The purpose of this file is to study the use of the word
"Zion." I believe that I have included every scripture in the Bible
that contains the word Zion. I believe that Zion, when used in prophesy, is the
Old Testament name for the New Testament Church. In prophesy I believe that the
things spoken concerning Zion have their fulfillment in the Gospel Dispensation.
If this is true, then the arguments of the premillennialists are based on error.
I believe that this study will support that Zion is here on earth. Zion is not
in heaven. The people who are in Zion are on this earth fulfilling the
prophesies written in the Old Testament concerning Zion. Let us study these
scriptures.
One of the first obvious clues that we have that Zion is a
figure of the New Testament Church is found in Hebrews 12:22. This is a good
place to begin examining the scriptures.
Hebrews 12:22
But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
In this verse Paul calls Mount Sion (Zion) the city of the
living God, and the heavenly Jerusalem. This is terminology that is used to
describe the New Testament Church. We accept the truths that this scripture
reveals. Paul states that the believers have already come to Zion. This is not
an event that is due to happen in the future. When Paul wrote the book of
Hebrews, he was still on earth. The arrival of the saints to Mount Sion is an
event that has already occurred in Paul's day. We can readily see from this
scripture that Mount Zion is not a literal place. Mount Zion is not a place
where one can travel to with his feet. The heavenly Jerusalem and the city of
the living God are not literal places. Neither is the Mount Sion that Paul
states that we have arrived. Mount Zion is a spiritual position that people
attain. Keep in mind that Paul wrote this epistle to people that were scatter
all over the then known world. When a person is born again, he is born into
Zion. Geographical location cannot prevent a person from entering Zion. When a
person is born again, he is born into Zion. This will be proven later. God help
us to keep our mind open only to the truth of his eternal word. Let us continue
our study.
2 Samuel 5:7
Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same
is the city of David.
2 Samuel 5:9
So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of
David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
1 Chronicles 11:5
And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt
not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city
of David.
1 Chronicles 11:7
And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the
city of David.
Zion is introduced to us in the scriptures as a stronghold
of the Jebusites. Zion is one of the high places in the City of Jerusalem. When
David became King, he captured the fortress and made it his home. This is how
Zion came to be known as the city of David. These scriptures are not prophetic.
However, we can learn a thing or two about spiritual Zion by studying literal
Zion.
We learn that Zion is a fortress. Zion is a stronghold for
the people of God. The Jebusites were not able to hold it. The stronghold was
not for them. Zion became the home of a righteous king. Zion became the home of
a man that served as a type of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. These
facts will help us to establish Zion's use in figurative language. Christ is the
righteous King that reigns in Zion now.
2 Samuel 6:10
So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him
into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom
the Gittite.
2 Samuel 6:12
And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed
the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of
God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into
the city of David with gladness.
2 Samuel 6:16
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David,
Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and
dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
1 Chronicles 13:13
So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city
of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
1 Chronicles 15:1
And David made him houses in the city of David, and
prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
1 Chronicles 15:29
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the
LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at
a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.
Once David moved into the City of David, he sought to bring
the ark of the covenant there also. This is significant. Though Zion is named
after David, it was a place where the true worship of God took place. The ark of
the covenant represents the Word of God. God's presence stayed with the ark
while the people of God stayed with Him. As the people departed from God, the
ark felled into the hands of the Philistines.
The text presented here does not include mention of the
Tabernacle of David. The worship that took place there was a type of the true
worship. All the restrictions that the Law of Moses had in the tabernacle
worship that took place in the wilderness were removed. Everyone could take part
in the worship at David's tabernacle. This is a type of the true worship found
in the New Testament. David was the only priest in his tabernacle. David's
priesthood is a type of Christ's priesthood. The Tabernacle of David was
established in Zion. The tabernacle of David is the true representation of God's
church down here on earth.
1 Kings 8:1
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the
heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto
king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of
the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
2 Chronicles 5:2
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the
heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto
Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of
David, which is Zion.
Solomon brought the ark of the covenant to the temple after
it was built. In history the focus of worshipped changed. However, prophetically
the focus of true worship always pointed to Zion. When the Temple worship went
into apostasy, the prophets revealed that God would restore Zion as the center
of true worship.
1 Kings 2:10
So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the
city of David.
Here the city of David is only used to show that it was the
burial place for the king. This has no prophetic significance.
1 Kings 3:1
And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and
took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had
made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall
of Jerusalem round about.
1 Kings 9:24
But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David
unto her house which Solomon had built for her: then did he build Millo.
2 Chronicles 8:11
And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the
city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife
shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are
holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come.
The above three scriptures teach some interesting things
concerning Zion. Solomon took the pagan daughter of Egypt for a wife. While
Solomon was building his house, his wife stayed in the city of David. After he
finished building his house, Solomon took his wife from the City of David. The
reason Solomon gives for this is because the house of David was holy. Solomon's
pagan wife defiled the city of David. This teaches us that Zion is a holy place
for holy people. Zion in the New Testament is not defiled by unholy people. God
puts holy people into the holy city. The unclean cannot go there if they wanted
to. God has a plan to keep his holy city holy. Praise His holy name forever.
2 Kings 19:21
This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning
him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to
scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
2 Kings 19:31
For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they
that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
Isaiah 37:22
This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning
him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to
scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
Isaiah 37:32
For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they
that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
The scriptures quoted above show the contempt that the
People Of God had towards the King of Assyria. This verse was written to a king
that sought the destruction of Jerusalem. In his pride the King of Assyria
believed that he could destroy the City of Jerusalem in spite of her God. God
refused to allow the King of Assyria to have his way with God's people. The same
is true concerning spiritual Zion. Isaiah was sent to encourage the People of
God. The People of God are described as a virgin. This shows that they are pure
and undefiled from evil. Being described as a daughter shows their dependence
and innocence. Because of her God, the daughter of Zion could despise the mighty
King of Assyria. Zion's God will fight her battles. Isaiah lets us know that God
will preserve Zion because of a remnant. This remnant is a holy people who
dwells in Zion. If God allows the wicked to destroy the People of God, he
wouldn't have a heritage. This lets us know that Zion will survive all attacks
by her enemies. God is for Zion. What can we learn about Zion in the above
scriptures? Zion shall have no fear of the might of the wicked. Praise God
forever.
