In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ himself states unless righteousness surpasses the Pharisees and teachers of the Law you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:20). Zion the Invincible – Discussion relating to the people’s perception of Zion’s inviolability, and Looking to the end times, Mount Zion is often viewed as the place where Christ stands in victory and triumph. The Meaning of Zion – An outline of the term and its origins, ZION. It is clear that the sinful nature is to be overcome by faith in Christ and the work the Holy Spirit can do in a human that truly repents. “Zion” in VanGemeren W. A. Whilst Strong draws his summation from the psalms such as Ps 47:7-9 and Ps 146:10, it is apparent that the theology of Zion also grew from the historical books of scripture. The Temple that was built there is situated in an area of several hills. Your body serves as its own Zion, a temple of the Lord’s presence. Arnold (1999)reinforces this sentiment stating “Many people continued to trust in empty religious rituals, and believed God would bless Jerusalem no matter how they lived. Zion is described both as the city of David and the city of God. Bible verses related to Zion from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order . To Rastafarians, a religious group in Jamaica, the name means "utopia." The city of David was a desirable fortress because it was protected on all sides by the geographical landscape. The term is often overlooked by both casual readers of Scripture and teachers of the Word. Copyright The Christian Network. The Zion of the Jebusites 3. Zion, the name conjures images of a majestic kingdom beyond compare, an imposing fortress upon a Holy mountain, shining in glory, its turrets proclaiming its invincibility to the known world. What is the role and importance of Zion in Christianity? Mount Zion was the most holy place on Earth for thousands of years. However, as was the case for those in Zion, believing that as a Christian one can do as one pleases, for “I am saved in Christ”, lends itself to a false sense of security. For our ancestors in the faith, there was no more important location than Mount Zion, the temple mount. In addition, the article discusses Christians today and whether a false sense of security can arise in trusting material blessing. Mat 23: 37)” (p. 23). That is the message of Psalm 2:6.This verse reveals that Zion is a mountain. The apostle Paul states “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. If refuge under God’s ‘wings’ is the locus of Israel’s protection, then Zion is God’s ‘nesting place’ and Israel is her brood (cf. To all the people you can. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Lucas Hagen is a freelance writer, recently graduated from Taylor University with majors in Biblical Literature and Youth Ministries. Levenson, J.D. 1.8K likes. The Jewish people; Israel. In many sources, the Rabbis interpreted the passages to be referring to the source of Jewish wisdom as the Sanhedrin was housed in the building adjacent the Temple in Jerusalem. The psalmist doesn’t seek to turn God into a building; rather, God’s saving presence, forever indwelling and as visible as the fortress itself. After the reign of Hezekiah, his son Manasseh took charge, unfortunately as Arnold state “Manasseh became one of Judah’s most wicked kings, and eventually undid all the reforms his father had established. The meaning of Zion is uncertain. In biblical times, Mount Zion was the place where God’s temple stood. The people, however, forgot Yahweh’s Law; they turned to false Gods and to sinful practice whilst believing their protection was eternal within the Holy City. (1999). 1. originally a stronghold captured by David (the 2nd king of the Israelites); above it was built a temple and later the name extended to the whole hill; finally it became a synonym for the city of Jerusalem 2. of zi'-on (tsiyon; Sion): 1. Man’s way is to try to suppress sin by seeking to overcome it; God’s way is to remove the sinner.”, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite  importance. And any part of the Bible can only be properly explained in  reference to the whole Bible.”, “I believe in  God – not in a Catholic God; there is no Catholic God. (2000). The … When the infant Zeus was born to his mother Rhea, his vengeful father Cronus had learned from Gaia and Uranus that his own son was destined to overcome him and become King. As long as ever you can.”, “Joy has nothing to do with material things, or with a man’s outward  circumstance … a man living in the lap of luxury can be wretched, and a man in  the depths of poverty can overflow with joy.”, “And know I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.”, For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes”, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose”, “Suppose you could gain everything in the whole world, and lost your soul. At all the times you can. Zion is mentioned throughout Scripture, but there is a higher concentration of references in the Psalms and the Prophets. The Hebrew word for Zion, Tzion (ציון), can … Zion Definition. This was the place that faithful Jews would travel to for the different ritual festivals in order to worship and celebrate each year. His evil led to a spiritual decline from which Judah never recovered (Jer 15:4)” (Arnold, 1999, p. 367). Louisville, KY: Westminister John Knox press, Arnold, B.T. Jeremiah’s heartfelt sermon given at the gates of Zion (Jerusalem) emphasizes the condition of the people; • ZION (noun) The noun ZION has 3 senses:. We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror.”, Zechariah 9:13 - “For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. There are more mythological connections between Zion, the stone, Zeus, Mount Ida and the island of Crete. ZION zi'-on (tsiyon; Sion): 1. Mount Zion is a term used to describe a location in Israel, Jerusalem specifically, but has now come to represent a larger area and meaning … Zion, the city of David, would finally fall. 5:6-7). As Paul asks, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Cor. Let us find out the meaning of the word Zion. As the Bible progresses, the word Zion expands in scope and takes on an additional, spiritual meaning. 2. Louisville, KY: Westminister John Knox press. “[Ask, Seek, Knock] “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 3. