Amos 3:3

3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Matt 18:19

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as

touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them

of my Father which is in heaven.

THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRIEFLY SHARE WITH YOU THE VISION AND PURPOSE OF THIS LOCAL CHURCH. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE MADE SOME EXTEMPORANEOUS COMMENTS ABOUT THE NAME ZION AND IT SIGNIFICANCE IN RELATION TO OUR VISION AND PURPOSE AND THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME EXPLAINING IT TO YOU. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT TWO CANNOT WALK TOGETHER UNLESS THEY AGREE. THERE IS POWER IN AGREEMENT AND IN ORDER FOR US TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL AND PRODUCTIVE CHURCH WE MUST KNOW WHERE GOD IS LEADING US AND WE MUST KNOW OUR PURPOSE AS WELL AS OUR SPECIFIC FUNCTION. I TRUST THAT AS I SHARE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT YOUR SPECIFIC FUNCTION AND CALLING IS AND BEGIN TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION TO THE FULFILLMENT OF OUR CORPORATE PURPOSE. LET ME BEGIN BY SHARING WITH YOU THE NATURE OF VISION ITSELF.

Prov 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:

but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

VISION: HAS REFERENCE TO THAT WHICH WE SEE, A DREAM, A GOAL, A REVELATION, SOMETHING TO PURSUE; VISION IS HAVING A SENSE OF DIRECTION AND PURPOSE IN LIFE. FOR A CHRISTIAN VISION IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE KNOWLEDGE GOD'S WILL.

GOD DESIGNED ALL OF CREATED LIFE TO SUSTAIN ITSELF BY HAVING AN INHERENT SENSE OF PURPOSE AND DESTINY. FOR MOST OF CREATION THAT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE IMMEDIATE--BY THAT WHICH CAN BE SEEN OR BY THE NATURAL SENSES. HOWEVER, WHEN GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE AND LIKENESS HE DEPOSITED IN MAN A HIGHER SENSE OF DESTINY AND PURPOSE THAT CAN ONLY BE SEEN BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIS SPIRITUAL SENSES. THAT’S WHY BEING ABLE TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE FOR YOURSELF IS SO IMPORTANT. I WILL CONTINUE WITH THAT SERIES LATER THIS SUMMER.

Eccl 3:9-13

9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-- this is the gift of God.

GOD HAS SET AN INNER SENSE OF ETERNITY IN THE HEART OF MAN THAT IS WAITING TO BE DEVELOPED UPON REGENERATION, FOR IT IS ONLY WITH OUR SPIRIT THAT WE CAN HAVE A PROPER SENSE OF VISION FOR ETERNAL THINGS. GOD DESIGNED ALL PEOPLE TO HAVE A SENSE OF ETERNITY--THERE ARE SOME WHO LAUGH AND JOKE ABOUT HAVING A GOOD TIME IN HELL, WHEREAS OTHERS HAVE A CERTAIN UNREST ABOUT WHERE AND HOW THEY WILL SPEND ETERNITY. EVERY BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN HAS THE INHERENT HOPE HEAVEN IN THEIR HEART. THE QUESTION FOR THE CHRISTIAN IS NOT WHERE HE WILL SPEND ETERNITY BUT HOW AND WHAT WILL HE BE DOING THROUGH ETERNITY. WHAT WILL HIS STATUS AND FUNCTION BE THROUGHOUT ETERNITY. THE ANSWER TO THOSE QUESTIONS ARE WHAT SEPARATE THE NOMINAL CHRISTIAN FROM THE PRODUCTIVE CHRISTIAN. VISION AND PURPOSE HAS THE POWER TO PUSH GOD’S PEOPLE FORWARD EVEN IN THE FACE OF DISAPPOINTMENT, DISILLUSIONMENT, DISCOURAGEMENT AND OPPOSITION.

