Firmness on Mount Zion

Firmness on Mount Zion

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Heb. 12:22-24.

What does it mean to have come to Mount Zion? It means that we have come to the firmest place of all. We have come to something that will never be shaken or moved.

The trait that all the inhabitants of Mount Zion have in common—from the newly converted to those who are most advanced—is firmness. Yes, how great it is to have come to Zion where we can sing from the depths of our hearts about eternal firmness and stability.

Everything outside of Zion is changeable and can be moved and shaken. In Isaiah 24:19-20 we read in connection with the last days that the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard. Everything will be shaken by the Lord’s voice (Heb. 12:26), but by that same voice everything is made firm on Zion.

These words are addressed to all those who are on Zion: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Rom. 12:9.

Paul exhorted the Galatians to stand fast in the liberty with which Christ had made them free. Paul himself stood fast, and when he wrote about the false brethren who wanted to spy out their liberty in Christ, he said, “To whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” Gal. 2:5.

We read in Psalm 48 about Zion, that God will establish it forever. “God is in her palaces; He is known as a firm refuge.” V. 3.

We read that we have come to Mount Zion. Blessed are all those of whom this can be said. Already now, while they are in this world, they have come to this firm place where they will be for all eternity, a safe and secure place where God Himself is their firm refuge.

Think of the company we have joined on Mount Zion, those with whom we have fellowship! This is where you will find unfailing brotherly love, rooted and established in the mind and nature of Christ. Here we become established in the faith, rooted in righteousness and truth, unfailing in love, and immovable in purity, humility, patience, mercy, and everything that is good. Joy and peace are not shaken by external circumstances because they are rooted in that which is eternal.

There are only servants on Zion—no “lords” who want to assert their honor and position. There are 144,000 servants whose mind is to humble themselves and to submit to each other in order to serve one another. Jesus Himself, who is the greatest and most excellent of all the brethren, is a shining example to us in serving, giving, and humbling Himself. Only by following Him on a firm and steady course down, as servants, can we follow Him in exaltation and glory.

God, the Judge of all, is on Zion. Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world . . . .” John 3:19. There is no other place where there is as much light as on Zion, and no other place is as pure, free, and good. Those who have the mind to judge themselves walk in this light. The result is a glorious brotherhood, firmly united in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Cor. 1:10.

Blessed are all those on Zion who make their high calling and their election sure!