Sonlight Devotional

[Printable version]

Scripture reading: Psalm 48:1-2

Have you ever wondered why God’s city is called “mount Zion”? The only language that God made directly was the old Chaldean tongue to which the Hebrew is the closest version. The letters of the Hebrew alphabet are also numerals, so that Aleph would be number one; Beth, number two; Gimel, number three, etc. The seventh letter is Zain and the numerical value is seven. This letter in its spiritual meaning is the perfection of God. Throughout the Bible, God speaks of “Zion” as an elect people, through whom He will manifest His glory in the earth at the end of time. This is referring to the same people who Paul calls the “firstfruits” in I Corinthians 15:23, and who John, in the Spirit, refers to in Revelation 14:1-5. These people are ordained of God never to fail.

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:1-5).

I like to read stories of people who never fail. Some time ago, I came across a little booklet entitled, “By Fire and by Sword.” It speaks of a great fighter who was in the army of Napoleon. When Napoleon and his army were finally beaten, this man went home to his little lodge a broken man. He had one son and he began to train this boy to use the sword. He was schooled and strengthened until he became a superb swordsman. As an old experienced soldier, he knew that there was no man in France who could handle a sword better than this young man whom he had trained. At that time, France was like the Wild West, but instead of the gun, men were using the sword.

The day came when he packed up the boy’s things, saddled up his horse, and sent him forth. All along, he knew that the boy was going to be passing through enemy territory, and that surely the great swordsmen of that place were going to attack him. They acted true to form and challenged the young swordsman. The young stranger made short work of all his opponents that day. It did not take long for all of France to hear of him. Eventually, he became the friend of the King, and the story goes that he was never beaten, even when the odds were ten to one. God has a Zion company, an elect army that will never be defeated! 

It would be a pleasure for you to look up all that God says about Zion in the Scriptures, such as:

Psalm 50:2, “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.”

Psalm 69:35, “For God will save Zion and will build the cities of Judah.”

Isaiah 2:3, “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

Amos 1:2, “The LORD will roar from Zion and utter his voice from Jerusalem.”

All these prophetic utterances from the Old Testament are referring to a people who will find their fulfillment in Christ. A little people (like Gideon’s 300) who will be the overcomers, conquering death as Jesus Christ Himself did, and who will be the firstfruits unto God.

(Excerpt from The Omega Message, June 1996, pg. 8-9)

Thought for today: Do you want to be part of God’s Zion company? If yes, then count your cost and set on a journey that leaves no place to the world and the flesh but presses you to take up your cross and follow Him Who has gone before you.