1 Kings 11:27
And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against
the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David
his father.
This scripture explains why Jeroboam rebelled against
Solomon. This verse has no significance in our study.
The following scriptures use the phrase City of David. They
have no major significance in our study. Mainly from them we learn that the
Kings of Judah were buried there. Zion is the eternal home of kings. According
to Revelation 1:6 the believers are kings and priest!
1 Kings 11:43
And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the
city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
2 Chronicles 9:31
And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in
the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
1 Kings 14:31
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with
his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.
2 Chronicles 12:16
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in
the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.
2 Chronicles 14:1
So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in
the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land
was quiet ten years.
2 Chronicles 16:14
And they buried him in his own sepulchers, which he had
made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled
with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art:
and they made a very great burning for him.
1 Kings 15:8
And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in
the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.
1 Kings 15:24
And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his
fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his
stead.
1 Kings 22:50
And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried
with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in
his stead.
2 Chronicles 21:1
Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried
with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his
stead.
2 Chronicles 21:20
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign,
and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired.
Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of
the kings.
2 Kings 8:24
And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with
his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
2 Kings 9:28
And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem,
and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David.
2 Kings 12:21
For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son
of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with
his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
2 Chronicles 24:16
And they buried him in the city of David among the
kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his
house.
2 Chronicles 24:25
And when they were departed from him, (for they left him
in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of
the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and
they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the
sepulchres of the kings.
2 Kings 14:20
And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at
Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.
2 Kings 15:7
So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him
with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his
stead.
2 Kings 15:38
And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with
his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his
stead.
2 Chronicles 27:9
And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him
in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
2 Kings 16:20
And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his
fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
2 Chronicles 32:5
Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall
that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without,
and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in
abundance.
2 Chronicles 32:30
This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of
Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David.
And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
2 Chronicles 33:14
Now after this he built a wall without the city of
David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at
the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great
height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
The following three scriptures do not have any significance
in our study. They refer to the literal city of David.
Nehemiah 3:15
But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of
Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set
up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall
of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down
from the city of David.
Nehemiah 12:37
And at the fountain gate, which was over against them,
they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the
wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.
Isaiah 22:9
Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David,
that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
Psalms 2:6
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
This Psalms teaches that God considers Zion his holy hill.
In the scriptures, pagan worship was performed on hills or other high places.
The high places and hills came to be a figure of a place of worship. This Psalms
teaches that God has a hill for worship. This place of worship is called Zion.
When Solomon built the temple, the ark of the covenant was taken from Zion to
the temple. This lets us know that Mt. Moriah where the temple was built was not
the place God had in mind for true worship. The worship on Mt. Moriah was only
established as a temporary mode of worship. This worship was only to be used
until Christ came and fulfilled the rituals that the temple worship required.
The worship on Mt. Moriah was limited only to the male priest. The worship that
David established in his tabernacle was a worship that included everyone
regardless of gender and age. The worship on Mt. Zion was a type of the true
worship that the New Testament times requires.
The second Psalms is consider messianic. The king in this
Psalms is Christ. Prophetically this teaches that Christ would be established as
king in spite of the raging of the heathen. Christ will be king in Zion. Paul
stated that the saints have arrived to Zion. Once we get to Zion, we come under
the rule of our King, Christ. This prophecy is not for a future age. It is
fulfilled in the times that we are living in now. Let us review our
understanding of this scripture. Paul states in Hebrews 12:22 that the saints
have come to Mt. Zion. This lets us know that Zion is a spiritual place that
spiritual people enjoy. The messianic Psalms lets us know that Christ will sit
upon a throne in Zion in spite of the rage of the heathen. This reign will begin
during a time that the heathen will resist the will and the work of God. This is
a clue that Christ's reign will begin in this time world. I am sure that other
scriptures will verify the truth that is being stated here.
Psalms 9:11
Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion:
declare among the people his doing.
This Psalms lets us know that Zion is the dwelling place of
the Lord. In Zion the people of God learn about the things that God is doing.
Psalms 9:14
That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the
daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
The Psalmist talks about the "gates of the daughter of
Zion". Naturally speaking the Psalmist talks of Zion as having an
offspring. We know that a literal city cannot have children. Yet the word gates
suggest that the daughter of Zion is a city. The language of this verse helps us
to understand that the Psalmist has reference to a Spiritual City. The literal
people who lives in this spiritual city are people who have been made
spiritually alive. This teaches us that Zion is everywhere there are people of
God. When we get saved, God lives in us through his Spirit. This is how God
dwells in Zion. The saved are what make up spiritual Zion. We will learn more
about this as we study the scriptures.
Psalms 14:7
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!
when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall
rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
This Psalms shows that Zion is the hope of salvation for the
people of God. When the Lord delivers his people from the bondage of sin, Zion
becomes the source of their joy.
Psalms 20:2
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out
of Zion;
Zion is the source of strength and help for the people of
God. This is true because Zion is where God dwells. Zion is the hope of the
people of God when they get into trouble.
Psalms 48:2
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is
mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
This verse in its context teaches that Zion is the city of
God. In prophesy Zion is no longer the city of David. When Zion was ruled by men
who dwelt in flesh and blood, Zion was called the city of David. When the true
king began to reign on the throne in Zion, Zion was called the city of God. The
spiritual nature of the New Testament Zion makes it accessible to all who seeks
to worship God in spirit and truth. Since Zion is spiritual in nature, it
doesn't make any difference about the color of a person's skin. It doesn't
matter where a person accepts the Lord. God brings him into Zion. The Psalmist
having a vision of the inclusiveness of Zion was able to prophesy that Zion is
the joy of the whole earth. Praise God forever.
