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The City Of Zion Part 3
Strangers and Pilgrims
Introduction
This article is a transcribed sermon given to a local fellowship group in September 2005. It is part three of a fourteen part series on the subject of the "City of Zion". These sermons can also be obtained on CDs or audio cassettes. This article will present a possible explanation on what is meant by the biblical term; "strangers and pilgrims". It is important to study the meanings of the original inspired Hebrew and Greek words if we, as seekers of truth, want to understand certain biblical doctrines such as the doctrine of "strangers and pilgrims". But keep in mind, if we do not understand this subject we still should believe the meanings of words. What truly pleases God is that we should have the child-like faith to just simply believe what certain scriptures are saying. The point is, we do not have to understand; only that we believe. This article will present theological views that are seldom ever talked about in our Christian society. Why did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob confess that they were "strangers and pilgrims" on the earth? What "country" did they come out of that if they had been "mindful" of they would seek an opportunity to "return" to that country? Again, the correct meanings of the original words tell a very interesting story about what Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob truly believed. The first scriptures I will present is Hebrew 11:8-16, and let us believe in child-like faith what is obviously explained in these scriptures. Remember, we do not have to understand; but we should simply believe what these scriptures are saying. Is it so far-fetched to actually believe that they had their "beginnings" in the heavenly city and country of Zion; which they wanted to return to? Keep in mind, Abraham looked for a certain city whose builder and maker was God, and if we are seekers of truth we have to wonder why? Please read this article very carefully....
Hebrews 11:8-16 KJV By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. {in faith: Gr. according to faith} 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
These scriptures explain a lot about the faith of Abraham, and also the faith and belief of Isaac and Jacob. These scriptures talk about an inheritance that Abraham believed in; which is why he obeyed God and moved out of his homeland and went out not knowing where he went. It was a complete faith walk that had to do with Abraham looking for a city.
We often talk about the faith of Abraham and what Abraham believed, but just what did Abraham believe? God told Abraham he would a father and a blessing to many nations, and that promise and covenant had to do with a city, because he looked for this city. James 2:23 says Abraham was a friend of God and righteousness was imputed to him because he believed God, and the point is he responded to what be believed by looking for a city. Today we will also look for this city in the pages of the Bible. This will part 3 on the subject of Zion.
Hebrews 13:12-14 KJV Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
The faith of the early believers was also the faith and belief that Abraham had because they also looked for a city to come. So I want to ask the question; would it be wise for us to also seek for this city? Notice it says; here we have no continuing city; meaning Jerusalem where Christ suffered and shed His blood outside the gate and camp of Jerusalem. We are told to bear Christ’s reproach to also go without the camp of Jerusalem, and notice that is how we come unto Christ, as explained in verse 13.
To go forth outside the camp is symbolically seeking for that city that is to come. To seek for something means we seek to understand what it is that we are to seek for; or else what would be the purpose of seeking for it? Brothers and sisters, we seek for the understanding of this city by seeking and believing what the Bible says about this city.
Romans 15:4 KJV For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
2 Timothy 3:15 KJV And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
We all know what the scriptures were during New Testament times, and we also know Jesus Christ made mention of the scriptures many times. It is the scriptures of the Old Testament that were written for our learning, and notice also that Paul told Timothy that the scriptures were able to make him wise unto salvation. Paul told Timothy to study, and all he had was the Old Testament. But the point is, the scriptures of the Old Testament are also able to make us wise unto salvation, because the Old Testament was written for our learning. In other words, knowing, learning, and making us wise are terms that have to do with our understanding the words of the Old Testament.
I have said this before; we assemble here because we love God and the Bible; that is the bottom line of why we are here. We are here to understand, and if we are led by the Spirit of God to assemble regularly that means we show the fruit of the Spirit, and it is all about love and faith that causes us to have that joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, and goodness, and it also causes us to have a desire to understand.
