Do the 66 books of the Protestant Bible parallel the 66 chapters of Isaiah in many ways? Let’s conclude Isaiah in chapter 66.
Where can God be found and to whom will He gladly look?
The Lord says: Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. So where could you build a house for me, and where could my resting place be? My hand made all these things and brought them into being, says the Lord. But here is where I will look: to the humble and contrite in spirit, who tremble at my word. (Isa 66:1-2 CEB)
Do people still mix worship of God with idolatry? Do people still knowingly do what is wrong?
You sacrifice oxen to me, and you commit murder; you sacrifice lambs to me and dogs to other gods; you offer grain to me and pigs' blood to idols; you burn incense to me and praise your idols. You have made your own choice to do these disgusting things that you enjoy so much. You refused to answer when I called out; you paid no attention to my instructions. Instead, you did what I hated, knowing it was wrong. Now I will punish you in a way you dread the most. (Isa 66:3-4 CEV)
Will those who tremble at the Lord’s word be hated by others? Is God’s plan to eventually bring justice to all?
Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name's sake have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy’; but it is they who shall be put to shame. The sound of an uproar from the city! A sound from the temple! The sound of the Lord, rendering recompense to his enemies!” (Isa 66:5-6 ESV)
Will Jerusalem’s salvation be like a woman suddenly giving birth without pain?
Before Zion was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy. Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her sons. “Will I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the Lord; “or will I who deliver, close the womb?” says your God. Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her—so that you may nurse and be satisfied from her comforting breast and drink deeply and delight yourselves from her glorious breasts. (Isa 66:7-11 HCSB)
Will Jerusalem eventually be comforted by God? Will nations be punished?
This is what the Lord says: “See, I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; and you will nurse, and you will be carried on her hip, and bounced upon her knees. Like a child whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted in Jerusalem. And when you look, your hearts will rejoice and your bodies will flourish like grass; and it will be made known that the Lord’s hand is with his servants, but his fury is with his enemies.
“Take notice! The Lord will come with fire, and his chariot will be like a whirlwind, to pay back his anger—yes, his anger!— in fury, and his menacing rebukes in flames of fire. For with fire and with his sword the Lord will proceed to judgment on all humanity, and those slain by the Lord will be many.” (Isa 66:13-16 ISV)
Will God approve of those who believe in abominations?
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord. For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. (Isa 66:17-18 KJV)
Did Isaiah prophesy the future work of Christian missionaries?
I will set a sign among them and will send those who have escaped from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal, and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard My report nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations. Then they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as a grain offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says Yahweh, “just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of Yahweh. I will also take some of them for priests and for Levites,” says Yahweh. (Isa 66:19-21 LSB)
Will all humanity eventually bow down to God? What will happen to those who rebel?
“For just as the new heavens and the new earth, Which I make, will endure before Me,” declares the Lord, “So will your descendants and your name endure. And it shall be from new moon to new moon And from Sabbath to Sabbath, All mankind will come to bow down before Me,” says the Lord. “Then they will go out and look At the corpses of the people Who have rebelled against Me. For their worm will not die And their fire will not be extinguished; And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.” (Isa 66:22-24 NASB)
Did Stephen quote this chapter of Isaiah, that God is not limited to a house of worship?
However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?’ (Acts 7:48-50 NIV)
Do the 66 books of the Protestant Bible parallel the 66 chapters of Isaiah in many ways? You decide!
New Heaven & Earth (Isaiah 65)
Will there be a new heaven and a new earth? Let’s look in Isaiah 65.
Did people who never sought God find Him while most in Israel sacrificed in pagan gardens, telling God to stay away? Do some people still think that they are holier than God?
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. (Isa 65:1-5 KJV)
Will God keep silent forever? Will the sins of generations come back upon us too?
“Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will even repay into their bosom, Both their own iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers together,” says Yahweh. “Because they have burned incense on the mountains And reproached Me on the hills, Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.” (Isa 65:6-7 LSB)
Who does God choose? Do we choose that in which God delights?
This is what the Lord says: “Just as the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,’ So I will act in behalf of My servants In order not to destroy all of them. I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, And an heir of My mountains from Judah; My chosen ones shall inherit it, And My servants will live there. Sharon will be a pasture land for flocks, And the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, For My people who seek Me. But as for you who abandon the Lord, Who forget My holy mountain, Who set a table for Fortune, And fill a jug of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, And all of you will bow down to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not listen. Instead, you did evil in My sight And chose that in which I did not delight.” (Isa 65:8-12 NASB)
Will God provide food and rejoicing for His servants? Will they sing joyfully?
Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit. You will leave your name for my chosen ones to use in their curses; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name. Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. (Isa 65:13-16 NIV)
Will there be a new heavens and a new earth? Will there be no more crying there?
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.” (Isa 65:17-19 NKJV)
Will people plant vineyards there? Will the nature of wild animals be tamed? Will no one be hurt or destroyed there?
“No longer will babies die when only a few days old. No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life. No longer will people be considered old at one hundred! Only the cursed will die that young! In those days people will live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of their own vineyards. Unlike the past, invaders will not take their houses and confiscate their vineyards. For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains. They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. For they are people blessed by the Lord, and their children, too, will be blessed. I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. But the snakes will eat dust. In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isa 65:20-25 NLT)
Was the apostle John also given a vision of the new heaven and new earth? Will there be no more death or mourning or crying or pain?
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people; and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.” (Rev 21:1-4 WEB)
Will there be a new heaven and a new earth? You decide!
Did people who never sought God find Him while most in Israel sacrificed in pagan gardens, telling God to stay away? Do some people still think that they are holier than God?
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. (Isa 65:1-5 KJV)
Will God keep silent forever? Will the sins of generations come back upon us too?
“Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will even repay into their bosom, Both their own iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers together,” says Yahweh. “Because they have burned incense on the mountains And reproached Me on the hills, Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.” (Isa 65:6-7 LSB)
Who does God choose? Do we choose that in which God delights?
This is what the Lord says: “Just as the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,’ So I will act in behalf of My servants In order not to destroy all of them. I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, And an heir of My mountains from Judah; My chosen ones shall inherit it, And My servants will live there. Sharon will be a pasture land for flocks, And the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, For My people who seek Me. But as for you who abandon the Lord, Who forget My holy mountain, Who set a table for Fortune, And fill a jug of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, And all of you will bow down to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not listen. Instead, you did evil in My sight And chose that in which I did not delight.” (Isa 65:8-12 NASB)
Will God provide food and rejoicing for His servants? Will they sing joyfully?
Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit. You will leave your name for my chosen ones to use in their curses; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name. Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. (Isa 65:13-16 NIV)
Will there be a new heavens and a new earth? Will there be no more crying there?
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.” (Isa 65:17-19 NKJV)
Will people plant vineyards there? Will the nature of wild animals be tamed? Will no one be hurt or destroyed there?
“No longer will babies die when only a few days old. No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life. No longer will people be considered old at one hundred! Only the cursed will die that young! In those days people will live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of their own vineyards. Unlike the past, invaders will not take their houses and confiscate their vineyards. For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains. They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. For they are people blessed by the Lord, and their children, too, will be blessed. I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. But the snakes will eat dust. In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isa 65:20-25 NLT)
Was the apostle John also given a vision of the new heaven and new earth? Will there be no more death or mourning or crying or pain?
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people; and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.” (Rev 21:1-4 WEB)
Will there be a new heaven and a new earth? You decide!
Come Down (Isaiah 64)
What kind of prayer would we ask of God in a troubled world? Let’s look at Isaiah 64.
Have we ever felt like asking God to come down and wake the world up?
Oh that you would tear the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—as when fire kindles the brushwood, and the fire causes the water to boil. Make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at your presence! (Isa 64:1-2 WEB)
Did God make His presence known in ages past? Does He hide when we do wrong?
When you accomplished wonders beyond all our expectations; when you came down, mountains quaked before you. From ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any god but you who acts on behalf of those who wait for him! You look after those who gladly do right; they will praise you for your ways. But you were angry when we sinned; you hid yourself when we did wrong. (Isa 64:3-5 CEB)
Is any one of us really perfect enough to stand before the one true God?
We are unfit to worship you; each of our good deeds is merely a filthy rag. We dry up like leaves; our sins are storm winds sweeping us away. No one worships in your name or remains faithful. You have turned your back on us and let our sins melt us away. (Isa 64:6-7 CEV)
Do we ask our heavenly Father not to be so terribly angry with us?
But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people. (Isa 64:8-9 ESV)
Are our holiest of places desolate because of neglect and sin? Will God always give us what we deserve or show mercy?
Your holy cities have become a wilderness; Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins. Lord, after all this, will You restrain Yourself? Will You keep silent and afflict severely? (Isa 64:10-12 HCSB)
Are any of us really righteous within ourselves or do we need God’s righteousness?
As it is written, “Not even one person is righteous. No one understands. No one searches for God. All have turned away. They have become completely worthless. No one shows kindness, not even one person! Their throats are open graves. With their tongues they deceive. The venom of poisonous snakes is under their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. They run swiftly to shed blood. Ruin and misery characterize their lives. They have not learned the path to peace. They don’t fear God. (Rom 3:10-18 ISV)
What kind of prayer would we ask of God in a troubled world? You decide!