Psalms 48:11
Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be
glad, because of thy judgments.
Zion is the place where the people of God rejoice in the
righteous judgments of God. The daughter of Judah is another way of describing
the people who depend on God.
Psalms 48:12
Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers
thereof.
Zion is place where the people of God can find refuge. Zion
is a city that have spiritual walls for protection. It has places where the
people of God can ward off the forces of evil that seek to overcome them.
Psalms 50:2
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
This verse teaches that God is revealing himself out of
Zion. We must understand Zion to be the home of God. Zion is the place of
perfect beauty. We must remember this even when all around us we see decay and
evil in that which calls itself Zion. Zion is the perfection of beauty. The
decay and evil that seeks to hang around Zion is not of Zion. God Bless forever!
Psalms 51:18
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the
walls of Jerusalem.
In the above scripture the Psalmist invites God to build the
walls of Zion. Keeping this verse in its context, the Psalmist is hoping God
will extend his mercy to Zion. Zion is recognized as the home of the righteous.
The righteous can feel secure in the city that is surrounded by walls that God
has built.
Psalms 53:6
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!
When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and
Israel shall be glad.
See the notes on Psalms 14:7.
Psalms 65:1
Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee
shall the vow be performed.
Once again we see that Zion is the place where the true
praise of God comes from. Zion is the place where people are true to God. It is
the place where every promise to God is kept by a people who obeys Him.
Psalms 69:35,36
For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of
Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The seed also
of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell
therein.
This passage of scripture leaves no doubt to the mind that
Zion is the home of the saints. God will preserve Zion. The people who love God
will call upon him from Zion. Reading scriptures like the ones above should help
us to see that Zion is the Old Testament representation of the New Testament
Church. This is a great mystery! The people of God dwell in Zion and God dwells
in the people of God! Zion in this verse is extended to include the land of
Judah. Judah is still considered the home of God's people. Spiritually speaking,
the home of God's people is called Zion.
Psalms 74:2
Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of
old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount
Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
In this verse we learn that Zion is the congregation that
God purchased. The inhabitants of Zion are the people that have been redeemed by
God. Zion is not the home of the wicked. Zion is the home of God who dwells in
His people.
Psalms 76:2
In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place
in Zion.
Once again we are told that Zion is the place of God's
dwelling. Salem is another name for Jerusalem.
Psalms 78:68
But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he
loved.
The New Testament teaches that Christ is the head of the
Church. The Church is Christ's body. Judah was chosen as the tribe in which the
Messiah would come. This verse is showing the spiritual nature of Zion. The
tribe of Judah in this verse is called Mount Zion. It is called Mount Zion
because of the one that would come out of Judah. This lets us know that all that
are in Christ are in Zion.
Psalms 84:7
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in
Zion appeareth before God.
This verse is talking about the man who makes the Lord his
strength. Every man that makes the Lord his strength appears before him in Zion.
The people in Zion go from strength to strength. They do not get weak or tired.
This scripture acknowledges that sometimes the people of God have a valley to
cross. However, when they are in the valley of Baca they go from strength to
strength.
Psalms 87:2
The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the
dwellings of Jacob.
We find in this verse that Zion is God's chief love. It is
his chief love because it is filled with the ones that love him.
Psalms 87:5
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born
in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
How was Nicodemus to know about the new birth? It was right
in the scriptures all the time. The Psalmist reveals that men are born into
Zion. God himself established Zion. In this verse we see the spiritual nature of
Zion. Zion is made up of spiritually reborn people. These are people that have
fellowship with God. This is what makes Zion spiritual in nature. When people
are reborn, they remain on this earth. This helps us to see that Zion is not
somewhere that people die and go to. Zion is an established city. Nothing can
tear her down because God is the one that established her.
Psalms 97:8
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah
rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
The righteous are not adverse to God's judgments. The saints
love the righteous judgments of God. In God's judgment there is justice.
Psalms 99:2
The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the
people.
The verse teaches us the reverence that the people in Zion
have for God. God is great. The people of God trust in him because of his
greatness. God is exalted about all the people of Zion. No one is higher than
God in Zion.
Psalms 102:13
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time
to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
Here we learn that Zion has the special favour of God. The
favors that Zion receive will come from a God that has given Zion special
attention. It is the mercy of God that will keep Zion forever. Praise the Lord
forever.
Psalms 102:16
When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in
his glory.
Zion is to be built up by the Lord. This should assure us of
man's inability to destroy Zion. God appears in Zion in his glory. This glory
will be manifested in the holy lives of the people and in the way God will
protect Zion.
Psalms 102:21
To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise
in Jerusalem;
Zion is the place where God will declare his name. The name
of God tells us what God is and what God is all about. In Zion people will learn
about the true God. Zion is the only place on earth were the true praise of God
is going forth. Zion is a special place with a special people who are ruled by a
just God.
Psalms 110:2
The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion:
rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
This Psalms is a prophesy concerning Christ. Christ's
strength comes out of Zion. When Christ went back to heaven, he became a spirit.
In his spirit form, Christ does not have hands. As we obey Christ and allow him
to use us, we become his hands, legs, etc. Zion is the place that describes the
home of the saved. When we let Christ use us, His strength is manifested through
us. Since Christ is the strength of Zion, the saints will be able to rule over
their enemies.
Psalms 125:1
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion,
which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
Mount Zion can not be moved. It cannot be moved because it
is the dwelling place of God. Everyone that trust in God will be able to survive
whatever is thrown against them. This is the heritage of those who are true to
God.
Psalms 126:1
When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we
were like them that dream.
The Psalmist expresses the joy of the saints when God
delivers them from their enemies. Zion was established on the day of pentecost.
With the in filling of the Holy Ghost, man no longer has to live in the bondage
of sin. This is how God turns the captivity of Zion. Once people begin to
experience the power of living free from sin, it is like living in a dream.
Praise God for his mercy and grace forever.
