Monday: On Mount Zion
Daily Lesson for Monday 19th of May 2025
In Revelation 14:1-20, we find God’s people standing on Mount Zion. The original Mount Zion was located just west of the old city of Jerusalem today and was thought of as the seat of God’s throne, or presence, among His people. In time, the temple mount, located on Mount Moriah, came to be identified with Mount Zion, as well.
In other words, this important depiction of God’s last-day remnant is presented in sanctuary language, as with most of the key scenes in the book of Revelation. Thanks to the Lamb, God’s people are on His holy hill!
Read Psalms 15:1-5 and Psalms 24:1-10, in which David asks an all-important question: “Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” Compare his reply in these psalms with the description of the people standing on Zion in Revelation 14:1-5. What parallels do you find? How does one join this group? What is the significance of the fact that the Father’s name is inscribed in their foreheads? (Revelation 14:1).
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The description found in David’s psalm of those permitted into the presence of God is a pretty tall order for mere sinners to fulfill. Who among us can honestly say that we have always walked uprightly? Or have always spoken the truth in our hearts (Psalms 15:2)? None of us can say that we “shall never be moved” (Psalms 15:5, NKJV). If we say that we have never sinned, the Bible teaches that we have no truth in us (1 John 1:8).
We can come to no conclusion other than it is the Lamb who enables us to stand on Zion. The Lamb is not mentioned in David’s psalm, but He suddenly appears in the description found in Revelation 14:1-20. It is almost as if Revelation 14:1-20 is answering David’s question. Now that the Lamb of God is established on Mount Zion, in the sanctuary, we can also be present there because of His perfect righteousness credited to us by faith. We can have the “boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20, NKJV). Without His blood, what hope would we have? None, actually.
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Think about all the Bible promises of victory over sin. Why, even with those promises, do we still find ourselves falling short of the perfect example Jesus has set for us, and why do we need His perfect life as our substitute? |
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Zion is mentioned 153 times in the Old Testament and has become synonymous with Jerusalem and the centre of Hebrew worship. (As a little aside, the temple was built on Mount Moriah, not Mount Zion.) Much of the biblical literature uses Zion as a symbol for God's dwelling place or presence.
The two psalms in our study today don't use the word Zion but rather refer to "the holy hill" or "the hill of the Lord."
There are 37 places in the Psalms that use the word "Zion" explicitly and a quick survey of those verses reveals it has a place of rejoicing - a place to look forward to visiting and dwelling there.
Our verses today focus on purity and perfection:
... but if you continue to read both psalms, you will find that this purity is described in terms of fair dealing, kindness and love to one another. It is not introspective, soul searching, but a loving and caring dynamic action towards others.
There is another reference to Zion that I love:
My feet are close to the ground and get dirty. They have calluses and corns. Some of the bones have developed new postures as I have grown older. Nobody would ever describe them as beautiful. Yet Isaiah describes feet as beautiful when they do the work of the Lord. That is the sort of "perfection" the Lord desires of us.
Mount Zion, besides being a geographical location, has significant spiritual, theological, and prophetic meaning for believers. Symbolically and spiritually, Mount Zion means the following:
1. A place where God dwells (God’s presence - 2 Samuel 6:12, Psalm 132:13-14).
2. Mount Zion represents God’s people (Spiritual Community) – (Isaiah 51:16)
3. Mount Zion represents spiritual Israel (The Church) – (Hebrews 12:22, Philippians 3:20)
4. Mount Zion represents the kingdom of God - ( Hebrews 12:28)
5. Zion represents a place of salvation (redemption) - Isaiah 59:20, Romans 11:26)
6. Zion represents the future glorious city of God – (Revelation 14:1)
No matter what we understand about Mount Zion, the single most significant aspect is that each one of us should be part of the spiritual kingdom of God, where God dwells with His redeemed people. By faith, each one of us should be a citizen of this kingdom.
"But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem..." - Hebrews 12:22 (NIV)
As we come to Mount Zion (The kingdom of God) by faith, we are admonished to live as God’s people separated from the world in anticipation of meeting Jesus face to face. This should be our present spiritual reality. We have been called to live life worthy of our calling.
