We hear of this place called Zion in the Bible. In fact, it’s mentioned as Zion 153x in the Old Testament (with and without the ‘Mount’ designation) and twice as Mount Sion in the New Testament. (I’m looking at KJV.) In the Old Testament it could refer to the earthly place of David, the spiritual place of the prophets, or people of Zion among other things. Either way it’s a very mysterious place.
The New Testament verses are very interesting:
Hebrews 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, 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, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
and
Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, (the 144,000) having his Father’s name written in their foreheads…4 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.
I emphasized certain words or phrases because in these two verses there are important parallels:
- Jesus – the Lamb
- Heavenly Jerusalem – redeemed to mount Sion
- church of the firstborn – firstfruits
- just men made perfect – not defiled
This is not a coincidence. There is a connection to those who go to Zion/heavenly Jerusalem and when they go. The firstfruits go first. These would be the wise virgins. (Sorry, I’m not going to discuss actual Jewish men or the physical locale of Jerusalem because this is a spiritual concept the Lord is trying to convey.)
The foolish virgins didn’t have enough oil. Oil speaks of the Holy Spirit and the anointing. The 144,000 have the Father’s name (G3686 – authority and character) written in their foreheads. This also is done through the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification.
The forehead seems to be the place where ownership is depicted:
*Jeremiah 3:3 …a whore’s forehead…
*Ezekiel 16:12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
*Revelation 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
*Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
*Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.
*Revelation 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
If someone could scan your forehead right now, what would be there? None of us know the answer, yet. They’ve been scanning foreheads for temperature readings for quite a while now. Are we hot, cold, or lukewarm?
Isaiah saw Zion of the end of days. He saw the wicked getting theirs and he saw the righteous living in safety while it was going on. Take a look at Isaiah 33. It’s all spelled out there. While the fire of God’s wrath is being poured out, those of us who have “followed the Lamb wherever He goes” will be fed in safety. Is that where we go at the “rapture”? I’m not sure. But someone’s got to come back and rule and reign with Christ and clean up the mess.
Isaiah 33:5 The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
Professing Christians 