I want to continue to challenge the thought that we will never come to completion until we’re in Heaven, with respect to the Father’s people individually as well as a collective body. The way our Father sees completion is much different than our human perspective. To start, I want to set the stage with a reminder that the Old Testament is a physical picture of what we will experience spiritually in the New Testament era. We are spiritual Jews to learn from the physical Jews.
Romans 2:28-29
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.
1 Corinthians 10:11
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Romans 15:4
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
As an example, let’s take a few verses prior to 1 Corinthians 10:11 to see how their physical experience translates into a spiritual experience for us.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4
1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea; 2 and they all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and they all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.
In the same way from our example above, we are given many clues that the temple built by King Solomon, the city of Jerusalem, and Mount Zion are all physical things given to us for the teaching of spiritual truths. These three pictures are very interconnected, which bring meaning to each other as we will see in the following verses.
It is more common knowledge that the body of believers are each individually a temple for God to dwell within.
1 Corinthians 6:19
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
1 Corinthians 3:16
16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Not only are we considered individual temples for the Father’s dwelling, but collectively, we as saints, are each individual stones that make up a collective temple for the Father.
Revelation 2:17
17 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes (the saint - see the post “Overcomers”), I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone (Because he has been born again from above by water and the Spirit unto a new creation - John 3:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is that individual saint’s stone to be fitted together with all the other stones to make up the Father’s temple) which no one knows except the one who receives it.’
Ephesians 2:19-22
19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
1 Peter 2:4-8
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone, And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers, “A stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.
Let’s focus on 1 Peter 2:6 for a moment as well as Isaiah 28:16 and Micah 3:12.
1 Peter 2:6
6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone, And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”
Isaiah 28:16
16 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.
Micah 3:12
12 Therefore on account of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, And the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest.
In these three verses, the Father is declaring that Jesus, as the “choice stone” and “precious cornerstone” for the temple, is being laid in Mount Zion. Zion is also known here as the mountain of the temple. Therefore, in spiritual terms, if we are a part of the believing body of saints being built together as a spiritual temple, we are also a part of a spiritual Mount Zion. It is on the spiritual Mount Zion that the Father will take care of His saints with food and clothing.
Psalm 132:13-18
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it as His dwelling place. 14 “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her food; I will satisfy her needy with bread. (This is spiritual food, the Bread of Life, the Living Word of God - John 6:31-35; 48-51; 1 Corinthians 10:3) 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation (Clothed in Christ, the righteous acts of the saints. See the post “Clothed with Christ”), And her godly ones will sing aloud for joy. 17 I will make the horn of David spring forth there; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed. (This is Jesus, the chief cornerstone of Mount Zion - Isaiah 28:16) 18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, But upon himself his crown will gleam.”
So far we have seen that the Father’s saints are being built together as individual stones to create the Father’s temple in which He wants to reside forever on Mount Zion. The following will tell us that spiritual Jerusalem is a part of this whole picture.
Hebrews 12:18-24
18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not cope with the command, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, (Here we begin seeing glimpses that Zion is also likened to God’s holy city - “the heavenly Jerusalem” where the general assembly and church of the saints (the spirits of the righteous made perfect) have been welcomed into) 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
Now that we have painted God’s temple, Mount Zion, and Jerusalem as spiritual pictures of our dwelling with God in our spiritual walk with Him, let’s circle back to each individual believer as individual stones that are being assembled into the collective temple. 1 Kings 6:7 tells us how the Father instructed King Solomon to build the physical temple in the OT era.
1 Kings 6:7
7 The house (God’s temple), while it was being built, was built of stone finished at the quarry, and neither hammer, nor axe, nor any iron tool was heard in the house while it was being built.
