Brother Sparks emphasizes that the phrase "controversy of Zion" from Hebrews 12:22 holds significant meaning for Christians. He explains that Zion represents the pinnacle of all that Jerusalem stood for, and just as Jerusalem was a place of conflict, so too is the spiritual Zion. This controversy, Brother Sparks argues, exists on three levels: between God and the nations, within Christianity itself, and within the ministry of Zion. He posits that God is at work in the world, and the turmoil among nations is related to God's purpose for his people. This purpose, Brother Sparks argues, involves establishing a testimony in the nations, a testimony that provokes jealousy and ultimately results in judgment. He further suggests that this testimony will be a source of conflict, as the world rejects what is of God. Within Christianity, Brother Sparks observes a similar controversy, fueled by human ambition, jealousy, and a lack of spiritual understanding. He argues that many Christians are unable to discern between genuine spiritual life and mere religious activity, leading to confusion and compromise. This confusion, he argues, hinders the true testimony of Zion. Finally, Brother Sparks addresses the controversy surrounding the ministry of Zion. He emphasizes that true ministry is not self-appointed but rather a result of God’s sovereign choice. He argues that those called to this ministry are set apart from birth and undergo a drastic, transformative work by God. This work, Brother Sparks suggests, results in a unique understanding and ability to minister the truth, which in turn makes them targets of spiritual opposition.
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. 2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. 3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. 4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. 5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. 6 The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. 7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. 8 For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. 10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. 11 But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness. 12 They shall call the nobles thereof to the kingdom, but none shall be there, and all her princes shall be nothing. 13 And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls. 14 The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest. 15 There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate. 16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them. 17 And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.
4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.