What Is Zion in the Bible
The word Zion in the Bible is used in several different contexts to refer to different places or situations. It is often associated with Jerusalem and is often used to mean the City of God or the Kingdom of God. It is also used to describe the entire land of Israel, the gathering of God’s people in the Last Days, the mountain of God, and sometimes the entire World. But, most often, it is used to refer to the city of Jerusalem.
In the Old Testament, Zion is used as another name for Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the city chosen by God for the tabernacle of the Lord and the holy city of the Israelites. It was given as a type of New Jerusalem, a spiritual reality of the presence of the living God. For example, Isaiah 2:3 says, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” In Psalm 74:2, it says, “Remember Your congregation, which You acquired of old, which You redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance; this Mount Zion, which You have made Your abode.” Psalm 87:2 says, “The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.”
In the New Testament, Zion is used to refer to the Christian Church. Ephesians 4:4-6 says, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” In Hebrews 12:22-23, it says, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven.” This shows that Zion refers not only to Jerusalem, but to the heavenly city of the Church.
In the Bible, Zion is also used to refer to spiritual accomplishments or the gathering of the people of God. Isaiah 1:27 says, “Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her penitents with righteousness.” This speaks of the spiritual accomplishments that result from repenting and returning to God. In Isaiah 66:20-21, Zion is used to refer to the gathered people of God: “Then they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the Lord, on horses and in chariots, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “just as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.” This is a prophecy of the gathering of the people of God in the Last Days.
Zion is also used to refer to the heavenly kingdom or the new Jerusalem. For example, in Revelation 21:2, it says, “And I saw the holy city,New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” This speaks of the heavenly city that will one day be revealed. In Hebrews 12:22, it says, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.” This shows that Zion refers not only to a spiritual reality, but also to a heavenly city that is yet to come.
The Kingdom of God
Zion is used as a type for the Kingdom of God. In Isaiah 52:1, it says, “Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments,” which speaks of the Kingdom of God and its garments of righteousness. In Revelation 21:2, it says, “And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband,” which speaks of the heavenly city that will one day be revealed. In Matthew 5:3-5, it says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” This speaks of the Kingdom of God, in which the poor, mourners, and meek shall be blessed. This shows that Zion is a type of the Kingdom of God.
Salvation Through Jesus
Zion is also used to refer to salvation through Jesus. In Hebrews 12:22, it says, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.” This shows that Zion is a type of the heavenly city that will one day be revealed. In Romans 5:1-2, it says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through ourLord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” This speaks of the salvation we have through Jesus Christ.
In Psalm 102:13-16, it says, “You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come. For Your servants take pleasure in her stones, and show favor to her dust. So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory. For the Lord shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.” This speaks of the Lord’s mercy upon Zion and how the nations will fear His name and His glory will be revealed in the Last Days. This speaks of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Glory Of God In Zion
Zion is also used to refer to the glory of God. In Psalm 48:1-2, it says, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” This speaks of the glory of God in the city of Zion. In Isaiah 24:23, it says, “Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed; for the Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His elders, gloriously.” This speaks of the glory of God that will be revealed in Zion and Jerusalem.
The glory of God is seen in many other places in the Bible. In Isaiah 35:2, it says, “It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God.” This speaks of the glory of God that will be seen in the land of Israel. In Psalm 19:1-2, it says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.” This speaks of the glory of God which is revealed in the heavens and throughout all creation. This shows that Zion is a type for the glory of God revealed throughout the world.
Revelation Of Jesus Christ
Zion is also used to refer to the revelation of Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 40:3-4, it says, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth.’” This speaks of the revelation of JesusChrist who will come and bring salvation. In Isaiah 2:2-3, it says, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.‘” This speaks of the revelation and presence of God that will be seen in the Last Days.
In Revelation 1:7-8, it says, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,’ says the Lord, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” This speaks of the revelation of Jesus Christ and His coming on the clouds of heaven in power and glory. This shows that Zion is a type of the revelation of Jesus Christ in all His glory.
Coronation Of God As King
Zion is also used to refer to the coronation of God as King. In Psalm 24:7-10, it says, “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” This speaks of the coming of the King of glory and His coronation as King of the world.
In Psalm 46:4-6, it says, “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.” This speaks of the coming of God as King and the melting of the nations before Him. This shows that Zion is a type of the coronation of God as King.
Worship Of God
Zion is also used to refer to the worship of God. In Isaiah 2:2-3, it says, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.
