Flesh and Spirit: Why Christian Zionism Can’t See the Kingdom — Post 9
“But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
— Galatians 4:26, KJV
The Earthly Jerusalem
Christian Zionism places enormous emphasis on the physical city of Jerusalem in the Middle East.
It is revered as the center of God’s future kingdom, the site of Christ’s return, and the capital of an earthly millennium. This belief system regards modern-day Israel and its capital as prophetic fulfillments of God’s covenant promises.
But Scripture draws a stark contrast between the earthly and the heavenly.
The physical Jerusalem is described as:
- In bondage (Gal. 4:25)
- Temporary and rejected (Matt. 23:37–38)
- Spiritually blind (Rom. 11:7–8)
- The place where the Lord was crucified (Rev. 11:8)
This is not a city to which the believer belongs.
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
— Hebrews 13:14
The Heavenly Jerusalem
Paul says there is another Jerusalem — one that is above.
It is not of this earth. It is not connected to bloodlines, geopolitics, or religious rituals. It is the city of the living God, the place of spiritual citizenship for all who are in Christ.
“Ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…”
— Hebrews 12:22
The heavenly Jerusalem is:
- Free (Gal. 4:26)
- Eternal (Heb. 13:14)
- The bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2)
- Our true homeland (Phil. 3:20)
Two Covenants, Two Cities
Galatians 4 sets up a powerful typology:
- Hagar represents Mount Sinai, the law, and the earthly Jerusalem — bondage.
- Sarah represents the New Covenant and the heavenly Jerusalem — freedom.
To long for the earthly city is to go backward under the law. To be born of the Spirit is to be a child of the Jerusalem above.
“Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son…”
— Galatians 4:30
The earthly city must not be mistaken for the kingdom of God. Jesus said plainly:
“My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)
Our Citizenship
Christian Zionism ties believers emotionally and spiritually to a city that is soon to be judged (Rev. 11). But our hearts must be set elsewhere:
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
— Colossians 3:2
We are:
- Strangers and pilgrims (1 Pet. 2:11)
- Looking for a better country (Heb. 11:16)
- Awaiting the New Jerusalem, not the old (Rev. 21:2)
A Final Separation
In Revelation, two cities stand in contrast:
- Babylon the Great — a counterfeit religious system tied to earthly power.
- New Jerusalem — the bride, the Lamb’s wife, coming down from God out of heaven.
One is judged. The other is eternal.
Christian Zionism cannot distinguish these clearly. It tries to sanctify the earthly by calling it prophetic. But the true overcomer looks higher.
“Come out of her, my people…”
— Revelation 18:4
Conclusion: Pilgrims of a Heavenly City
We do not live for flags, borders, or geopolitics. We are citizens of a kingdom not of this world.
Let us not go back to Sinai. Let us not go back to a city in bondage. Let us press forward:
“For he hath prepared for them a city.”
— Hebrews 11:16