2 Cor 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our

outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a

moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding

and eternal weight of glory;

2 Cor 4:18 While we look not at the things which are

seen, but at the things which are not seen:

for the things which are seen are temporal;

but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Cor 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this

tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building

of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Cor 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to

be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

2 Cor 5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

IF WE ARE GOING TO BE A PRODUCTIVE CHURCH WE MUST HAVE A DEFINITE SENSE OF PURPOSE--WE MUST SEE WHERE WE ARE GOING AND WHERE GOD IS LEADING US. IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN OUR VISION MUST BE CORRECTED BECAUSE MOST OF GOD'S PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING FROM SPIRITUAL MYOPIA AS IS RECORDED IN REV.3:14-18

Rev 3:14-18

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

MYOPIA IS A MEDICAL TERM FOR NEAR-SIGHTEDNESS. PEOPLE WITH MYOPIA CAN ONLY SEE THINGS THAT ARE CLOSE TO THEM SO THEY NEED CORRECTIVE LENSES TO ASSIST THEM IN SEEING THINGS IN THE DISTANT. HERE IN THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS THERE VISION FOR SPIRITUAL THINGS IS WANTING BECAUSE ALL THAT THEY CAN SEE AND PURSUE IN LIFE IS IN THE REALM OF THE NATURAL SENSES. HERE IN VERSE 18 THEY ARE INSTRUCTED TO ANOINT THEIR EYES WITH EYESALVE SO THAT THEY CAN SEE THEIR REAL SPIRITUAL CONDITION: POOR, WRETCHED, BLIND, MISERABLE AND NAKED SO THAT THEY CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE ITS TOO LATE. THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF MYOPIA IS CORRECTED BY GLASSES, THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF MYOPIA IS CORRECTED BY THE WORD OF GOD. IF YOU VISION AND PURPOSE IN LIFE IS NOT FOUNDED ON THE WORD OF GOD THROW IT OUT AND LET GOD BIRTH A NEW ONE IN YOUR HEART.

Eph 1:11

11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after

the counsel of his own will:

NOW, IT IS GOOD FOR ALL OF US TO HAVE DREAMS, ASPIRATIONS, AND GOALS IN THIS LIFE BUT WE MUST NOT LIMIT OURSELVES TO THESE EXCLUSIVELY OR WE WILL BE DISAPPOINTED IN THE END. JESUS TOLD US NOT TO LAY UP TREASURE ON EARTH WHERE MOTH AND RUST CAN CORRUPT BUT TO LAY UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN. GOD HAS SET ETERNITY IN OUR HEARTS AND WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR IT NOW.

Hab 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the

tower, and will watch to see what he will say

unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the

vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Hab 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time,

but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:

though it tarry, wait for it; because it will

surely come, it will not tarry.

Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not

upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

THE LORD HAS GIVEN ME A VISION FOR THIS CHURCH THAT TRANSCENDS ANY SENSE OF PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT. HE HAS INSTRUCTED ME THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A RENEWED SENSE OF WHAT THAT VISION IS--TO WRITE IT DOWN AND TO MAKE IT PLAIN FOR ALL TO SEE SO THAT WE CAN, TOGETHER, EXERCISE OUR FAITH TO ITS ATTAINMENT. SO I WANT TO SET BEFORE YOU THE VISION OF THIS HOUSE WHICH IS MADE UP OF FOUR INTER-DEPENDENT PARTS: THE LORD WANTS US TO BE FIRST OF ALL, A PRAYING CHURCH, 2. A WORSHIPPING CHURCH, 3. A CARING AND MINISTERING CHURCH AND 4. AN EVANGELIZING CHURCH. THIS FOUR FOLD PRIORITY PURPOSE IS WRITTEN DOWN ON A PLAQUE AND IS OUT IN THE FOYER. I BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING THAT GOD STARTS BEGINS WITH PRAYER AND IS SUSTAINED BY PRAYER, SO PRAYER SHOULD BECOME THE BACKBONE OF THIS CHURCH THAT SUPPORTS THE BODY IN THE REST OF IT FUNCTION AND PURPOSE. GOD ALSO WANTS US TO BE A WORSHIPPING CHURCH WHICH USHERS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD INTO OUR SERVICES AND MAKES THEM MORE THAN JUST A GATHERING OF PEOPLE. ONCE THE PRESENCE OF GOD HAS COME WE MUST ALLOW THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT TO FLOW THROUGH THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST WHO ARE DOING THE WORK OF MINISTERING TO EACH OTHER FOR EDIFICATION, EXHORTATION AND COMFORT. ONCE A LOCAL CHURCH HAS ALLOWED GOD TO REMOVED THE CANCER OF SELF DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS THEY CAN BECOME A HOSPITAL FOR HURTING PEOPLE AND WE CAN REACH OUT TO THE LOST AND WELCOME THEM INTO A HEALTHY, PRAYING, WORSHIPPING AND CARING CHURCH. THIS IS ALL DEFINED FOR US BY THE NAME ZION.

