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Zion in God’s eternal purpose (UPDATED)
1. Introduction:
We’ve heard/read so much about Zion as an elevated mountain, as the city of
David etc., all drawing from the Old Testament. In this study, we want to examine what Zion
connotes in the light of the New Testament and God’s overall eternal purpose.
2. Change of Address:
In the New Testament, Zion is no longer a physical location (John 4:21-24)
or the people of the Old Covenant (descendants of Jacob) but God’s people under the New
Covenant (John 1:11-13, Gal. 4:21-31 and Heb 12:18-24, Eph. 2:19-22, 1 Pet. 2:8-9). This is very
instructive. In the Old, emphasis was given to physical things e.g., a physical nation, physical
battles/enemies, physical temple and sacrifices, external manifestations, etc. because their
spirits had not experienced regeneration; they could not contact or relate to God in spirit. So,
God used physical things to portray spiritual truths/realities. However, in the New Covenant,
emphasis is now in spirit and in truth. We must take care not to slip back into the flesh what
began in the spirit (Gal 3:3).
3. Zion the fullness:
Zion also represents the apex, climax, zenith, fullness, completion, finishing
point of God’s agenda and the realization of His ultimate intention. What started as a garden in
Genesis moved progressively and incrementally till it became a mighty mountain that filled the
whole earth (Dan. 2:34-35, Rev. 21:10). This is consistent with God’s nature to start with a seed,
then it grows out first the blade, then the ear and finally the full corn in the ear (Mark 4:28-29).
Other biblical pointers to this:
– The hills, the mountains, and the mountain on top of the mountains (Isa. 2:2, Mic. 4:1)
– Ankle-deep, knee-deep, waist-deep, too deep (Ezekiel 47:3-5)
– Red Sea crossing, Mt. Sinai encounter, and entering Canaan (these are the major milestones
in Israel’s journey from slavery to nationhood, also depicted by the feasts of Passover,
Pentecost and Tabernacles)
– 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold (Mark 4:8)
– Little children, young men, fathers (1 John 2:12-14).
All these represent, on the one hand, the different stages of the Divine working; and, on the other
hand, our own progressive journey onto fullness/completion/perfection. Our salvation is a
journey; the new birth experience (being born again) is the beginning point and we must
continue from faith to faith until we arrive. Sadly, individual believers and Christian groups alike
often tabernacle at a level and fail to progress to fullness. We should therefore ask ourselves:
how are we progressing in this journey; and are we keeping pace with the move of God on the
earth? Are we on the cutting edge of God’s move? Are we hearing what is the Spirit of God saying
today (Rev. 2 & 3)? Selah!
4. The Zion Company:
We have said Zion represents the people of God under the New Covenant
(which has shifted from flesh/blood bonding to Spirit/faith bonding). However, while the New
Testament uses Zion in a most broad and general sense to mean the entire body of believers, in
reality, not all believers will constitute Zion but the Overcomer, Man-child company who
are the Called, the Chosen and the Faithful. This is a most sobering thought. There are enough
types in both Old and New Testaments to support this. Let’s unpack that a bit:
– The Overcomer company (Rev. 2&3): All the letters of King Jesus to the seven assemblies in
Revelation ended with “He who overcomes…”, implying that the promise is not for everyone
but for the overcomers. Earlier in his letter, John had also spoken about the victory that
overcomes the world (1 John 5:4)
– The Man-child company (Rev. 12:5): We see 3 categories in this chapter: the woman with
child who is the mother of all; the man-child who was caught up to the throne; and the rest
of her offspring (children – implying she had previous children before giving birth to the man
child).
– The Called, Chosen and Faithful (Rev. 17:14): These are 3 categories of believers. Not all
who are called are chosen but all the chosen are certainly called. Again, not all who are
chosen are faithful but all the faithful are certainly called and chosen. I personally believe
that those who are with the Lord here are not three different categories but only one
category: the Faithful who have passed the three stages of being called, being chosen and
being faithful.
– The glory of the sun, moon and stars (1 Corinthians 15:41-42a): Even stars differ in glory.
– The three partitions of Moses’ tabernacle (Heb. 9:2-3): Outer court, holy place and most holy
place (ditto for the temple). All Israelites could access the outer court; only the priests could
assess the holy place and the high priest the most holy place. Note that this partition is not
God’s perfect will. God is not interested in creating an elitist or aristocratic group. But He is
Spirit and anyone who wants to do business with Him must meet His criteria. Some will be
content with staying at the outer court while others will press into the holy place and a fewer
still, the most holy place.
– Different vessels in a great house (2 Tim. 2:20-21): Vessels of gold, of silver, and vessels of
wood and clay. Your quality depends on your consecration.
