MYSTERIES OF ZION: GOD’S DWELLING PLACE

“For the Lord has chosen ZION; He has desired it for HIS DWELLING PLACE” – Psalm 132:13

Yesterday, we saw Mount Zion as one of several pictures of the Church. Today, we’ll meditate some MYSTERIES of ZION. Literally, Mount Zion stands for Jerusalem, “the city of our God” and of “the Great King” (Psa.48: 1-2). In the New Testament, the term Mount Zion assumed a broader application: “But you have come to MOUNT ZION and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels” (Heb.12:22). Though living physically in this world, every believer in Christ is a citizen of Mount Zion!

Zion is the Dwelling Place or Habitation of God: “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy” (Psa.132:13-16). That Zion is God’s Resting Place implies that God is comfortable in Zion! Abundance of blessings, physical provision, emotional satisfaction, salvation, and joy are among Zion’s key characteristics. Zion is a unique gathering of God’s people from eternity past into eternity future; it is the eternal Habitation of God.

In Zion every citizen is a king and priest: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” and “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father…” (1Pet.2:9a). “And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev.1:6).

Every citizen of Zion is great and honourable: “And of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her; and the Most High Himself shall establish her.”⁶ The Lord will record, when He registers the peoples: “This one was born there.” (Psa.87:5-6). It is the Joy of the Lord that you and I be counted in Zion! We are too great to groan in Zion; too blessed to be cursed; and too favoured to mourn (Job 22:29). Zion is a great City with a Great King and great kings looking up to Him. In Zion, our dependence is solely on God.

Zion is the assembly of the saints: “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him” (Psa.89:7). Zion is a city of praise, where everyone is a “Very Important Person”. In Zion, our lives are connected to God. Despising yourself is despising your God. If a man belittles himself, he will be a little man (Psa.49:20; Eccle.9:14).

In Zion, the Flavour of Favour is guaranteed: “You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come” (Psa.102:13). The Lord beams His light of favour on Zion: “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream” (Psa. 126:1). Multitudes are struggling and sweating daily for average or no achievements. In Zion, we tap into supernatural favour for triumphant living!

Zion is full of Beauty and Joy: “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth” (Psa.5:2). As our confession and conduct of God’s beauty increase, His Glory of God will shine with greater intensity in our lives! Zion is the epitome of Joy: “Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King” (Psa.48:2). Jesus is the desire of the nations. So also is the believer. We have no partnership with sorrow. We have no alliance with agony. Captivity is contrary to Zion. The Joy of the whole earth flows from Zion. Zion is a place of liberty!

There are eternal dimensions to Mount Zion: “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads” (Rev.14:1). May we be privileged to remain citizens of Zion for all of eternity!