"Signs" and "Miracles"

Isaiah now proclaims:  "Look!  I and  the children whom Jehovah has given me are as signs and as miracles in Israel  from Jehovah of armies, who is residing in Mount Zion."  (Isaiah 8:18) Yes, Isaiah, Shear-jashub, and Maher-shalal-hash-baz are signs of Jehovah's purposes for Judah.  Today, Jesus and his anointed brothers similarly serve as signs.  (Hebrews 2:11-13) And they are joined in their work by "a great crowd" of "other sheep."  (Revelation 7:9, 14; John 10:16) Of course, a sign is valuable only if it stands out from its surroundings.  Likewise, Christians fulfill their commission as signs only if they stand out as being different from this world, putting their full trust in Jehovah and boldly proclaiming his purposes.                                                               

Let all, then, observe God's standards, not those of this world.  Continue to stand out fearlessly-as signs-carrying forward the commission given to the Greater Isaiah, Jesus Christ:  "Proclaim the year of goodwill . . .and the day of vengeance on the part of our God."  (Isaiah 61:1, 2; Luke 4:17-21) Indeed, when the Assyrian flood surges across the earth-even if it reaches up to our necks-true Christians will not be swept away.  We will stand firm because "God is with us."

Next time: The Promise of a Prince of Peace, Chapter Ten

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind