BETHLEHEM AND ZION -- THE TWO CITIES OF DAVID
December 26, 2010 pm
MF Blume
Luke 2:4 KJV And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
2 Samuel 5:7 KJV Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion:
the same is the city of David.
Notice that the CITY OF DAVID is considered to be two cities.
- The place where David was born to the place where He ruled as
King.
- David was Israel’s greatest king and Christ was said to
come forth from David as SON OF DAVID.
- This is the exact same situation with Jesus!
- And Jesus STARTED in Bethlehem and fulfilled His entire purpose
for mankind by GOING TO THE THRONE to rule on ZION.
- And it marks the beginning point and ending of our progress to
the goal of the recovery of mankind through Christ.
- Considering Jesus' relationship to Bethlehem and Zion, it really
shows the entire gospel and how it applies to us.
The thoughts of this are very insightful in light of the entire goal of
the Gospel being KINGDOM DOMINION restored to mankind.
- Jesus came into this world, manifested in flesh and born in
Bethlehem, in order to be able to die in order to destroy the
wickedness over mankind.
Hebrews 2:14 KJV Forasmuch then
as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself
likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him
that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:15 KJV And deliver them who through fear of death were
all their lifetime subject to bondage.
This means we are not intended to be in bondage.
The entire reason He was born is because there had to be a sinless
HUMAN in order to die as a sacrifice for EVERYONE'S sins.
- The only way he would partake of flesh and blood in order to
destroy death through death is that HE HAD TO BE ABLE TO DIE.
- Becoming flesh and blood means being susceptible to death.
- That means the entire purpose of Bethlehem's birth was to allow
for DEATH that would destroy him who had the power of death.
- Taking his weapon and using it against him!
Neither you nor I could die for anyone since we had our own sins to be
dealt with.
- The only way there could be a sinless man who did not require a
sacrifice for His own death would be for God, Himself, to become that
man in THE INCARNATION.
- INCARNATION means ENFLESHMENT.
Jesus came to destroy him that had the power of death.
- We also read that the last enemy that shall be destroyed is
death, and that is associated with Him sitting in ZION.
1 Corinthians 15:25 KJV
(25) For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his
feet.
That is information provided from Psalm 110:1.
Psalms 110:1-2 KJV A Psalm of
David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I
make thine enemies thy footstool. (2) The LORD shall send
the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine
enemies.
And notice that this is associated with ZION!
So he partook of flesh and blood AT BETHLEHEM, the city of Death,
for the purpose of dealing with DEATH so it is under his feet, which is
said to occur while HE IS IN ZION, the other city of David.
We can now see there is significance to BETHLEHEM and ZION being the
two places called the CITY OF DAVID!
The last enemy destroyed occurs during the SEATING OF JESUS CHRIST IN
ZION, which is called the CITY OF DAVID as much as BETHLEHEM was called
THE CITY OF DAVID.
BOTH CITIES that are called the CITY OF DAVID show the TWO points that
reveal a message of progress towards the GOAL of KINGDOM FOR US, as
well.
- The entire reason satan had to be destroyed was because men were
made subject.
- Men were under domination and not supposed to be subjects to
anyone but GOD since God created man to RULE WITH HIM.
- God had to return man back to this place of dominion after having
delivered him from domination over him by another.
Bethlehem is so significant because it marked where Christ was manifest
in flesh.
- And he was manifest in flesh in order to bring man out from under
domination by death and the devil.
- And to know that the town in which he was born, for the sole
purpose to manifest in flesh and deliver man, was called CITY OF DAVID
just as the city which is called ZION where HE IS FORESHADOWED TO BE
KING ON THE RIGHT HAND THRONE.
Even prophecy said Bethlehem was associated with KINGSHIP.
Micah 5:2 KJV But thou, Bethlehem
Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out
of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Notice the LITTLENESS of Bethlehem. Sheep like humility.
David ruled on Mount Zion on the earth.
- There is a HEAVENLY version of ZION.
Hebrews 12:22 KJV But ye are come
unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Revelation 14:1 KJV And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the
mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his
Father's name written in their foreheads.
Psalms 110:1-2 KJV A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord,
Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy
footstool. (2) The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength
out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
These references do not refer to the earthly mountain called ZION where
David ruled.
- But Jesus was the SON OF DAVID, and RULES in the TRUE KINGDOM
that Israel actually represented.
- Jesus rules the KINGDOM OF GOD.
- He rose form the dead and ascended into heaven and sat on the
right hand throne of God IN ZION!
So it is wonderful to know that the CITY OF DAVID marks the BEGINNING
POINT AND THE ENDING POINT of Christ's entire purpose!
- It's really the entire GOSPEL!
- He was born in the city of David, Bethlehem, in order to be flesh
and blood and destroy the devil through death.
- And He died and resurrected and, in fact, ascended to ZION to
realize that DOMINION OVER DEATH!
And what is even more wonderful is the picture of a manger and a throne
IN both cities called the CITY OF DAVID.
- A manger is a FEEDING TROUGH for cattle.
- Last Sunday we preached how sheep herders had a specific sign
given to them of Christ, the BREAD OF LIFE, laying in a feeding trough
in a town called HOUSE OF BREAD.
- This inferred that the people who are the SHEEP, whom Jesus knows
and whom can enter the Kingdom, COME TO FEED.
- We are told he is the word made flesh, and HIS TEACHINGS spoke of
denying self and taking up our crosses.
- And He, Himself, was a LAMB, too!
Bethlehem was a city of shepherds.
- Being the city of David, we can appreciate how David was a
SHEPHERD, himself, in that very town.
- It was while he was tending SHEEP that Samuel came to anoint him
as KING,
1 Samuel 16:11 KJV And Samuel
said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There
remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And
Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down
till he come hither.