Psalms 128:5
The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt
see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
Zion is the place from where God sends his blessing. This
Psalms describes the man that lives in the fear of God. This man will enjoy the
fruit of his reverence all the days of his life.
Psalms 129:5
Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate
Zion.
The wicked have no inheritance in Zion. The wicked seek the
harm of Zion. Those who hate Zion are the enemies of God. Their purposes against
Zion will be defeated.
Psalms 132:13
For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for
his habitation.
This Psalms expresses a truth that we have seen over and
over in our study this far. Zion is the dwelling place of God. We learn from the
New Testament that God dwells in his Church through his Spirit. The Church is
the habitation of God through the Spirit. Zion is the habitation of God. Zion
and the New Testament Church are the same.
Psalms 133:3
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon
the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life
for evermore.
This Psalm describes the blessing when the children of God
dwell together in harmony. The Psalmist uses Zion to describe how much of a
blessing it is when brethren dwell together in unity. We learn from this Psalms
that life is one of the benefits of being in Zion.
Psalms 134:3
The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of
Zion.
This verse teaches that the blessing of the Lord will come
out of Zion.
Psalms 135:21
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at
Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
Jerusalem is a type of God's true church. Zion is the city
within Jerusalem. God's people are liken to the city of Jerusalem in this verse.
Zion is used to describe the true worship of God by his people that live in
Jerusalem.
Psalms 137:1
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we
wept, when we remembered Zion.
This Psalm describes the feelings of the children of Israel
while they were in Babylonian captivity. In Babylon the true worship of God
cannot go forth. Only in Zion will one find the true praises of God. Once out of
Zion, the Child of God can only weep and long for his spiritual home. God bless
that we as the people of God do not compromise this truth.
Psalms 137:3
For there they that carried us away captive required of
us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one
of the songs of Zion.
Here the wicked required the saints to sing one of the songs
of Zion. It is not possible to sing the songs of victory and joy while in
captivity. The people of God cannot have mirth while they are in captivity. The
literal city of Zion was wasted because of sin. We read in other places in the
scriptures of God bringing again the captivity of Zion. Once spiritual Zion is
returned, the people of God will no longer be in captivity.
Psalms 146:10
The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion,
unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
The God of Zion is the God that will reign forever.
Psalms 147:12
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
This Psalm also teaches that God is the God of Zion.
Psalms 149:2
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the
children of Zion be joyful in their King.
The children of Zion have a King. We have already shown that
Zion is presently on this earth. We don't have to wait for a kingdom to be
established that we may have a King. Praise God forever for this precious truth.
Song 3:11
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king
Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his
espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
If one look long enough in this verse, one may find a
relationship being expressed here between Christ and the Church.
Isaiah 1:8
And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a
vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
The sins of the children of Israel had brought them very
low. The verse describes literal Zion. Before Christ, the people of God had
nothing to keep them from their sin. When apostasy swept the nation, judgment
was brought against the nation. This brought literal desolation in literal Zion.
The prophet later describes God's plan to redeem Zion. In the spiritual Zion
that God will redeem, all the problems of literal Zion will be fixed. Praise his
name for ever.
Isaiah 1:27
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts
with righteousness.
This scripture teaches that God will use judgment to purify
his people. Judgment redeems the people of God when they hear the word of truth
and conform their lives with the will of God. God uses judgment to correct his
people. The converts into the Christian faith are redeemed with righteousness.
To be a member of Zion one has to accept the righteousness of God. This verse
reveals God's plan to keep his Church pure.
Isaiah 2:2,3
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the
mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow
unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God Jacob; and he will teach us of
his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the
law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
God gave Isaiah this vision of things that are to happen in
the last days. To understand this vision, we must understand what are the last
days. Paul in Hebrews 1:2 lets us know that we are in the last days. Jesus
taught in St. John sixth chapter that the righteous will be resurrected on the
last day. We are living in the last days. The last days will end with the
resurrection of the righteous. There will not be any days after the last day.
The Gospel dispensation is the same as the last days. It is during the last days
the Lord will establish His house on top of the mountains. This mountain of the
Lord's house will be exalted above the hills. Mountains and hills are used in
figurative language to describe places of worship. The hills in this passage of
scripture are the false modes of worship. True worship will be exalted above all
false worship. This true worship will occur in the Lord's house. All nations
will be able to come into the Lord's house and worship God in truth. This is a
prophesy that was designed to let the Jews know that the true worship of God
would be worldwide. Isaiah saw people in this vision wanting to go to the Lord's
house that they may learn about the things of God. The Lord's house can be
reached by anyone that has a spiritual connection with God. Jesus taught that
they that worship God must worship him in spirit and truth. Therefore, the house
of God is a spiritual house. This spiritual house is called Zion in this passage
of scripture. It is from Zion that the Word Of God will go forth. Zion is the
place where the people of God assemble and worship God in spirit and in truth.
Zion is the habitation of God through the spirit. Zion is the people who God has
inhabited and united through his Spirit. Paul states that this is a mystery.
This mystery concerns the Church of the living God.
Isaiah 3:16
Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion
are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking
and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
This scripture does not have any prophetic value. It deals
with the apostasy that had found its way into Jewish society.
Isaiah 3:17
Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of
the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret
parts.
See the notes on the scriptures quoted above.
Isaiah 4:3-5
And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion,
and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one
that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have
washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the
blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by
the spirit of burning. And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of
mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the
shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a
defence.
In the preceding chapter, we see the falling away of the
Children of Israel. Zion is a figure of the city of truth. When the literal city
of Zion failed to walk in the light, the judgment of God fell on it. The purpose
of the judgment was to purify the corruption out of Zion. Once Zion was
purified, its inhabitants included only the pure in heart. This prophesy uses
Zion as a figure to foretell the spiritual Zion. This prophesy is concerning the
New Testament Church. Everyone in the New Testament Zion is holy. The ones
written among the living in Jerusalem that are called holy are the ones that
have eternal life in Christ. God will wash away the filth of the dwellers in
Zion. Filth in this scripture refers to the filth of sin. God will wash this
filth away when he saves a soul from sin. Through judgment and trials, God will
cleanse his people. This lets us know that the people of God that dwell in Zion
are free from sin. Once the filth has been washed away, the bold Child of God
can declare that he does not have any sin. God promises to give his people a
cloud and smoke by day and a flaming fire by night. The cloud and the fire will
lead the people of God away from their former filth. The glory that the saints
receive will be a defense for them. As the devil seeks to tempt the children of
God away into error, the experience that God has given them will enable them to
beat the tempters lures.
