ZION

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Zion (pronounced zye-on; long "i", short "o")
It is first mentioned in the bible at 2 Samuel 5:7 where it is referred to as the City of David (see also 1 Kings 8:1, 1 Chronicles 11:5, and 2 Chronicles 5:2), making Zion synonymous with Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:5-9).

Many people confuse the bible term "The City of David" between the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, because both cities are referred to as "David's city" in scripture: Jerusalem is called "The City of David" because David invaded the Jebusites, who occupied Jerusalem, and ousted them (2 Samuel 5:5-9), and Bethlehem is referred to as "The City of David" because Joseph, stepfather to Jesus, was a native of Bethlehem and a member of David's descendants (Luke 2:4). David's own father was also born in Bethlehem, and apparently so was David (1 Samuel 17:12, 15).

How important was Jerusalem / Zion to Israel? Almighty God Himself chose Zion to be the hub of true worship (1 Kings 14:21), thus His temple was located there (Psalm 68:29, Mark 11:11). This meant the Israelites would make special efforts to travel to Jerusalem for important occasions, such as the Passover observation (Luke 2:41, John 11:55), the Festival of Dedication / Hanukkah (John 10:22), and other rituals according to the current Jewish Law (Luke 2:27). Jerusalem was located in the region of Judah (Joshua 15:63), and interestingly enough the lineage of the kings descended through the line of Judah (Matthew 1:1-16).

Originally, the city of Jerusalem was named Salem (Genesis 14:18) and was referred as such by the Psalmist, although, by then it's name had been lengthened to "Jerusalem" (Psalm 76:2 compare with the first mention of Jerusalem at Joshua 10:1). Salem was identified with the Melchizedek priesthood (Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 7:1-3). It is fitting that our God would choose Jerusalem to be his chosen holy city, for "Salem" means "Peace" (Hebrews 7:2).

MOUNT ZION

Because Zion had great importance as a worship center and a place of kings, God used Zion to illustrate His heavenly Kingdom: Since earthly Jerusalem was Zion, then Heavenly Jerusalem was referred to as the elevated Mount Zion (Hebrews 12:22). This is supported in the fact that bible prophecy speak of Almighty God as being the King residing on Mount Zion (Isaiah 8:18, Isaiah 24:23, Obadiah 1:21, Micah 4:7). Scripture also says that when Christ is enthroned, he is also seen to be atop Mount Zion (Revelation 14:1). Mount Zion is referred to as being the place of the name of Yahweh (Isaiah 18:7).

Just as spiritual Mount Zion is related to the spiritual tribe of Judah (Psalm 48:11, 78:68), so too, was the physical city of Zion / Jerusalem related to the physical region of Judah (Joshua 15:63).

It is worth noting that earthly Jerusalem was simply a physical copy of the spiritual Jerusalem in Heaven (Hebrews 8:5, 9:24). According to scripture, Mount Zion will endure forever (Psalm 125:1), for it is a place of refuge for God's faithful followers (Joel 2:32). New Jerusalem / Mount Zion, will come to earth, a merging of the heavenly with the earthly, when God's Kingdom comes (Ezekiel 37:26-28, Revelation 3:12-13, Revelation 21:1-4).