Biblical Zion: Our journey from Sinai to the New Jerusalem (Exodus 24; Isaiah 60–61)

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Last week we saw how the Torah introduces gradations concerning the “foreigner” — from the outsider merely passing through, to the גֵּר ger (“sojourner”) who sojourns among us, aligns their heart with Israel, and is ultimately welcomed in as family. The Torah, along with the Prophets, teaches us that it’s not about origin, but about heart and intent. The ger is no longer seen in the eyes of Heaven as foreign, but as those “brought near,” embraced and even adopted just like the native-born (Exodus 22–23; see also Leviticus 19:33-34).

Ancient Israel’s progression from a group shaped by lineage to a community grounded in shared covenant and faith gives us a pattern for personal transformation. It’s a story of being “brought near” after once being far off, echoing Ruth’s words: “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16). In Messiah, we see this ancient dynamic fulfilled — outsiders welcomed, hearts transformed.

Unpacking the Biblical Meaning of Zion

Today, “Zionism” sparks many conversations — both spiritual and political. First we need to be grounded in what Scripture actually says about צִיּוֹן Tziyon (Zion). We’ll start in Exodus 24, which serves as a preface to all that follows. סִינַי Sinai, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), and Tziyon become more than just physical places; they are milestones of spiritual ascent.

Just as the people encamped at the foot of Sinai, surrounded by pillars (Exodus 24:4), prevented from casually rushing to the top to satisfy curiosity, so too we are reminded that approaching the holy requires invitation, preparation, and reverence. Only מֹשֶׁה Moshe (Moses) was called to the summit, much as only the High Priest entered the קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies).

Zion as a Spiritual Destination

Zion, scripturally, begins as a literal fortress — יְבוּס Yevus (Jebus), captured and transformed by David (2Samuel 5:7). But over time, Zion comes to embody more than a place; it is the “city of David,” the holy mountain where God chooses to put His Name (1Kings 8:1). Like Abraham purchasing a burial place at Machpelah (Genesis 23), David’s acquisition of Zion is through both conquest and transaction (2Samuel 24:24), culminating in Yerushalayim, the “city of peace.”

Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great King.

Psalm 48:2 NASB95

This is more than earthly geography. It’s the heart of spiritual longing, a point from which blessing, שָׁלוֹם shalom (peace), and restoration radiate to all nations.

Parallelism in Scripture: Zion and Jerusalem

Our study examined the poetic device of parallelism so common in עִבְרִית Ivrit (Hebrew) scripture, where ideas are repeated with variation to draw out shades of meaning. “Zion” and “Jerusalem” appear side by side:

“For out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2

Just as Yaakov (Jacob) and Yisrael (Israel) are used to show different aspects of the covenant people, so too Zion and Jerusalem are sometimes used interchangeably, other times to highlight different dimensions — the city’s physical and spiritual identities.

Ascending the Mountain: Tabernacle and Temple

Scripture draws rich parallels between the ascent at Sinai and the structure of the מִשְׁכָּן Mishkan (“Dwelling Place,” Tabernacle) and בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ Beit HaMikdash (“The House of the Holiness,” Temple). Just as only a select few could fully approach God’s presence, so too, access in the Mishkan was restricted — outer court, inner court and finally the Kodesh HaKodashim (Exodus 25:8-9; Leviticus 16:2). Yet in each stage, God’s tent grows larger — from the wilderness Tabernacle, to Solomon’s Temple, to Ezekiel’s expansive vision (Ezekiel 40–48).

And that vision for the Day of Adonai will get even bigger for the Dwelling Place.

And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Revelation 21:22 NASB95

Here the יְרוּשָׁלַיִם הַחֲדָשָׁה Yerushalayim HaChadashah (New Jerusalem) becomes the ultimate fulfillment, its impact stretching “1500 miles on each side” (Revelation 21:16) — a perfect cube, echoing the dimensions of the Kodesh HaKodashim.

Expanding Access: From Restriction to Invitation

What’s most inspiring is the progression from exclusivity toward greater access. At Sinai, only Moshe was allowed all the way up. In the Mishkan, only the High Priest entered the innermost place. But Isaiah and Revelation picture a time when the whole world is invited:

The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it… its gates will never be closed.

Revelation 21:24–25 NASB95

The Hebrew concept of קרב karav (to draw near), from which we get קורבן korban (offering), reminds us that access is by invitation. Yet, as the dwelling place of God grows larger, so too does this invitation:

“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.”