Just like the physical temple, all the stones (or saints) will be mined from the quarry. This is representative of the Father calling His disciples out from earthly, or fleshly places. This is our born again moment. From here, those stones are shaped and completed at the quarry. This shaping represents the sanctification process. Then they are brought into the heavenly Jerusalem to be assembled so “neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool can be heard in the house while it’s being built”. I want to emphasize that each individual stone was completed outside the city of Jerusalem at the quarry prior to being brought in and assembled into the temple. This physical Earth is the quarry where we are being shaped, through the sanctifying process, after we are "mined" out of it in a spiritual sense. Individually we are completed on Earth. This spiritual temple as a collective body won’t be finished until all the saints, from the beginning of time to the end, are completed.
Ephesians 1:10
10 regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens (Saints who have completed their race) and things on the earth. (Those still in their race)
This is why the collective body of those who gained approval through their faith during the OT, did not receive what was promised to them - because without the saints from the NT era, the full body of Christ, or temple of God, could not be fully completed.
Hebrews 11:39
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Now let’s look at the general three sections that make up the temple - the Most Holy place, the Holy place, and the outer courts.
The Most Holy place is indicative of the spirit of our minds where salvation starts. The Holy place is indicative of our hearts, or souls. Lastly, the outer courts are indicative of our body, or flesh.The whole salvation process kicks off with the sprinkling of Jesus’ blood on the mercy seat within the Most Holy place. This is the freeing of our minds from dark, fleshly, and calloused places we all begin with. This is the born again conversion experience we’ve talked a lot about in other posts surrounding John 3:3, Romans 12:2, and Ephesians 4:17-24.
John 3:3
3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Romans 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Ephesians 4:17-24
17 So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
As we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, this head knowledge of the Father, when practiced, begins to transcend into heart knowledge (experiential knowledge) of Him. This heart knowledge begins to transform us so we would bear the fruits of the Spirit for God and bear the character traits of Christ. In OT temple terms, the cleansing (by blood) would start in the Most Holy place and work its way backward into the Holy place, then into the outer courts - a cleansing from the inside out.
2 Peter 1 tells us what the Holy place is (again, representative of our hearts/souls) in regards to the nature of Christ. The Holy place is where the consecrated bread was as well as the seven candle menorah. This menorah is representative of the seven character traits of Jesus, which are meant to manifest within us from the diligent practice of our faith. Don’t forget that this manifestation of Christ is our "Hope of Glory".
Exodus 25:27
37 Then you shall make its lamps seven in number; and they shall mount its lamps so as to shed light on the space in front of it.
2 Peter 1:1-11
1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge (experiential heart knowledge - https://biblehub.com/greek/1922.htm) of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust. 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence in your faith supply moral excellence (1), and in your moral excellence, knowledge (2), 6 and in your knowledge, self-control (3), and in your self-control, perseverance (4), and in your perseverance, godliness (5), 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness (6), and in your brotherly kindness, love (7). 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (for bearing fruit - Colossians 1:9-10) 9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. (Per our other studies ("He Came by Blood and Water", "Overcomers", "Clothed with Christ", "The Hope of Glory"), the Father is looking to bring the sanctified life [or the finished stone] of the saint into Heaven [heavenly Jerusalem]).
Lastly, the outer courts then received the cleansing, which manifests in the sanctification of our bodies (our actions driven by our renewed minds and hearts). For this, we will look at Jesus physically clearing out the outer courts.
John 2:13-17
13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written: “Zeal for Your house will consume me.”
Mark 11:15-18
15 Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple area and began to drive out those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple grounds. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard this, and they began seeking how to put Him to death; for they were afraid of Him, because all the crowd was astonished at His teaching.
Spiritually, Jesus was driving out all defilement from the outer courts - thievery, dishonesty, hatefulness, greed, idolatry, etc. He is zealous for the Father’s temple (us) and will go to drastic measures to cleanse it. Thankfully, we have a God who doesn’t sit back to see who sanctifies themselves. He is active and working in each of us unto the sanctification of spirit, soul, and body.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.
Philippians 1:6
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:12-13
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.
I tried to keep that as short and to the point as possible. I want to move from the layout of the temple to now the temple materials. Our temples can consist of a handful of materials - wood, hay, straw, precious stones, silver, and gold.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.
