It means simply:
"Zealous over Zion"
Zeal: fervor, readiness, strong eagerness
Zion: the hill in Israel where the Temple was built (Mt. Zion). It later was one of the names of Jerusalem, and then extended to refer to the whole land of Israel. It is the place Messiah will return to.
Isaiah prophesies of Zion,
For Zion's sake, I will not keep silent,
For Jerusalem's sake, I will not remain quiet,
Until her righteousness blazes down like the sun
and her salvation flames up like a torch.
Foreign countries will see your righteousness,
and world leaders your glory.
You'll get a brand-new name
straight from the mouth of God.
You'll be a stunning crown in the palm of God's hand,
a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God.
No more will anyone call you Rejected,
and your country will no more be called Ruined.
You'll be called Hephzibah (My Delight),
and your land Beulah (Married),
Because God delights in you
and your land will be like a wedding celebration.
For as a young man marries his virgin bride,
so your builder marries you,
And as a bridegroom is happy in his bride,
so your God is happy with you.
This quip from Isaiah reflects well on the purpose of this blog: boldly speaking the word of the Lord as it has gone forth from Zion to all nations through Messiah, even when the secular and religious cultures are against it.
I have taken much flak from atheists, Muslims, Jews, and Christians for speaking Messiah and Torah, but I will not shut up on Zion's behalf, and for Messiah's sake, the salvation of Jerusalem and all nations, I won't keep quiet.
I look forward with much anticipation and joy to the time when Messiah will set his feet in Zion and finally bring peace to the world through his right rule as Melech Yisrael, Moshiach Ben David (King of Israel, Messiah son of David). It is at this time Zion will be given a new name and her righteousness will be shining like the sun -- you won't be able to miss it! The doubters, the nay-sayers, the evil mouths will all be shut and righteous justice from God himself will be served. For this great event that I believe we will see in our lifetimes, I am zealous for Zion's sake.
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Now playing: Marty Goetz - For Zion's Sake
via FoxyTunes
Because I am a gentile, we don't always use the same language but I am looking for that same Kingdom and my thoughts, also, are continually there. Never shut up, Christ's Kingdom is the hope of a dying world.
ReplyDeletePam
Judah,
ReplyDeleteYour boldness and your zeal are encouraging. You display a lot of depth to even address some of the topics that you do. Sadly, many folks that I encounter in Christian circles haven't adequately thought out why they do believe what they believe.
Following Christ and obeying God's moral laws are not contradictory things and you make a very good point that the Scriptures shouldn't be compartmentalized according to the traditions of men.
You may be surprised to know that there are many Christians who lament the worldliness of the church at large, and honestly grieve when "Zion" in that sense is in ruins. The body of Jews and gentiles who have been purchased by His blood are too often at odds when the New Testament makes no room for prejudice and divisiveness.
You seem to take a stand for a pure, authentic faith. You're not alone in wanting to see the body of Christ as it was described in the Scriptures. It may still be the case that there is more authenticity among Christians than you realize. Not to insult, but I might even go so far as to call you one, too - not as being part of a Hellenized, institutional religion of Western European origin- but as they were first called in Antioch: "Christians". Just some food for thought.
Hey Brian,
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting.
You said,
part of a Hellenized, institutional religion of Western European origin- but as they were first called in Antioch: "Christians". Just some food for thought.
That's really what I'd like to see, a return to that faith before Rome morphed it into what it is now.
Maybe that won't happen until the Messiah of Israel returns and sets things straight. We'll see.
Blessings, man, take care.