God’s Intentions For Zion

Introduction

Well, I’ve been singing that song for a long time. And it means more to me now than it ever has. It is a great hymn. And usually John is the one leading singing when I request that song, but he was saved this time. It was Dean that got to lead it. Because it apparently has relation to a lot of the lessons that I preached, but particularly this one this morning. I just want to say this is the disclaimer right here. This may be too ambitious for a Sunday morning. If so, and you’re going to need to study this further, then email me, tell me you want a copy of the lesson. I’ll send it to you for further study. But I do think it’s very important.

This morning I want to talk to you about this subject that we have mentioned in a couple of the songs that we have sung today. Zion.

1. Zion Is Called the City of David

Just guess in your mind. Did you come up with the number? 150 times. Okay, this is sermon worthy. For sure. 150 times. Where is the first reference to Zion in the scripture? I know that’s really hard. But I’m going to tell you. It’s 2 Samuel chapter 5 and verse 7. During the reign of David, a little less than a millennia be a millennium before Christ, David conquers the city that comes to be known as Jerusalem, and Zion was a section of that city. And in an aerial photograph of the city of Jerusalem, you might see the valley of Hinnum. That’s very prominent. We talked a lot about that in the past. A garbage dump in the time of Jesus, but that’s where Manasseh burned his sons to Molech in the valley of Hinnem.

2. Zion Represents God's Relationship With His People

Zion was in the southern part of the city, the pinnacle of the city, and it is called the city of David. It is the location of Solomon’s temple. So it was very central to the Israelite faith and religion. I want you to turn to the Psalms, and I want you to see this in the songs that they would sing. Psalm 48.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, his holy mountain. We do understand that this is a mountainous city, a city built upon a mountain, but particularly this peak of Zion, beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great king. God in her palaces has made himself known as a stronghold. And no wonder then, God is called a stronghold of his people because of what Zion represents. In verse 11, let Mount Zion be glad. Let the daughters of Judah rejoice. Walk about Zion and go around her. Countertowers, consider her ramparts. Go through her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation. For such is God, our God, forever and ever.

He will guide us until death. It was a short step from Zion, including the temple, the house of David, the city of David, to it coming to represent Israel’s relationship with God. All of the city of Jerusalem, even the surrounding territory of Judah. Zion comes to represent God’s relationship with his people. And I want you to go over to the songs of ascents. I want you to look at Psalm 132 very quickly with me. The songs of ascent were sung as they would go to Jerusalem for worship. People would come from all over the promised land to come to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice, and they would sing these songs of ascent as you went up. They could see Jerusalem from a distance. And they would see it.

That’s where they were headed. And they would sing these songs, and they were short, many of them. Psalm 132, verses 13 through 16. For the Lord has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation. Okay, God dwells among his people. This is my resting place forever. Now, catch these concepts. Now, this is talking about physical Zion, but catch the concepts here. This is my resting place forever. Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her for vision. I will satisfy her needy with bread. Her priests also I will close with salvation, and her godly ones will sing aloud for joy. Now flip back to Psalm 125. Another song of ascent. Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion.

Now he’s not talking about the mount per se, but those who trust in the Lord are like the mountain, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people from this time forth and forever. So now you can see because it represents this spiritual relationship between God and the nation of Israel, that the whole idea of Zion gets spiritualized. It’s a very short step. It gets spiritualized as you go along throughout Scripture. And has to do with God’s ultimate intentions for Zion. This is God’s dwelling. And we read Psalm 125, verses 1 and 2. Zion is continually a focus of Israel. It is a place of beautiful perfection. God will do good to Zion and bring salvation to Israel.

3. Isaiah Talks About a Glorious Future for Zion

Zion is the city of God. Okay, so now you know where Zion is. You know what it represents to the nation of Israel. Then we come to the book of Isaiah. Begin turning over to the book of Isaiah, because Zion becomes a big part of Isaiah’s prophecy. The city’s exalted above the hills. And Isaiah talks about a glorious future for Zion. Now, the reason why I need to pause right here and tell you what’s going on with Isaiah is these are bad times for God’s people. Israel to the north of Judah is about to be destroyed by the Assyrians. It’s very imminent. Never to be a people again. And then they’re going to breathe threats against Judah, but it’s not going to be until the next empire, 120, 130 years later, the Babylonians are going to come in and they’re going to destroy the temple.

