Zion Redeemed: The Church Purified Through Divine Justice

The word Zion signifies 'a heap of stones'—a monument, even a sepulchre. Figuratively, it describes the literal Zion; spiritually, it sets forth the visible and mystical Church. The true members of Christ's Church are as lively stones (lithoi zōntes), built up a spiritual house, for which God Himself has laid the foundation (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:5).

Every stone of this sacred building is hewn from nature's quarry. When prepared by the transforming power of God the Holy Ghost, each stone is placed in that part of the spiritual edifice appointed to it. This building formed is indeed, as Zion signifies, an everlasting monument of God's grace. Yet a mere professing Church—not confessing, protesting, and believing—may properly be compared to a sepulchre.

Zion of old contained a church within a church: those circumcised outwardly in flesh, and those whose circumcision was of the heart. The Church's transgression manifests as formality and presumptuous hypocrisy in worship. Pride, Laodicean lukewarmness, and abuse of doctrine plague her present state.

Yet deliverance comes. In the exercise of justice, in the overthrow of His Church's enemies and deliverance of His people, God has engaged that Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. Jesus lived to die—a voluntary necessity. The Judge pronounces sentence over the sacrifice, redeeming us through His righteous judgment.