The Spirit causes us to love the truth, and the fruit of that love naturally and profoundly causes us to love God’s words, and His Spirit causes us to seek and search so as to learn the truth of the city of Zion. Abraham looked for a city whose builder and maker was God and we are also to look for this city in faith. Christ said in Matthew 7:7:
KJV Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
The point Christ made is that we must actively seek in order to find, and we seek for this city in faith because we can’t see it. We seek to find the understanding of this heavenly city through patience and comfort of the Old Testament scriptures, as we read in Rom. 15:4. I agree with what Brian said a few weeks ago. He said there is a truth in the Bible. It is the truth that we should all be seeking for. It is the truth explaining the plan of God. It is the truth explaining the mystery of life and the mystery of God. It is the truth that explains how a creation is sustained and how it operates.
God created and owns all things and is in total control of all things. That is the truth. There is a truth that explains how all things will be reconciled and why all things happen the way they do according to the counsel of God’s own will (Eph 1:11). There is no one able to know the truth in its fullness; we can only know parts or hints of the truth, and we can only know what God reveals to us. The secret things belong to God and they are not revealed. The important thing is that we have a love for the truth, as Brian explained. To love the truth does not mean that we know the truth, but we are to show the fruit of loving the truth. That fruit of the Spirit is simply that we actively seek and search the scriptures for understanding. Understanding is not the issue, but the desire and love to want to understand is the issue.
We can read the Bible all we want and we proclaim to believe what we read, but brothers and sisters, we do not understand what we read in many scriptures. That understanding must be spiritually discerned and revealed by the Holy Spirit of God. That is the way the truth of God’s word was deliberately designed. To the degree that we truly want to understand and to the degree that we love the knowledge of the truth; that is the degree that we will choose to seek and search the scriptures, and to the degree that we seek and search that is the degree that God causes us to grow and understand. Now let’s go back to Heb 11:8-16. If you notice in verses 15-16 the word "country" is in italics; which means it was added. It should simply read; if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, and they desired a better; that is a heavenly; which refers to a heavenly city that God prepared for them as explained. But "country" could be used to illustrate mount Zion because mount symbolically means ruling country. From their viewpoint these men could very well have desired a better county, that is a heavenly, and that is the way it was translated.
They confessed they were strangers and pilgrims. These words mean foreigner or alien; which can only mean they were foreign and alien to the land of Canaan. These men lived in the land of Canaan for many years, so why was it as a strange land to these men? It stated if they had been mindful of whence they came out. "Mindful" just means remembrance. In other words, they didn’t know, or didn’t remember, or it didn’t come to their minds of where they come out, and had they been mindful they might have had opportunity to return to where they were NOT strangers and pilgrims.
What did they not remember or were not mindful of? Abraham was mindful and remembered very well where he came out of, and he had every opportunity to return to Mesopotamia; the country he came out of. All he had to do was pack up and return, but he believed what God told him. He chose to stay in that strange land to inherit a certain city. Abraham had opportunity and could have returned to his homeland but what about Isaac and Jacob? They were not even born yet. Isaac and Jacob did not live in Mesopotamia; which means they certainly could not have returned even if they had been mindful of where they came from. So my question is; from where did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob come out of that they were not mindful, or did not remember, or were not even aware of?
I am only asking a question, and maybe some of you can explain these scriptures better that I can, or maybe you can explain where these men came out of that they had no remembrance of. I don’t know how else to explain it; I am just interested in believing what is written. All three men knew the land of Canaan was only a temporary dwelling which is why they dwelled in tabernacles; which was symbolic of showing that their sojourning in the land of promise was only temporary.
Here’s another point; verse 13 says they all died in faith not having received the promises. Out of Abraham, who was as good as dead came Isaac, and then through Isaac came that seed as the sand of the seashore and as the stars in heaven, and that includes all of us. That means we also are not mindful, or not aware, and cannot remember from whence we came out. If we would be mindful, or remembered; then we also might have an opportunity to return to whence we came out. The word is "return", and that is what it means. I believe it is to return to that heavenly city and country of mount Zion, but God does not give us the opportunity to return in this life.
