The Old Ship Of Zion
By Estelle Allen
There are many references to “Zion” in the Bible, especially in the book of Isaiah and the book of Psalms. The meaning of Zion is “The southwest hill of Jerusalem, the older and higher part of the city; it is often called the City of David.” We know David was God’s chosen and anointed King; just as the Church is his chosen, anointed bride.
According to Webster, “anointed is a consecrated person.” “A consecrated person is someone who is set apart; someone who has consecrated his life to God and the Church.” When God fills us with the Holy Ghost, we become his chosen, anointed bride.
The Church is a type of Zion, it is set on a high hill and it stands firm. The Church is like the Old Ship of Zion. It will sail on. Like the ark Noah built, the Church is built according to God’s word and instruction. It has a sturdy, firm foundation.
The Church is over 2000 years old. It was founded when Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom (Matthew 16: 18-19).
Being “old” doesn’t mean being barren I think of Sarah, she bore a son in her old age (Gen. 17). There’s also Elizabeth, who was “well stricken with age” when she gave birth to John the Baptist (Luke 1:7). If God promises children, there will be children. The Church will never be too old to bear children. We must remember, God promised, but it took both Abraham and Sarah to conceive their son, the same was true for Zechariah and Elizabeth. So it is with the Church, it will take all of us to bring forth children, we cannot do it alone. Sometimes we may feel like throwing up our hands and saying, “What’s the use?” We can’t do this because Psalm 69: 35 tells us, “God will save Zion (the Church).” The entire chapter of Psalm 50 warns of hypocrisy and formalism before God. God is the Judge. He wants his people to realize true worship does not consist of mere sacrifice, but sacrifice offered with thanksgiving and faithfulness. Verse 5, “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. ”
Think about all the sacrifices our elders, the ones who were here when this church began and the ones who have stayed no matter how “rough the waters” became. They knew God would prevail and this old ship would keep on sailing. They prayed and fasted, they sold butter and eggs, they made donuts and peanut brittle. They prayed and fasted, prayed and worked and kept on praying and working, and they kept this “old ship” afloat. Talk about sacrifice… That’s sacrifice with faithfulness and thanksgiving.
Kilbourne United Pentecostal Church has surpassed its three score and eight date of begin and continues to passionately preserve. This statement reflects its firm foundation. There has been a lot of “blood, sweat and tears” put into this bride of Christ. Not the building, although that is part of it, having a place to worship. The real church is the people, the souls. They are Christ’s bride. God is interested in keeping his bride intact. His plan is to keep this old Ship afloat. He
wants us to be ready for the marriage supper. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” (Rev. 19:17).
God does not intend for his “ship” to hit the tip of an iceberg, like the Titanic, burst to pieces and souls be lost. If the ship sinks, how are people going to hear? The spirit and the bride calling, “come” and the spirit and the Bride (the church) say, “come!” whoever is thirst, let him come, and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life (eternal life.) (NIV Rev. 22:17) Be not afraid, this old ship is not going to sink; it will not succumb to anything Satan can place in its path.
Jesus is Captain of this Ship. He will not jump overboard or abandon ship. What we do is up to us! ! Are we good sailors? Are we ready to ride the waves until the tide turns?
I leave you with this…We are the Church, we are God’s anointed, we are His bride; He has given us hope for tomorrow.
“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall l flee away. D (Rev. 15:11)
“The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise Ye the Lord. ” (Psalm 147:10)
The Above Material Was Published By The Challenger, 2001, Page 8. This Material Is Copyrighted And May Be Used For Study & Research Purposes Only.
