IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT KIND OF MESSENGER

God Fulfills the Words of His Messengers

At the time Cyrus moved against Babylon, its citizens felt very safe and secure. Their city was surrounded by a deep and broad protective moat, formed by the Euphrates River. Where the river ran through the city, there was a continuous quay along the east bank of the river. To separate it from the city, Nebuchadnezzar built what he called "a great wall, which like a mountain cannot be moved . . . Its head [he] raised mountain high." This wall had gates with huge copper doors. To enter them, one had to climb up the slope from the river's edge. No wonder Babylon's prisoner despaired of ever being set free!

But not those Jewish captives who had faith in Jehovah! They had a bright hope. Through his prophets, God had promised to liberate them. How did God fulfill his promise? Cyrus ordered his armies to divert the Euphrates River at a point several miles north of Babylon. Thus, the city's chief defense was turned into a relatively dry riverbed. On the crucial night, carousing revelers in Babylon carelessly left open the two - leaved doors along the Euphrates waterfront. Jehovah did not literally break the copper doors in pieces; nor did he cut down the iron bars that closed them, but his marvelous maneuvering to keep them open and unbarred had the same effect. Babylon's walls were useless. Cyrus's troops did not have to scale them to get inside. Jehovah went before Cyrus, smoothing out "the swells of land," yes, all obstacles. Isaiah was proved to be God's true messenger.

When Cyrus had complete control of the city, all its treasures fell into his hands including those hidden in dark,concealed rooms. Why did Jehovah God do this for Cyrus? In order that he would know that Jehovah, 'the One calling him by his name,' is the God of true prophecy and the Sovereign Lord of the universe. He would know that God had arranged for him to come to power to liberate His people, Israel.

Listen to Jehovah's words to Cyrus: "For the sake of my servant Jacob and of Israel my chose one, I even proceeded to call you by your name; I proceeded to give you a name of honor, although you did not know me. I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. With the exception of me there is no God. I shall closely gird you, although you have not known me, in order that people may know from the rising of the sun and from its setting that there is none besides me. I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. Forming light and creating darkness, making peace [that is, for exiled people] and creating calamity [for Babylon], I Jehovah, am doing all these things." -Isaiah 45:4-7.

Cyrus owed his conquest of Babylon to Jehovah, for He it was who had strengthened him to carry out His delight against that wicked city and free His captive people. In doing this, God called upon his heavens to shower down righteous influences or forces. He called upon his earth to open p and produce righteous events and salvation for his exiled people. And his figurative heavens and earth responded to this command. (Isaiah 45:8) More than a hundred years after his death, Isaiah was shown to be Jehovah's true messenger!

Next time: The Messenger's Good News for Zion!

Watchtower,1997