We are Pilgrims
This world is not our home! We are strangers in a strange land seemingly getting stranger by the moment. In fact, we as God’s people are just passing through, for the Lord has reserved an inheritance for us in heaven.
Peter, in his first epistle, addressed his audience as “pilgrims” in 1 Peter 1:1, then begins his letter by describing that heavenly inheritance:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5)
We are pilgrims on a pilgrimage, gloriously priveleged to be part of God’s plans as He fulfills His redemption purposes for this universe! We are on a pilgrimage to Zion.
What is Zion?
Zion is representative of a person, a place and a people.
Specifically, Zion is about the Lord, about His dwelling place, and about His redeemed people – the people of God!
You see, the redeemer, Jesus, is bringing the redeemed under His banner into His place of peace – ultimately, the New Jerusalem or as the bible states – Zion, the eternal dwelling place of God and His people.
The word Zion occurs over 150 times in the Bible. It essentially means “fortification” and has the idea of being “raised up” as a “monument.” Zion is described both as the city of David and the city of God, and is also representative of Jerusalem. As the Bible progresses, the word Zion expands in scope and takes on an additional, spiritual meaning.
In the New Testament, Zion refers to God’s spiritual kingdom. In Hebrews 12:22 declared that we have not come to Mount Sinai, but “to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” Peter, quoting Isaiah 28:16, refers to Christ as the Cornerstone of Zion in 1 Peter 2:6: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame”
We note that eternal dwelling of God and His people in that eternal city, the New Jerusalem, Mt. Zion – our glorious destiny as believers in Jesus Christ,
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).
We’re thrilled to announce the release of the DVD teaching series, Pilgrimage to Zion: Salvation Studies in Israel. It’s all about the person and work of Jesus the Messiah and of God’s redemptive plan for mankind culminating with the Bride of Christ, the Church, enjoying our ultimate place of perfect communion with our eternal God in that eternal dwelling forever.
Filmed in various locales in Israel and Jordan, thie 10-episode series includes 4+ hours of teaching, stunning videography in 4K digital and is perfect for both individual and group study.
We are grateful to Southwest Radio Ministries and Beacon Street Media for collaborating with us on this project. Pray with us that the Lord would use this equipping resource mightily as a faith-enriching resource to believers and powerful witness to unbelievers.
To watch the trailer click here.