“When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.” Psalm 102:16.
Within the Body of Christ (Spiritual Jerusalem) are those who are
being especially moved upon (Spiritual Zion) by the Holy Spirit at this
present time. “Spiritual Jerusalem” relates to those who are saved, but
treat their salvation as being “salt” which only flavors rather than
permeates their life style. They are satisfied with the promise of a
future Heaven and have stopped short of the full work of the cross in
bringing them to spiritual maturity.
“Spiritual Zion” relates to the Kingdom of God. These are overcomers who have made Jesus both the center and circumference of their lives. They have a “single eye” toward Jesus and have taken up their cross. They have submitted themselves, and all that pertains to them, to His Kingdom rule (Zion). These are a called out “people within a people” who are being dealt with and qualified to become His Bride. “For many are called (Spiritual Jerusalem), but few are chosen (Spiritual Zion).” Matt 22:14. Another way to express this verse is, “Many are called but few will pay the price in order to be chosen.” Our being chosen is the result of the outworking of the process of qualifying, or overcoming.
“To He who overcomes (Zion) will I grant to sit with Me (Bride) in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His Throne.” Rev 3:21.
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matt 25:23.
One can be saved and not become an overcomer. One cannot be an overcomer without first being saved.
Zion is a high place within Jerusalem that originally belonged to the Jebusites. It was taken by David and became known as the city of David.
“Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.” II Sam 5:7.
Zion speaks of the place of Divine spiritual and governmental authority.
“Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2:6.
The “overcomer” relates to Zion.
“And has made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Rev 5:10.
Zion, in the eyes of the Lord, is a very special place.
“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2
“For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” Psalm 132:13-14.
The Lord has a singular love for Zion.
“The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.” Psalm 87:2-3. Zion is the place of His anointing and provision.
“And of Zion it shall be said, this one and that one were born in her; and the Most High Himself shall establish her.” Psalm 87:5.
“I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.” Psalm 132:15.
David set up a tent in Zion to hold the Ark of God, which became the abiding place of the Lord.
“In Judah is God known; His Name is great in Israel. In Salem also is His tabernacle, and His dwelling place in Zion.” Psalm 76:1-2.
There were no separations between the Lord and those who worshipped within this tent in Zion. There was no Outer Court, Holy Place, or Holy of Holies, into which a representative Priest entered once a year to make atonement for the people. All within the tent were together, and the Lord Himself continually dwelt in their midst.
“They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appears before God.” Psalm 84:7.
Zion is a place set apart for spontaneity in worship.
“As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there; all my springs are in You.” Psalm 87:7.
Zion signifies the atmosphere in which His Bride will be made ready for the coming of her Heavenly Bridegroom.
This “building up of Zion” is a prophetic indicative concerning the return of our Lord Jesus Christ in manifest Glory. It speaks of those who have a consuming zeal to be brought into the highest that the Lord has. At the heart of this process is the cultivation of a personal relationship with Jesus, and a submission in every aspect of our lives to His Kingdom authority.
“When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.” Psalm 102:16.
Chapter six of Isaiah relates to this special working of the Lord in Zion. Isaiah had been looking to an earthly King (Jerusalem), and is now turning to a higher Throne (Zion). “In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” Isaiah 6:1.
In the presence of this heavenly Throne are Seraphim (overcomers) who resound in pure worship. “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His Glory.” Isaiah 6:3.
As they continued in worship, the heavens opened. “And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.” (Glory) Isa 6:4. These “posts” that moved speak of that which held the door that leads into the Lord’s manifest presence either closed or open. The unity in the audible voices of these worshippers (one cried to another) removed the hindrance that had kept the door closed. This “door” leads from Spiritual Jerusalem into Zion. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev 3:20.
As the door opened, there was a lifting up from Jerusalem (Type and Shadow, Earthly Government) into Zion. (Manifest Presence, Heavenly Government). This manifestation of His Glory is seen by Isaiah as being “smoke.” In II Cor 3:18 the Glory of the Lord is likened to a mirror. As Isaiah beheld this Glory, in its reflection, he saw himself as he had never seen himself before.
“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5.
To enter Zion means that we have moved through the barrier that exists between the temporal and the eternal. It is only in Zion that we can see ourselves as we truly are and can repent. Nothing will change us more than a visitation of His Glory.
“Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said,” “Lo, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.” Isaiah 6:6-7. This speaks of “The Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Jerusalem) and Fire” (Zion). “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge his floor.” Matt 3:11b-12a.
Multitudes have received the infilling of the Holy Spirit and have spoken in tongues. But they have not tarried until the “fire” comes to purge and purify them. As this coal of fire comes and touches us, we will be transformed. There will come within us a quality that will have a spiritual “ring” to it. We must go beyond our present level of spiritual understanding and experience and again enter David’s tent. We cannot do this literally, but in spirit we can. As we voice our worship to Him and express our desire to make Jesus Lord of our lives, the “posts of the door” will again move and we will enter His glorious presence.