Jesus was ANOINTED as well as a baby in order to be KING.
Matthew 2:1-2 KJV Now when Jesus
was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold,
there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, (2) Saying,
Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in
the east, and are come to worship him.
So he was worshiped as KING in Bethlehem, city of David, and RULES AS
KING in ZION, called CITY OF DAVID.
Bethlehem and Zion are both associated with JESUS AS KING, and both are
called the city of David.
Since Shepherds lead and feed sheep, and Jesus was in a feeding trough
as a sign to shepherds, we can see how WE ARE SHEEP AT FIRST.
- This is similar to Jesus being the LAMB.
Being a LAMB gives us the idea of sacrifice, and sacrifice is, again,
the reason He came in order to retrieve man from bondage.
Consider this thought of starting in a town of shepherds to sitting on
a throne in a palace when thinking of the two cities of David.
Jesus is actually seen as a LAMB in Revelation 5, but HE WAS CALLED A
LION.
Revelation 5:1-10 KJV And I saw
in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within
and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. (2) And I saw
a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the
book, and to loose the seals thereof? (3) And no man in
heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the
book, neither to look thereon. (4) And I wept much, because
no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look
thereon. (5) And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not:
behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath
prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
(6) And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the
four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had
been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (7) And he
came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne. (8) And when he had taken the book, the four beasts
and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one
of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers
of saints. (9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art
worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast
slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred,
and tongue, and people, and nation; (10) And hast made us
unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And THIS LAMB, who looked nothing like a lion, and had even been slain
to make the contrast even more stark, opened the sealed book.
- And notice what we read later about an open book.
Revelation 10:1-3 KJV And I saw
another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a
rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his
feet as pillars of fire: (2) And he had in his hand a
little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left
foot on the earth, (3) And cried with a loud voice, as when
a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their
voices.
The term ANGEL can throw us off.
- The term is literally MESSENGER.
- Heavenly angels like Gabriel and Michael are MESSENGERS, but they
are not the only kind of messengers there are.
- Jesus can be consider the MIGHTY MESSENGER.
- He alone is listed having the traits listed in verse 1.
- Jesus is coming in the clouds.
- He has a rainbow round his head like God had a rainbow round his
throne.
- His face shone like the sun in Matt 17 and Rev 1.
- And he feet were like brass burning in fire in Rev 1.
AND HE ROARS LIKE A LION!
THE LAMB BECAME A LION!
- He had to come as a Lamb in order to be the Lion!
- He had to DIE in order to conquer death!
And WE, TOO, MUST BE SHEEP AND THEN CONTINUE TO BECOME LIONS!
Notice Matt 7 shows wolves in SHEEP'S CLOTHING that Jesus said He never
knew, and John 10 says He knows His sheep.
- And Matt 7 speaks of ENTERING THE KINGDOM, and John 10 speaks of
ENTERING THE SHEEPFOLD.
- So, if the SHEEPFOLD is the KINGDOM, then we can see another
focus on SHEEP TURNING INTO LIONS.
The bible teaches that we cannot reign with Him unless we first suffer
with HIm.
2 Timothy 2:12 KJV If we suffer,
we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
And the same chapter mentions the same detail of KNOWING HIM and
DEPARTING in relation to INIQUITY.
2 Timothy 2:19 KJV Nevertheless
the foundation of God Him sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them
that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart
from iniquity.
Notice that KNOWING THOSE WHO ARE HIS connects us with Mat 7's I NEVER
KNEW YOU, and John 10's HE KNOWS HIS SHEEP.
- And the SAME CHAPTER 2 Tim 2 speaks of suffering with Him --
being sheep -- and ruling with Him -- being KINGS.
So the picture is that SHEEP deny themselves and carry their crosses,
and enter the SHEEPFOLD where they TURN INTO LIONS!
- JUST LIKE JESUS!
- LAMB TO LION!
The picture of not knowing the WOLVES in sheep's clothing in Matt 7 is
followed by entering the Kingdom where you are like a house built on a
rock, and such a house CANNOT FALL.
Look at the SHEPHERD'S PSALM.
Psalms 23:1-6 KJV A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I
shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He
restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his
name's sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod
and thy staff they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with
oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house
of the LORD for ever.
Paths of righteousness is like the WAY OF LIFE that Matt 7 speaks
about, into which few enter.
The house on the rock DOES NOT FALL.
- So that is why the PSALM that is about US BEING SHEEP led by the
SHEPHERD ends by saying the sheep will dwell in the HOUSE OF THE LORD
FOREVER.
Speaking of the house on sand as falling when the storm comes
contrasted with the house on the rock that cannot fall, is like saying
those who refuse to lose their lives now will lose them forever later,
whereas those who lose their lives now will find them again and never
die again!
So it is really a contrast between never coming to life again or never
dying again.
And the only way a house on a rock that never falls can fit with sheep
entering the sheepfold of the Kingdom, is to understand that the
sacrifice of self that sheep make leads to a resurrection in which they
will never die again!
Romans 6:8-11 KJV Now if we be
dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more;
death hath no more dominion over him. (10) For in that he
died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto
God. (11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead
indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This is saying we must be like sheep like Christ, so we can be lions
like Christ!
- It's simply a way of saying we die with Christ so that as Christ
rose to die no more, we are likewise alive from the dead.
- Dying no more because we died with Christ and arose with Him is
like a house that storms hit and cannot fall.
SHEEP speaks of sacrifice and self denial,
LION speaks of KINGS!
Only Lambs become Lions.
- Only self denial brings us into the KINGDOM.
Notice that there are wolves in sheep's clothing, and the devil roaring
LIKE a lion?
- Both cases show evil masquerading as the true.