THE PERFECTION OF BEAUTY - PART 2

SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 2023

From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance, and we have come to understand that Jesus Christ is the effulgence or radiance of His glory, as well as the exact representation of His being. As the perfect figure and imprint of God's nature, the express image of His Deity, and the precise expression of His substance, Christ shone forth on earth to extend and exert unlimited divine perfections, and to reign as a prince of peace - by bringing perfect peace to the world through salvation.

Reference: Psalm 50:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

"From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance."

Mount Zion is truly a sacred city of the living God; and this holy mountain is a beautiful summit, and a joy of the whole world. This is recorded in Psalm 48:2 which reads, "Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King" (NIV).

Remarkably, the phrase, "the joy to the whole earth" is a significant expression that represents a stone; a precious spiritual commodity that brings joy to all on earth. To that effect, Isaiah 28:16 says, "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: "Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a tested stone, A precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. The one who believes in it will not be disturbed" (NASB). That precious stone laid in Zion is Christ Jesus, who has brought the joy of salvation to the whole earth. Got it?

When Mary gave birth to Jesus, she wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. But an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds living out in the fields nearby, and keeping watch over their flocks at night, and informed them about the great news, which is a joy of the whole world. Luke 2:10-11 (NIV) reads, "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.'"

Beloved, Jesus is that stone in Zion; a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for the sure foundation, firmly placed. Anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16 NIV). When you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9 NIV). In a nutshell, whosoever will make his or her life the manifestation of Zion, which is the true perfection of beauty, must first of all, receive Christ as Lord.

Here is what comes into effect when you receive Christ Jesus: The Bible says, "...you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV). Beloved, it's a condition-based association, meaning that you must be in Christ to belong to Mount Zion, and notably, there is no limit to the hosts and treasures in that heavenly realm.

Find below a prayer of salvation, which I urge you to meaningfully declare, if you are yet to receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 3:14; Joel 2:32; Isaiah 24:23; Psalm 87:2.

Guided Prayer

I acknowledge today that God demonstrated His unconditional love for me in this: While living without Christ, He sent Him ahead of time to die for me. Therefore I repent and renounce the nature of sin and I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I believe and confess with all my heart that Jesus is the Son of the true living God, who died for me and was raised from the dead on the third day by God. I affirm that Jesus is risen and He's alive forever. I accept Him into my heart and I declare His Lordship over my life forever. I'm now born again as a new creation. I have eternal life: my present-moment reality. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me and taking full charge of my life, as my Lord. GLORY TO GOD!