Isaiah 8:18
Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me
are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which
dwelleth in mount Zion.
This scripture teaches that God dwells in Zion.
Isaiah 10:12
Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath
performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the
fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high
look.
This verse lets us know that God will do a work in Zion.
Literal Zion had its bouts with sin. Their sin brought on the judgments of God
to purify the sinners out of Zion. It is this judgment work that makes the
people of God different from other people. The work that God is going to do in
this verse is the work that will purge Zion from its sins. This work was
finished the day Christ rose from the dead after dying on the cross.
Isaiah 10:24
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people
that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee
with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of
Egypt.
This verse is written to literal Israel. The people in
Isaiah's day had slid into sin. God used the Assyrian to punish them for their
sins. The people in Zion are exhorted not to fear the Assyrian. In the context
this verse is found, God promises to destroy the Assyrian. In this judgment work
against Israel, a remnant will survive. This remnant becomes the basis for the
prophesies made concerning Spiritual Zion.
Isaiah 10:32
As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake
his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
This verse talks about the Assyrian frustration when God
rises to the defense of Zion. In New Testament times, God will bring judgment
against His people. The purpose is to cleanse the wicked from among his people.
Isaiah 12:6
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is
the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
The God that dwells in Zion is a great and Holy God. This
assures the saints that they have nothing to fear in Zion. The saints in Zion
can shout with victory that is made possible by the God of Israel.
Isaiah 14:32
What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation?
That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in
it.
The true Church Of God is founded by the Lord. The Church Of
God is a divine institution. Just like man had nothing to do with the creation,
man had nothing to do with the creation of the Church. The saints can trust in
what the true Church stands for because God founded it. We are living in wicked
times. Yet we can trust in the Zion that God founded. There are no wicked in the
Zion that God founded. God has a program to root the wicked out of Zion. God has
a program to establish the saints in Zion. No matter how wicked men become
around Zion, God has a people who will not compromise their holiness.
Isaiah 16:1
Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to
the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
This prophesy prepares us for the fifth verse that lets us
know that David's throne will be established in the tabernacle of David. The
tabernacle of David is in Zion.
Isaiah 18:7
In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD
of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from
their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose
land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts,
the mount Zion.
This verse speaks of a time when the gentiles would be
brought into Zion. Once the gentiles are in Zion, their nature will change. They
will no longer be called the sinners of the Gentiles. Instead, they will be
called the saints of God.
Isaiah 24:23
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed,
when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and
before his ancients gloriously.
This verse carries the thought that God reigns in Zion. None
of the enemies of the people of God will prevail when God seeks to execute
judgment.
Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion
for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure
foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
This is a prophesy concerning Christ. Christ will be the
foundation of Zion. With Christ as the foundation in Zion, the saints will be
able to stand. Christ is a tried foundation. Christ is a sure foundation.
Everything the saints need to maintain victory is in Zion. The foundation of the
saints will never be destroyed. Jesus taught us that the winds will beat against
the house of the faithful. He also taught us that the floods will rise up
against the house of the faithful. However, the house of the faithful will
stand. The house will stand because it is on the right foundation.
Isaiah 29:8
It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and,
behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a
thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold,
he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the
nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
This verse assures us that those that war against Zion will
not be victorious. All the saints need to do is stand against wrong. God will
fight the battles of the saints.
Isaiah 30:19
For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou
shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy
cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
This prophesy gives even more promises concerning Zion.
There is comfort in Zion for those who are hurt. God is gracious to those in
Zion that call upon him. God will answer those in Zion that cry out unto him.
Isaiah 31:4
For thus hath 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.
This prophesy assures us that it is the Lord that fights for
Zion. It doesn't matter how many enemies come against Zion. God will not desert
Zion. God will not fear the enemies of Zion. This gives the righteous assurances
that Zion cannot be destroyed.
Isaiah 31:9
And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and
his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in
Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
This verse reveals the destruction of the Assyrian. Assyria
was a mighty power in Isaiah's time. They were able to destroy a sinful Israel.
However, they were not able to stand against the God of Zion. The people of Zion
have no enemy that they must fear.
Isaiah 33:5
The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath
filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
God has filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. God did
not fill Zion with weakness, hypocrisy and people bent on backsliding. God did
not fill Zion with people who cannot stand the test. Ancient Zion was not filled
with righteousness and judgment. Therefore, ancient Israel fail God. Prophetic
Zion is the place that God has filled with righteousness and judgment. It is the
Devil's job to make it appear that judgment and righteousness does not exist in
Zion. However, God has filled Zion with righteousness and judgment. This
righteousness and judgment will be found in the people of God. People who lack
righteousness and judgment do not reside in Zion.
Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath
surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
This verse tells why Zion is pure. God executes enough
judgment in Zion to keep the hypocrites and sinners uncomfortable. The devouring
fire cleanses the saints. The devouring fire consumes the hypocrites and the
sinners. There is no let up of judgment in Zion.
Isaiah 33:20
Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes
shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken
down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any
of the cords thereof be broken.
The Zion that God founded is perfect. God will not allow
even one stake of Zion to be removed. Zion is a place where the people of God
can go and find peace. Zion is a quite habitation. Zion is a place where the
true worship of God goes forth.
Isaiah 34:8
For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year
of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
This verse again shows that God will bring judgments against
the enemies of the people of God.
Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to
Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy
and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
This verse is a prophesy about the saved. Once a person gets
saved, they come to Zion with joy and songs. In Zion they receive even more joy
and gladness. All their sorrow and sighing will flee away. This is because in
Zion they will find help in the God that they serve.
Isaiah 40:9
Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the
high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice
with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah,
Behold your God!
Once again the people of God are encouraged to be fearless.
The Great God that the saints serve defends them. The saints are encouraged to
lift their voices. The message of these voices is to look unto God. The saints
are encouraged to go to the top of the mountain. This is because the true
worship of God is higher than all the false worship. God is worshipped in the
highest mountain in a spiritual sense.
Isaiah 41:27
The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I
will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.
This prophesy lets us know that God will always have someone
in Zion that will deliver his message.
Isaiah 46:13
I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off,
and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for
Israel my glory.
This prophesy lets us know that God will bring salvation
within an obtainable reach. This salvation will be placed in Zion.
Isaiah 49:14
But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord
hath forgotten me.
The above prophesy is concerning Zion’s feelings of being
abandoned by God. However, in the context of the prophesy, God promises not to
forsake Zion.
Isaiah 51:3
For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her
waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like
the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein,
thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
This prophesy promises God's comfort for Zion. The places in
Zion that need life and restoring, God promises to restore them. The results
will be a Zion that is filled with joy, gladness, thanksgiving and song. God
will keep Zion clean and healthy. At her worse Zion is on par with Eden. If the
desert of Zion is like the garden of the Lord, what is Zion at her best?
Isaiah 51:11
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and
come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head:
they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Zion is a place of rejoicing and singing. The saints come
into it and gain everlasting joy. The comfort of Zion will cause sorrow and
mourning to flee away. This does not mean that the saints will never have any
problems. It simply means that the comfort of Zion will cause the sorrow and
mourning to flee.
Isaiah 51:16
And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered
thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the
foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
This verse lets us know that Zion is a figure of the people
of God.
Isaiah 52:1
Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy
beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall
no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
This prophesy lets us know that the uncircumcised of heart
and the unclean cannot come into Zion. This verse is prophetic to Old Testament
times. However, it is fulfilled in the New Testament people of God.
Isaiah 52:2
Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O
Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of
Zion.
This prophesy in its context is letting us know that when
God heals Zion, it will no longer be in bondage. The people of God before Christ
lacked power to keep sin out of their hearts. After the death and resurrection
of Christ, Zion will be cleansed and freed from the power of sin.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him
that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good
tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God
reigneth!
This verse exalts the position of the Ministers of God. It
also lets us know that the God of Zion reigns. Praise God for ever.
Isaiah 52:8
Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice
together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall
bring again Zion.
Once Zion is made into what God wants it to be, the
Ministers of God will have the same message. They will lift up the voice. The
voice is the voice of God. When the Ministers of the Gospel seek to lift the
voice of God, they will speak the same thing. We do not serve a God that speaks
out of both sides of his mouth. The Ministers of the Gospel get their message
from God when they go before him. When they preach the message that God gives
them, they lift the voice. When men seek to speak the message of the fathers or
other men that they respect, it is possible that they will miss the message of
the voice. The men of God must seek God to find out what it is that they must
preach. If every man who calls himself a Minister of God would preach the
message he gets from God, there wouldn't be so many denominations in the world
today. It is sad to say that too many men let their denomination determine what
they must preach to people.
Isaiah 59:20
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that
turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
The Redeemer in this verse is Christ. Christ is the one that
will come to Zion. Once in Zion, Christ will find the ones that have turned from
their transgression. The real people of God are the people who have left the sin
business.
Isaiah 60:14
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.
God will give his people victory over their enemies. To have
this victory the people of God must be faithful to God. Even the ones that hate
the people of God will have to humble themselves before the people of God. In
this prophesy we find that Zion will be recognized as a city. The city of God
and Zion are the same!
Isaiah 61:3
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto
them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of
righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
This prophesy is concerning the ministry of Christ. We know
he began this ministry during his earthly stay. This ministry will continue
during the Gospel dispensation. Those that mourn in Zion are the ones that have
become sorry for their sins. Christ will give them beauty for ashes and oil of
joy for mourning. The saints will receive the spirit of praise instead of
heaviness. The saints are liken unto trees. They are trees that are planted by
the Lord. Why does God make the saints like trees? Because trees have life and
can support life. Trees that have roots are not easily moved. This is true for
the people of God.
Isaiah 62:1
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for
Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth
as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
It is the message of truth from God that will preserve the
righteousness of Zion.
Isaiah 62:11
Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the
world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold,
his reward is with him, and his work before him.
This is a message to Zion concerning the coming of Christ.
It is Christ that brought salvation to Zion. This verse read in its context
teaches that Zion is the redeemed of the Lord. It is the people who are sought
out and a city not forsaken.
Isaiah 64:10
Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness,
Jerusalem a desolation.
This verse and the passage of scripture that surrounds it
describes the desolation of the Jews because of their sins. This is the
condition that existed before the redeemer came to Zion.
Isaiah 66:8
Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things?
Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born
at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
This is a prophesy concerning the day of Pentecost. When the
disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, a nation was
born in one day. Under the preaching of Peter, thousands were added to the
Church. This was a new thing in the earth. This verse describes the fulfillment
of all the promises of a renewed Zion. It also reveals truth concerning the new
birth. People are born into Zion. Praise God for ever!
Jeremiah 3:14
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am
married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family,
and I will bring you to Zion:
In this verse we find that Zion is the place where God puts
the repentant sinners. This prophesy is before God healed Zion.
Jeremiah 4:6
Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I
will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
In the context of this scripture God is advising Israel to
repent. The Israelites are told to run to Zion because God is preparing to bring
his wrath against the land. I don't believe that this scripture is prophetic to
New Testament times. This scripture is concern only with ancient Israel.
Jeremiah 4:31
For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and
the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the
daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying,
Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
This verse describes the misery of literal Zion under the
wrath of God. Once again this verse is not prophetic to New Testament times.
