Winter 2000
Zion
Wade E Taylor

Within the Body of Christ (Salvation - Spiritual Jerusalem) are those who are being personally moved upon (the Kingdom of God - Spiritual Zion) by the Holy Spirit at this present time.

"Spiritual Jerusalem” relates to those who are saved, but who treat their salvation as "salt" which flavors, rather than permeates their life style. They are satisfied with the promise of a future Heaven, and have stopped short of the full work of the cross in bringing them to spiritual maturity.

“Spiritual Zion” relates to “The Kingdom of God.” These are "overcomers" who have made Jesus both the center and circumference of their lives, and have unconditionally submitted both themselves and all that pertains to them, to His Kingdom rule.

"For many are called (Spiritual Jerusalem),
but few are chosen (Spiritual Zion)." Matt 22:14.

Another way to express this is, "Many are called but few will pay the price in order to be chosen." Our being chosen follows the outworking of a process of overcoming, or qualifying.

"To him who overcomes (Zion) I will grant to sit with Me
(Bride) on My throne, even as I also overcame, and sat
down with My Father on His throne" Rev 3:21.

“... Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been
faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over
many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matt 25:23.

One can be saved and not become an overcomer. One cannot be an overcomer without first being saved. “Zion” presents a picture of this “overcomer.”

Zion is a high place within Jerusalem that originally belonged to the Jebusites. It was taken by David and became known as the city of David.

"Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion, that is,
the city of David" II Sam 5:7.

Zion speaks of the place of spiritual and governmental authority.

"Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion" Psalm 2:6.

“And has made us kings and priests to our God; and we
shall reign on the earth.” Rev 5:10.

It is, in the eyes of the Lord, a very special place.
"Beautiful in elevation. The joy of the whole earth,
is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of
the great King" Psalm 48:2.

The Lord has a singular love for Zion.

"The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the
dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of
you, O city of God” Psalm 87:2-3

“And of Zion it will be said,
This one and that one were born in her;
And the Most High Himself shall establish
her.” Psalm 87:5.

David set up a tent in Zion to hold the Ark of God, which became the abiding place of the Lord.

"In Judah God is known; His Name is great in Israel.
In Salem also is His tabernacle, and His dwelling
place in Zion" Psalm 76:1-2.

There were no separations between the Lord, and those who worshiped within this tent in Zion. There was no Outer Court, no Holy Place, or Holy of Holies into which a representative Priest entered once a year. All those within the tent were together, where the Lord Himself continually dwelt in their midst.

"They go from strength to strength; Every one of
them appears before God in Zion." Psalm 84:7.

Zion is a place set apart for the high worship of God,

"That I may tell of all Your praise, in the gates
of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in Your
salvation." Psalm 9:14.

It speaks of a spontaneity in worship.

"Both the singers and the players on instruments say,
All my springs are in You" Psalm 87:7.

Zion is the place of His anointing and provision.

"For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for
His habitation. This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.”

“I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy
her poor with bread.” Psalm 132:13-15.

Zion signifies the atmosphere in which His Bride will be made ready for the coming of her Heavenly Bridegroom. It speaks of those who have a consuming zeal to be brought into the manifest presence of the Lord.

"When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear
in His glory" Psalm 102:16 KJV.

Isaiah had been dependent upon an earthly King (Jerusalem), and is now turning to a higher Throne (Zion).

“In the year that king Uzziah died (Jerusalem), I saw the
Lord sitting on a throne (Zion), high and lifted up, and
the train of His robe filled the temple.” Isa 6:1.

In the presence of this heavenly Throne are Seraphim (overcomers) who resound in pure worship.

"And one cried to another and said; Holy, holy, holy
is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of
His Glory." Isa 6:3.

As they continued in worship, the heavens opened.

"And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that
cried, and the house was filled with smoke (Glory)" Isa 6:4 KJV.

These "posts” that moved speak of that which held the door which leads into the Lord’s presence either closed or open. The unity in the voices of these worshipers removed the hindrance that had kept it closed.

As the door opened, there was a lifting up from Jerusalem (type and shadow, earthly government), to Zion (manifest presence, heavenly government).

In II Cor 3:18 this manifestation of smoke (glory) is likened to a mirror. As Isaiah looked at it, he saw himself as he had never seem himself before.

"Then I said, Woe is me, for I am undone.
Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I
dwell in the midst of a people of unclean
lips; For my eyes have seen the King,
the LORD of hosts." Isa 6:5.

It is only in Zion that we see ourselves as we truly are and can repent. Nothing will change us more than a visitation of His Glory.

"Then one of the seraphims flew to me, having in his hand a
live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.
And he touched my mouth with it, and said,

“Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken
away, and your sin purged" Isa 6:6-7.

This speaks of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Jerusalem), and Fire (Zion).

"... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly
purge His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the
barn" Matt 3:11b-12a.

Multitudes have received the infilling of the Holy Spirit and have spoken in tongues. But they have not tarried until the "fire" came to purge and purify them.

We must again enter into His presence (Zion), where we can repent and move beyond tongues (Jerusalem), into the “fire” (Zion).

Here, in the reflection of His Glory, we will see ourselves as we are, and the "coal of fire" will have its full work within us, until nothing is left but that which pertains to Zion.

Then, the Lord will appear in all His Glory and His Kingdom shall be established (Zion).

“Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of
the LORD is risen upon you ... and his glory shall be
seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isa 60:1-2.