Have we ever felt like asking God to come down and wake the world up?
Oh that you would tear the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—as when fire kindles the brushwood, and the fire causes the water to boil. Make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at your presence! (Isa 64:1-2 WEB)
Did God make His presence known in ages past? Does He hide when we do wrong?
When you accomplished wonders beyond all our expectations; when you came down, mountains quaked before you. From ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any god but you who acts on behalf of those who wait for him! You look after those who gladly do right; they will praise you for your ways. But you were angry when we sinned; you hid yourself when we did wrong. (Isa 64:3-5 CEB)
Is any one of us really perfect enough to stand before the one true God?
We are unfit to worship you; each of our good deeds is merely a filthy rag. We dry up like leaves; our sins are storm winds sweeping us away. No one worships in your name or remains faithful. You have turned your back on us and let our sins melt us away. (Isa 64:6-7 CEV)
Do we ask our heavenly Father not to be so terribly angry with us?
But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people. (Isa 64:8-9 ESV)
Are our holiest of places desolate because of neglect and sin? Will God always give us what we deserve or show mercy?
Your holy cities have become a wilderness; Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins. Lord, after all this, will You restrain Yourself? Will You keep silent and afflict severely? (Isa 64:10-12 HCSB)
Are any of us really righteous within ourselves or do we need God’s righteousness?
As it is written, “Not even one person is righteous. No one understands. No one searches for God. All have turned away. They have become completely worthless. No one shows kindness, not even one person! Their throats are open graves. With their tongues they deceive. The venom of poisonous snakes is under their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. They run swiftly to shed blood. Ruin and misery characterize their lives. They have not learned the path to peace. They don’t fear God. (Rom 3:10-18 ISV)
What kind of prayer would we ask of God in a troubled world? You decide!
Judgment & Restoration (Isaiah 63)
Will there come a day of God’s wrath against the nations for their sins? In His mercy will God restore those loyal to Him? Let’s look at Isaiah 63.
After dealing with Bozrah, the capital of Edom, will God speak to save?
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. (Isa 63:1 KJV)
Why is God’s clothing red like red grapes? Who did God punish for sins against Israel?
Why is Your clothing red, And Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press? “I have trodden the wine trough alone, And from the peoples there was no man with Me. I also trod them in My anger And trampled them in My wrath; And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My clothes.
For the day of vengeance was in My heart, And My year of redemption has come. I looked, and there was no one to help, And I was astonished, and there was no one to uphold; So My own arm brought salvation to Me, And My wrath upheld Me. I trod down the peoples in My anger And made them drunk in My wrath, And I brought down their lifeblood to the earth.” (Isa 63:2-6 LSB)
Was God merciful to Israel despite their many sins against Him?
I will make mention of the mercies of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord has granted us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has granted them according to His compassion And according to the abundance of His mercies. For He said, “Certainly they are My people, Sons who will not deal falsely.” So He became their Savior. In all their distress He was distressed, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. (Isa 63:7-9 NASB)
What were some examples of Israel’s rebellion against God?
Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
Then his people recalled the days of old, the days of Moses and his people—where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble; like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name. (Isa 63:10-14 NIV)
When God feels far away what should we do? Do we pray that the LORD returns for His inheritance?
Look down from heaven, And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained? Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham was ignorant of us, And Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O Lord, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. O Lord, why have You made us stray from Your ways, And hardened our heart from Your fear? Return for Your servants’ sake, The tribes of Your inheritance. Your holy people have possessed it but a little while; Our adversaries have trodden down Your sanctuary. We have become like those of old, over whom You never ruled, Those who were never called by Your name. (Isa 63:15-19 NKJV)
Will God’s clothing again be red? Who will God then punish for their sins?
He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. (Rev 19:13-15 NLT)
Will there come a day of God’s wrath against the nations for their sins? In His mercy will God restore those loyal to Him? You decide!
After dealing with Bozrah, the capital of Edom, will God speak to save?
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. (Isa 63:1 KJV)
Why is God’s clothing red like red grapes? Who did God punish for sins against Israel?
Why is Your clothing red, And Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press? “I have trodden the wine trough alone, And from the peoples there was no man with Me. I also trod them in My anger And trampled them in My wrath; And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My clothes.
For the day of vengeance was in My heart, And My year of redemption has come. I looked, and there was no one to help, And I was astonished, and there was no one to uphold; So My own arm brought salvation to Me, And My wrath upheld Me. I trod down the peoples in My anger And made them drunk in My wrath, And I brought down their lifeblood to the earth.” (Isa 63:2-6 LSB)
Was God merciful to Israel despite their many sins against Him?