There is a very logical reason why Abraham looked for a heavenly city, and if we proclaim the Christian faith; the faith of the early believers; the faith of Abraham then we also had better look for this heavenly city. How do we look for and seek this city? We seek the understanding of this city by the scriptures of the Old Testament. That understanding must be spiritually discerned; it cannot be understood by our own understanding, or from a physical view point, or how we happen to personally believe by what is stuck in our minds from our spiritual upbringing. The point is, the city of Zion is not of our physical world. All we can do is read the scriptures about the city of Zion, or mount Zion, or the daughter of Zion; and then our heavenly Father by His Spirit has to give the understanding as He sees fit.
In review of my last sermon we learned in Psalm 48:2 that King David called mount Zion the "joy of the whole earth;" not just a part of the earth but the whole earth. As long as parts of this present day earth has war, sufferings, violence, pain, and disease then the whole earth certainly is not joyful. We learned that kings were troubled, in fear, in pain as a woman in travail when they saw Zion. This is highly symbolic because they could not physically see Zion. The point is, this whole earth with its kings and nations know nothing of mount Zion and they certainly are not made joyful at this time, but David said mount Zion is the joy of the whole earth.
We also learned in Psalm 53:6 that Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad when salvation will come out of Zion; which must be assumed will then be the joy of the whole earth. Why is both Jacob and Israel mentioned? Aren’t Jacob and Israel still just one people? Both the names Jacob and Israel are mentioned in a single verse numerous times in the Bible, and there is a very logical reason why God wanted both the names Jacob and Israel in certain scriptures.
As we know, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel when he wrestled with an angel and Jacob prevailed. The name Israel means a prince with power that prevails with God, or it means to rule as God. When God’s children are referred to as Jacob they are thought of as before their name was changed; which is before they are considered princes with power ruling as God. When they are called Israel they are considered from God’s viewpoint as cleansed, purified, and resurrected so that they will be able to rule as princes having power.
When God’s children are called both Jacob and Israel they are still one people but are not yet princes with power but at the same time God renamed and legally considers His children as princes with power ruling as God. God will take a people that descended from Jacob and He will change their name, and whenever we come across where both Jacob and Israel is mentioned God has already changed the name, and looks on His children as having power with Him and ruling as God. It’s just that they do not yet have that power to rule from mount Zion to cause the joy of the whole earth, and both Jacob and Israel are not yet able to even dwell in Zion.
Remember all the men mentioned in the faith chapter in Hebrews all died in faith not having received the promise of that inheritance of Zion; that city Abraham looked for. But they seen the inheritance afar off and embraced the promises in faith; as we read. Both Jacob and Israel will rejoice and be glad as explained in Psalm 53:6. At the resurrection God’s children will be cleansed to have that joy and gladness before they are renamed and also after they are renamed. They will then be able to dwell in Zion to rule as God and then receive the promises of inheriting that city of Zion along with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Now we will continue in Psalms where we left off the last time.
Psalm 74:1-2 KJV O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? 2 Remember thy congregation, [which] thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, [which] thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
These verses are loaded with truth about the subject of Zion. The writer asked God why He cast off His people forever. That word means always, continually, and constantly, but was translated most of the time using the word forever; but was also translated using the word never. Does what we would call "forever" contradict with what we would call "never?" It most certainly does, but I am not knocking the KJV; I’m only pointing out some problems with words that we need to be aware of, and if we’re serious in seeking and searching for the truth about a certain city then mistranslated words will naturally hinder our understanding.
Notice it mentioned anger and smoke which are words associated with the wrath of God which is against God’s sheep. It only seemed to the writer of this Psalm that God’s anger was always, continually, and constantly on the sheep of God’s pasture; which is why the writer asked God to remember His congregation which He had already purchased and redeemed of old. It says; thou hast purchased and thou hast redeemed; which is past tense or in the ancient past of old.