No longer will “Uzziah” (Jerusalem) provide the comfort we seek, but we will see the Lord upon His Throne (Zion)and make Him Lord of our lives. And, in the reflection of His Glory, we will see ourselves and be changed. We must allow this “coal of fire” to have its full work within us, until nothing is left but that which pertains to Zion.
Then Jesus will come forth in all His Glory and His Kingdom established
“Spiritual Zion” relates to the Kingdom of God. These are overcomers who have made Jesus both the center and circumference of their lives. They have a “single eye” toward Jesus and have taken up their cross. They have submitted themselves, and all that pertains to them, to His Kingdom rule (Zion). These are a called out “people within a people” who are being dealt with and qualified to become His Bride. “For many are called (Spiritual Jerusalem), but few are chosen (Spiritual Zion).” Matt 22:14. Another way to express this verse is, “Many are called but few will pay the price in order to be chosen.” Our being chosen is the result of the outworking of the process of qualifying, or overcoming.
“To He who overcomes (Zion) will I grant to sit with Me (Bride) in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His Throne.” Rev 3:21.
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matt 25:23.
One can be saved and not become an overcomer. One cannot be an overcomer without first being saved.
Zion is a high place within Jerusalem that originally belonged to the Jebusites. It was taken by David and became known as the city of David.
“Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.” II Sam 5:7.
Zion speaks of the place of Divine spiritual and governmental authority.
“Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2:6.
The “overcomer” relates to Zion.
“And has made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Rev 5:10.
Zion, in the eyes of the Lord, is a very special place.
“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2
“For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” Psalm 132:13-14.
The Lord has a singular love for Zion.
“The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.” Psalm 87:2-3. Zion is the place of His anointing and provision.
“And of Zion it shall be said, this one and that one were born in her; and the Most High Himself shall establish her.” Psalm 87:5.
“I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.” Psalm 132:15.
David set up a tent in Zion to hold the Ark of God, which became the abiding place of the Lord.
“In Judah is God known; His Name is great in Israel. In Salem also is His tabernacle, and His dwelling place in Zion.” Psalm 76:1-2.
There were no separations between the Lord and those who worshipped within this tent in Zion. There was no Outer Court, Holy Place, or Holy of Holies, into which a representative Priest entered once a year to make atonement for the people. All within the tent were together, and the Lord Himself continually dwelt in their midst.
“They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appears before God.” Psalm 84:7.
Zion is a place set apart for spontaneity in worship.
“As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there; all my springs are in You.” Psalm 87:7.
Zion signifies the atmosphere in which His Bride will be made ready for the coming of her Heavenly Bridegroom.
This “building up of Zion” is a prophetic indicative concerning the return of our Lord Jesus Christ in manifest Glory. It speaks of those who have a consuming zeal to be brought into the highest that the Lord has. At the heart of this process is the cultivation of a personal relationship with Jesus, and a submission in every aspect of our lives to His Kingdom authority.
“When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.” Psalm 102:16.
Chapter six of Isaiah relates to this special working of the Lord in Zion. Isaiah had been looking to an earthly King (Jerusalem), and is now turning to a higher Throne (Zion). “In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” Isaiah 6:1.
In the presence of this heavenly Throne are Seraphim (overcomers) who resound in pure worship. “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His Glory.” Isaiah 6:3.
As they continued in worship, the heavens opened. “And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.” (Glory) Isa 6:4. These “posts” that moved speak of that which held the door that leads into the Lord’s manifest presence either closed or open. The unity in the audible voices of these worshippers (one cried to another) removed the hindrance that had kept the door closed. This “door” leads from Spiritual Jerusalem into Zion. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev 3:20.
As the door opened, there was a lifting up from Jerusalem (Type and Shadow, Earthly Government) into Zion. (Manifest Presence, Heavenly Government). This manifestation of His Glory is seen by Isaiah as being “smoke.” In II Cor 3:18 the Glory of the Lord is likened to a mirror. As Isaiah beheld this Glory, in its reflection, he saw himself as he had never seen himself before.
“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5.
To enter Zion means that we have moved through the barrier that exists between the temporal and the eternal. It is only in Zion that we can see ourselves as we truly are and can repent. Nothing will change us more than a visitation of His Glory.
“Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said,” “Lo, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.” Isaiah 6:6-7. This speaks of “The Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Jerusalem) and Fire” (Zion). “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge his floor.” Matt 3:11b-12a.
Multitudes have received the infilling of the Holy Spirit and have spoken in tongues. But they have not tarried until the “fire” comes to purge and purify them. As this coal of fire comes and touches us, we will be transformed. There will come within us a quality that will have a spiritual “ring” to it. We must go beyond our present level of spiritual understanding and experience and again enter David’s tent. We cannot do this literally, but in spirit we can. As we voice our worship to Him and express our desire to make Jesus Lord of our lives, the “posts of the door” will again move and we will enter His glorious presence.
No longer will “Uzziah” (Jerusalem) provide the comfort we seek, but we will see the Lord upon His Throne (Zion)and make Him Lord of our lives. And, in the reflection of His Glory, we will see ourselves and be changed. We must allow this “coal of fire” to have its full work within us, until nothing is left but that which pertains to Zion.
Then Jesus will come forth in all His Glory and His Kingdom established
