surprised (astonished) – at my telling you. You must all be born anew (from above),” John 3:6-7 AMP.

So you found that the church is above, not in terms of geographical location, but because it is birthed in the spirit which is above the natural. And it is, as we ascend in our spirit into this realm of life in God, that we meet the Lamb standing and we will begin to hear His command. So Zion is simply the living inter-body Church of Christ, a high realm in the spirit of God with Christ in control.

Next will be “MOUNT ZION, A DIMENSION OF SONSHIP IN GLORY.”

To be continued…