By
Clifton Angel
Zion:
We sing about it, and we read about it, but do we really know what it is? The first
occurrence of the word Zion is at 2 Samuel 5:7 — "Nevertheless David took
the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David." Here, we see it is
called "the city of David." Furthermore, it is most commonly known as
Jerusalem. Let us consider some characteristics of Zion that might be beneficial
to our lives.
Zion could not hide. The literal meaning of
the word “Zion” is: “arid, or dry mountain, or hill.” Jerusalem, or Zion, was
just that: a city built on a hill or mountain. Often in the Scriptures, we can
read about various people "going up" to Jerusalem, or Zion, and this
terminology was often in reference to Jerusalem's elevation.
Zion was fortified. Again, consider 2
Samuel 5:7 — "Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is
the city of David." The term "stronghold" refers to the city's
defense system — it was fortified. Notice also two verses later: "So David
dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about
from Millo and inward" (2 Samuel 5:9). The word "fort" means the
city was fortified.
Zion was glorified. God glorified her, in
His acceptance of David's chosen city and the making of it the central focus of
the Israelite inherited land. David glorified her in choosing her, fortifying
her, and making her the capital city of his kingdom. Solomon glorified her, in
building the glorious temple and his own magnificent palace. The Jews glorified
her. They were speak highly of Zion often. Unfortunately, they eventually
glorified Jerusalem even above God.
Zion was prophesied. The term is used often
in prophecy. Isaiah prophesied, "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 of 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 (Isaiah 2:2–3). "And Jesus,
when he had found a young donkey, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter
of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on a donkey’s colt" (John
12:14–15, cited from Zechariah 9:9). "As it is written, There shall come
out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob"
(Romans 11:26, cited from Isaiah 59:20–21). "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief
corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be
confounded" (1 Peter 2:6 & Romans 9:33, cited from Isaiah 28:16; cf.
Psalm 118:22).
Zion, to the Jews, is the city where God
abides. The temple was there, and the temple is where God abides, in the minds
of the Jews.
Interestingly, we often sing, "We're
marching to Zion, the beautiful city of God," with Heaven in mind, which
is not entirely wrong. However, Hebrews 12:22–24 (PLEASE READ) indicates that
"Zion," "the city of the living God" is the church, today.
With this in mind, consider these interesting characteristics of the church:
(1) The church cannot hide (Matthew 5:14–16); (2) The church is fortified (Ephesians
6:10–18); (3) The church is glorified (Ephesians 3:7–11); (4) The church was
prophesied (cf. Isaiah 2:2–3, et al.). (5) The church is where God abides
(Hebrews 12:22–24; cf. 2 Corinthians 6:16).
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