Deliverance on Zion

(Obad 1:17) But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

I chanced on this verse when I read the word yesterday - two thoughts that came to my mind.

Deliverance :

God wants to give a permanent deliverance at the hands of our lord Jesus. While Edom did indeed get delivered from their oppression, for the new covenant child of God who reads this, their look is into the heavens from where their help (or deliverance) comes. The lord’s deliverance is a permanent eternal deliverance. From our messiah comes spiritual deliverance from the law, sin, Satan, the world, death, hell, and wrath to come, by Christ.  (Remember Psalm 91 where he says ‘he shall deliver you from the fowlers snare’)

The deliverance is not universal - but it is exclusive to mount Zion (the house of Jacob, A picture of the church of jesus christ - the body of christ and the bride of christ) you can indeed be delivered from vengeance of the holy justice, the curse of law and damnation by fleeing to christ. (These aspects are but the basic benefits that you get from being in christ ; As we grow in the relation with the lord, there is so much more in terms of spiritual blessings. As we feed on the honey (that is the word of God), our eyes are brightened and we understand God's will in our lives and the lives of others much more)

(2Tim 4:18) And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

It's clear who will deliver you (the lord) from what (from every evil work) and unto what end (for eternal preservation)

Another beautiful picture of deliverance from the bible : 2Chronicles 20:18-26 > How God delivers Jehoshaphat's people. Read this chapter and be blessed!

Holiness :

Mount Zion is a holy church of God where only holy people will dwell. The third person of the trinity is called the "Holy" spirit to show us how much the lord values holiness. How can one claim to be holy and act in profane ways? (I admit to the same flaw in my own life) All men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But for those who are redeemed, and delivered, there is a command unto holiness.

If you are truly delivered, you shall have a two fold holiness in your life. A holiness of heart (and of thought) and a holiness of life (and of action). Without this, complete deliverance and salvation cannot be enjoyed. To quote from the commentator Gill

(The church of Christ) are purified to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and are, in consequence of such deliverance and redemption, called with a holy calling, and have principles of holiness implanted in them, and live holy lives and conversations; and such kind of holiness, as it appeared in Zion, in the churches of Christ in the first times of the Gospel, so it will be more conspicuous among them in the latter day;

God commands us - be holy as I am holy.

Will you ask the lord for deliverance today and take up his mantle unto holiness and purity ? We are the only Christ that many will see in this world. God bless!

Praise the lord Jesus Christ