The last mountain to; be noticed in this work, according to the order of the alphabet; but the first in point of excellency and glory? We may well cry out with the Psalmist our every account, while we contemplate this holy mount, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion I Glorious things are spoken of thee, thou city of God." (Psalms 48:14; Psalms 87:3.) The name is derived Tzun, a monument raised up. And considered as the church of Jesus, it is indeed a monument of grace here, and glory hereafter, raised up to all eternity! Here David built his city of David, a type of the city of God in Christ. Here Solomon built the temple, a type also of Christ's body. So that when in other Scriptures (numberless as they are) we read that "the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it." (Isaiah 14:32.) When we hear JEHOVAH saying, "Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone." (Isaiah 28:16.) And the Holy Ghost commissioning an apostle to tell the church, that this is Christ. (1 Peter 2:6-8.) When, with the eye of faith, like John, we behold "the Lamb standing on mount Zion, surrounded with his redeemed." (Revelation 14:1.) Who but must exclaim, in the language of inspiration, "Praise waiteth for thee, O Lord, in Zion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed!" (Psalms 65:1.) Reader! what are your views, in contemplating this mountain of the Lord's house, which he hath established "in the top of the mountains, and of which he hath said all nations shall flow unto it?" (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1 etc.) Are you come spiritually so, and by faith, "to mount Zion: the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem: to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven: and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect; and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant; and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel?" (Hebrews 12:22-24.)
Pause over the solemn and most interesting question? Souls that are come, know their privilege, and are conscious of their high calling; and having found peace in the blood of the cross, have constant access to a mercy-seat, and enjoy the sweet Bethel visits, of daily communion with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. The prophets, with one voice, have described their privileges. "The ransomed of the Lord (saith one of them) shall return and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads." (See Isaiah 35:10.) "They shall come (saith another) and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock, and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden, and they shall not sorrow any more at all." (Jeremiah 31:12.) And all the prophets in like manner, describe this blessedness of the gospel church in Zion. (Joel 2:32; Obadiah 1:21; Zechariah 8:3.) Reader! see to it, that these privileges and these blessings are yours.