Isa 9:6-7

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

THERE IS NOTHING IN THE BIBLE THAT IS NOT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANCE. MANY TIMES GOD WOULD COMMUNICATE THROUGH THE USE OF THE NAMES THAT HE WOULD ASSIGN TO PEOPLE OR PLACES. IN GENESIS WE SEE THE NAME EVE WHICH MEANS THE MOTHER OF ALL AND INDICATES TO US THE SEED OF THE WOMAN. IN EX.2:10 WE SEE THE BABY THAT PHAROAH'S DAUGHTER RESCUED FROM THE RIVER AND CALLED HIS NAME MOSES WHICH MEANS DRAW OUT AND TO RESCUE AND WHO HIMSELF BECAME A RESCUER TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WHO WERE IN BONDAGE TO RULE OF PHAROAH IN EGYPT. IN LEVETICUS WE SEE THE TRIBE OF LEVI, WHICH MEANS SEPARATED, AND REPRESENTS THE ONE TRIBE THAT GOD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE OTHER ELEVEN TO BE PRIESTS UNTO THE LORD. IN NUMBERS WE SEE CALEB, WHICH MEANS FORCIBLE, WHO WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE LORD AND TRIED TO PERSUADE THE PEOPLE TO ENTER THE PROMISED LAND. (NUM13:30) IN DEUTERONOMY WE SEE GOD INSTRUCTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ISRAEL WHO SHALL ENTER THE PROMISED LAND. THE NAME ISRAEL MEANS ONE WHO RULES AS GOD. IN GENESIS WE SEE THE PLACE WHERE GOD HAD INTENDED FOR MAN TO LIVE FOREVER, THE GARDEN OF EDEN WHICH LIT. MEANS PLEASURE OR DELIGHTFUL. IN EXODUS MOSES BUILT AN ALTAR AND CALLED IT BY THE NAME JEHOVAH-NISSI WHICH MEANS THE LORD OUR BANNER OR THE LORD OUR VICTORY. IN LEVETICUS THE HIGH PRIEST WOULD ENTER INTO THE HOLY PLACE TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE. THE WORLD HOLY MEANS SACRED, SEPARATED AND PURE. IN NUMBERS WE SEE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL STRIVING WITH THE LORD BECAUSE THERE IS

NO WATER AND THE NAME OF THE PLACE IS CALLED MERIBAH WHICH MEANS TO QUARREL, STRIVE OR PROVOKE. IN DEUTERONOMY WE SEE THE NATION OF ISRAEL AT A PLACE CALLED

KADESH-BARNEA WHICH MEANS TO WANDER IN THE WILDERNESS AS A FUGITIVE. THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BIBLE WE SEE THAT THE NAMES OF PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS CAN HAVE A PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE TO THEM. THIS WAS TRUE OF OUR LORD WHOM THE ANGEL ANNOUNCED TO MARY THAT HIS NAME WOULD BE CALLED JESUS WHICH MEANS SAVIOR.

I HAVE SAID ALL THIS TO BEGIN TO SHARE WITH YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NAME THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO US AS A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS. IT IS NOT CONVENIENT TO HAVE THE NAME "ZION, " BUT IT DOES IDENTIFY US WITH THE PURPOSES OF GOD. NOW IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING BEHIND THE NAME "ZION." IT IS MORE THAN JUST A MOUNTAIN IN ISRAEL. LET'S BEGIN TO LOOK AT WHAT THE AUTHOR TO THE BOOK OF HEBREWS TELLS US ABOUT THE NAME OF ZION OR AS IT IS WRITTEN THERE "SION."

Heb 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

Heb 12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any

more: Heb 12:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which

cannot be shaken may remain. Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. (KJV)

ACCORDING TO THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE ZION IS THE ONLY TRUE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD ON THE EARTH--THE CHURCH. IT IS THAT INSTITUTION AND AGENCY THAT CARRIES OUT ALL OF GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PURPOSES IN THE EARTH. GOD NO LONGER SPEAKS TO US FROM MOUNT SINAI, NOR FROM ANY OTHER EARTHLY MOUNTAIN--HE SPEAKS TO PEOPLE THROUGH THE OFFICES AND MINISTRIES OF THE CHURCH. THE GREATNESS OF GOD IS TO BE SEEN IN THE CHURCH. THE POWER OF GOD IS TO BE SEEN IN THE CHURCH. JESUS SAID IN JN. 17 THAT WE WOULD RECEIVE HIS GLORY AND THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE DRAWN TO JESUS BY THE CHURCH. WE HAVE A MISSION AND A PURPOSE AND THAT IS SIMPLY DEFINED IN THE NAME ZION. LET'S LOOK AT THE FIRST PLACE THAT ZION IS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE.

