Saturday, July 28, 2012

REDEMPTION OF ZION


 (Isa_1:27): This is a portrait of that final deliverance of the Church when we are set at liberty from the hold this world has on us and given a new body in His likeness (Rom_8:17-23; 1Co_15:45-58; 1Jn_3:1-3; Php_3:20-21).

The term "Zion" has a very interesting history and is interpreted variously. Gesenius, the famous Hebrew scholar said Zion is derived from a Hebrew root צהה, cāhāh, “to be dry.” He gives the Arabic equivalent ṣihw, the Arabic ṣahwat signifying “ridge of a mountain” or “citadel.”

Delitzsch claims it is from the Heb. root  צוּה, ciwwāh, “to set up.” Wetzstein thinks it is from צין, cīn, “to protect.”
J. F. Witty said Zion can signify (1) a heap of stones (2) a monument (3) a sepulcher.

Some say it means "Sunny" or "Sunny Mountain." It is often referred to in the Bible as Mount Zion sometimes speaking of Mount Moriah. Others say it means fortress. We know in the days of the Jebusites it was their fortress then David captured it and it became known as the "City of David," then referred to at times as Jerusalem and in the Book of Revelation as the "New Jerusalem." Paul refers to it as the Church (Heb_12:22). Isaiah said the Messiah will set up His government there and all nations will flow into it (Isa_2:1-4).

I will not take the time here to blend all of these views of Zion into the kaleidoscope of the Church of Jesus Christ but when you view the various perspectives of the Church as the Bible describes it you find the Masterpiece of Jesus Christ (Eph 2:10), the beauty of holiness, the glory and splendor of God.
 Kelsey Griffin

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