JOYFUL ASSEMBLY -PART 1
TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER 2022
As born again Christians, we belong to an unshakeable Kingdom that is far superior to any other kingdom, both spiritual and worldly kingdoms. We were automatically elected by predestination to become heirs of God, and we arrived by the efficacy of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. Salvation is our entry pass; Christ is our Saviour and Lord; and the Holy Spirit is our guide and ever present help.

Reference: Hebrews 12:22-24 Amplified (AMP) "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering], and to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to God, who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect [bringing them to their final glory], and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant [uniting God and man], and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance]."
I will expoundly attend to all of the above points one by one - by following the versified sequence or their stated order. Therefore, today, we are looking at the first, which is Mount Zion, the city we arrived at. We have come to Jerusalem which is in heaven. I want you to understand that our arrival is the manifestation of divine will and purpose. Why was the author of the book of Hebrews specific with the location and postcode, heavenly Jerusalem? It's because there is an earthly Jerusalem and so, the heavenly Jerusalem is significantly identified as the city of the living God.
Remember that at one point, Jesus made some unfavourable remarks about earthly Jerusalem. He lamented over it saying, 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"' (Matthew 23:37-39 NKJV).
However, since this earthly Jerusalem means a lot to Christ, He fulfilled His promise to come back to it as the Messiah, which is also known as the triumphal entry. In fact, the Bible says, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King (Messianic King) is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble and unassuming [in submission to the will of the Father] and riding on a donkey, Upon a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9 NLT). As Zion's coming King, the people yelled in great celebration, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:4-9 NIV).
Keeping our minds awake to a sense of heavenly Jerusalem, as well as reminding ourselves of God's unconditional love for earthly Jerusalem, is the necessity and excellence of the Christian faith. By such sense, we maintain a lively awareness of our new birth and spiritual location. In other words, study your spiritual origin, or where you have come (Zion), and also inwardly attend to the realities of Zion, the city of God, in order to know and comprehend His will for your arrival, so you can gain the power to function on earth correspondingly. With all perseverance, plus unwearied focus on the Word, keep renewing your mind until it synchronically aligns with the authentic utterances and notion of God's will, in all shapes (His good, pleasing and perfect will), and then, apply to them to your life, as you function in the earth realm. That's the mindset of Zionites. Stay tuned for part 2. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - Isaiah 46:13; Psalm 87:2; Isaiah 52:1-2; Psalm 132:13-14; Joel 3:17.
Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I thank you for my revealed origin, drawn from the clear knowledge of your Word. The continual, daily experience of my new life in Christ has proved that I'm destined to function as the heir of your Kingdom and as the apple of your eyes. Blessed be your holy name in Zion, the Almighty who dwells in heavenly Jerusalem. Hallelujah!


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