This Article: (7 Pages)
- 1. Isaiah and the Gospel Message of... Hope for the Earth
- 2. PEACE ON EARTH
- 3. Isaiah's Gospel regarding Earth's... Destiny
- 4. Justice On Earth Promised
- 5. Isaiah and... the Gospel regarding the Future of Jerusalem
- 6. Vision of Future Age In Closing... Chapters of Isaiah
- 7. A Future Temple
5) Isaiah and the Gospel regarding the Future of Jerusalem
The closing chapters of Isaiah continue the theme of the reclamation of Israel from desolation and peace being established on the earth, as has been seen in the earlier chapters of Isaiah.. The modern Christian concept of the earth being destroyed at the return of the Messiah to the earth, is not supported by the closing chapters of Isaiah.
In Isaiah 60, a time of glory is promised to Israel, when “the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.” (Isaiah 60:5) Many nations will “bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of Yahweh… they shall come up with acceptance upon mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.” (Isaiah 60:6-7) “Surely the isles shall wait for me… and the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls.” (verses 9-10) These verses create a vision of the nations in subjection to Yahweh. “The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish.” (verse 12) These verses state clearly that Israel would be the centre of government and worship. At no time since Isaiah wrote these words have the nations been in subjection to divine rule in Israel, nor have Jew and Gentile been at peace.
The Jews, for 2000 years, have been despised, persecuted and dispersed from their traditional homeland, but the promise to the Israelites is that, “the sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee.” (verse 14) When we observe the situation in Israel today, it is hard hard to visualize a time when “violence shall no more be heard in thy land.” (verse 18) This is a promise of peace for Israel. For 2000 years there has been no peace for the Jews.
Again in Isaiah 61:4, Isaiah repeats the promise that Israel would be revived and restored. “And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations…of many generations.” The gentiles, the ”Strangers” and the “aliens” will be in subjection. “Ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” (verse 6)
The nation of Israel has been a witness to the truth of the promises that Yahweh has made to mankind and the only hope that mortal man has of a life beyond his present mortal existence. They stand as a sign that there will be a resurrection of the faithful and that Yahweh will fill this earth with His glory, in the way that He has chosen and not according to the imagination of mankind.
Peace Promised For Israel
“Their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people, all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Yahweh hath blessed.” (Isaiah 61:11) For 2000 years the Jews have been subjected to persecution. Today it is no different. There can be no peace for the Jews while the Arabs cry out against Israel and threaten still to destroy the state and drive the Jews into the sea. Isaiah’s prophecy must refer to a future time when the Jewish people will no longer be despised.
Jerusalem has long been a city of contention among Jews, Muslims and Christians. It is not a city of peace, but of conflict. However, Isaiah declares that Yahweh will establish Jerusalem and make it “a praise in the earth.”(Isa 62:7)
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