– Three categories of Jesus’ disciples: the 70, the 12, the three and the one (whom Jesus
loved). Even outside of this, there were the 120, and the general multitude of admirers.
Least, Great, Greatest in the Kingdom: These were from Jesus’ own mouth which clearly
shows that eventually, some would be least (Matt. 5:19, 11:11), some great (Matt. 5:19) and
some greatest (Matt. 18:4, Mark 10:44).
– Three categories in eternity (Rev. 21-22): Take note of this important classification. The
picture we see in Rev. 21-22 is that of the overall Kingdom of God. But there are levels. The
nucleus (headquarters) of the Kingdom is the Holy City/New Jerusalem/Zion which is the
Bride of Christ and the very tabernacle of God, coming down from heaven to be situated
among men (vs. 2, 9-23, a fulfillment of the tabernacle in the wilderness – Exod. 25:8). Next
are the earthly kings (vs. 24-26); they are NOT part of the Holy City but bring the
wealth/tribute of the nations into the city. Finally, the earthly nations who are being
sustained by the light that shines from the city and the leaves of the Tree of Life that grow in
the City (21:24, 22:2). Pls, note: these nations are NOT part of the Holy City. This is the
clearest picture of what eternity-future looks like.
– Israel, Judah, Jerusalem/Zion: Israel was the entire nation of 12 tribes; inside the nation was
the tribe of Judah, inside Judah was Jerusalem and inside Jerusalem was Zion (oftentimes,
Zion and Jerusalem are used interchangeably. Also, in the prophetic scriptures—especially
in its post-exilic context, Zion was used as a metaphor for the entire Israel). It is interesting
to note that both during David’s time and the post-exilic period of Ezra and Nehemiah,
Jerusalem was not just randomly inhabited but by the king and his royal household and
officials, leaders and chiefs, priests and Levites, temple servants and specialist-artisans
and one in every ten family-returnee (this was to repopulate the city after returning from
exile) (2 Sam. 5:9-11, 1 Chron.9:2-3, Neh. 11:1-2).
Take Nigeria for example; it has 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Inside
Abuja is the Aso Villa (the home and office of Mr. President, similar to the US White House).
Now, it is possible for a Nigerian to grow up to 90 years old and never get to physically meet
Mr. President even for once. Those who live in Abuja may stumble on his motorcade once in
a while. But then, those who work with him in Aso Villa live before him and behold his face
(Hos. 6:2). Of course, it doesn’t mean the rest are less Nigerians but it points to the rare
privilege and grave responsibility which—if wishes were horses—every single Nigerian
would love to have.
We can go on and on because there are so many examples. But here is the point of emphasis:
having known that there are levels in the Kingdom, what level are you; or what level/category do
you want to be? The Divine arrangement has made it possible for everyone to choose their level.
Are you content being in the general class or are you going to press into the highest level
attainable? May a holy desire be birthed in you to strive to attain gold (the Zion company).
An important caveat: the concept of a Zion company is not for anyone to develop an elitist or
superiority complex over the rest of God’s people (that’s a common pitfall to vigorously resist).
And truth be told, no one can absolutely say that he is in this or that class until the Lord comes.
Remember when James and John wanted Him to designate them as throne ministers, He flatly
refused, because until He comes with His reward (and responsibilities), we all are fellow
stewards in the Lord’s service. However, that does not stop us from aspiring (If anyone wants to
be great…) and paying the price associated with that level (Are you able to drink that cup? strive
lawfully, beat my body, bring it under subjection etc.)
5. Gold for the things of gold:
Requirements and standards for being in Zion:
a) Holiness is non-negotiable. Psa. 15:1–2, Isa. 4:3–4, 35:8–10; Obad. :17, Joel 3:17; Zech.
14:20–21; Eph. 5:25-27; Heb. 12:14, 22–23; Rev. 21:27. – –
– However, we need to decipher legalistic holiness from true holiness. The former focuses
on self (self-effort and self-conscious) but the latter is God-conscious
– True holiness is an outworking of love. Agape love is selfless; laying down one’s life for
others (1 John 3:16). All sin stems from self-love; when you love someone genuinely, you
don’t want to steal from them.
– Holiness is a state of being separated exclusively onto God (Lev. 20:26). – –
– Holiness is the description of a life or society that is committed to complying with the
laws of the Kingdom. It is the state of being law-abiding i.e., righteousness. In the natural,
a person who keeps the law of the land is righteous Psa. 119:1, Ezek. 11:20).
