Jehovah Challenges the Nations

Jehovah through his prophet says:  "Attend to me in silence, you islands; and let national groups themselves  regain power.  Let them approach.  At that time let them speak.  Let us come up close together for the judgment itself."  (Isaiah 41:1)  With these words  Jehovah challenges the nations who oppose his people.  Let them stand before  him and gird themselves to speak! As will later be seen, Jehovah demands, as though he were a judge in a court, that these nations furnish proof that their idols are truly gods.  Can these gods foretell acts of salvation for their worshipers or judgments against their enemies?  If so, can they fulfill such prophecies?  The answer is no.  Jehovah alone can do these things.

As we consider Isaiah's prophecy, let us bear in mind that, as with many Bible prophecies, his words have more than one fulfillment. In 607 B.C.E., Judah will go off into exile in Babylon.  However, Isaiah's prophecy reveals that Jehovah will deliver the Israelites held captive there.  This happens in 537 B.C.E.  That release  had a parallel  in the early days of the 20th century.  During the first world war, Jehovah 's anointed servants on earth passed through a period of tribulation.  In 1918 pressure from Satan's world-incited by Christendom as the leading part of the good news  to a virtual halt.  (Revelation 11:5-10)  Some leading officers of the Watchtower Society were sent to prison on trumped-up charges.  To all intents and purposes, the world had triumphed  in its battle against God's servants.  Then, as it happened back in 537 B.C.E., Jehovah unexpectedly brought about their liberation.  In 1919 the imprisoned officers were released , and later the charges against them were dropped.  A convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, in September  1919  reinvigorated  Jehovah's servants to pick up the work of preaching the good news of the Kingdom.  (Revelation 11:11, 12) From then till now, the scope of that preaching work has increased remarkably.  Moreover, many of Isaiah's words  will have a wonderful fulfillment in the Paradise earth to come.  Consequently, Isaiah's words of long ago involve all nations and people today.

Next time: A Deliverer Called Forth

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001