In the Bible, the relationship between David and Jesus is that of prophecy and its fulfillment. The work of David, who is physically the forefather of Christ, made it easy for people to understand what Jesus would do. David’s achievements contain prophetic elements, and one of his achievements is the building of Zion. In the Bible, there are two kinds of Zions: physical Zion in Palestine which was established by David, and spiritual Zion that Jesus, the spiritual King David, was to establish.
Prophetical Relationship Between David and Jesus
“ ‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. . . . David my servant will be their prince forever.’ ” Eze 37:24–25
The book of Ezekiel was written about 450 years after David died. Therefore, this is not a prophecy about David who lived in the Old Testament times. Then, who is David, the “everlasting prince” the prophet Ezekiel prophesied about?
“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, . . .” Lk 1:31–32
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was called the One who received the throne of David. Therefore, King David in the prophecy of the Bible indicates Jesus–God who came in the flesh. The reason David was chosen among numerous biblical figures is because what David accomplished in the Old Testament times foretold what Jesus would do.
David Built Zion
One of David’s remarkable achievements was the building of Zion. Although the Israelites came out of Egypt and entered the land of Canaan, they did not conquer Zion for a long time. There were many leaders in Israel, but none of them captured Zion. Only when David became king, Zion was conquered and made the capital of Israel. So the Bible calls Zion the City of David.
Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David. . . . David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward. And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. 2 Sa 5:7–10
Since the relationship between David and Jesus was prophecy and its fulfillment, David’s building Zion was a prophecy about Jesus’ establishing spiritual Zion. Jesus came to save sinners. The spiritual Zion that Jesus established is a place where God’s feasts are celebrated, and God’s people who dwell there receive the forgiveness of sins.
Look upon Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode . . . the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven. Isa 33:20–24
According to these prophecies, Jesus built the spiritual Zion by establishing the Church of God that keeps the feasts of the New Covenant. Jesus kept the Passover with His disciples and promised them the blessing of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life (Mt 26:17–28); He allowed them to receive the water of life while keeping the Feast of Tabernacles, and poured the Holy Spirit upon them on the Day of Pentecost (Jn 7:2, 37–39; Ac 2:1–4). He also kept the Sabbath, a weekly feast (Lk 4:16). Just as King David established Zion in the Old Testament times, Jesus, who came as spiritual King David in the New Testament times, established spiritual Zion with the feasts of the New Covenant.
The Feasts Disappeared and Zion Fell
The New Covenant feasts that Jesus had established were gradually changed from the end of the Apostolic Age, and then all of them were abolished. The Sabbath was abolished in AD 321 and Sunday worship was established; the Passover was abolished in AD 325, and December 25, the birthday of the sun god, was introduced in the name of Christmas. It was the fulfillment of the prophecy that Satan, the one who speaks against God, would change the set times and laws, that is, the feasts of God (Da 7:25).
Since Zion is a place where God’s feasts are celebrated, the disappearance of God’s feasts means that Zion was destroyed and desolate. The prophet Isaiah prophesied that Zion would be desolate and restored.
The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Isa 51:3
If the feasts that give God’s blessings such as the forgiveness of sins and eternal life disappear and Zion remains in ruin, no one can be saved. Zion must be rebuilt for the salvation of humankind. God prophesied that He would comfort the ruined Zion and rebuild it.
God Rebuilt Zion
In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Mic 4:1–2
The mountain of the LORD’s temple is the place where the temple of God is located, which refers to Zion. The words, “In the last days peoples and many nations will come to Zion,” mean that Zion will be rebuilt at that time. Then, who will rebuild the ruined Zion?
For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. . . . when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD. Ps 102:16–22
It is written that God will rebuild Zion. In Psalm 87:5, it is also written that the Most High Himself will establish Zion. The Bible consistently prophesies that God Himself will establish Zion. Just as Jesus established Zion at His first coming 2,000 years ago, in the last days, too, Second Coming Jesus will establish Zion as spiritual King David (Hos 3:5). Since Zion is the place where the feasts of the New Covenant are celebrated, God rebuilds Zion by restoring the abolished feasts.
In this age, there is the One who has restored the feasts of the New Covenant according to the prophecy in the Bible. He is Christ Ahnsahnghong. Christ Ahnsahnghong has completely restored the Seven Feasts in Three Times, including the Passover, the Day of Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles, which Jesus had taught. He also established the Church of God that keeps the truth of the Apostolic Age, by correcting the unbiblical doctrines that prevailed in Christianity. Therefore, Christ Ahnsahnghong is the spiritual King David who established Zion in the last days, and God who came to this earth according to the prophecies in the Bible.