Breathingbook

First off, there are two types of “Zion’s” in scripture:

• An actual literal location upon the earth, located in Jerusalem, Israel. 
• A Spiritual place of the heart, mind, and spirit located within the Kingdom of Heaven.

Lk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Let’s cover the earthly, literal location first.

Zion is scripturally first mentioned as “Zion” in 2 Sam 5:6-7

2 Sam 5:6-7 And the King and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. 7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the City of David.

So, King David, who had been reigning over Israel as King for 7 1/2 years from Mount Hebron (2 Sam 5:1-5), went up against the “stronghold” of Zion and took it. Zion (which is also known as the “City of David” and “Jerusalem”) was held by the Jebusites at the time (Josh 15:8). The Jebusites were an ancient tribe from the line of Canaan (a son of Ham, the son of Noah Gen 10:1,6,15-18).

Josh 15:8a And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went …

When David moved his kingdom from Hebron to Zion, it was no mild event. David literally danced his way into the city, bringing the Ark of God with him, and at the end placed the Ark in the tabernacle upon Mount Zion (2 Sam 6:16-17). Since the Tent of the Tabernacle was built according to the patterns and figures which Moses was admonished to follow (Heb 8:5; 9:9, 23), we now know that the Ark being placed upon Mount Zion symbolized a much greater event: it pointed to Jesus Christ and the Heavenly Tabernacle which the Lord would pitch and not man (Heb 8:2; Rev 21:2-3).

Heb 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the Mount.

Now, the Hebrew word for “Zion” is ” Tsiyown” and basically points to the original Mount Zion in Jerusalem, but that definition also tells us it means the same as “tsiyuwn,” which means “conspicuous,” a monumental or guiding “pillar” (Rev 3:12).

So the original Tent Tabernacle stood upon Mount “Zion” before Solomon built his temple of stone and moved it to Mount Moriah (2 Chr 3:1; 5:1-2). All subsequent rebuilding of the temple by Ezra, Nehemiah, etc., including Herod’s temple, were built upon this Mount Moriah. Mount Moriah IS where Abraham prepared to offered up Isaac (Gen 22:2), but it is still NOT the original location of Zion.

2 Chr 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.

Now, in history’s past, Zion was once synonymous with the city of “Jerusalem.” This was because Jerusalem literally sat upon Mount Zion at the time. In other words, the city during those times was much smaller in size, so it could fit upon the small hill or Mountain of Zion.

The Heb meaning of the word “Jerusalem” is “Yeruwshalaim” and means “founded peaceful.”

The very well known Jerusalem, which sat upon Mount Zion, first arrives in scripture as “Salem.” It is written as the city of Melchizedek, king of Salem (who is also king of peace and king of righteousness Gen 14:17-20; Heb 7:1-2).

The Heb word for “Salem” is “Shalem.” It means “peaceful” in the sense of “just (as in right), complete, or made ready.”

It is in this way that Jerusalem was first known as the City of Peace. This is not the kind of peace as in some sort of “tranquility” or as in one “without conflict,” but as in “just (right; righteousness), complete, or made ready.” This also happens to be the scriptural meaning of biblical prosperity.

As Jerusalem expanded the walls of Jerusalem expanded with it and spread out. Through time – unto this very day – Jerusalem came to be recognized as the capital of Israel. For the Jews, the idea of Zion became a representation of the promised land of God.

Now, in the New Testament, Zion arises again, but this time in a “heavenly” or “kingdom of God” context (Heb 12:22-24; Rev 14:1; Rev 21:2-3; 21:10). There, Zion (Sion) and New Jerusalem have come together again, even as first represented when David first danced his way into Zion and placed the Ark within the tabernacle (2 Sam 6:16-17). It comes together as a City of hope in the Anointed Son of David (2 Sam 7:1-17) and as the City of Peace, which is New Jerusalem.

There, Jesus, abides continually as High Priest and God (via the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16-18; 15:4-10; 1 Jn 2:28) within the tabernacle of our bodies (1 Cor 6:19), putting His laws into our hearts and writing them upon our minds (Heb 8:10-12; 1 Jn 2:27-28). It is by this (as the all inclusive body of Christ) that we are His church and His “Bride” (Jn 3:29; Rev 21:2-3, 9-10; 22:17).

Psa 15 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

The book of Hebrews also tells us that through suffering Jesus learned obedience (Heb 5:7-9). There simply is no getting past “knowing” the Lord in this way. Just as there is no way for a bride to avoid the pain of losing her virginity in the consummation of marriage, so also is there no way for the virgin church (2 Cor 11:2) to get past “knowing” the Lord, her Husband, the Bridegroom (Mat 25:1-13; Jn 3:28-29).

This, of course, is something every “Bride” figures out, one way or another.

Peace out!

Loris Anne James