Jeremiah 6:2
I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and
delicate woman.
This verse in its context is still dealing with the
destruction of Jerusalem because of the sins of Israel. This verse does not
extend itself into New Testament times.
Jeremiah 6:23
They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel,
and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon
horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
This verse also deals with the literal judgment against Zion
because of the sins of Israel. This verse is not prophetic of New Testament
times.
Jeremiah 8:19
Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people
because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not
her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven
images, and with strange vanities?
Once again Jeremiah is dealing with the problems that faced
Israel in the time in which he was living. This verse is not prophetic to New
Testament times. God promised in other places the coming of a Zion that would
always please him.
Jeremiah 9:19
For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we
spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land,
because our dwellings have cast us out.
This verse is not prophetic to New Testament times.
Jeremiah 14:19
Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed
Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked
for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold
trouble!
The prophet here expresses his frustrations with the
judgments that have been executed against Zion. God was actually cleansing his
people of the corruption that was among his people.
Jeremiah 26:18
Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah
king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the
LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become
heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
Jeremiah 30:17
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal
thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast,
saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
The above two scriptures are like most of Jeremiah's
utterances concerning Zion. They deal with the times that Jeremiah lived in and
are not prophetic to New Testament times. Nor are these scriptures a figure of
the Zion to come. Instead these scriptures speak of a destruction because of
backsliding of ancient Israel.
Jeremiah 31:6
For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the
mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD
our God.
This verse is a prophesy of Zion after God finishes his work
of judgment. It is a prophesy that uses literal Zion to show what the New
Testament ministry will require. The New Testament ministry will exhort people
to go to Zion.
Jeremiah 31:12
Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of
Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and
for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and
their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more
at all.
This prophesy is a continuation of the prophesy mentioned
above. It shows the blessings of Zion after God redeems it.
Jeremiah 50:5
They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces
thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a
perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
When people are sorry for their sins, they will seek God for
pardon. The desire of the people of God is to seek out Zion. Once in Zion they
will enter into a covenant with God. This prophesy has its fulfillment in the
New Testament.
Jeremiah 50:28
The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land
of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the
vengeance of his temple.
The Babylonians were used by God to punish the Jews for
their sins. This verse reveals that now it is Babylon's turn to be punish for
its sins. This lets us know that no matter how much God uses us, we must not let
sin be the catalyst for the wrath of God against us.
Jeremiah 51:10
The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and
let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.
This verse lets us know that the destruction of Babylon was
the work of God. In New Testament times, the destruction of spiritual Babylon is
still the work of God. God will destroy Babylon is a message that is to be
preached in Zion yet today.
Jeremiah 51:24
And I will render unto Babylon and to all the
inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your
sight, saith the LORD.
This verse repeats the judgment that God plans against
Babylon for their sins.
Jeremiah 51:35
The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon,
shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of
Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.
This prophesy relates how literal Zion will rejoice in the
judgments executed against Babylon. God's people will know that the judgment
against Babylon is just and well deserved. Those that work harm against the city
of God must face harm themselves.
The book of Lamentations grieves over the literal
destruction of Jerusalem. The grief expressed in the following verses does not
extend to Spiritual Zion. The shortcomings of ancient Israel made the promises
of the New Testament necessary. We can understand why God promised to redeem
Zion when we read the following scriptures and any scripture like them. I will
not comment on each verse.
Lamentations 1:4
The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the
solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are
afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
Lamentations 1:6
And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is
departed: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they
are gone without strength before the pursuer.
Lamentations 1:17
Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to
comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries
should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.
Lamentations 2:1
How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a
cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of
Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!
Lamentations 2:4
He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his
right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in
the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.
Lamentations 2:6
And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if
it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD
hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath
despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.
Lamentations 2:8
The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the
daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his
hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament;
they languished together.
Lamentations 2:10
The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground,
and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded
themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to
the ground.
Lamentations 2:13
What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing
shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee,
that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great
like the sea: who can heal thee?
Lamentations 2:18
Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter
of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no
rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.
Lamentations 4:2
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how
are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!
Lamentations 4:11
The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out
his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the
foundations thereof.
Lamentations 4:22
The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O
daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will
visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.
Lamentations 5:11
They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the
cities of Judah.
Lamentations 5:18
Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the
foxes walk upon it.
Joel 2:1
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my
holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of
the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
In this verse we learn that Zion is in the holy mountain of
God. The blowing of the trumpet is a figure of sounding forth the Word of God.
When God speaks, He expects his people to tremble at His word. Trumpets are
blown in Spiritual Zion. The message of this verse is valid in New Testament
times. However, this verse has reference to literal Zion.
Joel 2:15
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn
assembly:
This prophesy is still concerning literal Zion. The message
is valid for New Testament Zion.
Joel 2:23
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the
LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will
cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in
the first month.
The prophesy here is directed at literal Zion. However, it
has a fulfillment is spiritual Zion. It is concerning the restoration of God's
people after true repentance.
Joel 2:32
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.
Once again the prophesy reaches to the New Testament Church.
God has deliverance for all that call upon the Lord for salvation. This
deliverance is in Zion. Notice that the people who are delivered are the
remnant. Zion is made up of the people who survived the judgments of God because
of their righteous character.
Joel 3:16
The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his
voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the
LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of
Israel.
Zion will still be a place of judgment after it is redeemed.
The judgments of Zion will cause people to fear. However, the true people of God
will not fear the wrath of God. The true people of God have made God their hope.
Joel 3:17
So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in
Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no
strangers pass through her any more.
God will make Zion His dwelling place after He redeems it.
Zion is God's holy mountain. Only the saved will live in Zion. Those that are
strangers or don't know God will not be able to enter Zion.
Amos 1:2
And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his
voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and
the top of Carmel shall wither.
Once again we learn that God sends his judgments from Zion.
Amos 6:1
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the
mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house
of Israel came!