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!” If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. (ed). Meaning of the Word 2. Today it seems many Christians hold firmly to John 3:16 whilst avoiding the other 66 books of the bible. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”, “God has not called me to be successful, He has called me to be faithful”, “Many people despise those who spend their health, strength and money for the salvation of others, and call them mad. The zeal of the Lord will do this.”. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Omission of Name by Some Writers 6. Psalm 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Mount Zion is likely a term that you have heard before or read in Scripture, but you may not have given much thought to what or where it is. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. How to use Zion in a sentence. It s by Grace, through faith, that we are saved. Through the reigns of David and Solomon, Zion (the City) remained unscathed by any external force. It is clear that the term Zion extended to encompass both the city and the people themselves and through the Davidic line of Kings a level of protection was extended to them whilst they remained faithful to Yahweh. I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons O Greece, and wield you like a warrior’s sword.”. And yet it is they who will save many and be saved themselves.”, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. Through poetic exhortation the psalm reconstructs Zion’s physical majesty; God’s presence is almost felt in residence. The first is when David first overtook this location in Jerusalem. (1991). This is astounding! The Temple was situated on the hill Zion. The Anchor Bible Dictionary. When Solomon went on to build his own, larger temple, the area to which the term Zion referred expanded to include the land upon which the new temple stood. King Of Zion School, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Zion theology, serving as the royal theology of the Davidic dynasty, asserted that the Lord is the divine Great King, who controls all forces of chaos, thereby providing for the protection and fertility of the nation”. Zion glossary term meaning as seen in the King James Bible. All rights reserved. Zion definition: 1. the hill on which the city of Jerusalem was originally built, sometimes used to refer to the…. Just as frequently though, Zion is used in the Old Testament as a term in reference to Jerusalem and the people of Israel as a whole. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”, Former Australia Post chief executive did not have board approval for Cartier watch gifts, report finds, 'Read the room': Indigenous cricketer Dan Christian tells PM to follow CA's lead on Australia Day, Aged care sector 'disappointed' science does not support mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for workers, China mine rescue: Survivors to remain trapped at least two more weeks, Indonesia plane crash probe focusses on autothrottle, Google threatens to withdraw search engine from Australia, Soldier of Christ – Army Major Jeff Struecker – Inspiring Story of Survival, Martin Luther King and His Partner in the Cause. Salem Media Group. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Cor 6:19-20). The Name "Zion" in Christian Times LITERATURE 1. 4. The book of Psalms mentions Zion thirty-nine times. Zion definition from the Bible Dictionary. In modern days, the term Mount Zion refers to the western hill of Jerusalem. The lion refers to the Lion of Judah, which appeared on the old royal Ethiopian flag, and represents Haile Selassie, the former Ethiopian emperor whom Rastafarians regard as their Messiah . This is nothing short of a miracle. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. It is from here that confidence in Zion’s invincibility would grow. Brown, W.P. A man reaps what he sows. The Decline – The degradation of the people and their refusal to repent. Half-hearted repentance and faith have no place in God’s service” (p. 386). The confidence in the temple as a sanctuary of protection led to a false sense of security and to the notion that people can worship God and ‘get away with murder’ and exploitation of the poor. Torrey's Topical Textbook. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and […], Proverb 10:9 – ‘Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.’ The Oxford dictionary defines integrity as ‘The quality of being honest and […]. It is to this that the passage here refers; and the meaning is, that in that metropolis or capital God had constituted his Messiah king, or had appointed him to reign over his people. It requires a bit of attention to discern what the term refers to in any particular verse in the Old Testament, but you can be sure that it will be to one of the above. Today our leaders counsel us to build up Zion wherever we live. Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine Finally Zion came to rest to encompass Israel itself, the fates of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem and the whole house of Israel where now intertwined in the term Zion, though now interchangeable and could refer to any and all three (Levenson, 1996, p. 1096). Sort of a sampler from Jet Star Records, Kings of Zion presents four songs each by Jamaican sing-jays Capleton, Sizzla, Anthony B., and Junior Kelly.All four have hard-edged, abrasive, chanting styles set over dancehall rhythms, but they generally eschew the slack themes so common to the genre for more Rasta-influenced subject matter. Anderson, B.W. In latter-day revelation, Zion is defined as “the pure in heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21). Approximately 2500 years later, the gift of God’s grace and mercy, given in Christ to those who believe, still calls for a level of righteousness amongst Christians. Throughout the Old Testament, the term Zion is used frequently in reference to the physical location in Jerusalem. The sovereign Creator of the universe will set His King—the Lord Jesus Christ, Israel's Messiah—on Mount Zion, His holy hill. David’s choice of Zion for where to build his temple was intentional. Jerusalem had been on God’s mind for a long time. God’s chosen King in reign, and the temple, epicenter of God’s worship on earth. “Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.”, “Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the  impossible.”, “Do not think me mad. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. Yet. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. When he is not writing for Crosswalk, you can find him reading great books, playing guitar, competing in professional disc golf tournaments, and spending quality time with his lovely wife, Natalie, and their fluffy cat, Woodward. Whilst it is evident Zion Theology emerged from the Historical books leading to the conquest of Jerusalem by David, Levenson (1996) highlights the dozens of Zion traditions prominent in the prophetic book of Isaiah including 8:5-10; 17:12-14; 24:21-23; 25:6-12 and 60- 62 to name a few. 16:19). The Name "Zion" in Christian Times LITERATURE 1. It is called holy because Christ will reign as King in the city some day. Meaning of the Word: A name applied to Jerusalem, or to certain parts of it, at least since the time of David. You are your own holy and sacred place where you can be present with the Lord. Beyer, B.E. Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that said to Zion, Your God reigns! Yet have I set my king on my holy hill of Zion. Multiple meanings. Zion is important for Christians today because it has historically been the most holy place on earth for those who worship Yahweh. Dictionary entry overview: What does Zion mean? Meaning of the Word 2. The term Zion therefore was inherited to the Temple Mount, however Zion eventually designated the city or Holy City itself Zion the City of David. The ancient Hebrew word Tsiyon ( Zion) is “a Canaanite hill fortress in Jerusalem captured by David and called in the Bible ‘City of David.’". The new temple has arrived but as Paul states “Do you not know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? Of all locations mentioned in Scripture, Zion is one of the most significant, especially for those living before the arrival of Jesus. There is a hymn related to Zion. By all the means you can. The Psalms speak for us today. To the people at the time, Zion the City of David, represented a refuge and the pinnacle of God’s presence amongst them. 1-6). Some scholars believe that the name also belonged to the “stronghold of Zion” taken by David (2 Samuel 5:7), which may have been the fortress of the city. Why have you struck us down so that there is no healing for us? Seeing the Psalms. As Brown (2002) states “Indeed those ‘born in [Zion]’ are ‘registered’ in a list of faithful worshippers (Ps 87: 5-7). King David captured this stronghold and it was renamed City Of David. Comparatively a warning is presented for modern Christians, God still expects us to keep to his ways, however, only through total faith in Christ and a repenting heart we are able to remain on the narrow road and not get lost in false senses of security along the way. The initial term has been traced to the original name of a fortress in Jerusalem, prior to David’s conquest of the city from the Jebusites. The next time you experience the sweet presence of our Lord, thank Him that you did not need to fly to Jerusalem to do so. The Jebusites said to David, ‘You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.’ They thought, ‘David cannot get in here.’   Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion — which is the City of David” (2 Sam. Arnold (1999)states “Today, God still expects sincere commitments from his children. The second key passage providing context for Mount Zion is found in 1 Kings. Yahweh and his dwelling (temple) are associated with Zion. Learn more. Zion, the name conjures images of a majestic kingdom beyond compare, an imposing fortress upon a Holy mountain, shining in glory, its turrets proclaiming its invincibility to the known world. God sent Jeremiah to warn the people to repent, but unfortunately, most did not listen” (p. 385). This article has critically discussed the core aspects of Zion Theology in relation to the false sense of security that developed amongst those living in Jerusalem. In the early days of this dispensation, Church leaders counseled members to build up Zion by emigrating to a central location. (Anderson ,2000, p. 173). Some examples of this include: Psalm 2:6 - “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”, 2 Kings 19:31 - “For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The reason for the change is that later settlers assumed that the western hill, which is considerably larger than the original Zion, must have been the city of David where he built his temple. VanGermeren, however, saw the term Mount Zion as standing for the vision of God’s kingship. It is important for Christians to understand the significance of Zion both to aid in our understanding of biblical history, and our appreciation of the miracle of Pentecost. For this is God, our God, eternal and everlasting” (Ps 48: 12-14). It is clear that the Theology of Zion formed through three separate streams of scripture; Historical, Poetic (Psalms) and Prophetic (Isaiah onwards). Zion is "the promised land", in the song referring to Ethiopia. The song's lyrics are directly related to Rastafarian beliefs. David set up the tabernacle there and Solomon retrieved it from there to place the Ark and utensils in the temple.. 5. A glimpse of how the Israelites must have felt living in the City of David, Kingdom of Zion and home of the eternal God begins to emerge. Again Arnold (1999) affirms “many people today trust in rituals for security. (ed). Behold, your king is coming to you; he is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Despite the consistent rebellion of the daughter of Zion against her Father, He promises to restore her and present her with a Deliverer-King in the form of Jesus. 2020 Clarity: Reflecting on God’s Goodness in the Last Year (Selected Scriptures), Proof of Christ’s Preeminence (Hebrews 1:4-2:3), The Ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King (Hebrews 1:1-3), Bible Questions and Answers, Part 76 (Selected Scriptures). This is especially prevalent in the prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah, including many others. For centuries, Mount Zion was where God’s physical presence on Earth dwelt. Throughout the Bible, when Zion is mentioned, it could refer to that specific area, to the city of Jerusalem, or to the gathering of all of God’s people, who worship Him. King Tubby classic Zion Gate Dub. 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