SEARCHING FOR ZION

KEY VERSES: And he saw that there was no Man, and wondered that there was no Intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak… And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; “My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.” (Isa 59:16-17, 20-21)

  The etymology of the word, “Zion,” is ambiguous, but is extremely important. No one knows for sure what the word means, but the place “Zion” is a small mountain presently outside the walls of Jerusalem, which was at one time within its walls. Zion was at first a Jebusite fortress, and the place where David built his palace. Later, it changed to the Temple Mount, and then moved to its present location. It came to represent the city of Jerusalem, and finally all of Israel. “Zion” is thought to mean “dry land” or/or “a bald spot” (Wikipedia; “Mount Zion”). 

  Perhaps Zion is not an exact spot on the globe, but a condition. The psalmist seemed to understand the meaning of Zion more than anyone: “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Perhaps, “Zion” is the dry and thirsty place within the souls of men in need of “water!” Maybe Jesus was teaching that to the woman at the well (John 4). 

  I believe that Solomon,who was describing his love in the Song of Solomon 4:15 as, “A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.” His love seemed to be a woman, but was he really describing Israel and the place of peace, Jerusalem? In several scriptures, Israel is likened unto a woman. I believe that Israel was the love of Solomon, and her “heart” was Jerusalem. The love which flowed from the “heart” was the “living waters” of whom Solomon wrote!

  Much later, Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38).  When Jesus touches anyone, virtue flows from him to the other person; as an example; Mark 5:30. But when Jesus died, virtue flowed out enough to cover the sins of the world. Jesus, when he died, shed blood and water, and those two things provided salvation (John 19:34; 1 John 5:6). “Water” represents the Holy Spirit. It is likely that blood (representing God’s physical Presence), and water (representing God’s spiritual presence) must be trusted for salvation. 

  Now back to Zion. Perhaps it wasn’t a place, but a condition wherein mankind has a longing for God. Perhaps it was that empty place on the Temple Mount whose baldness yearned for occupation. Perhaps it is the hollowness in the souls of mankind which must be filled with something. That “something” is the spiritual presence of God!

  Zion, to Isaiah, seems to be the faithful longing for God’s blood and water. Perhaps “Zion” to Isaiah was Calvary! That place of baldness (another suggested meaning for “Zion”) needed Jesus’s blood and water. Isaiah likely envisioned Jesus on Zion. Zion, the dry and bald spot in Jerusalem, was begging for occupation. The Occupant was to be the Redeemer. He would come to fill the “bald” spots in the hearts of men! 

  Read again the key verses. On Zion, there was no “Man,” The holy mountain of Zion desired Jesus. “Zion,” in that case, had to be Golgotha – the skull-like place which Isaiah called “Zion.” Perhaps theologians have missed one spot having a need for Jesus! Zion traveled with the purpose of God. Right now, Zion may be that emptiness in the hearts of men which Jesus can fill with his Holy Ghost. Zion was the Temple Mount when the Holy Ghost came (Acts 2). Now Zion is in the Temple of men (1 Cor 6:19). Perhaps “Zion” is God’s place; where he desires to be. Perhaps “Zion” is God’s desire to commune with mankind. Perhaps Zion is God’s need for requited love!

  Now compare the key verses to this:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil… Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephes 6:10-11, 13-17)

  We no longer go to Zion; Zion comes to mankind! Isaiah was speaking of Jesus, and Zion was then the Temple Mount, albeit he must have known that Zion is in the hearts of men. Zion was originally a Jebusite fortress. The whole armor of God is the fortress of Christians. Zion is around us Christians, keeping us safe from the evil one, until Jesus returns to Zion and snatches up those who he redeemed!

  Isaiah concluded that thought with, ““My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.” The Spirit of the Lord, His Holy Ghost, shall be on God’s people. He says, “My Words” shall be in his people. “My Word” is Jesus. The Lord made a Covenant with the Jews, and it applies to everyone… “thy seed’s seed.” And furthermore, it is a perpetual Covenant. There within chapter eight of the Book of Isaiah, he writes of the Covenant of Grace. If you examine it closely and compare with all the other covenants before, it is the same Covenant of Grace. The Jews merely needed it phrased in a different manner for them to understand, but they to this day, fail to understand God’s grace!

  How do I love thee? Solomon implied that “Israel” was his love, but it was really the seed of Israel that was the love of his life. How do you love him? Do you long for his love? Does that empty spot need filling with love? You, as the new Zion, seeks unrequited love, and Jesus love never quits.

Zion on Topigraphical  Map (credit: Wikipedia; "Mount Zion")