The phrase “God’s holy mountain” appears several times in the Bible, but is specifically mentioned in Isaiah 11:9 which says, “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” This verse points to a future time when God’s kingdom will be established on earth and there will be no more pain or destruction.
In the Bible, mountains are sometimes used symbolically to represent kingdoms or authority. God’s “holy mountain” refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, the location of the temple of God and the center of worship for ancient Israel. But it has a broader meaning as well. God’s holy mountain represents the seat of God’s authority and righteous kingdom.
Some key things to understand about God’s holy mountain:
- It is holy because it belongs to God. His presence and glory fill this mountain.
- It refers to the city of Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion where the temple stood. But it also has a symbolic meaning.
- It represents God’s kingdom – his righteous rule and authority over all the earth.
- In prophecy, it points forward to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth in the future.
- When God’s holy mountain is established worldwide, there will be peace, justice and no more sin or destruction.
1. God’s holy mountain is holy because it belongs to God
Mountains were viewed as sacred places in the ancient Near East because they were thought to be the dwelling places of the gods. The high elevations brought people physically closer to the heavens where the gods lived. The Bible sometimes employs this symbolic imagery, but makes it clear the LORD alone is the true God who reigns supreme. God’s holy mountain represents His divine throne and sacred dwelling.
In the Old Testament, Mount Zion and the temple in Jerusalem represented the place where God’s presence resided on earth. It was a holy place set apart and dedicated to the LORD. Going there meant drawing near to God. His glory filled the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). His holiness demanded consecration and cleansing from sin in order to approach Him there (Psalm 15).
Isaiah saw a vision of the seraphim surrounding God’s throne and crying out “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty!” as they ministered before Him in the heavenly temple (Isaiah 6:1-7). God’s holiness means He is completely pure, righteous and set apart from all creation. His holy mountain shares in this unique sacredness as the place where He chooses to dwell.
2. God’s holy mountain refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem
In a literal sense, God’s holy mountain in the Old Testament was Mount Zion, the hill in Jerusalem where the temple of God stood. The first temple was built there by King Solomon (2 Chronicles 3:1) and the second temple commissioned by Zerubbabel after the Babylonian exile (Ezra 3:8).
The term “Mount Zion” was used as a synonym for Jerusalem, the city God had chosen for His dwelling place on earth:
In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion (Psalm 76:2).
For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it (Psalm 132:13-14).
Going up to Zion meant making a pilgrimage to worship at the temple in Jerusalem during the major feast days. Psalms 120-134 are called the “Songs of Ascent” which pilgrims would sing on their way to Jerusalem.
3. God’s holy mountain also has a symbolic meaning
In addition to the literal Mount Zion in Jerusalem, “God’s holy mountain” also developed a symbolic meaning in the Bible. It came to represent God’s kingdom, authority and righteous rule:
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise in the city of our God, his holy mountain. It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth (Psalm 48:1-2).
Instead of being limited to one geographical location, God’s holy mountain is exalted above all other mountains and nations (Psalm 48:2; Isaiah 2:2). The whole earth is called to worship there, streaming from all peoples and nations to the house of the God of Jacob (Isaiah 2:2-3).
This symbolic imagery speaks of the universal reign of God as the one true King over heaven and earth. It points ahead prophetically to the establishment of His kingdom over all nations.
4. God’s holy mountain in prophecy points to His future kingdom
Many Old Testament prophecies use the imagery of Mount Zion and God’s holy mountain to describe His coming everlasting kingdom:
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 all nations will stream to it (Isaiah 2:2).
A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it….Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-4).
These prophecies point ahead to a future day when God will fully establish His reign over all the earth, bringing judgment on the wicked and deliverance for His people. His temple and holy city Jerusalem will be exalted above all nations as He rules over the earth.
5. In God’s holy mountain there will be no more destruction
One of the key themes associated with God’s holy mountain is that it will be a place of peace, safety and blessing for all peoples:
They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).
This prophecy from Isaiah 11 promises a future golden age when predatory behavior will cease and there will be no violence. People will live in harmony with each other and with all creation. This peaceful state will cover the whole earth “as the waters cover the sea.”
The book of Revelation also depicts the climax of history this way. The dwelling of God is established among men in the New Jerusalem. There will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:1-4).
God’s holy mountain represents the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecy – the kingdom of the Messiah who will rule the world in righteousness and peace. Through His sacrifice for sin, Jesus began to usher in this new spiritual era, but its consummation still lies ahead when He returns.
6. God’s holy mountain requires consecration and righteousness
In the Old Testament, approaching God’s holy mountain required consecration and cleansing from sin. As God’s kingdom expands to cover the earth, holiness and righteousness will also increase:
He who walks righteously and speaks what is right…he will dwell on heights, his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his food will be supplied, his water assured. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar (Isaiah 33:15-17).
Instead of rites and rituals, true righteousness will qualify people to ascend and worship on God’s holy mountain. Those with clean hands and pure hearts will receive blessing from the LORD (Psalm 24:3-5).
Isaiah prophesied that in the last days the mountain of the LORD will be exalted above all others as all nations stream to it (Isaiah 2:2). They will come to the house of the God of Jacob to be taught His ways so they may walk in His paths (Isaiah 2:3).
7. The Messiah will rule from God’s holy mountain
The Messiah is the anointed King who will establish God’s kingdom on earth. Several prophecies in the Psalms and Isaiah state the Messiah will rule from Mount Zion in Jerusalem:
I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill (Psalm 2:6).
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:7).
Though Jesus fulfilled His first coming to die for the sins of the world, He has not yet returned to establish His kingdom on earth and rule from Jerusalem. But the Bible gives this certain hope for the future. When He comes again, the LORD will assert His sovereign rule over all creation from His holy mountain.
8. In the New Jerusalem God’s dwelling is with man
In the culmination of biblical prophecy, the book of Revelation reveals the climax of history – the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God (Revelation 21:2). This magnificent city is pictured as a cube, representing the Most Holy Place – the dwelling of God and center of worship.
Instead of being limited to one physical temple, now the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb dwell among mankind in the entire city:
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).
The prophecy of Ezekiel anticipated this future reality. The name of the city will be “The LORD is There” (Ezekiel 48:35). God’s presence will fill the earth. The whole planet will become His holy mountain.
9. We begin to experience God’s holy kingdom even now
While the full manifestation of God’s kingdom awaits the future, followers of Jesus experience the blessings of “Mount Zion” even now in a spiritual sense (Hebrews 12:22). Though we live in a fallen world, we have come into God’s heavenly Jerusalem.
By faith we are citizens of the coming New Jerusalem where God will dwell in the midst of His people. In Christ we have access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). We can boldly approach our Father in heaven because of the blood of Jesus.
As we grow in holiness, we walk the highway to Zion reflecting the righteousness of God’s kingdom in our character and actions (Isaiah 35:8). The holy mountain of the LORD invites us to ascend into His presence where transformation occurs as we behold His glory.
One day His kingdom will arrive in its fullness. The dwelling of God will be established forever on His holy mountain – the New Jerusalem.