They’re going to overflow Zion and burn it to the ground. A remnant is going to be taken into captivity and going to return, and they’re going to try to rebuild the temple, but it’s not going to look anything like it was before. They’re going to be a weak and powerless people. Now, you’ve got to understand what’s about to happen to appreciate where Isaiah is going with this. And what he’s saying all the way throughout the book is that God’s got plans for Zion. And this is going to be important, especially when the city lies in ruins. And they’re off in captivity, and they’re a small remnant of people, not like they were in their glory days under David. Okay, now notice what he promises. Now you got that, Isaiah.

Isaiah chapter 2. Verse 2. Now it will come about that in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains. And will be raised above the hills. And all the nations will stream into it. And many peoples will come and say, Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us concerning his ways, and that we may walk in his path, for the law will go forth from Zion. And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations. He will render decisions for many peoples. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn of war. My people are going to be a people of war no longer. This is going to be peace. This new Zion that God is creating. Well, we know from our studies, most of us do, that Isaiah was anticipating in Acts chapter 2 the events of the day of Pentecost at Zion, the city of Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, and they speak in tongues. 3,000 people are baptized. And how do the nations figure into this? Remember what it says? Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Remember what I said about that?

It’s everything that God had promised. Going back to Isaiah 2. You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise, it’s for you and your children. And for all those who are afar off. And of course, that would ultimately include the Gentiles beginning with Coronus and Acts chapter 10. Jew and Gentile, all people, the law goes forth from Zion. That’s where it starts. This glorious future begins to unfold at the day of Pentecost. And I just really noticed this when we were singing on Zion’s glorious summit stood. A numerous host redeemed by blood. That’s Acts 2. That’s what that’s records in. A numerous host redeemed by blood on the day of Pentecost. Isaiah is not done. In Isaiah chapter 4, he speaks of Zion in a very short chapter of Isaiah in verse 2.

The branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, a reference to the descendants of David, the branch of the Lord, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. And it will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy. Everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem. Okay? Everyone will be called holy. Isaiah 29 and verse 8. God is going to protect Zion. And it will be as when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he is eating, but he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied. Or when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he is drinking. But when he awakens, behold, he is faint, and his thirst is not quenched.

Now who’s he talking about? He’s talking about the enemies of Zion. And he says, their hunger is not going to be satisfied, and their thirst is not going to be quenched. And I’ll tell you why. Because they wage war against Zion. You don’t want to be waging war against the city that God loves. Just a few chapters later, a wonderful text. You need to mark this in Isaiah. As he looks for better times for Zion, he says, a highway of holiness will be there, and fools will not wander therein. In other words, you don’t accidentally get on this highway. It is the result of choice and decision. The redeemed will walk there. And sorrow and sighing will flee away, he said. And I thought about this as we sang, magnify, O magnify.

Cry aloud with gladness. Our joy is in him. Sorrow and sighing will flee away because we walk the highway of holiness, verse 10, and the ransom to the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion. With everlasting joy upon their heads, they will find gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing will flee away. Now I want you to look at Isaiah 49 as we continue our short trek through Isaiah. He said, Let me tell you what’s going to happen in the future. Zion is not going to hunger and thirst anymore. You know, they’ve experienced that kind of thing, Israel has in their history. He says, Not anymore. In a favorable time I have answered you. In the day of salvation I have helped you. That’s interestingly quoted in 2 Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 1 by Paul.

Okay, that’s what’s going on in the time of Paul. And notice what he says in verse 14. But Zion said, The Lord has forsaken me. Okay, that’s an obvious thought when you see Zion laying in ruins and oppressed and difficult times coming. Zion had the Lord has forsaken us. The Lord has forgotten me. And he says, No, I haven’t forgotten Zion. Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Look at this. I have inscribed you on the palm of my hands. Your walls are continually before me. And they will say of that city in the future, Isaiah 52 and verse 7. Your God reigns. How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.