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." (Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)
God doesn’t call us to live on the mountains. He calls us up the mountains to be still an listen, to gain a new perspective, and to receive direction. However, we aren’t called to build our houses there. Mountain experiences prepare us for what’s coming at the bottom of the mountain – whether that’s a desert, valley, or wilderness. The purpose of the mountain seasons is to equip us for living off of the mountain. That is why we can’t live at summer camp and why you don’t have a bed at church.
God calls us up to Mount Zion to get the message (Isaiah 2:2-3) but sends us out to impact the world. The mountain is a place God speaks (Exodus 24:12), not a retreat. Just as Jesus descended after His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9), we too must return to the valleys equipped. Mount Zion symbolizes divine encounter, but our mission is lived out below (Acts 1:8).
Thanks
It is interesting how Mount Zion in some ways represents both a place and an experience. The reality is that we all experience "Mount Zion" differently of necessity because while those who have accepted Jesus as Lord of their lives are maturing in their experience, we all mature at different rates and via different avenues.
The single unifying factor being keeping our individual focus on Jesus who is OUR righteousness, and in whom we stand perfect before the father/universe. However, the collective focus is vitally important as well because continued maturity for those who represent "Mount Zion" is only accomplished within the context of the collective. In other words, we can't enter into a "Mount Zion" experience on our own - we need others, and especially those who may not see things the same way we do.
The description of God’s people standing on Mount Zion highlights the characteristics of those who dwell in God’s presence and the critical role of the Lamb in enabling sinners to stand before God.
While God’s grace empowers victory over sin, sanctification is a lifelong journey. Believers grow in holiness but do not achieve sinless perfection in this life (Philippians 3:12-14). Christ’s sinless life and sacrificial death provide the righteousness we lack, His perfection is credited to us by faith, making us acceptable before God.
Let us strive to deepen our relationship with Him, knowing that our ultimate victory is found not in our own strength but in the Lamb who loves and redeems us.
Ike, I love that while we are gorwing in Christ and becoming more and more like Jesus everyday that we neither have to preach "perfectionism" or put limits on what Christ can do for us today.
"to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:19-21 NKJV
Let's not preach "perfectionism" or put limits on God's transforming grace. If we are tempted He will help us overcome, and not just to a cetain extent. If we fall there is always forgiveness.
You’re so right. Your Ephesians 3:19-21 reminder shows we don’t need perfectionism or limit Jesus work in us. As we grow in Christ daily, let’s keep encouraging one another to trust in His boundless grace and forgiveness, knowing that the Lamb secures our place in God’s presence
In Revelation 14:1 the imagery of Jesus Christ (the Lamb) and His people (the 144,000) having the Father's name written on their forhead is amazing. They are standing on Mount Zion with Jesus because of His Righteousness, which has become theirs by faith. They have followed the Lamb wherever He led them in their earthly lives so much that they get to follow Him as His entourage in Heaven. They have beheld the Father so much in their lives that their characters have been transformed into the same likeness by beholding.
This opportunity is afforded to them and us, solely on the merits of Christ's Righteousness imputed and imparted to them and us. The "robe" of Christ's Righteousness is never forced upon a person, but must be agreed to be worn by the person who wears it. It puts our glory and pride in the dust.
This is the experience that we should want, the experience that we need.
"Think about all the Bible promises of victory over sin. Why, even with those promises, do we still find ourselves falling short of the perfect example Jesus has set for us, and why do we need His perfect life as our substitute?"
That's a very important question. Even though the Bible is full of promises of victory over sin (e.g., 1 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 1:6, Romans 6:14), we still struggle and fall short because:
Because of these realities, we need Jesus’ perfect life as our substitute:
In short, God's promises are real, but our need for Jesus is constant — not just to forgive our sins but also to live His victorious life in us.
None can hide from God; therefore, all humans live in the presence of God. The difference among men is who is conscious about it: only those who claim Christ's sacrifice every day, which metaphorically means to live on Mount Zion, are conscious about it.
I learned about mount Zion and lamb