Zion / Zionism

(Pronounced Sion), is first mentioned with King David in 2 Sam. 5:7. Zion (that is, the City of David), it is found 160 times in the Scripture. Zion also refers to Jerusalem, the city that David conquered and made capital of Israel (1 Chron. 11:5; Ps. 2:6; Isa. 2:3).

David had set first up a tent on Mt. Zion, (1 Chron. 15:1; 16:1; 2 Sam. 6:17), the ark of the covenant of the LORD was in the City of David, which is Zion (2 Chron.5:2). When the Temple was completed by Solomon, the Ark was deposited in the sanctuary (1 Kings 8:1,6–9).

Zionism is Judaism, the movement took its name from Zion, which appears 160 times in the Hebrew Bible as a synonym for Jerusalem. It is the heart of Judaism.

Since Israel had been in the land there have been invasions (Babylon and Persia). Alexander the Great (ending 332 BCE), conquered the entire civilized world. Which brought his last campaign to Israel. He allowed them to be autonomous, the Land remained a Jewish theocracy under him until the kingdom of Alexander split in two. And was then ruled by Syrian-based Seleucid rulers. When the Jews were prohibited from practicing Judaism and their Temple was desecrated as part of an effort to impose Greek-oriented culture and customs on the entire population, the Jews rose in revolt (166 BCE). First led by Mattathias of the priestly Hasmonean family and then by his son Judah the Maccabee. The Jews subsequently fought and won, entered Jerusalem and purified the Temple (164 BCE), these events commemorated each year by the festival of Hanukkah.

In 63 BCE a Roman general Pompey the Great captured Jerusalem. Various Roman governmental rulers had sway over Israel, Judea was under Hasmonean rule.

At the time prior to and in the time of Christ they were under Roman occupation. 37 B.C.E. Antony Sossius, the Roman governor of Syria, gave Herod aid enabling him to take Jerusalem.

In 66 the Jews rebelled against Roman rule, and in 70 AD the Romans besieged Jerusalem. Jeremiah prophesied 26:18"Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, And the mountain of the temple Like the bare hills of the forest." '

Just as Jesus said recorded in Mark 13:2 Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." In Luke 21:6 “ the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."

Jews fled in the diasporo, some stayed. By 135 AD few Jews were left in the land, former Israel was named Palestinia by the Romans to make sure the Jews could not call the land by there name they formerly lived under, Israel. For over 1800 years Jews continued to live there, but there was never a time when the Jewish people didn't live in the land.

In our day there is no name of Israel on any Islamic map, Their Maps say Palestine, even though they know the Romans changed the name from Israel to Palestine.

Homecoming Aliyah

Zion ism began in the later 1800’s, Zionism is essential to the nation and people of Israel. For it is the covenant by God in their Torah, consisting of the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Gn.12). Israel is a people, a nation that has a land, and that is what Zionism is about. For it means advocating for the Jews to return to their homeland. Which is Aliyah, immigrants from other lands coming to Israel. In the late 19th century, anti-Semitism was rising, this led to a resurgence of pogroms in Russia and Eastern Europe, this motivated Jewish immigration back to their land.

This is also when the fraudulent “blood libel” lies began, that Jews murder Christian children to use their blood for ritual purposes, as an ingredient in the baking of Passover matzah (unleavened bread). Jews know in their law they are not to consume any blood, which is found in the book of Leviticus. In order for an animal to be considered kosher, all its blood must be drained and discarded. This would be like Muslims eating pork to break their Ramadan fast.

So much disinformation has been released to oppose the Jewish homeland that it has become a platform for promoting the auspices of hate – the basis for anti-semitism.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion was a Russian forgery written by a group of anti-Semites who were attempting to propagate the theory of a worldwide Jewish conspiracy of world domination which many have accepted, even today after its long been disproven.

During this time numerous Jews immigrated to Palestine from Yemen, Morocco, Iraq and Turkey unaware of the pograms taking place or Theodor Herzl's proposed Zionism. They were motivated by the centuries old desire to "Return to Zion" to have their Hebrew language, and the Torah to practice in their land. Zionism is about the safety of the Jews practicing their religion in the land God had given them. This became even more important after the 2 world war as they became Israel again, as Zionism was the held belief that Israel was their guaranteed safety for their people to not see a second Holocaust.

What it means to Jews, is no different than any other nation; is that they are entitled to a homeland. They have one and yet are being prevented to live there peaceably in such a small area.

Lies have always been used to divide and incite hatred. The false claim that zionists plan of ethnic cleansing of the Arab population is completely without merit and is often used as a division between the two people that came from Abraham.

In the famous passage Ps. 2:1-6 “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." The Lord later says v.6 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."

Who is he speaking of? None other than the Messiah of Israel Yeshua Ha Maschich (Jesus Christ). Understand that the world does not want to have anything to do with the Gen.12 blessing through Abraham Isaac and Jacob, so they fall in line to follow those who viciously oppose it, which is Islam.