Wait a minute, that sounds like a New Testament verse. Romans 10. Yes, it is. Who announces peace and brings good news with happiness. And when that happens, then people will declare, your God reigns. We could actually read more of this context back in verses 1 and 2 that mentions Zion as well. And then finally, as you’ve been going through Isaiah with me in chapter 62 and verse 1. For Zion’s sake, I will not keep silent. And for Jerusalem’s sake, I will not keep quiet until her righteousness goes forth like brightness and her salvation like a torch that is burning. And what immediately follows that, if you’ll remember, in Isaiah 62 and verse 2, is the new name that people will wear. Did two sermons on that a while back about what that new name involves for the Lord people.

4. God Had Spiritual Intentions for Zion

So God has this future plan for Zion that the nation of Israel, the physical nation of Israel never fulfilled. God had spiritual intentions for Zion. And we have this in Psalm 2 and verse 6. Again, anticipating the future. But as for me, I’ve installed my king upon Zion, my holy mountain. A reference to the Messiah. Who would be his king in Zion? Zachariah is anticipating all of this. God is jealous for Zion. He will bring prosperity and comfort. He will again choose Jerusalem. Okay, hold these concepts. Zealous for Zion or jealous for Zion. He’s going to bring prosperity and comfort, and he’s going to again choose Jerusalem. And then this.

And then finally, the king is coming to you on the foal of a donkey. Point now, that sounds familiar. Zion, your king is coming on the foal of a donkey. That’s quoted twice in the gospel narratives, and you know what it’s about. Jesus sitting upon that donkey upon which no one had ever sat, and he rides into the city of Jerusalem as its king, fulfilling this prophecy.

So, where is all of this point? Israel never met this ideal as a nation. And the reason why is the very nature of the covenant that was given to them. How often was it in their history when the whole nation was faithful and committed to God? Very rarely.

5. The Lord's People Are Zion

Where entrance into the covenant begins with an acknowledgement of the king. You don’t get into this kingdom without acknowledging that Jesus is the king. And you are saved by what? You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. And so what does he go on to? The Hebrew writer say in Hebrews chapter 12, a reference to Zion, he says, Let me tell you about you believers in Christ, you Christians. You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God. The heavenly Jerusalem and the myriads of angels and to the blood of Jesus that’s better than the blood of Abel, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect. Here we see the full spiritualizing of the concept. The Lord’s people are Zion.

They have come. They’re the new Jerusalem. They’re the spiritual Israel of God. The heavenly Jerusalem. I’ll tell you, that’s what’s going on. When we read passages like Romans 8 and Revelation chapter 21, if God be for us, then who be against us? He’s the protector of the city. We shall overwhelmingly conquer, he says in Romans chapter 8 and verse 37. And so within when we see all of those enemies in the book of Revelation that we talked about on Wednesday night during the BBS, and all the enemies are defeated. What do we see? Heavenly Jerusalem. We see Zion, the city of the living God, in perfect union with God. And what does Revelation 21 say about the holy city that is there described? Well, her walls are for square, her gates are of pearl.

She’s so precious, he’s the apple of God’s eye. There’s a street of gold in that city. God is in her midst, and nothing unclean shall ever enter her. This is the new Zion. The heavenly Jerusalem, the holy city that Isaiah had been anticipating. And one of the reasons why I like that song so much is the author gets what the Bible is saying about Zion. Some of our songs don’t. It was written a hundred years ago or more, but this person got it. To Zion shall be given the brightest glories earth can yield. And the brightest bliss of heaven. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5 and verse 3 the meek shall inherit the earth? What were the Corinthians told? All things belong to you. Let me tell you about the people of God.

They have everything that matters. They have the brightest glories that earth can yield and the brightest bliss of heaven awaiting them. What does he say? I love thy church, O God. Her walls before thee stand. And that’s what Isaiah had said. I have you written on the palm of my hands. Your walls are continually before me. That’s the picture of Revelation 21. Let me tell you about the walls of this city. They’re impenetrable. For walls before thee stand. Beyond my highest joy, I prize her heavenly ways. That’s what this is all about. We’re engaged in heavenly things. We’re being guided by God’s heavenly book. I prize her heavenly ways. For her my prayers ascend. For her, my toils will be given. That’s why it’s such a great hymn.

