Zion - The Perfection Of Beauty!

Part 1 of 2

As Christians, when we see the word Zion, we sometimes seem to automatically think of the hill in Jerusalem, the place that once housed the Ark (presence) of God. Geographically speaking, Zion commonly referred to a specific mountain near Jerusalem (Mount Zion), on which stood a Jebusite fortress of the same name that was conquered by David and was named the City of David. The term Zion came to designate the area of Jerusalem where the fortress stood, and later became a metonym for Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, and the city of Jerusalem itself. This was Zion, as referenced under Old Covenants, for natural Jews. But what about today? What has Zion become for the people of God, for Christians?

Some Christians continue to attribute mere natural and geographical qualities to Zion, claiming that it was to be the eternal dwelling place of God. The Bible does say that Zion "is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever" (Ps 68:16). However, as we compare Scripture with Scripture, and rightly divide the Word of truth, we can determine that geographical Zion has been elevated to a higher, spiritual plane under the New Covenant. What was once a mere place in Jerusalem, has now become a place in the Spirit.. Natural Mt. Zion has been elevated to Mt. Zion in the Spirit! This method of spiritual elevation is the only means by which Zion can be deemed "eternal" and "forever". How do we know? Because the Hebrew Epistle depicts New Covenant Zion ("Sion") as a heavenly place, in heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22), no longer a mere earthly location. Most Old Covenant natural occurences were but earthly shadows to portray the true spiritual antitype of the coming New Covenant (1 Cor 10:11; Rom 15:4). Furthermore, the Book of Revelation shows Jesus standing upon this spiritual Zion with a host of redeemed saints (Rev 14:1). Clearly then, this Zion is no longer a mere natural place in Jerusalem. Rather, Zion has become a spiritual habitation of God.

There are many, many things we could discuss about Zion both spiritually, naturally, politically, etc. It is referenced about 162 times in Scripture. But for the sake of brevity, we will see only a two-fold aspect of Zion's spiritual identity and location: (1) Zion is a place in the Spirit, and (2) Zion is a people. Observe..

The Bible defines spiritual Zion as the realm of God's glory, that is, the place where the Lord dwells: "Sing praises unto the Lord which dwelleth in Zion..." (Ps 9:11). This is where He abides (Ps 74:2; 76:1-2; Joel 3:16, 21; Isa 8:18), and "appears" in His glory (Ps 102:16). Experientially, we go to Zion every time we worship Jesus in Spirit and in Truth (Jn 4:24). Every time the manifest presence of God breaks forth, you are in Zion, that is, the place of God's enthronement - the realm of His glory! Sadly, much of Christendom doesn't even realize this realm exists! For them, Zion is a mere natural hill in the Middle East. But why are we clinging to a natural shadow when the real spiritual substance is beckoning us forward? Friends, Zion is the spiritual realm of glory!

Because Zion is the realm of God's glory, it is the place of strength for God's people: "Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion..." (Ps 20:2-3 with Ps 84:4-7). It is the place of joy (Ps 48:2, 11; 97:8; 149:2; Isa 61:3), the place of singing, shouting and comfort (Isa 12:5-6; 51:11; 35:10; Zech 1:17; 2:10; Joel 2:1, 15, 23). Zion is the place where Jesus reigns supreme (Ps 99:1-2), the place where He is truly worshipped (Ps 65:1; 147:12), and the place from where God's manifest goodness shines forth: "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined" (Ps 50:2; Lam 2:15)! Zion is where the glory cloud abides (Isa 4:5-6). Zion is the place God loves (Ps 78:67-68)! In fact, Zion is the place (and the people) which God loves more than any other: "The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob" (Ps 87:1-3).

In Zion, the realm of God's glory, sons are born and established. The realm of Zion bears fruit (Ps 87:5)... "As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children" (Isa 66:8). From this place of glory, the manifested sons of God will come forth: "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S" (Obad 21; Neh 9:27). These sons will be manifested in the image of King Jesus, to a dead and dying world (Rom 8:18-20). They will be the human vessel by which the glory of God shines through: "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call" (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21).

Therefore, it should be evident to us that the fullness of the truth of Zion simply cannot apply to a mere geographical hill in Jerusalem. Who can fail to recognize the spiritual identity of Zion - God's great realm of glory?

Scripture tells us that Zion is also a people. The Bible tells us that God dwells in Zion (Joel 3:21; Isa 8:18; Zech 2:10-11; Ps 9:11; Num 35:34; Ps 74:1-2; Isa 33:5), and the Bible also tells us that God dwells with the believer (Ps 22:3; Eph 2:22; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Jn 4:16; etc).. So which is it? Simply said, they are one and the same.. Zion is a people; the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, a city not forsaken (Isa 62:11-12). Glorious things are spoken of them who dwell in Zion's midst (Ps 87:3; Zech 8:8)! Those who dwell in Zion have become Zion itself (Col 1:27)! Zion is composed of all those who choose to dwell there.. Both His glory and His people are God's methods of enthronement; He appears in His glory, in His people. Zion now is a spiritual place, a spiritual dwelling of the Most High God: "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel" (Ps 22:3). What once was a natural hill has now become the fleshy hill of the hearts of men and women! You and I are now Zion, the place where God is to be enthroned, the place where God's glory dwells! You're to be the inhabitant of this glory realm! "...and say unto Zion, thou art My people" (Isa 51:16).

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name" (Rev 3:12).

Though presently unseen, the nations will one day recognize Zion's identity: "The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel" (Isa 60:14).

Thus we see the identity of Zion - Zion is a glorious realm and a glorious people!

But what can be said of her specific glories and goodness's?

To be continued...