About Zion

ZION

  The original meaning of the word “Zion” is unknown. It has been suggested that in the Hebrew it meant “castle.” The location of Zion is known; it was the fortress of Jebus, the original name of Jerusalem, and specifically Mt. Zion, one of the many hills of Jerusalem. Jebusites were Canaanites who David defeated and assumed control of Mt. Zion. Thusly, Zion is often associated with war and the acquisition of Palestinian land although Palestinians (Philistines) were likely not Canaanites.
However, from a biblical standpoint, Zion is indeed associated with “castle” since David wrestled control of it from the Jebusites who disappeared from history. A “castle” is a retreat wherein there is safety (Merriam-Webster Dict.), and they were usually huge, large enough to protect the citizens around it. Castles were the citadels and residences of kings throughout history. Solomon’s “castle” or “House of the Lord” was referred to “the citadel to the Lord” (1 Chron 29:1). That specific citadel, built on Mt. Moriah which has often been confused with nearby Mt. Zion.
  “Zion” has come to mean all of Jerusalem and all of Israel. “Daughter of Zion” refers to the Israelites (Micah 4:1) and hence the dispersion of the Jews all over the world. Zionists are those who desire to come home. The word “Zionism” was coined by the Germans in the late 19^th century to describe the desire of Jews to return to their homeland (Wikipedia; “Zion”).That movement came to fruition in 1948 when Israel became a nation again as Jews returned “home.” Of course, home is where the heart is, and with that Zion in the old Negro spirituals, came to mean a place of spiritual peace!  Zion has also come to mean Jerusalem more so that all of Israel since Jerusalem means “foundation of peace.” Of course, Zion specifically remains that fortress on a hill in Jerusalem wherein someday there will be peace!
  In the sect of Kabbalah, Zion is the spiritual point of Existence, and the location of the Holy of Holies. Of course, the Holy of Holies is beneath the Foundation Stone inside the Dome of the Rock. That specific rock is believed to the datum (cornerstone) for the entire universe and is called “the navel of the world.” Thousands of people have come “home” to Zion and buried in the Mount of Olives Cemetery so as to be the first to enter Heaven at the rapture of those dead in Christ, as well as the living. Zion offers hope to Jews and Christians all over the world. The City of Zion is the City of God called “New Jerusalem:”

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Rev 21:1-3).

  Of course, Jerusalem (Zion) is now only the foundation of peace, but when New Jerusalem is built where the “harlot Babylon” is today, that great city will be the citadel of peace. God’s “castle” on Earth will be in Jerusalem, and it will finally be the “Citadel of Peace” and a place o safety. Of course, God’s throne will still be in Heaven, but Zion will be the place of His footstool (Isa 66:1; Acts 7:49). Not by coincidence, Zion is where Heaven meets the Earth, and Jewish scholars believe that Jerusalem is the location of The Garden Paradise of Eden. The Foundation Stone was the focal point of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1:1) and where God’s work was finished when Jesus died on the cross.
  Thus, the cross, grounded on Earth at Zion, point to the new city of Zion in Heaven. That old piece of wood represents the Way to Heaven through Jesus who redeemed mankind on it, and the lateral bar represents “the whosoever” from John 3:16.
  Zion is the City of David and where David planned the “House of God” – Solomon’s Temple. That waas not on Mt. Zion but Mt. Moriah. Hence, Zion came to represent Mt. Moriah more than Mt. Zion. Spiritually speaking, the cross with Jesus on it, is where God’s “house” was really built! I am referring to God’s true “House” or the “Church” which is the invisible House of God.
  After God attended the Hebrews throughout history in tents (tabernacles), He sort of embarrassed David, by bringing that up. Let’s read the passages as Nathan used God’s Word to reveal to David:

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. (2 Sam 7:12-16).

  David wanted to build a house for God. God scoffed at that because His intent was to build a House for the Jews and Gentiles. The verses above refer to God’s Kingdom (not David’s), a descendant of David (Jesus – the son of David), and mercy toward sinners. It is important here to realize that just as Job could have sinned, Jesus could have as well. The temptations of Christ were not window-dressing; Jesus struggled with temptation just as Job had, and overcame temptation and the world.
When God said “thine house” to David, it was not Davidic dynasty which failed time and time again. It was David’s “son’s” house in David’s “son’s” Kingdom! God was referring to the Zion of New Jerusalem – the City of God. Whose “house” was in reference? When Nathan spoke God’s Words to David, this is the house to which he made reference:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3).

  God was revealing to David that He Is the House-builder! God caused David to look beyond Solomon’s Temple to the real House of God which is the Church! His “House” will be for those who are troubled enough (for their souls) to believe in God. Jesus will be there as “Prince of Peace” in the “City of Peace” of course, “to heal the nations” (Rev 22:2). Zion, then, is not Mt. Zion itself, but the House that God will build there to heal the hearts of those who love Him! Zion represents hope – a return to God and His Kingdom. Just as the Negro slaves longed for peace in Heaven, perhaps thinking back to Africa, Christian “servants” long for peace in New Jerusalem, thinking back to Zion.
Christians are Zionists. It’s neither war they seek nor territory they desire, but Peace on Earth goodwill toward men. That’s why Jesus was born! Zion is that place of peace to return to its foundation. “Regeneration” is much more than conversion; it is a return to the state in which people were generated back in the Garden – a peaceful nature wherein everything is “very good” (Gen 1:31).