6. Do Not Think This Is Insignificant

Beyond my highest joy, I prize her heavenly ways. And so here’s what I want to get out of this. Here’s the real practical part of this. As we understand God’s intentions for Zion and we’re living it. Do not underestimate. Do not think that this is insignificant what we’re doing here. As we gather for worship and bring our hymns of praise to the throne of God.

And we walk as people of truth and holiness, who walk worthy of the location wherewith we’re called, Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 1. This is significant. We are the city of truth. We have come to Mount Zion to the city of the living God. That is who we are. We must never minimize this. Our connection to it, our involvement in it, our being it. Do not ever minimize the function or fellowship of the Lord’s church and then this. Do not measure her based on any size or any worldly standard of measurement that determines success. I mean, how are you going to measure success in the days of Noah? I’m going to measure it by about eight people who submitted to the rule of God. How are you going to measure the success of Zion in the 21st century?

Worldly measurements don’t work. Men often value the wrong things. It’s about size and numbers. But I’ll tell you what it’s about. It’s about people who have submitted to the reign of the king.

And if we do that and maintain then, therefore, a special relationship with our God. There is a connection to the spiritual realm that most men can’t see or appreciate. Because we are in fellowship with God. We are that city. And that’s the point of the Revelation 21 picture. Despite all of these enemies breathing threat, despite the persecution and bloodshed, you people are in a right relationship with God, and that’s all that matters. They can kill you, but they can’t take that from you. Do not measure based on size or any worldly standard of success, but we are those who live under the rule of the king. We prize her heavenly ways. We see. And so no wonder. We read passages like Colossians chapter 3 and verse 1.

Set your affections on things above and not on things of this earth. Your life is hidden with Christ and God. It says in Colossians chapter 3 and verse 4. We have heavenly aims and goals. Abraham anticipated our day and was glad. Jesus said in John chapter 8. He was an alien in the land of promise, and it says, He looked for a city whose builder and maker was God. We are that city. Oh, I know. There is still some less than ideal moments that take place. That’s what the book of Revelation is talking about. And ultimately, this anticipates the ultimate that God has planned for us. We are to be Zion dwellers. What kind of people is that? We’re to be a people of integrity, a people of righteousness, a people who swear to their own hurt and do not change.

Conclusion

That’s what Zion dweller is in Psalm 15. Zion is the focus of God’s attention and his care. You’ve listened well. I want to look at a couple of passages and we’ll be done. The book, tiny little book of Zephaniah chapter 3. Zephaniah chapter 3. Notice what it said about Zion, anticipating the glorious future, just like Isaiah had. Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion. He says in verse 14, rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord has taken away his judgments against you. He has cleared away your enemies.

You will fear disaster no more. In that day it will be said of Jerusalem.

Do not let your hands fall limp. The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior.

And he will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. I will restore your fortunes. He says in verse 20. And finally, in Malachi chapter 3, the last prophetic utterance of the Old Testament. He says, And they will be mine, says the Lord of hosts. On the day that I prepare my own possession. Wait, that sounds like 1 Peter 2 9. We are a people of God’s own possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him, so you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not. And that’s what Zion is all about. It’s a simple classification issue. Do you serve God or don’t you? Are you a part of God’s glorious intentions for Zion?

His church. Are we indeed the people of truth? Are we setting our affections on things above and not on things of this earth? Listen, our connection to these promises can greatly encourage us. I think so often we don’t realize the magnitude of what we’re involved in as God’s people. That there is a connection between heaven and earth, between his people and the king. And how vital that connection is to making our lives truly count for something and for the hope of glory that it ultimately anticipates. And so which one are you? Are you one who serves God or one who does not? And so we encourage you to serve him. You should have every motivation to be a part of what God has planned from eternity.

To be a part of His city. His holy city. And may our lives of holiness reflect that. And may your life reflect it. Can we assist you in putting on Christ, as those people on the day of Pentecost did? Everything that God had promised coming true. Everything that God has ever intended for you. For you to have and to know. If we can help you in some way, come now as we stand and sing.