I will make mention of the mercies of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord has granted us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has granted them according to His compassion And according to the abundance of His mercies. For He said, “Certainly they are My people, Sons who will not deal falsely.” So He became their Savior. In all their distress He was distressed, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. (Isa 63:7-9 NASB)
What were some examples of Israel’s rebellion against God?
Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
Then his people recalled the days of old, the days of Moses and his people—where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble; like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name. (Isa 63:10-14 NIV)
When God feels far away what should we do? Do we pray that the LORD returns for His inheritance?
Look down from heaven, And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained? Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham was ignorant of us, And Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O Lord, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. O Lord, why have You made us stray from Your ways, And hardened our heart from Your fear? Return for Your servants’ sake, The tribes of Your inheritance. Your holy people have possessed it but a little while; Our adversaries have trodden down Your sanctuary. We have become like those of old, over whom You never ruled, Those who were never called by Your name. (Isa 63:15-19 NKJV)
Will God’s clothing again be red? Who will God then punish for their sins?
He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. (Rev 19:13-15 NLT)
Will there come a day of God’s wrath against the nations for their sins? In His mercy will God restore those loyal to Him? You decide!
Hephzibah & Beulah (Isaiah 62)
How will God bless Jerusalem in a prophecy so far only partially fulfilled in history? Do we look forward to the final fulfillment of this? Let’s look at Isaiah 62.
Does God have plans to bless Zion, a hill in Jerusalem, and the city itself?
For Zion’s sake I won’t keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I won’t sit still until her righteousness shines out like a light, and her salvation blazes like a torch. Nations will see your righteousness, all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which the Lord’s own mouth will determine. You will be a splendid garland in the Lord’s hand, a royal turban [crown] in the palm of God’s hand. (Isa 62:1-3 CEB)
Will Jerusalem have some new names which picture a new relationship with God?
Your name will no longer be “Deserted and Childless,” but “Happily Married.” [Hephzibah and Beulah] You will please the Lord; your country will be his bride. Your people will take the land, just as a young man takes a bride. The Lord will be pleased because of you, just as a husband is pleased with his bride. (Isa 62:4-5 CEV)
Will God set watchmen to protect Jerusalem from foreign invaders?
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm:
“I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.” (Isa 62:6-9 ESV)
Is this prophecy just for the return from Babylon or also looking far into the future, when Jesus returns?
Go out, go out through the gates; prepare a way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones! Raise a banner for the peoples. Look, the Lord has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: Look, your salvation is coming, His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him.” And they will be called the Holy People, the Lord’s Redeemed; and you will be called Cared For, A City Not Deserted. (Isa 62:10-12 HCSB)
Is the theme of being given a new name carried elsewhere in scripture?
‘Let everyone listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give some of the hidden manna to everyone who overcomes.’ I will also give him a white stone. On the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the person who receives it. (Rev 2:17 ISV)
How will God bless Jerusalem in a prophecy so far only partially fulfilled in history? Do we look forward to the final fulfillment of this? You decide!
Does God have plans to bless Zion, a hill in Jerusalem, and the city itself?
For Zion’s sake I won’t keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I won’t sit still until her righteousness shines out like a light, and her salvation blazes like a torch. Nations will see your righteousness, all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which the Lord’s own mouth will determine. You will be a splendid garland in the Lord’s hand, a royal turban [crown] in the palm of God’s hand. (Isa 62:1-3 CEB)
Will Jerusalem have some new names which picture a new relationship with God?
Your name will no longer be “Deserted and Childless,” but “Happily Married.” [Hephzibah and Beulah] You will please the Lord; your country will be his bride. Your people will take the land, just as a young man takes a bride. The Lord will be pleased because of you, just as a husband is pleased with his bride. (Isa 62:4-5 CEV)
Will God set watchmen to protect Jerusalem from foreign invaders?
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm:
“I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.” (Isa 62:6-9 ESV)
Is this prophecy just for the return from Babylon or also looking far into the future, when Jesus returns?
Go out, go out through the gates; prepare a way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones! Raise a banner for the peoples. Look, the Lord has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: Look, your salvation is coming, His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him.” And they will be called the Holy People, the Lord’s Redeemed; and you will be called Cared For, A City Not Deserted. (Isa 62:10-12 HCSB)
Is the theme of being given a new name carried elsewhere in scripture?
‘Let everyone listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give some of the hidden manna to everyone who overcomes.’ I will also give him a white stone. On the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the person who receives it. (Rev 2:17 ISV)
How will God bless Jerusalem in a prophecy so far only partially fulfilled in history? Do we look forward to the final fulfillment of this? You decide!
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