We know that Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1Pet 1:20), or disruption of the world as it should read; and that we were chosen in Him also before the disruption of the world (Eph 1:4). This was the time of old that God then purchased and redeemed His congregation of old; which is called this mount Zion. It says mount Zion is where God hast dwelt; implying that God in the ancient past of old dwelled with His congregation, the sheep of His pasture; this mount Zion. The word "rod of thy inheritance" was translated as tribes eighty four times; which means the inheritance of God are the tribes of Israel that He purchased and redeemed of old.
Some say that God only looked forward in time to when He will THEN dwell with His sheep, His congregation, His inheritance; the twelve tribes of Israel, which is mount Zion. In other words, they believe that the sheep of God’s pasture were only in God’s mind; they could not have existed until of course they were born. I could be wrong but I believe that God has dwelled with His children in the ancient past of old, because if we’re honest that is what Psalm 74 says.
This would also explain why Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the seed as the sand of the seashore and as the stars in heaven are not mindful or cannot remember from where they came out. Maybe some of you can explain Psalm 74 in a different way. Of course there are some scriptures that imply God’s intent as if it already happened, and we know God already declares the end from the beginning which is what Isaiah 46:10 says. But were the tribes of God’s inheritance only God’s imagination in the ancient past of old and did their spirits not even exist yet? Or did all the spirits of God’s inheritance actually exist with the Father before the disruption of the world? I am only asking a question because I don’t know and I don’t understand; I only want to believe what I read as we all should. Moving on now to Psalm 76:1-2:
KJV In Judah [is] God known: his name [is] great in Israel 2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
As we will learn in the next scripture God chose David who was of the tribe of Judah to rule the rest of the tribes of God’s inheritance. That is why it says "in Judah is God known." During the old covenant the tribe of Levi was the priesthood that taught the laws of God and made God known to the rest of the tribes. But as we know during new Covenant times the tribe of Judah is promised to rule and teach the ways of God, and both Jesus Christ and David descended from the tribe of Judah.
Salem was the early name given for Jerusalem as most scholars will agree. This shows that there could be a difference with Jerusalem and Zion. Jerusalem could mean God’s temporary dwelling; which was His tabernacle when the temple was in use in old covenant times, and Zion could mean God’s permanent dwelling when Judah will rule in the ages to come, and teach and cause God’s name to be great in Israel, as explained in Psalm 76.
Psalm 78: 62-72 KJV He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance. 63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. 64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation. 65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, [and] like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. 66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach. 67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: 68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. 69 And he built his sanctuary like high [palaces], like the earth which he hath established for ever. 70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
God chose the tribe of Judah; the mount Zion, and He chose David to feed both Jacob and Israel. David was of the tribe of Judah which the scepter would not depart from, as explained in Gen 49:10. Scepter simply means a stick or rod used for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc. It figuratively can mean a rod of correction. Scepter was translated most of the times as "tribes" and also as "rod." David of the tribe of Judah was chosen by God to feed Jacob His people and Israel His inheritance. Notice it said God was wroth with his inheritance (verse 62); which are the twelve tribes of Israel. The fire consuming their young men is referring to God showing his wrath against Israel for the worship of false Gods as explained in the rest of Psalm 78; which happened before David’s rule. David fed Israel by the integrity of his own heart and the worship of other gods ceased and Israel as a nation was kept intact during David’s scepter of power.
Abraham looked for a city whose builder and maker is God and it says God built His sanctuary like high palaces. God was building mount Zion as David ruled ancient Israel with the scepter; the rod of correction. But as explained in Acts 15:16 after the tabernacle of David is raised again David will again rule both Jacob and Israel so that they might seek the Lord. David will use the scepter; the rod of correction to correct; which is to say; again feed both named and renamed Jacob and Israel. Lets just turn to Acts 15:16-17:
KJV After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
What was David’s tabernacle that Christ will set up again? It was his dwelling which was in that castle in Zion which represented David’s future scepter of rule and power out of mount Zion so that the remaining men and all the Gentiles might seek after the Lord. We know who the Gentiles are that God called His name on.
Psalm 84:1-12 KJV How amiable [are] thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, [even] thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 4 Blessed [are] they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. 5 Blessed [is] the man whose strength [is] in thee; in whose heart [are] the ways [of them]. 6 [Who] passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, [every one of them] in Zion appeareth before God. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. 9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. 10 For a day in thy courts [is] better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed [is] the man that trusteth in thee.
The writer of this Psalm longed after, and his heart and flesh cried out for the living God, because he knew of the blessings of inheritance waiting for him when he dwells in God’s house in Zion. Could it be that He knew what Abraham knew about Zion, and he also looked for this city as Abraham did?
The word "fainteth" means to end, to cease, be finished, or to perish. It was translated most of the times as end, or as consumed. His soul did not end or perish, but the natural sinful state of his soul ended and perished when he cried out for the living God. If we think in these terms just maybe we can understand the real purpose of the judgments, fire, and wrath of God, and that is why we must also cry out for the living God. The writer knew that his soul had to be converted in order for him to be able to dwell in the courts of the Lord. The writer loved God’s tabernacles, or God’s dwellings and habitations, as it should read. God’s courts in Zion mean His yards surrounded by walls with towers. It can also mean villages or towns.
There could very well be villages and towns in the region and country of heavenly mount Zion. The writer explained that sparrows and swallows will find houses and will nest their young at God’s alters in Zion. Even animals and birds will be a part of the new creation, and the nature of animals will be changed as explained in
Isaiah 11:6-10 KJV The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
The context of Isaiah 11 is when David the root of Jesse will raise up a certain flag an ensign that the Gentiles will seek. This goes right along with Acts 15. Little children in God’s holy mount Zion will play with what we would call wild and dangerous animals and will not be harmed in any way. Babies will play on holes of poisonous snakes and not get bit or hurt. Notice all this will be possible because the knowledge of God will fill the whole earth. So how important is the knowledge of God?
But getting back to birds that find houses and nest their young at God’s alters in Zion. I want to tell you that birds do not need alters, but the point is there are alters in heavenly Zion. What are alters doing in God’s house? Priests under the old covenant sacrificed the carcasses and burnt flesh of dead animals on the alter to be accepted by God so that the children of Israel could legally and symbolically, but only temporarily be cleansed and purified in the eyes of God. That was the law of burnt offerings, and alters were a major part of that law.
Alters were used under the old covenant only for a temporary purpose that represented God’s heavenly alters in Zion to be used to permanently cleanse and purify. Alters are for the sacrifices of God’s people and the sacrifices are put on alters to be accepted by God; which makes it possible for God’s people to be cleansed and purified so that they are able to dwell in God’s house. No one will dwell in God’s house in mount Zion without becoming a burnt sacrifice as the law of sacrifices demanded. As we read in Psalm 84:6 "Baca" means valley of weeping which should read; weeping will be made into a well or a fountain of blessings and prosperity. A day in the courts of God’s yards with towers is better than a thousand, or better that a company of men under one leader, as it should read.
The writer described the blessings of Zion and every blessing will go from strength to strength, and as Strong’s Concordance explains, whether the strength of an army, wealth, virtue, or valor. All the strength or force as it should read, of every blessing will appear in Zion before God. In other words, the strength and force of all blessings will be fully realized in Zion.
God is as a sun and shield, and will give grace and glory, and will withhold no good thing in His house, and in His courts in Zion. But only to those that have their strength in God, in the ways of God, that walk uprightly, and that trust in Him as we read. This is all made possible for God’s children because they will be as burnt offerings to be cleansed on God’s alters to be accepted in Zion by the God of Jacob. If you noticed in verse eight it mentioned only Jacob. The name Israel was not included because God’s children must first be presented as burnt sacrifices on the alters of Zion to be accepted by God before God renames Jacob to Israel to have power to rule as God.
