(2) Again, the Book of Life is defined in Revelation 21:27 as `The Lamb's book of life', even as it is in

Revelation 13:8 in direct reference to the worship of the Beast. Hebrews 12:23 will help us here. Hebrews 12:5-7

deals with sons, the theme of Hebrews 12:18-29 is the especial blessing of the `firstborn' in connection with `Mount

Sion ... the heavenly Jerusalem'. The names of those firstborn are `WRITTEN IN HEAVEN' and the threat or the

exemption concerning the `blotting out of the name from the book of life' has reference to those who during the

three years and a half of the great tribulation, become either `overcomers' or wait for the resurrection at the Great

White Throne.

We particularly ask every reader - Do you, or will you START all your investigations of this great subject of

prophecy with the key passage - Revelation 20:1-10? Dr. Bullinger used to say `Some use the Scriptures as a

BUTTRESS, to support their convictions. Others go to the Scriptures as a BUCKET let down into the well of truth, and

come up full of the water of life'. Which kind are you?

We had thought to head this article `Beyond the Millennial Reign' but we have done little else than clear away

some of the accumulated rubbish that has prevented genuine building (Neh. 3:1-32; 4:10). We doubt not but that we

shall have to build not only with trowel, but as Nehemiah did with a sword near at hand (Neh. 4:18) but it will be a

well worth fight (2 Tim. 4:7). The ages that follow the thousand years must be the theme of future studies.

The following study may help us to recognise the place that the overcomer plays in prophecy.

Readers overseas may be pardoned for thinking of London as one great city, but in reality there are two Londons.

The one a square mile, with place names still indicating the gates of the city, such as Bishop's Gate, Aldgate,

Cripplegate, etc. and odd remnants of the old city wall. This is `The city of London' with its ancient history, its city

police, its city giants, and its valued citizenship. Greater London is governed by the London County Council and

differs in many essential respects from the city.

So, it is easy for the reader to think of Jerusalem as of one undivided city, but closer examination of the

Scriptures will lead to a discrimination between the city Jerusalem and the stronghold of Zion. As certain aspects of

truth are especially related to Zion, this distinction must be kept in mind. The first reference to Jerusalem, is in

Joshua 10:1 where we find it ruled by the Amorite king Adoni-zedek `the Lord of righteousness', Satan's substitute

for Melchizedek `King of Righteousness' (Gen. 14:18). Although Jerusalem was taken by Joshua we read:

`As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the

Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day' (Josh. 15:63).

Coming to the days of David we find the first reference to Zion. David reigned first over Judah in Hebron, and

then over all Israel in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5:5), but we learn that there was a `stronghold' held by the Jebusites that

defied him. So confident were they in the impregnability of Zion that they manned the walls with the halt and the

blind in derision. A secret entrance called `the gutter' became known to David, and he announced that whoever

could get up this gutter and capture the stronghold of Zion should be made Chief Captain. This Joab accomplished,

climbing up a shaft that connected what is now called `the Virgin's Fount' with the interior of Zion (2 Sam. 5:6-9).

In 1 Chronicles 11:4-6 this exploit is recorded, and there we have not only the added note `So Joab the son of

Zeruiah went first up, and was chief' but the remainder of the chapter is significantly devoted to enumerating the

names and the exploits of `the first three', `the thirty' and a list of `valiant men' all marked out for conspicuous

bravery. The first reference to Zion, links it with the `overcomer'.

When we turn to the New Testament we find this association preserved. `Ye are come to Mount Sion, and unto

the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem ... the church of the firstborn which are written in heaven' (Heb.

12:22,23). Sion is mentioned also in the book of the Revelation where we see the 144,000 overcomers stand on

Mount Sion with the Lamb (Rev. 14:1,4). Hebrews 12 and Galatians 4 place Mount Sinai in contrast with Mount

Sion, and in Galatians 4 the apostle speaks of `Jerusalem which is above' (Gal. 4:25,26). Paul would be familiar

with the fact noted by Josephus that Sion was referred to as `The upper city' using the same word ano as is found in