Zion
Zion is a term that refers to a hill in Jerusalem or the fortress located upon it. King David, the second king of the united kingdom of Israel, captured the fortress of Zion and designated it as the capital of his kingdom. In the Bible, Zion is mentioned not only as a physical location in the region of Palestine but also in a spiritual context. The spiritual Zion represents the church established by Christ, which observes the feasts of God.
Meaning of Zion
City of David
Zion refers to the eastern hill among the two hills in Jerusalem, or the fortress situated upon it. Following their exodus from Egypt in the 15th century BC, the Israelites settled in Canaan, the land promised by God to their ancestor Abraham. Despite their settlement, the fortress of Zion, which was controlled by the native Jebusites of Canaan, remained an impregnable stronghold that resisted Israelite conquest for an extended period.[1][2]
In the 11th century BC, David, who became the king of Israel, conquered Zion. He expanded the fortress and established it as the capital of his kingdom, governing Israel from this location. Consequently, Zion is also known as the City of David.
Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David. . . . David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward. And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him.
Expansion of Meaning
Following David, Solomon, his successor as king, constructed the Jerusalem Temple on Mount Moriah,[3] which is adjacent to Mount Zion. He also transferred the ark of the covenant from Mount Zion to this new location.[4] As a result, the term “Zion” came to encompass the area including Mount Moriah.
Zion and Jerusalem
In the Old Testament, the term Zion frequently denotes the city of Jerusalem including the temple, rather than referring solely to the specific hill in Jerusalem. Originally, Zion identified a particular hill in the Jerusalem area, but over time, it became nearly synonymous with Jerusalem itself. Both Zion and Jerusalem are used in a poetic and prophetic context to symbolize the dwelling place of the God of Israel, Jehovah, where God reigns as king and where divine action is manifested, thereby representing a sacred and holy location.[5][6]
In the New Testament, saints who accept Christ and observe the new covenant are described as those who have come to Mount Zion.[7] In the revelations of Apostle John, the Lamb (Christ) is depicted standing on Mount Zion with the redeemed saints.[8] In contemporary Christian practice, Zion is recognized as a blessed location and is frequently referenced in Christian literature and hymns.[9]
Spiritual Zion
Zion is also depicted as the place chosen by God for His eternal dwelling.[10] In this context, Zion refers not to a physical location in Palestine but to a spiritual concept. It is associated with God’s promise of blessings and eternal life.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Eternal life is a blessing bestowed upon saints by Jesus in the New Testament times.[11] The Zion referred to in Psalm 133, associated with the blessing of eternal life, symbolizes the spiritual Zion that Jesus was to establish in the New Testament. This establishes a prophetic relationship between David, who founded the physical Zion in the Old Testament, and Jesus, who fulfills that prophecy through the establishment of spiritual Zion.
“ ‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. . . . and David my servant will be their prince forever.’ ”
Ezekiel’s prophecy was recorded more than 400 years after the death of David. Therefore, when the prophet Ezekiel speaks of David as being “king forever,” it does not refer to the physical David. This prophecy is actually about a future David who will be an eternal king, which is a reference to God in the flesh, namely Jesus.[12][13]
David is mentioned as a prophetic figure concerning Christ because the deeds of David in the Old Testament serve as a precursor to the actions of Christ. Moreover, David’s conquest of Zion is seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus, the spiritual King David, who will establish the spiritual Zion.
Zion and the Feasts
The spiritual Zion established by Jesus is prophesied as the place where God’s feasts are celebrated.
Look upon Zion, the city of our feasts; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode . . . There the LORD will be our Mighty One. . . . and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.
Spiritual Zion, the place of blessing where the forgiveness of sins is granted, is the place where God’s feasts are celebrated. As prophesied in the Old Testament, Jesus gave humankind the forgiveness of sins and eternal life through the Passover. He also established the spiritual Zion by establishing the Church of God that keeps the feasts of the new covenant such as the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, the Pentecost, and the Sabbath.
- Passover: The blessing of forgiveness of sins and eternal life (Matthew 26:17–28)
- Feast of Tabernacles: The blessing of the water of life (John 7:2, 37–39)
- Pentecost: Blessing of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–4).
- Sabbath: As a weekly feast, the blessing of eternal rest in heaven (Luke 4:16).
