Mt. Zion, the only place of safety

 

Our world today is a desperate place in which to dwell. One never knows what "chance" accident will occur, what kind of freak hurricane or tornado will take place, or what sort of evil will come one's way. In these "last days" it is even more obvious that things are getting worse. What can a believer do to be safe? We can dwell in Mt. Zion!

"But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly" (Hebrews 12:22).

This verse tells us that as believers we have already entered into the heavenly Jerusalem otherwise referred to as Mt. Zion. Notice in the Scripture "have come" is past tense. These are synonyms for the Kingdom of God.

Let us take a look at Psalm 48 which shows us the privilege of living in the Kingdom of God otherwise known as Mt. Zion.

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.

6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.

9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.

13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.

14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death." (Psalms 48:1-14).

Pay attention to verses 4-8. The enemies, representing all of the things, circumstances and demonic powers that can hurt us, look at Mt. Zion and they are astounded and they fled in terror! Examine verses 12-13 which speak of the military powers in Mt. Zion, the towers, bulwarks and ramparts, how they provide a place of safety and refuge for the inhabitant.

Notice also verse 9 which speaks of the temple of God wherein we may meditate on His love. In verse 14 it states that God is our guide.

The question is, how can we obtain the benefits of the Kingdom of God now, while we are on this earth?

Look at Galatians 5:19-23 which says, "acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit [to receive the portion assigned to one] the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Verse 21 states that if we live according to the lower nature which is opposite of the fruit of the Spirit, that we will not receive the benefits of the Kingdom of God.

Then the Scripture goes on to state that if we live by the fruit of the Spirit that there is no "law" that can come against us. The word "law" is defined by Strongs Concordance as "something that is parceled out to us, anything that is received as a custom or a command." That means to me that the laws of nature, that laws of chance that laws of this world system cannot touch us when we are living by the fruit of the Spirit!

This gives me the incentive to repent each time I see a work of my flesh pop up! This tells me that the Secret Place of The Most High described in Psalm 91 is the character of Jesus expressed in a believer. Take a look at the benefits of Psalm 91 which can be ours if we are living by the fruit of the Spirit. "A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you "( Psalms 91:7). It seems to me that the Lord is trying to show us in this verse that the amazing odds against us shall not prevail. Can you imagine 11,000 people falling dead around you and you are the only one left standing? I believe this. I have seen things like this happen in my life! However if we are allowing our flesh to control any part of our lives, we are subject to all sorts of evil laws, and God's protection is somewhat limited in our lives.

One last thing that makes all of these concepts connect is Isaiah 35. It talks to those who are fearful, who are parched and thirsty, and those who are lame and weak. Isaiah 35:8-10 (Amp) says, "And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for the redeemed; the wayfaring men, yes, the simple ones and fools, shall not err in it and lose their way. No lion shall be there, nor shall an ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk on it. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and signing shall flee away.

The Highway of Holiness leads to Zion! I call this Highway 35!

Praise His Holy Name!

 

Larry Chkoreff September 19,1999