Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. There are various years
that stand out in the past as we look back at the unfolding
of God's purpose in the history of mankind. In our country, the
year 1776 is a very important one because it is from that time
that we begin to consider ourselves as a sovereign nation. Then the
year 1812 comes to mind as our independence was again tested.
Neither can we forget the years from 1861 to 1865 as civil war
decimated our land. Some would have us to believe
that the year 1948 is such a year. They point to this year as one
in which the earthly nation of Israel was formed by the United
Nations. We have no problem in recognizing
the historical significance of such an occurrence. However,
we do find ourselves a bit confused with those who claim to be the
followers of Christ and claiming to have an understanding of the
nature of the kingdom which he came to establish in the earth,
placing any spiritual significance in the transfer of real estate
in this time world. Did not our Lord say, My kingdom
is not of this world? If my kingdom were of this world,
then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered
to the Jews? But now is my kingdom not from hence. The kingdom of
God is not concerned with natural soil any more than it can be
inhabited by those whose only birth is that of a woman. Those
who are part of this kingdom are born not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
There are numerous references to Zion in the scripture as an
exact location, yet most of the time that reference is made to
it, the context leads us to see it used more as a metaphor for
the place where God is pleased to dwell with his people. When
the Lord says, yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of
Zion, he does not have reference to a place, but to the fact that
he has a kingdom which is an everlasting kingdom. Zion is
a place with an unshakable foundation. Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation,
a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.
The Lord Jesus Christ is that cornerstone which the builders
of earthly kingdoms have rejected. Yet other foundation can no man
lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. His righteousness
alone is the hope of those who dwell there. Zion is a place
of great joy, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return and
come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. They shall
obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee
away. The word of reconciliation is sent out to all those who
have been purchased by Jesus Christ. The year of my redeemed
has come. The gospel is sent by him to
publish glad tidings and comfort those that mourn in Zion. Zion
is a city built to be inhabited by a particular people. Awake,
awake, put on thy strength, O Zion. Put on thy beautiful garments,
O Jerusalem, the holy city. For henceforth there shall no
more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Those that are
its inhabitants are not those who are circumcised in the flesh,
but the heart. Those who are born Jews are not
those who are the Israel of God. For he is not a Jew which is
one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward
in the flesh. But he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcision
is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter,
whose praise is not of men, but of God. Zion is an everlasting
city, and the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that
turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. As for me, this
is my covenant with them, saith the Lord. My spirit that is upon
thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart
out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out
of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth
and forever. That true Zion is not built upon
a conditional covenant, nor with a people who can trace their
lineage in the flesh, but rather upon the promises made to the
King of Zion. Zion is a glorious city, for
it is the place where the Lord Jesus Christ is pleased to dwell
with His people, whose redemption He has purchased with His own
blood. It is that heavenly Jerusalem which John saw. And I, John,
saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great
voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with
men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people,
and God himself shall be with them and be their God. Savior
if of Zion's city, I through grace a member am. Let the world
deride or pity, I will glory in thy name. Fading is the whirling's
pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show. Solid joys and lasting
treasure, none but Zion's children know. For a free CD containing
15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at
windstream.net.