Zion: city of God



O! for the eyes of God wherewith we might see the glory and beauty and power of our God!

Zion ~ The very sound of that name ought to reverberate through our spirit with waves of joy and power.  Yet, it seems we hardly know Zion, the "city of the great King"; the "joy of the whole earth" (Psalm 48:2).  Zion is a mystery to most.  To be honest, the spectacle of that great city is still rather faint in my own vision.  But I'm straining to behold it; though it is there in plain view. . . .

"Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God" (Psalm 87:3).

Who is saying such "glorious things" about Zion?  To be sure, such things are not heard anywhere on earth; at least, not in my experience.  In all my years in the Church, I don't recall ever having heard anyone exult concerning Zion ~ beyond some vague reference to "streets of gold", etc..  Nevertheless, somewhere, "glorious things" are spoken of Zion.  By whom?  Who could know enough about Zion to say such things?

The Almighty Creator Himself ~ whose city Zion is! the "city of the great King".  And by the holy angels, whose joy it is to behold, and to serve, that great city of God.

What a breathtaking place Zion must be!  Full of the splendor and majesty of God.  Replete with divine life and goodness!  Zion is the high-walled "treasure city", wherein are kept all of the riches of the Blessed Trinity.  Why, even those very walls are described in the most resplendent terms that human language can convey.  Glorious things are spoken of Zion, in heaven.  Not every once in a while; but, O! such a magnificent city as Zion must be an inexhaustible topic of discussion amongst the inhabitants of that city.

Of course, by far the greatest Treasure of Zion is God Himself.  God is there.  His ineffable Presence, seated upon His eternal throne, holds spellbound, as it were, all who are privileged to gaze upon the dreadful sight.  Think of it: the Creator Himself encircled by an emerald rainbow; lightnings and thunderings and the sound of many voices incessantly pealing from His throne; light too pure and brilliant for any mortal man to look upon, emanating from His Presence as if from a living Inferno; all, in the midst of a symphony of overflowing praise that must be enrapturing to experience . . . .

The mercy seat of God is there ~ whereon is poured the very Blood of God's Lamb.  The true Ark of the Covenant, the repository of the everlasting Covenant, is there.

And there is this River that flows through the midst of that City....  The sons of Korah ~ musical ministers of God, in ancient times, sang about that River in Zion:

"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place...."  (Psalm 46:4)

The great prophet Ezekiel also saw that River, which he described it in great detail (see, Ezekiel chapter 47).  The apostle John saw it, too (see, Revelation chapter 22).  The headwaters of that River proceed from God Himself.  Perpetually flowing, growing deeper and wider throughout its course, that River gives life to everything it comes in contact with.  That River irrigates, as it were, Zion.  Remarkably, that same River not only flows through Zion but it continues flowing outward from Zion . . . .

I've actually seen that River in a dream, some years ago.  Therein, I found myself looking down from a vantage point above a very high mountain range.  Everywhere I looked waters were overflowing the peaks, rushing headlong in mighty torrents and filling the ravines between the hills; then, pouring down in great waterfalls toward some inhabited place far below in the valley.  I was awed by the power of those waters: they seemed to carry everything before them; yet, I was impressed that they were life-giving, and not destructive.  I remember thinking: This is Revival.  (The image I selected for this essay reminds me of that dream.)

Every place in Scripture where that River (and its many streams) ~ which flows through Zion ~ is discussed, it is always described as giving life ~ and healing. 

What kind of otherworldly place is this, Zion?

We should know; we have been there ~ that is, we who are saved have been there:

"For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched [Mt. Sinai], and that burned with fire.... but ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...." (Hebrews 12:18-22)

What?  How can that be?  How is it that we ourselves have been to Zion, the city of God; and, yet, we have ~ what? ~ no knowledge of that immaculate Habitation of God?  How can that be?  What is this great mystery called "Zion"? of which glorious things are spoken, in heaven (and amongst the knowing).

Marvel; but wonder not, Church.  We are Zion.

How ought we to walk toward one another in the Body of Christ.  How ought we to walk before the Lord . . . and before the world.

We have been seeking God for revelation.  He is more willing to give it, than we are to receive it.

O, our God: Open our eyes to the mysteries and the wonders of your Word: that we might know what is the riches of our inheritance in Jesus Christ ~ and, what is Your inheritance in us; that we may go forth amongst the darkness of this lost and dying world to shine forth the radiant Light of Your truth, and pour forth the life-giving waters that flow from Your divine Presence in us.  Open our eyes, O God! that we might not conceal or misrepresent You by the darkness of our own ignorance.  Open our eyes, dear Lord, that we might behold You as You are and, so, reveal You in faithfulness to the world for which You gave your life.