In our post “The Flesh Must Die for the Spiritual to Live”, we looked at 1 Corinthians 15:20-58 - the death to flesh so we could live spiritually. I would highly recommend reading that passage alongside this for greater understanding. This is that same concept. Look at the materials used here. Gold, silver, and precious stones are the materials useful to the Father and that which will not fade [see 2 Timothy 2:20-21 below]. These represent our spirituality or imperishable traits that the sanctifying process produces [see 1 Corinthians 15:42-44]. The wood, hay, and straw are perishable and represent our flesh. Notice verses 13-15. Verse 13 begins with a promise that there will be fire in our lives (specifically “the day” or tribulation in Revelation). Paul is asking what our “temples'' will be built with when those/that day comes. Verse 14 brings the condition - only those whose work remains will receive the reward of eternal life. Verse 15 tells us that if our temples have fleshly parts to them, the only way we are saved is “only so as through fire”. The fire is here to burn away our flesh, the “wood, hay, and straw”. Gold, silver, and precious stones do not burn. They will endure and be refined by the fires. Again, the flesh must be removed if we are to keep our lives unto eternity. [John 12:25 The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life; 1 Corinthians 15:50 Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.; Galatians 6:7-8 ~ 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.]
Paul also speaks about these materials to Timothy. Job from the OT also knows the importance of being sanctified unto useful material.
2 Timothy 2:20-21
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honor while others are for dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
Job 23:10
10 But He knows the way I take; When He has put me to the test, I will come out as gold.
If you look closely, there are other groupings, or categories, the Father uses as sequences of glory. Just as silver is more valuable than precious stones and gold more than silver, we will find that heavenly bodies, fruit, and our individual places at the wedding feast come in sequence as well.
1 Corinthians 15:35-41
35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” 36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; 37 and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of mankind, another flesh of animals, another flesh of birds, and another of fish. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. (The sequence of glories)
Mark 4:20
20 And those are the ones sown with seed on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.” (God gives each seed a body of its own - one to bear 30, 60, or 100 fold fruit and causes the increase [1 Corinthians 15:36-38, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13])
(There are many scriptures that speak about the bride, virgins, and wedding guests, which we will explore more in depth at a later time)
The further we climb up this spiritual Mount Zion, the more sanctified we are becoming. We begin to traverse from one glory tier to the next.
2 Corinthians 3:18
18 But we all, with unveiled faces (those who have been born again so they may see the kingdom of God - John 3:3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”), looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord (The Word is likened to a mirror which shows us the nature, character, and authority of Christ; 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, James 1:22-25), are being transformed into the same image (Manifestation of Christ in us.) from glory to glory (The transformation from earthly glory [which is likened to the grass of the field Psalm 37:20; 1 Peter 1:24-25] to heavenly glories as sequenced - sun, moon, stars; 30, 60, 100 fruit; gold, silver, precious stones; bride, virgins, wedding guests), just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
The Man Child from Revelation is a great example of those who have traversed the glory tiers and are at the top of Mount Zion. This peak represent sun glory, 100 fold fruit, gold, and the bride.
Revelation 14:1-5
1 Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. (This group of 144,000 men have been so sanctified in spirit/mind [as likened to their foreheads] that they bear Christ’s name [nature, character, and authority]) 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to learn the song except the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth (sanctified from carnal to spiritual - remember the quarry from 1 Kings 6:7?). 4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are celibate (Churches are likened to women and these 144,000 have come out of all false doctrine created by these churches. See “The Father and His Sheep” for more). These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from mankind as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. (These are the characteristics of those at the top of Mount Zion - complete obedience, completely unleavened doctrine, those who walk blamelessly before the Father. To understand what exactly our Father deems as "perfect" or "complete" see the post, "Called to be Perfect.")