The apostles and early Church saints kept the new covenant feasts in the spiritual Zion established by Jesus, thereby receiving the blessing of eternal life.[14][15][16] Consequently, the Bible indicates that the New Testament saints are those who have come to spiritual Zion.[7]
Recovery of Zion
Zion in Ruins
The new covenant feasts established by Jesus began to change and eventually disappeared, starting from the end of the Apostolic Age. By AD 321, the Sabbath was abolished in favor of Sunday worship.[17] In AD 325, the Passover was abolished, and December 25, originally the birthday of the sun god, was adopted by the church as Christmas.[18] This was according to the prophecy of Daniel, which foretold that the adversary of God, Satan, would change God’s set times, laws, and feasts.[19]
Zion is recognized as the place where these feasts are celebrated. The disappearance of God’s feasts is interpreted as the collapse and desolation of spiritual Zion.
Rebuilding of Zion
The prophet Isaiah foretold both the desolation and the restoration of Zion,[20] while the prophet Micah indicated that its rebuilding would occur in the “last days,” marking the end of the age.
In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
The mountain the LORD’s temple is the place where the temple of God is located, which refers to Zion. In the last days, many nations will be able to gather in Zion because it is rebuilt with God’s feasts and truths restored.
The reconstruction of Zion can only be accomplished by God.
For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. . . . when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.
According to scriptural records, the “Most High” is foretold to personally establish Zion.[21] The term “Most High” refers to God, signifying supreme dignity. The Bible prophesies that in the last days, God will come to the world to rebuild Zion Himself.
Spiritual Zion is identified as the place where God’s feasts of the new covenant are celebrated. For the restoration of fallen Zion, the feasts established by Jesus—such as the Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles—must be reinstated. In contemporary times, it is Christ Ahnsahnghong who has restored the seven feasts of the new covenant and re-established the Church of God in its original form as seen in the early Church.[22]
In the Old Testament, although there were many leaders in Israel, it was David who conquered Zion. Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ came as the spiritual David and established spiritual Zion, the church that keeps the feasts. In the last days, the restoration of the new covenant feasts and the rebuilding of spiritual Zion is to be the work of God who comes as the spiritual David, or the Second Coming Christ. Christ Ahnsahnghong, who has rebuilt the Church of God—Zion that celebrates God’s feasts, is the David that people should seek in the last days, and the God who established Zion.[23]
Salvation and Zion
The rebuilding of Zion signifies the restoration of salvation to humanity. Zion is the place where God grants the forgiveness of sins. Given that the wages of sin is death,[24] the forgiveness of sins means the elimination of death. This truth aligns with the prophecy in Psalm 133, which refers to the bestowal of eternal life.[25] The promise of forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ is embodied in the Passover, a feast celebrated in Zion.
Ultimately, the grace of salvation is bestowed upon those who observe the sacred feasts of the new covenant in Zion, the church established to celebrate God’s appointed feasts.
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Who Were the Jebusites in the Bible?, Christianity.com, May 17, 2022
- ↑ "Judges 1:21".
- ↑ "2 Chronicles 3:1".
- ↑ "1 Kings 8:1, 6".
- ↑ "Isaiah 8:18".
- ↑ "Isaiah 24:23".
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Hebrews 12:22–24".
- ↑ "Revelation 14:1–5".
- ↑ Zion, Britannica
- ↑ "Psalms 132:13–14".
- ↑ "John 10:10".
- ↑ "Isaiah 9:6–7".
- ↑ "Luke 1:31–33".
- ↑ "Acts 17:2".
- ↑ "1 Corinthians 5:7–8".
- ↑ "Acts 20:6–16".
- ↑ A History of the Early Church to A.D. 500, J. W. C. Wand, Routledge, 2006, p. 132
- ↑ The History of Christianity (A Lion Handbook), Tim Dowley, Lion Publishing, 1994
- ↑ "Daniel 7:25".
- ↑ "Isaiah 51:3".
- ↑ "Psalms 87:5".
- ↑ Creating a World Where No One Is Lonely: Founded on God's Love, Monthly Chosun, March 2020
- ↑ "Hosea 3:5".
- ↑ "Romans 6:23".
- ↑ "Psalms 133:3".