April 9, 2008 - edit v. 2

The focus is on the Christian interpretation.  For this reason, we have to recognize right off that the earthly locations are mere symbols of the true meaning.  Some such OT to NT allegories are the Passover with its Lamb, Jerusalem to Jerusalem above, and New Jerusalem, the Serpent and the Original serpent, the seven armed lampstand, the unleavened showbread, etc.

Mt Zion refers logically to the (1) mountain itself; Zion by itself or Mt Zion may refer to the (2) city of Jerusalem, (3) Jerusalem Above, (4) the Saints New Jerusalem represents, the Daughter of Zion.

(1) Psalm 2:6,7, Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7I will tell of the decree. LORD said to me, Thou are my son, this day I have begotten thee. (ACV)

(2)
Psalm 87:1-3, . . .  His foundation is in the mountains of holiness. 2Jehovah loveth the gates of Zion more than all the habitations of Jacob. 3Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. (Darby)

Isaiah 1:26-27 . . .afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, a faithful town. 27Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness. (ASV)

(3) Isaiah 66:7,8, Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child. 8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. (ASV)

(4) Psalm 78:68-69, but chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. 69And he built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established forever.  (ACV)

(Rotherham)
Isaiah 31:4-5 , For Thus, hath Yahweh said unto me—Like as a lion or a young lion growleth over his prey. Who—though there be called out against him a multitude of shepherds—Will not at their voice, be dismayed, Nor, at their noise, be daunted, So, will Yahweh of hosts come down, to make war over Mount Zion, and over the hill thereof.

Isaiah 62:1-3, For Zion’s sake, will I not hold my peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake, will I not rest,—Until her righteousness, go forth as brightness, And her salvation, as a torch that is lighted. 2So shall nations see thy righteousness, And all kings, thy glory; And thou shalt be called by a new name, which, the mouth of Yahweh, will name. 3Then shalt thou become—A crown of adorning, in the hand of Yahweh, and A royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

Isaiah 60:14, Then shall come unto thee bending low, The sons of them who had humbled thee, Then shall bow down, unto the soles of thy feet, All they who had despised thee; And they shall call thee—The city of Yahweh, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
 

From these two scriptures, we may understand that Zion is not an earthly mountain though its name is employed. In regard to the symbolism, we see that God dwells in Zion.  More specifically, this is pinpointed to be, Mt Zion, the greater location seems to refer to Jerusalem above, and next to her children, that is, New Jerusalem, and finally the temple in New Jerusalem.

God's throne is seen to be in the heavens, this is also the most holy of the temple.  On later pages, perhaps specifically the Temple or Tabernacle page, the question of locations will become important.  At the moment, we understand Zion to refer to God's dwelling which gradually became precisely pinpointed to the temple throne of God.  Since his throne is in the heavens, Zion may be said to be the entire physical cosmos.  Jerusalem above would refer to God's heavenly organization of spirit creatures excluding the son of man, the resurrected Christ, plus the Saints – but includes the pre-human Jesus.  New Jerusalem refers to the Saints - ultimately, the glorified Saints.  On the temple · tabernacle page more will be said about the physical heavens and earth.

Reiterating the above:

God dwells in Mt Zion, the city of Zion, Jerusalem Above.  He also dwells in New Jerusalem, the daughter of Zion, and specifically in his temple in Jerusalem.  This is where his throne is,  so that with pinpoint accuracy God's dwelling has been established.

Revelation 7:15, Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them. (ASV)