by Wade E Taylor
“Zion” relates to worship that ascends in harmony with the choirs of heaven, to the One who sits upon the Throne. Zion speaks of “a set apart place” in which the expression of pure adoration and love flows up to the Lord through spontaneous worship.
Spiritually, Zion resides within us as being “a habitation of His presence.” As we maintain the poise of our spirit in an attitude of worship, we enter Zion. Then, whenever we attend a meeting and blend our personal flow of worship into the flow of corporate worship, the heavens will open and release a manifestation of the presence of the Lord moving through a meeting in waves of glory.
There is an urgent need for us to understand the value of our coming into the atmosphere of Zion, to worship.
“When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.” Psalm 102:16
Zion is a city within a city. It is located on the highest hill in the southeast area of Jerusalem. It is here that David set up his tent to provide a resting place for the Ark.
In David’s “tent,” there were no partitions. The people and priests were intermingled together on common ground. In contrast, the “temple” was structured and liturgical. It had an outer court for the people, a holy place where a priest came once each day to make a sacrifice, and the Holy of Holies, which the High Priest entered once each year.
Ephesians 2:20-22 tells us that “we” become Zion, when we separate and dedicate ourselves to be a vessel to house (the building fitly framed together) His presence (grows into a holy temple).
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building, fitly framed together grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In whom you also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.”
All who are saved are the household of God. Within this household is “Zion” – a people within a people, or, a Church within a Church. When Zion is “built up” (a separated people gathered together in a place that is dedicated for worship), the Lord will reveal His presence and glory. It is easy for us to worship in the atmosphere of Zion.
Zion also relates to those within the Church who are being made ready for the end-time purposes of the Lord. These understand the purpose and value of pure worship. Our ability to worship is enhanced by our abiding in His presence. Pure worship requires harmony, which will lift us through the “sound barrier” of the earthly, into the full release and operation of the heavenly realm.
The Lord greatly desires to dwell in our worship.
“For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is My rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” Psalm 132:13-14
Jerusalem relates to praise (our rejoicing for all that He had done for us), while Zion relates to a purity of worship to the Lord, for who He is. As we begin to worship, we enter into a state of rest, for we have come to the end of all that relates to ourselves. We are lifted above our thanking the Lord in praise for all that He has done for us and has given to us; and we ascend into a high level of worship that flows up to the Throne in an expression of pure love to the Lord.
David had a special musical talent and ability to give expression to pure worship. As he worshipped, prophetic revelation flowed, and the Psalms were written.
“There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for My anointed.” Psalm 132:17
This “lamp” speaks of prophetic anointing and revelation, which flows up to the Lord through our worship. When we worship, and prayerfully wait in His presence, the anointing will be released and a high level of revelation will begin to flow into our spirit.
Few within the early Church could read or write. They did not have a Bible, and yet they turned the world of that day upside down. They did this through prophetic revelation, which flowed as they worshipped.
“But You are holy, O You (Jesus) that inhabits the praises of Israel (His people).” Psalm 22:3
The word used here for “praises” should be translated “high worship.” This is the worship that God inhabits. When He moves in, (inhabits), much is accomplished.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tiding to the meek; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”
“To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn. To appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3
There is an effective impartation of deliverance and healing that results from pure worship. Because we are touching the Throne through our worship, there is a release of healing, restoration, and encouragement. When God inhabits our worship, through impartation, His very life flows into our lives.
Today is the acceptable year of the Lord. Those who are mourning in Zion – contending for pure worship, are not satisfied with the lesser realms of praise, alone. Walter Beuttler, a man who walked with God said, “I am tremendously satisfied, but I am dissatisfied because there is more.” That which God has for us is inexhaustible.
The Lord is anointing and empowering His Church in these last days. This increase, with a release of authority and power through our worship, will greatly affect the world of our day. When we come into “unity” in the Spirit and in “harmony,” we begin to worship, all that is written in the above Scripture, Isaiah 61:1-3, will be released. Mourning will be turned into joy, and the captive will be set free.
Isaiah 6:3 records the seraphim (overcomers) crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts.” This is pure worship, which will open the door into heaven. It is a pure acknowledgement of God, with nothing of self seeking.
Especially at this present time, there is much warfare against us. When the Seraphim worshipped, the posts of the door, moved (that which hinders was removed). As we begin to worship, the posts of the door will again move, and the manifest glory of God will be revealed. The hindrances that keep us from all that the Lord has for us will be moved out of the way and Satan will lose his hold.
“He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hinders. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since you are laid down, no feller is come up against us.” Isaiah 14:6-8
The release of His presence and glory is not so much the result of something that we do, but rather, it is a yielding and willingness on our part to cooperate when the Lord begins to move, and we respond in worship – “when the Lord shall build up Zion.”
We are living in a time of the revelation of His glory, which is to have an expression “through” us that will reflect His Glory.
Today, the Lord is calling those who desire to come into this high level of worship. As we worship, we will receive a powerful manifestation of the glorious presence of our God in our midst, and lives will be changed.