Out of Zion

The first sight that any who approached Jerusalem saw was the Temple of God, built atop of  Mt. Zion, rising above the city  in clear view, seen by any and all that came to Jerusalem. Regardless from which direction that  Jerusalem was approached, the Temple of God dominated the skyline.


 The Temple was the most striking and predominate feature in all Israel. In fact it becomes clear that, upon examining the city of Jerusalem ,  the whole of the city was built around and with the purpose to sustain the worship and all other activities which took place  at the Temple of God.

The Temple atop Mount Zion

The Temple stood on Mount Zion, which was originally a Jebusite strong hold which we are told was taken by King David.

"Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David." 2Samuel:5:7

David then turned the site into the place of his palace, which later on became the location for the Temple of God built by David's son Solomon. 

The Temple of God, there at Jerusalem, was the center of life of the city and the nation of Israel. The whole of the nation was to revolve around it's relationship with God that found its expression in the  sacrificial system and other ceremonies which were prescribed in the Books of Moses as part of the Old Covenant
 that had at its core the 10 Commandments.

"Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant--the Ten Commandments" Exodus:34:28

This is the very same Covenant the people of Israel agreed to with the great God we can read about this in
 Exodus 20, 21, 22 and 23. This  relationship with God was to be the obvious difference in the life of the nation of Israel and it was to be the first thing other nations would see when Israel was approached. 

This relationship was to be seen as a beacon that shone forth out  to others out of the lives of the people of Israel, both individually and collectively no matter from what direction they were approached, that is why the Temple sat atop Mount Zion so it could be seen by all who came near.

 "From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth" Psalms:50:2

This relationship was to shine forth to the end of the Earth.

What is Seen First?

What about us, what is the first thing that is clearly seen when the "Jerusalem" of our lives are approached?

What is seen first.... does the Temple of God, that is our relationship with Jesus Christ , dominate the skyline of our lives, is this what is seen first ?...The whole nation of Israel was built around this relationship   and so was the city of Jerusalem, it was evident that this was so.
So what about we Christians, what do others see when they approach us? We are told by Paul that we are the Temple of God.

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1Corinthians:3:16

That is, we are in a relationship with our God , is this relationship the first things that is seen when anyone approaches the Jerusalem of our lives? Is it obvious to all that our live , like the city of Jerusalem is built around this relationship? Can it be seen no matter which direction  we are approached? Where ever we might be? If we are approached on our jobs, at school, in our communities? Does this relationship, that is our worship of the great God, does  it stand out is it the dominate feature of our lives? As the city of Jerusalem was built to support what took place at the Temple, are our lives so ordered as well?

Mount Zion

Discribing tha church in Hebrews it says.

 "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 is what should been see in our lives each day and in every area of our lives, our relationship with God in His Son Jesus Christ.  All with whom we interact should see this. God intended it to be seen

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden" Matthew:5:14.

God's abiding presence in our lives should characterize all that we do, in truth what is transpiring , is that Jesus Christ  is living His life in us, we of our own selves under our own strength  could nerve bring glory to the great God,   it would be arrogant for any of us to believe different. It is all through Who Jesus is and what He is doing.

 "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2Corinthians:3:18

It all comes from Him alone. Other should see Jesus in us regardless of how we are approached our lives should revolve around Him as Jerusalem was meant to revolve around the Temple of God that sat high atop of Zion.  We join in the Son of God's perfect worship of the Father , we could never worship God as He alone deserves, only Jesus can do this , being both fully God and fully human. Through Him as our High Priest we enter His prefect worship, Jesus leads us in the word presented and the praises sung.

"He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."Hebrews:2:12

All should see in our lives that it is the Great God which most important to us, He guides our every activity in life and all interactions. He is that One Who should shine forth out of each and all so that those around us  will see that it is the Lord that:"From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth" Psalms:50:2
Amen

 Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.

And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com