Isaiah 55:1

Lament and Hope: Zion’s Historical Struggles

Physical Zion has had many ups and downs, from loyalty to the God of Israel to apostasy to exile to return. After Babylon smashed down the physical walls and desecrated the physical Temple, there was aching loss:

“The mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.”

Lamentations 5:18

The Holy One, through Isaiah, had rebuked Israel for empty religiosity:

“I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.”

Isaiah 1:13 NASB95

But this is not the end: God disciplines not to destroy, but to restore because of חֶסֶד chesed (loyal love, loving-kindness). Through loss and exile, Heaven’s goal of restoration dominates:

“Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow.”

Isaiah 1:18 NASB95

God’s chesed sustains Israel to become a light to the nations.

Zion: The Epicenter of Divine Light and Peace

The Prophets envision Zion not merely as a local sanctuary, but as an epicenter for global peace, justice, and knowledge of the LORD.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shined!

Psalm 50:2 NASB95

“For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 2:3b NASB95

The book of Ezekiel paints a vision where holiness permeates everything — “the whole mountain is holy” (Ezekiel 43:12). In the climax of Revelation, the New Jerusalem radiates such light that “the city has no need of the sun… for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Revelation 21:23 NASB95). At that point, φῶς phos (light) replaces all other natural sources — God’s presence in Messiah is all in all.

Messiah and Zion: Fulfillment of Promise

Zion’s destiny and the work of the מָשִׁיחַ Mashiach (Messiah) are intertwined from ancient hope to present reality. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q174) and writings of Second Temple period Jews looked for a צֶמַח Tzemach (Branch) from David to be the key Builder of Zion, a hope fulfilled in יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ), whom we confess as Messiah.

Peter writes: “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house” (1Peter 2:5 NASB95

Paul compares the Jerusalem below and the Jerusalem above (Galatians 4) — the spiritual Zion (ἡ ἄνω Ἱερουσαλὴμ hē anō Ierousalēm). This is the inheritance of all in Messiah:

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

Hebrews 12:22 NASB95

Restoration Is for All: Abrahamic Promise Extended

The promise, given to Avraham (Abraham), is that through him “all families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 NASB95). That blessing is his “seed,” the Seed of Eve Who would crush the head of the Serpent (Genesis 3:15), the Adversary to all who seek reconciliation with heaven.

In Zion’s transformation — physical city, spiritual symbol and, one day, universal beacon — this promise reaches fulfillment. The invitation is open to all גּוֹיִם goyim (nations, Gentiles), as expressed repeatedly by the prophets and exemplified by early believers in Yeshua as the Mashiakh (Acts 2).

Transformation from the Inside Out

But the path is not built simply by human effort — a key lesson we drew from comparing the “Hagar method” (self-reliant striving; Galatians 4:22–31) and the “Sarah method” (patience-faith for promise). It is not “we willed it” and so it happens (Exodus 24:3, 7), but “He willed it,” and so it will be (“It is not for your sake… but for My holy name,” Ezekiel 36:22). This transformation must begin within, reshaping motives, cleansing hearts, and preparing us as vessels for His presence.

Living as Ambassadors of the Kingdom

The people called by the Name of the Holy One of Israel are calling to be כֹּהֲנֵי יְהוָה koheyni Adonai (priests of the LORD; Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6; 66:21; 1Peter 2:9), πρεσβευτοῦς presbeutous (ambassadors) for the Mashiakh (2Corinthians 5:20), letting our own lives reflect the light that shines from Zion, whose light is Adonai and the Lamb (Messiah). Yeshua said we are to share that light to a world darkened with the confusion of the Adversary:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Matthew 5:14 NASB95

The journey to Zion is about building up people as much as structures — a spiritual process forming us, the “living stones” of for the world to see. The hope of transformation is not just for Jerusalem, but for each of us and for the κόσμος kosmos, the whole world. As God promises through the Prophets, restoration is His goal — for Israel and for all creation.

Zion is Our Destiny, Our Calling

Zion’s progression from a conquered hilltop to the city of divine destiny, and finally to the heart of God’s eternal plan, mirrors both Israel’s journey and our own. The city where God places His name is the symbol of hope, peace, and restoration Messiah brings to all. It reminds us that no loss is final, no exile permanent, and no soul is beyond invitation.

So let us ascend together, responding to God’s call to draw near, living as “light to the nations,” with hearts open to the transformation He desires, anchored in the promise that “the LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 146:10 NASB95).

May we find ourselves in this journey, yearning for more of His presence, confident in the hope of restoration, and eager to see God’s purposes fulfilled in true Zion — and in every heart that welcomes Him.