Zion

Have you ever heard the body of believers referred to as “Zion”? The children of God are often referred to, collectively, as “Zion”. But why? Here’s what I’ve learned…

“Zion was the name of a small mountain in Jerusalem. After the Ark of the Covenant was placed there, the term ‘Zion’ was used to represent not only Jerusalem but also Israel (1 Kings 1:8)”

In Luke 1:30-33 we read: The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end.”

The relation here is that King David (referred to in the Luke passage) was the king who was finally able to defeat the Zion region in Canaan, which for the prior 400 years (after their exodus from Egypt), the Israelites were unable to possess. King David conquered the land, made it the capital city of Israel and reigned. This is why Zion is referred to as the city of David.

2 Samuel 5:7, 9a &10 - But David captured the fortress Zion (that is, the City of David).  David lived in the fortress and called it the City of David...David continued to grow more powerful because the Lord God of Armies was with him.

However, “The most important use of the word “Zion” is in a theological sense. “Zion” is used figuratively of Israel as the people of God (Isaiah 60:14). The spiritual meaning of “Zion” is continued in the New Testament, where it is given the Christian meaning of God's spiritual kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 14:1). Peter refers to Christ as the Cornerstone of Zion: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6).”

Jesus’ inheritance of the throne of His ancestor David is a spiritual inheritance. It is a spiritual inheritance and reign over a spiritual Zion – the body of believers.

Psalm 132:13&14 - The Lord has chosen Zion. He wants it for his home. “This will be my resting place forever. Here I will sit enthroned because I want Zion.

Psalm 133:3 - It is like dew on Mount Hermon, dew which comes down on Zion’s mountains. That is where the Lord promised the blessing of eternal life.

Although we see that the land of Zion was destroyed, we read in Isaiah 49, God’s promise.

Isaiah 49:19 - Though you are destroyed and demolished and your land is in ruins, you will be too crowded for your people now. Those who devoured you will be long gone.

Jesus, who was prophesied about, came subsequently, and through His death, brought with Him the blessing of eternal life. He now dwells with and reigns over the spiritual Zion; those who accept Him and will dwell with Him eternally. The scripture says that Zion will overflow and Christ’s kingdom will never end! Zion’s enemies are forever defeated. Praise God!!!!

We believers are referred to as “Zion” because our Savior Jesus reigns as did His ancestor David and He “inherited” His throne. David’s reign was over the inhabitants of the physical location of Zion. Christ’s reign is over the spiritual kingdom (the New Jerusalem) residents - referred to as Zion. Very interesting!