2 Sam 5:1-12

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. 6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. 7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. 9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. 10 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. 11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. 12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

AT THIS TIME WE SEE THE NORTHERN TRIBES COME TO DAVID TO APPOINT HIM KING OVER ISRAEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WILL OF GOD AS PROPHESIED BY SAMUEL TEN YEARS EARLIER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, DAVID SEIZES THE JEBUSITE STRONGHOLD OF ZION IN JEBUS, WHICH WOULD LATER BE CALLED JERUSALEM OR THE CITY OF DAVID.

THE OVERTHROW OF THIS JEBUSITE STRONGHOLD WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE INTERNAL UNITY AND THE VICTORIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL LIFE OF ISRAEL AS A STRATEGIC MILITARY POST FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE THEOCRACY--OR THE PLACE WHERE GOD WOULD ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM AND RULE. THIS STRONGHOLD OF ZION WOULD LATER BECOME THE CAPITAL OF ISRAEL. AS LONG AS THIS FORT BELONGED TO THE JEBUSITE'S IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO PURGE THE LAND FROM THE REST OF THE CAANANITISH PEOPLE WHICH LIVED IN THE SOUTHERN AND MIDDLE PART OF PALESTINE. SO DAVID'S FIRST ACT AS KING AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL WAS TO CAPTURE THE STRONGHOLD OF ZION.

ACCORDING TO THE STUDY OF ARCHEOLOGICAL REMAINS, THIS FORT WAS THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT OF ANY PRE-ISRAELITISH PEOPLE, APROX. 400-500 YEARS BEFORE ITS OVERTHROW BY DAVID. MOUNT ZION WAS THE HIGHEST OF THE 7 MOUNTAINS THAT SURROUNDED JERUSALEM AND IT LAY TO THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST OF JERUSALEM. THE TEMPLE MOUNTAIN, MT. MORIAH, WHICH IS DISTINCT AND SEPARATE FROM MT. ZION BOTH IN GEO- GRAPHICAL LOCATION AND SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM, LAY TO THE NORTHEAST. MT. MORIAH SYMBOLIZES OUR PRIESTLY MINISTRY A BELIEVERS AND MT. ZION REPRESENTS OUR POSITION AS A KINGDOM OF KINGS WHO SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH.

THIS JEBUSITE STRONGHOLD, ZION, WAS BUILT AND ERECTED BY THE JEBUSITES AND NO ONE FOR 500 YEARS WAS ABLE TO OVERTHROW IT. ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS WAS BECAUSE OF ITS GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. THE EAST, SOUTH AND WEST SIDES OF THE MOUNTAIN WAS SO STEEP THAT NO ONE COULD EVER MOUNT A SUCCESSFUL MILITARY ATTACK AGAINST THEM. IT WAS ONLY FROM THE NORTH WHERE THE FORT OF ZION WAS BUILT IN CIRCUMFERENCE OF APPROXIMATELY 4,250 FEET THAT ANY MILITARY ATTACK COULD BE MADE. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MILITARISTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR MAN TO OVERTHROW THE CITADEL OF ZION, GOD PROVIDED DAVID WITH A SECRET, STRATEGIC PLAN TO OVERTHROW THIS JEBUSITE STRONGHOLD.

2 Sam 5:8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The

blind and the lame shall not come into the house. (KJV)

GUTTER: Strong's # 6794 tsinnuwr (tsin-noor'); OR ZINOR

from an unused root perhaps meaning to be hollow; a culvert:

KJV-- gutter, water-spout. (DIC)

COMMENTARIES DIFFER AS TO ITS SPECIFIC MEANING BUT THEY ALL AGREE THAT THIS GUTTER WAS CONSTRUCTED BY THE JEBUSITES TO BE A TYPE OF GUTTER SYSTEM THAT WOULD DRAIN THE RAIN WATER OFF THE HEIGHT OF ZION. SOME SAY THAT IT WAS A WATERFALL OR A CATARACT, OTHER SAY IT HAS REFER-ENCE TO AN AQUEDUCT AND STILL OTHERS SAY THAT IT WAS A CHANNEL OR A PIPE OF ABOUT 4 FEET IN HEIGHT. THIS PIPE OR CHANNEL WAS LARGE ENOUGH FOR MEN TO USE AS A MEANS OF CLIMBING ZION AND MAKING A SURPRISE ATTACK AGAINST THE JEBUSITES.

WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL APPLICATION OF ZION AND HOW DOES IT APPLY TO US AS A CHURCH?

Rom 5:12-15

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until

the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them

that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is

the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is

the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more

the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus

Christ, hath abounded unto many.

AS A RESULT OF ADAM'S TRANSGRESSION THERE WAS AN IMPENETRABLE STRONGHOLD OVER ALL OF HUMANITY. BY WAY OF TEMPTATION, SATAN PERPETUATED THE REIGN OF DEATH OVER ALL MANKIND; BUT GOD HAD DEVISED A SECRET PLAN OF ATTACK FROM BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH. THAT PLAN INVOLVED THE BIRTH OF MAN, WHO LIKE ADAM WOULD BE SINLESS FROM BIRTH AND NOT UNDER THE CONDEMNATION OF DEATH. IT WAS THROUGH THE PLAN OF INCARNATION THAT JESUS WAS BORN OF A WOMAN, BORN UNDER THE LAW TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE IN BONDAGE TO SIN AND DEATH.

Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,

whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain

from the foundation of the world. (KJV)

Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (KJV) Gal 4:5 To redeem them that

were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found

favour with God. Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his

kingdom there shall be no end.

NOTICE VERSE 32, THE ANGEL ANNOUNCES THAT JESUS WOULD BE GIVEN THE THRONE OF DAVID IN HIS RESURRECTION. NOW IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THAT AFTER DAVID CONQUERED THE FORT OF ZION THAT HE LATER EXTENDED THE ORIGINAL FORT STRUCTURE AND ADDED HIS PALACE TO IT SO THAT HEADQUARTERS FOR THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL DWELT IN THE FORT AND DAVID HIMSELF, ORDERED AND ESTABLISHED HIS KINGDOM FROM ZION.

THE SECRET PLAN OF ATTACK OVER THE IMPENETRABLE STRONGHOLD OF DEATH OVER HUMANITY WAS THROUGH DEATH ITSELF:

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he

also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Psalms 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Psalms 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (KJV)

2 Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus

Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and

immortality to light through the gospel: (KJV)

Rev 1:5-6

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev 1:18

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,

Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

JESUS CHRIST HAS LEGALLY DEFEATED SATAN AND HAS TAKEN FROM HIM THE KEYS OF HELL AND DEATH AND HAS LAID THEM AT THE DOOR OF THE CHURCH. EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS BEEN DEPUTIZED BY GOD TO ENFORCE CHRIST’S LEGAL DEFEAT OF SATAN OVER OPPRESSED HUMANITY.

Obad 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau;

and the kingdom shall be the LORD's. (KJV)

SAVIORS: Strong's # 3467 yasha` (yaw-shah');

a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by

implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor:

KJV-- X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve,

rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.

DON’T LET THIS VERSE IN OBAD. CONFUSE YOU IN ANY WAY: THERE IS ONLY ONE SAVIOR OF MANKIND AND THAT IS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. THE WORD "SAVIOUS" IN OBAD.1:21 IS REALLY INTERPRETED DELIVERER. THERE ARE MANY HURTING PEOPLE IN OUR CITY THAT NEED TO BE DELIVERED FROM TORMENTING AND ADDICTIVE SPIRITS. THERE ARE MANY HURTING PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE DELIVERED FROM GENERATION CURSES AND DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS AND GOD HAS CALLED US, ZION, TO REACH OUT TO THESE HURTING PEOPLE WITH THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE POWER OF GOD TO TURN PEOPLE FROM THE POWER OF SATAN TO THE POWER OF GOD. HERE IS THE TESTIMONY OF PAUL’S CALLING AS WELL AS OURS.

Acts 26:17-18

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

NOW BEFORE GOD CAN SEND US HE HAS TO TRAIN US AND DEVELOP HIS CHARACTER IN US SO THAT WE CAN REACH OUT IN LOVE AND MINISTER TO HURTING PEOPLE IN OUR CITY.

Micah 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he

will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law

shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.