There are many promises to Zion. These promises should never
cause the people of God to become relax and not do the things that God will have
them to do.
Obadiah 1:17
But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there
shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
Mount Zion will be known as a place that has deliverance and
holiness. The deliverance found in Zion keeps God's people free from sin.
Micah 1:13
thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the
swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for
the transgressions of Israel were found in thee.
This verse has reference to literal Zion. It tells of
Lachish which was an evil influence to Zion.
Micah 3:10
They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with
iniquity.
This verse is talking about the wicked rulers in literal
Zion. This verse refers to literal Zion before God cleansed it with judgment and
before Christ became its ruler.
Micah 3:12
Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field,
and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high
places of the forest.
This verse describes the judgment that God planned against a
rebellious literal Zion.
Micah 4:2
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us
go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and
he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law
shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
This verse applies to Zion after God had finished judging
her. Zion will be made up of many nations. The goal of the people of God is to
go to Zion. Once in Zion the people of God will learn the ways of God. God's
word and law will be found in Zion. If one wants to learn the ways of God, he
must go to Zion.
Micah 4:7
And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that
was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in
mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
The people who were once considered an outcast will be the
people who make up Zion. God will reign over the people of Zion. Once in Zion
these people will be made into a strong nation.
Micah 4:8
And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the
daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the
kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.
This verse teaches that the Kingdom of God will come to
Zion. This lets us know that the Kingdom and Zion will co-exist. This helps us
to understand that if Zion exist during the New Testament age, then the kingdom
also exist during the New Testament age.
Micah 4:10
Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of
Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city,
and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there
shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of
thine enemies.
This prophesy assures us that God's reason for sending Zion
to Babylon was to redeem her. The heathen may not understand this. God's method
is lost on the heathen, but it is the results that must be considered.
Micah 4:11
Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that
say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
The heathen would rejoice in what they perceive to be the
fall of literal Zion. Yet God's purpose is to restore her as the apple of his
eye.
Micah 4:13
Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make
thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in
pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and
their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.
This verse shows that God will make Zion a city of victory.
The people of God will be able to reign over everything that is not like God.
God will see to it.
Zephaniah 3:14
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and
rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
Zephaniah saw God's plan to do a great work of redemption in
Zion. The people of God are encouraged to rejoice because of what God plans for
Zion.
Zephaniah 3:16
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou
not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
When God blesses Zion, the people of God will be able to
trust in him. With the power of God behind them, the people of God do not have
to fear doing anything.
Zechariah 1:14
So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry
thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and
for Zion with a great jealousy.
When ancient Israel backslid, God was hurt to his heart. The
purpose of the judgment against Israel was to cleanse it. The angel was
explaining to Zechariah that the destruction against Jerusalem had a cleansing
purpose.
Zechariah 1:17
Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities
through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet
comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
This verse gives us assurance that Zion is still God's
favorite.
Zechariah 2:7
Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter
of Babylon.
This prophesy in its context is letting us know that Zion
will be delivered from all those that oppresses her. God will bring judgment
against all those who seek to harm his beloved.
Zechariah 2:10
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come,
and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
A blessing for the people of God is when he comes and lives
in the midst of them. When God is in the midst of his people they have much
cause to sing and rejoice. The enemies of God's people will not have the upper
hand against them again. The judgments brought against literal Zion will not be
implemented against spiritual Zion because of the quality of the new people that
will inhabit it.
Zechariah 8:2
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion
with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
It was God's great jealousy that moved him to bring judgment
against literal Zion. God loved Zion. God wanted to preserve a place where true
worship could go forth. God is a holy God that can not tolerate sin. In his
jealousy, God sought to rid Zion of all sin by purging her with judgment. This
purge removed the sinners out of Zion.
Zechariah 8:3
Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will
dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of
truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
In this verse we find what the redeemed Zion will be called.
Zion is a city. It is the city of truth. This helps us to understand that we
cannot build or organize a church based on things that we like about the Gospel.
Zion is a place that has the truth. Mountains are places of worship. God will
also have a mountain. However, this mountain will be God's holy mountain where
the true worship of God will prosper.
Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter
of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having
salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an
ass.
This verse teaches us that Zion will have a king. The king
of Israel will be a lowly king. He will not be exalted in a worldly sense. Don't
let his appearance fool you. Rejoice greatly when you see the lowly king of Zion
appear.
Zechariah 9:13
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with
Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and
made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
This prophesy continues with the thought that God will
restore and establish Zion as the apple of his eye.
Matthew 21:5
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh
unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
This verse lets us know that Zechariah Chapter Nine verse
nine is fulfilled in Christ. Christ is the lowly king that reigns in Zion. This
reign will not begin in a future age. It will begin during Christ's first
arrival. Christ is king now! Praise God for ever!
John 12:15
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh,
sitting on an ass's colt.
This verse is a confirmation that Christ is the king of
Zion.
Romans 9:33
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone
and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
This verse is confirmation that Christ is the stumblingstone
that is laid in Zion. This prophesy is from Isaiah 28:16. Christ is a
stumblingstone to those who reject the Gospel. Those who receive the Gospel will
find that all its promises are true. Praise God!
Romans 11:26
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written,
There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness
from Jacob:
This verse confirms that when Christ comes to Zion, He will
bring an end to all ungodliness. Once a person comes to Zion, he is delivered
from all his sins. Once a person comes to Zion, he will no longer be ungodly.
The Israel mentioned in this verse is referring to spiritual Israel. Many teach
that this verse applies to literal Israel. It is not the children of the flesh
that are heirs.
1 Peter 2:6
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold,
I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth
on him shall not be confounded.
This is a confirmation of Isaiah 28:16. Christ is the corner
stone that has been laid. There is no shame to those that trust in him.
Revelation 14:1
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion,
and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name
written in their foreheads.
We have shown that Zion is the people of God on earth. In
this vision John saw Christ standing with a symbolic representation of the
people of God. It is these people who follow the lamb wheresoever he leads them.
For this we must praise the living God forever.
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