"For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion."
Isaiah 34:8
This verse is part of a prophecy about the Second Coming. Later in the chapter we find out that things turn out pretty well for the vultures, but for the rest of the world, not so much.
I don't really want to dwell on the destruction part because although it might make a good movie, it isn't something we can take action about. The *reason* for the destruction though, that we can do something about. In the preceding chapter there are many hints, basically letting us know that apostasy and wickedness likely won't turn out well (except for the vultures), but this specific verse calls out the "controversy of Zion" which is interesting. Comparing with other translations it is clear that the Lord is taking up the cause and defending Zion.
There are different meanings for Zion. One was the city of Enoch, a perfect city that was so good that God could dwell with them, where there were no poor (Moses 7:18-19), and which was taken up to heaven. Another is the nation of Israel (ancient or modern), another the religious entity of God's church, and the last is the idea of Zion, taken from all of these but especially the City of Enoch... basically a utopian community that God encourages us all to work toward and make real in our lives.
In the end I don't really think that it matters a lot which of these Zions the scripture is specifically referring to... they are all mixed in together, and part of each other. We call specific places Zion because we idealize them and we want them to be closer to the idea of Zion... a place of righteousness and perfection. The idea here is that God is going to fight for that idea, and that community, and take down the opposition, so that Zion can prosper and prevail.
It seems unfortunate that so much destruction would have to happen to allow a good idea or good community to thrive, but its definitely not the first time in scriptural history. Today, since we can't do anything about the coming destruction, let's do what we can about making sure that we are upholding and working for the cause of Zion ourselves. Let's be the sort of people who could live in a perfect society, serving and helping and loving each other and putting God first. That way, not only will we be building an amazing community, but when Christ comes again, we won't have to worry, because we'll already be working on God's side, upholding Zion.
Isaiah 34:8
This verse is part of a prophecy about the Second Coming. Later in the chapter we find out that things turn out pretty well for the vultures, but for the rest of the world, not so much.
I don't really want to dwell on the destruction part because although it might make a good movie, it isn't something we can take action about. The *reason* for the destruction though, that we can do something about. In the preceding chapter there are many hints, basically letting us know that apostasy and wickedness likely won't turn out well (except for the vultures), but this specific verse calls out the "controversy of Zion" which is interesting. Comparing with other translations it is clear that the Lord is taking up the cause and defending Zion.
There are different meanings for Zion. One was the city of Enoch, a perfect city that was so good that God could dwell with them, where there were no poor (Moses 7:18-19), and which was taken up to heaven. Another is the nation of Israel (ancient or modern), another the religious entity of God's church, and the last is the idea of Zion, taken from all of these but especially the City of Enoch... basically a utopian community that God encourages us all to work toward and make real in our lives.
In the end I don't really think that it matters a lot which of these Zions the scripture is specifically referring to... they are all mixed in together, and part of each other. We call specific places Zion because we idealize them and we want them to be closer to the idea of Zion... a place of righteousness and perfection. The idea here is that God is going to fight for that idea, and that community, and take down the opposition, so that Zion can prosper and prevail.
It seems unfortunate that so much destruction would have to happen to allow a good idea or good community to thrive, but its definitely not the first time in scriptural history. Today, since we can't do anything about the coming destruction, let's do what we can about making sure that we are upholding and working for the cause of Zion ourselves. Let's be the sort of people who could live in a perfect society, serving and helping and loving each other and putting God first. That way, not only will we be building an amazing community, but when Christ comes again, we won't have to worry, because we'll already be working on God's side, upholding Zion.
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