MOUNTAIN

MOUNTAIN
Let me present a few thoughts about the Mountain of the Lord's House. In Daniel 2:35 we read that the stone which smote the image of Nebuchadnezzar in its feet, rolled on until it became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Later we learn (vs 44) that it represents the Kingdom of God in the earth.
We read elsewhere of this mountain in Mic. 4 and Isa. 2. It says that the Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS, and shall be EXALTED ABOVE THE LITTLE HILLS, and all nations shall flow into it. In other words, the Kingdom of God is the Acme of Spiritual development.
Isa. 11 and 65 tell about the blessed conditions which will exist in this Holy Mountain. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My Holy Mountain." (The Mountain of My Holiness)
Psalm 2 tells us (6) that "My Holy Hill is Zion," and that His King sits on it. The margin calls it ZION, THE HILL OF MY HOLINESS. Psa 87-- "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion---glorious things are spoken of thee, O CITY OF GOD."
Psa 48: " Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the City of our God, in the Mountain of His Holiness."
I am afraid there has been a tendency to think about Mount Zion as being a place of Glory and Dominion (which it surely is), but not enough about it being also a Mountain of Holiness. Isa. 35:8 speaks about the highway which leads to Mount Zion (vs 10) and says it shall be called "The Way of Holiness." While the redeemed of the Lord walk this Highway of Holiness, they will have songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. Note the word everlasting. This signifies a joy of Heavenly origin, of the same type which was set
before Jesus to cause Him to endure the Cross, and despise the shame. THERE SEEMS TO BE A TENDENCY these days for us to attempt to create a "pseudo-joy" which can be made compatible with an unclean life. The Psalmist (24) asked who would be permitted to walk this Highway to the Hill of the Lord (vs 3), and received the same answer as was given by Isaiah (35)-- "the unclean shall not pass over it." (vs 8) "If a man therefore purge himself...". "Purge out therefore the old leaven.." "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God.." "Looking diligently lest any man FAIL of the Grace of God; lest any root of BITTERNESS springing up trouble you, and thereby many be DEFILED; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person." "Follow peace--- and Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."