Psalm 87:1-7 KJV His foundation [is] in the holy mountains. 2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. 4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this [man] was born there. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. 6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, [that] this [man] was born there. Selah. 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments [shall be there]: all my springs [are] in thee.
Again just the name of Jacob is mentioned. That would explain why God loves the gates of Zion more that the dwellings or tabernacles of Jacob. In other words, before Jacob’s name was changed they could only dwell temporarily in the same manner as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob also dwelled temporarily in tabernacles in the land of Canaan.
God mentioned and compared other people and nations to those that know God. "Man" is in italics and it should just read; this people that were born there in other nations. The point is, they were not born in Zion. Notice verse 5. This and that man was born in her; meaning Zion. Could this mean that other people and nations do not know God as this and that man that was born in Zion that God will establish?
The point is, only this or that man born in Zion is capable of knowing God. Zion is referred to as "her," or as a woman that gives birth. If you noticed this or that man was born symbolically IN her; which can be taken in the same sense as we are symbolically IN Christ. But notice it also says the people were born THERE. Zion, the city of God was where God’s children had their beginnings; which are how they are capable of knowing God. I am only suggesting these statements as questions, and maybe some of you can explain Psalm 87 in a different way.
As we know, Jesus Christ told Nicodemius "accept ye be born again". The word "again" is the Greek word an'-o-then no. 509 and means from above, or from the very first, or from the beginning. Don’t take my word for this, and do not believe me. I’m only asking; could it be that Christ was referring to the birth from above that is able to restore God’s children as they were in Zion from the very first at the beginning?
When God counts and writes up the people it includes all that were born there, as explained in verse 6. Again the word "man" is in italics, and it should just read this people that were born there; meaning Zion the city of God. There will be singers and players on instruments which picture a very joyous celebration, and wouldn’t you know, one of the meanings given for count is "celebration."
It also means to "recount" and to "commune," which I find very interesting. Could it be that what we call a communion service is simply a joyous celebration of a RECOUNTING taking place in God’s house within the gates of Zion? Brothers and sisters, words have meanings. Zion the city of God is also where all of God’s springs are as explained in verse 7. Springs also mean where all of God’s fountains and living waters are. One final scripture then we’ll close.
Psalm 97:1-12 KJV The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad [thereof]. 2 Clouds and darkness [are] round about him: righteousness and judgment [are] the habitation of his throne. 3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. 5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. 7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all [ye] gods. 8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. 9 For thou, LORD, [art] high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. 10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Clouds and darkness are symbolic of the coming of the day of the Lord as many scriptures explain. Notice the hills melted like wax. As we know 2 Peter3:10 says that the day of the Lord comes when the elements will melt with fervent heat and the earth and works will be dissolved and burned up. But after this melting when the Lord reigneth it will be the time that the earth and all the islands will rejoice and be glad. It is PEOPLE that rejoice and are glad; not the physical earth and all the islands. As it says in verse 6 all the people will see God’s glory.
The word "confounded" in verse 7 simply means ashamed. Why was Zion glad when it heard this boasting of idols and why did the daughters of Judah rejoice? It says because of God’s judgments. They were glad and rejoiced that God’s judgments caused those to now be ashamed of their worship of graven images and idols. They were not ashamed before. This gladness and rejoicing of all people of all the earth and islands is when all the people see the glory and judgments of God out of Zion that will cause this rejoicing and gladness.
Believers are to be ashamed of the worship of idols NOW. Believers are to rejoice in the Lord and be glad NOW. They are to love the Lord and hate evil NOW so that their souls can be preserved without going through the shame and fiery judgments of God later. The warnings of the New Testament is for believers to offer themselves on the alters of mount Zion NOW as living sacrifices and burnt offerings to be accepted by God NOW in this life.
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