Ps 14:7 “Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.” (Jacob whose name was changed to Israel). Repeated in Ps. 53:6 “ Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.”

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone,” (Isa. 28:16; 1 Cor. 3:11)” Behold I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and whoever believes on him will by no means be put to shame .”

Matt 21:42 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone .” (Mk.12:10; Lk.12:10)

Both Paul and Peter refer to (Rom.9:33; 1 Pt.2:6; Acts 4:11) Jesus as this cornerstone. He initiated the covenant of grace by His blood. It is He who is the first stone put in as the foundation (the chief cornerstone) that all the other stones are fitted to in the foundation. He makes his whole body (stones) built into a spiritual temple over which he is the head. It is by grace, as Zechariah shouted: without grace we can never be a part of what the Lord has built.

God chose Zion to dwell in

Here are just a few of the Scriptures pertaining to Zion.

Ps 76:2“ In Salem (short for Jerusalem) also is His tabernacle, And His dwelling place in Zion.”

Ps 132:13 God has “chosen Zion … for His habitation,” that being Jerusalem.

Isa 14:32 “What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, And the poor of His people shall take refuge in it.”

Ps. 48:1-3 “ Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.”

Ps. 99:2-3 “ The LORD is great in Zion, And He is high above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name--He is holy.”

Isa. 60:14 “ Also the sons of those who afflicted you Shall come bowing to you, And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; And they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. ”

Isa. 18:7 “ To the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, To Mount Zion”

Zion has everything to do with Israel and her people.

Ps 78:68-69 “ But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved. And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has established forever.”

Ps 87:5-6 “ And of Zion it will be said,"This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her." The LORD will record, When He registers the peoples:"This one was born there."

God describes those who come against Zion (Jerusalem)

Isa 29:8 “It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams, And look--he eats; But he awakes, and his soul is still empty; Or as when a thirsty man dreams, And look--he drinks; But he awakes, and indeed he is faint, And his soul still craves: So the multitude of all the nations shall be, Who fight against Mount Zion ."

Jesus is known as the lion of Judah, he returns as a lion, not a lamb. Isa. 31:4-5 For thus the LORD has spoken to me: "As a lion roars, And a young lion over his prey (When a multitude of shepherds is summoned against him, He will not be afraid of their voice Nor be disturbed by their noise), So the LORD of hosts will come down To fight for Mount Zion and for its hill . Like birds flying about, So will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem.”

Jesus, Israel’s messiah comes to rescue them Ps. 50:2-3 “ Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.”

Isa. 46:13 “I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory .”

Isa. 51:16 “And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, 'You are My people.'"

Ps. 69:35-36 “ For God will save Zion And build the cities of Judah, That they may dwell there and possess it. Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it, And those who love His name shall dwell in it.”

There will come a time when there will be no haters of the Messiah or Israel his people in the land.

Isa. 52:7-9 “ How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion , "Your God reigns!" Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, With their voices they shall sing together; For they shall see eye to eye When the LORD brings back Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.

Isa. 33:20-22 “Look upon Zion , the city of our appointed feasts; Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet home, A tabernacle that will not be taken down; Not one of its stakes will ever be removed, Nor will any of its cords be broken. But there the majestic LORD will be for us A place of broad rivers and streams, In which no galley with oars will sail, Nor majestic ships pass by (For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King; He will save us)”

Zechariah the prophet Zech. 1:14 “ I am zealous for Jerusalem And for Zion with great zeal. V.17“The LORD will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem."

God speaks of Zion in this way, Ps. 129:5: “ Let all those who hate Zion be put to shame and turned back.”

“He that keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. The LORD is thy keeper” (Psalm 121:4). God is watching 24 hours a day over his people and the land that is his.

The apostle Paul says, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.’‘And this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins’”(Rom. 11:25–27)

Joel 2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain!”

Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand:

God promises Joel 2:32 For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance”

Joel 3:17 you shall know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy”

When the Lord comes back He will establish His kingdom on the earth, Zech. 8:3 “ Thus says the LORD: ‘I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the LORD of hosts, the Holy Mountain.'’ This is one of the reasons why Jews pray every Passover the words "next year in Jerusalem."

Both Isaiah 2 and Micah (4:2) state from “ the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

And here is the great promise

Isa 2:3-4 “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.”

That day is coming, it is getting nearer all the time.

 

Copyright (c) 2023 The material on our website can be copied and used in its original format Portions lifted from articles can be reproduced for ones personal use for witnessing or for teaching and apologetics.  Any other use, such as posting is to have the permission of Let Us Reason ministries.  If you have trouble printing an article please copy the web page. Highlight the text first - then click copy -  then paste the article into a word program on your computer.

We would like to hear from you. Please send us  an e-mail and let us know how we can be of any help.   Our time is just as valuable as yours.  Please keep in mind, that we only have time to answer sincere inquiries. We will use discretion in answering any letters.