If we look closely, we can see there is a lot of relation between the “Mount of Transfiguration”, the 144,000, and the two man ministry also from Revelation. As discussed, the 144,000 represent Jesus (As the name of Jesus is written on their foreheads) while the two man ministry represent Elijah and Moses per the descriptions of what they will be able to do. All three are standing on what is spiritual Mount Zion during the events of the Mount of Transfiguration.
Matthew 17:1-3
1 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun (sun glory), and His garments became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Revelation 11:1-6
1 Then there was given to me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2 Leave out the courtyard which is outside the temple and do not measure it, because it has been given to the nations; and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. (On a side note, and based on everything we talked about thus far, there is a lot of spiritual truth here as well as another reason why I believe we will be going through the Tribulation. We are God’s temple and we will be persecuted, or trampled on, for 42 months. The courtyard, which is a picture of our flesh, is being given back to the nations to be brought to death. Notice how the courtyard is “outside of the temple”. Remember, only those who are stones to make up the Father’s spiritual temple are a part of Mount Zion. Our “courtyard”, or flesh, must be given to the nations to be brought to death in its sanctifying process. But now back to the main point!). 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
These witnesses come in the power and spirits of both Elijah and Moses as seen by the authority Jesus will give them. This is very similar to John the Baptist who also came in the power and spirit of Elijah. Let’s keep in mind that these two witnesses are also corporate bodies just as the 144,000 man child is.
Matthew 17:9-13
9 When they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” 10 And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; 12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.
To bring my point back around, Jesus, Elijah, and Moses are all represented by three corporate bodies of people who are all found on Mount Zion. They will display the nature, character, and authority of Christ in word and deed.
Other examples of people who were considered to walk blamelessly before the Father here on Earth (See the post “Clothed with Christ” for more on righteousness by faith):
Luke 1:5-6
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
Daniel 6:4
4 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.
1 Kings 11:4
4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as was the heart of David his father.
Genesis 6:9
9 These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.
All these saints from long ago were considered blameless as they sought the top of Mount Zion. Paul refers to the top as the “upward call/high calling” Paul wants us all believers to push forward to.
Philippians 3:14 NASB
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 ASV
14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Like traversing any mountain, it takes time. We begin at the bottom where the base is biggest and move upward. Let's revisit Hebrews 12 for a moment.
Hebrews 12:18-24
18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not cope with the command, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
Hebrews 12:18-24 Tells us that Mount Zion is a spiritual mountain that cannot be physically touched, and is the home "to the spirits of the righteous made perfect." In other words, it is the home of the believers who have chosen to ascend Mount Zion, seeking to stand complete in Christ Jesus. Without seeking maturity and being brought to it, we still reside on Mount Sinai, spiritually speaking, and under the guardianship of the OT Law and its consequences . Verse 20 tells us that even if an animal, or a beast, were to touch this mountain, it would have to be stoned. See the post "Do Works Matter?" for a better understanding of how God requires maturity to be considered a true son/daughter who moves from residing on Mount Sinai to Mount Zion.
Hebrews 12:20 NASB
20 For they could not cope with the command, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”
Hebrews 12:20 ASV
20 for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;
The following are pieces of scripture that tell us that, in our carnal state, we too are nothing more than animals, or beasts.
Jude 1:10 (For times sake I won’t post the whole chapter, but would encourage a read through)
10 But these people disparage all the things that they do not understand; and all the things that they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.
2 Peter 2:10-12
10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt passion, and despise authority. Reckless, self-centered, they speak abusively of angelic majesties without trembling, 11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a demeaning judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, using abusive speech where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed,
1 Corinthians 15:32
32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus (See Acts 19:23-41 to read about these “wild beasts” or men acting in complete carnality causing harm to Paul), what good is it to me? If the dead are not raised, let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
Psalm 73:1-4; 21-22
1 God certainly is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart! 2 But as for me (King David), my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no pains in their death, And their belly is fat… 21 When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, 22 Then I was stupid and ignorant; I was like an animal before You.
