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The Church as Spiritual Zion - part 2 of 3 (Amplified and KJV) Throughout scripture the words “Israel” and “Zion” are sometimes used interchangeably. At other times, the word choice refers specifically to either “Israel” or to “Zion.” And while the New Testament Church parallels and fulfills much of what is recorded about God’s dealings with and promises to Israel, the New Testament “remnant” may at times be reflected by the specific but small area (Zion) within the greater (i.e. Israel / the Church). The writer of Hebrews contrasts the actual Old Testament mountain with the spiritual Mount Zion: “For you have not come [as did the Israelites in the wilderness] to a [material] mountain that can be touched, [a mountain] that is ablaze with fire, and to gloom and darkness and a raging storm. And to the blast of a trumpet and a voice whose words make the listeners beg that nothing more be said to them” {Heb 12:18-19}. In contrast to the mountain which could not be touched, those who make up the Body of Christ are described thusly: “But rather, you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering. And to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in Heaven, and to the God Who is Judge of all… {Heb 12:22-23}. Here we find four synonyms which indicate those who make up the Body of Christ: (1) “Mount Zion,” (2) “the city of the living God,” (3) “the heavenly Jerusalem,” and (4) “the church (assembly) of the Firstborn.” Since each phrase is synonymous one with the other three, it is obviously the writer’s intent to designate the Church as spiritual Zion. According to the Old Testament, the Lord God instructed Moses to “Go and sanctify the people [set them apart for God]…And be ready by the third day, for the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai [in the cloud] in the sight of all the people” {Exo 19:10-11}. Just as He charged Moses with commanding the people’s sanctification by the third day, the Holy Spirit is even now sanctifying those who are called to become a part of spiritual Zion. For we are in the Third Day. And today He is sounding forth the trumpet, calling His prepared people to move increasingly in all that He has prepared for them. “Again He sets a definite day [a new] Today…saying…Today, if you would hear His voice and when you hear it, do not harden your hearts” {Heb 4:7}. In addition to requiring sanctification, Moses was to “set bounds for the people round about…” {Exo 8:12}. Just as before the foundations of the world when God, in His sovereignty, called us into His appointed destiny, He also established both natural and spiritual boundaries. So precise is He that Luke records: for “all nations” He has “…definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes) {Acts 17:26}. Within this same precision and forethought, we know that God envisioned and established the boundaries for and the inhabitants of Zion. From before the foundations, He foresaw Zion as “The City of the King,” and His Son as “The King of Zion.” Another parallel between an Old Testament blessing and that of spiritual Zion is seen by the following: In God’s blessing to Israel Balaam gave a multi-dimensional prophetic utterance: “[Israel] shall pour water out of their own buckets [have his own sources of rich blessing and plenty], and his offspring shall dwell by many waters… {Num 24:7}. Jesus, too, spoke of the pouring out of water when, during the most important day of the Feast of Tabernacle, He prophesied of the coming Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s transforming work within the members of Christ’s body enables each one to become a river of living water: “He who believe in Me…as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water” {John 7:37}. Yes, the Church as spiritual Israel will bring the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s “waters to swim in” until “everything shall live wherever the river goes {Eze 47:5}” Of Israel’s King David, Balaam’s blessing stated: “…and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted” {Num 24:7}. While David warred to gain victory and possession of territories overtaken by his enemies, Jesus, too, battled and conquered the forces of evil. In fact, David’s first act as king over all the tribes of Israel was capture from the Jebusites of “the stronghold of Zion, the City of David” {2 Sam 5:7}. So too, the Lord Jesus Christ took back that which satan had corrupted at the Fall, and He awaits the culmination of His Victory and the restoration of His original intent through His end-time Church, the inhabitants of spiritual Zion.. Purchased without money are those of Christ’s kingdom, for “…with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And You made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth” {Rev 5:9-10}. Far above any earthly kingdom is that of Christ Jesus, the King of Zion Whose Kingdom shall know no end. -Ruth French November Newsletter 2005 | Testing, God's Way | No Strings Attached part 2 of 2 Pastor's Journal November 2004 | Real Hope | Church As Spiritual Zion part 2 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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