We can’t overemphasize holiness as a condition for attaining Zion. However, let’s consider
some other essential attributes or requirements:
b) An excellent (governmental/kingly/apostolic) spirit and culture. This must be reflected in
lifestyle, speech, dealings with people, in our space, in solving problems, etc. – 1 Kings 10:4
5, Dan. 5:12, 6:3, 2 Pet. 1:3,5
c) A strong quest for wisdom, knowledge and understanding: Prov. 2:2-4, 4:5-7, 18:15. This
implies a desire for continuous learning (and becoming), the meekness and simplicity of a
child (a teachable spirit).
d) Having a heart for / deeply committed to the Father’s house/business: Throughout the
Psalms, David expressed his love, zeal and commitment to the Father’s house, to the City
of God and to His purposes. Psa. 27:4, 40:7, 69:9, 132:1-5, 137:5-6. Also demonstrated in
Jesus (Luke 2:49, John 4:34) This includes having a heart for all the redeemed (not being
sectarian/denominational) and also for all nations (Isa. 56:7). This implies a strong sense of
stewardship, of bringing profit to the Father’s business, of not loving one’s own life onto
death (Rev. 12:11) i.e., esteeming the Kingdom’s interest a far greater priority than personal
comfort or preservation.
e) Knowing and understanding the times in relation to the will of God: 1 Chron. 12:32, Matt.
16:2-3, Luke 19:44, Rom. 13:11-12, Eph. 5:15-17, 1 Pet. 10-12.
f) A heart of and a commitment to pilgrimage: “God at work—no stopping, no waiting, keep
moving!” “Ekklesia: On the move—no stopping till we finish!” Psa. 84:5-7
6. Separated for Governmental Service:
Again, let’s note that attaining Zion is not just to make
some an elite class; it is because the governmental functions/service awaiting them requires
that level of consecration, devotion, discipline and commitment to God, to His Kingdom, and
to His economy—which not everyone will be ready to commit to. It is just like the kind of training
special forces in the military (e.g., Delta Force, Navy SEALS or Green Berets – in the US Army)
are made to undergo because the nature of their assignments would demand usual level of
competence, sound judgment, spartan discipline, incorruptibility, adaptability, reliability and
uncommon loyalty.
Now, it doesn’t mean there is a special training reserved only for this Zion company, what it
means is that they are giving themselves more studiously to the same New Testament
instructions; and the more they do, the more the Holy Spirit orchestrates more specific dealings
for them which are not available to believers who have not scaled the previous level.
A few functions of the Zion company:
– They will very literally house Elohim. All the meticulousness and precision of details in the
building of the tabernacle and the temple in the Old Testament all point to this reality.
– They will execute judgment and dispense justice (Isa. 11:4, Jude :14-15).
– They will Rebuild, Repair and Raise-up damaged cities, societies and nations (Isa. 61:4).
– They will serve in Messiah’s Ruling House/Government (Matt 19:28, 2 Tim. 2:12, Rev. 3:21,
5:10)
Most of these are earmarked for the Kingdom Age but we will be manifesting bits and pieces of
them right from this present age as a foretaste of what is to come.
7. Our Role Today—the Roman 300:
This was a concept Rome utilized to colonize newly
conquered territories. They dispatched about 300 Roman families drawn from various walks of
life to be integrated into the new territory such that, after a while, they have reproduced a mini
Rome in that territory—complete with Roman way of life, culture, justice systems, governance
structure etc. effectively remolding it into the image of Rome. This gives the citizens of that
conquered territory an opportunity to see what Rome looks like in 3D and begin to desire it and
eventually adopt Roman (higher) way of life.
This is what is expected of us today as the Kingdom’s outposts on earth. Kingdom
communities/ekklesia are to embody and reflect the culture, values, mannerisms, language,
justice, economy of the Kingdom in localities where they are planted such that in a little time,
that locality begins to adopt the ways and culture of the Kingdom. This is what it means to
disciple/colonize the nations. This is the Great Commission.
8. Cave Adullam:
Now, we turn to the training / process that transforms disgruntled elements into
the finest of warriors and nobles in the kingdom. These men came to David as men in distress,
debtors and discontented (1 Sam. 22:1-2) but after being with David and saw up-close his
character, fear of God, good sense of judgment, etc., they began to be influenced to the point
that they became the mighty men of David (formerly individuals but now a collective) who
helped him to conquer Zion. Note that David all by himself without these men could not have
achieved that feat.
May the Lord, first of all, raise for us true Davids who will be God’s agent of remolding lives that
had been damaged by the system. They must first have been worked upon by the Lord and then
become a model that others can see and emulate. And may the Lord Himself gather, in this
season, such men and women who have long been discontented and misunderstood and
ostracized by the religious system, whose hearts are craving for authenticity. And may the Lord
raise Cave Adullams in our cities and nations that will be a place of organic formation of the
finest among us, valiant Kingdom warriors who will embody all of the qualities of Zion.
Amen!
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Temidayo Adeyemo: 08038548073 or essencerestored1@gmail.com.
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