Ezekiel 34:5-8; 25; 28 (From our post “The Father and His Sheep”)
5 They (The Father’s sheep) scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every animal of the field and scattered. (They were overtaken by the mouths, or teachings, of carnal people and overcome with worldliness) 6 My flock strayed through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them.”’” (They left Mount Zion and were driven toward all other mountains of earthly/carnal living) 7 Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 “As I live,” declares the Lord God, “certainly, because My flock has become plunder, and My flock has become food for all the animals of the field for lack of a shepherd… 25 “And I will make a covenant of peace with them (His sheep) and eliminate harmful animals from the land, (Nothing carnal in nature will remain) so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods… 28 They will no longer be plunder to the nations, and the animals of the earth will not devour them; but they will live securely, and no one will make them afraid.
Since the fall of Adam and Eve, there is no advantage of a son of man (which is different from a son of God who puts the deeds of the flesh to death as he is led by the Spirit Romans 8:12-14) over the beasts of the Earth.
Ecclesiastes 3:17-19
17 I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked,” for a time for every matter and for every deed is there. 18 I said to myself regarding the sons of mankind, “God is testing them in order for them to see that they are as animals, they to themselves.” 19 For the fate of the sons of mankind and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath, and there is no advantage for mankind over animals, for all is futility.
Peter’s vision from Acts shows us that Christ died to cleanse (See the post “He Came by Blood and Water” for more on how he cleanses) those who are carnal in nature. So they could partake in the assembly of Mount Zion.
Acts 10:9-16; 44-45
9 On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; 11 and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12 and on it were all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the sky. 13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” 15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” (See the study “To Speak by Faith” for more on how Jesus and the apostles spoke much by faith, declaring the end result of that which they confidently hope for, being assured it would manifest out of faith) 16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky… 44 While Peter was still speaking these words (the gospel), the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. (The unclean and unholy that the Father is cleansing with the Spirit and the Word Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing [with the Word - Ephesians 5:25-27 reference] of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, [unto sanctification]; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.)
Therefore, no one who lives in his/her carnal state is able to climb Mount Zion and partake in the assembly of the Father’s temple or live in the heavenly Jerusalem. Salvation will only come to Mount Zion.
Isaiah 46:13
13 I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off; And My salvation will not delay. And I will grant salvation in Zion, And My glory for Israel.
Psalm 125:1
1 Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but remains forever. (See our study “Overcomers” for more on how true faith is one that overcomes our sinful/carnal nature so we would no longer be “beasts” and “animals” of the earth. 1 John 5:4 - 4 For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?)
So when we read verses like Philippians 1:6, 2 Timothy 2:20-21, and 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 below, let’s realize that they actually mean that our completion is here on Earth in relation to being completed “at the quarry” (1 Kings 6:7). Only then are we useful to the Father for our works on Earth.
Philippians 1:6
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. (Not after the “day of Christ Jesus” [which is his return] or on that day, but by that day.)
2 Timothy 2:20-21
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honor while others are for dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Because it is "in Christ" that we are considered to be complete. See the Post "Sealed in Christ" for more proving scriptures.
David, through his psalms, has even written about what a citizen of Zion will present him/herself as:
Psalm 15:1-5
1 Lord, who may reside in Your tent? Who may settle on Your holy hill? 2 One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. 3 He does not slander with his tongue, Nor do evil to his neighbor, Nor bring shame on his friend; 4 A despicable person is despised in his eyes, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He takes an oath to his own detriment, and does not change; 5 He does not lend his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. One who does these things will never be shaken.
Psalm 24:1-6
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who live in it. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers. 3 Who may ascend onto the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? 4 One who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to deceit And has not sworn deceitfully. 5 He will receive a blessing from the Lord And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face—even Jacob.
So let us hide the Father’s law in our hearts and pursue the sanctified life so we may stand before the Father on judgment day with confidence.
Psalm 37:30-31
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice. 31 The Law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip.
2 Peter 1:8-11
8 For if these qualities (The 7 candle menorah) are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
1 John 4:17
17 By this, love is perfected with us (Love - the single word that completely summarizes the sanctified life), so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world.