Ruling for Righteousness and Justice

Isaiah chapter 32 opens with a thrilling prophecy that is finding remarkable fulfillment in our day:  "Look! A king will reign for righteousness itself; and as respects princes, they will rule for justice itself."  (Isaiah 32:1)  Yes, "look!" this exclamation calls to mind a similar exclamation found in the last prophetic book of the Bible: "The One seated on the throne said:  'Look! I am making all things new.' "  (Revelation 21:5)  The Bible books of Isaiah and Revelation, written some 900 years apart, both present a glowing description of a new administration-"a new heaven,"  composed of the King, Jesus Christ, enthroned in the heavens in 1914, and 144,000, co-rulers "bought from among mankind"-together with "a new earth," a global, united human society.  (Revelation 14:1-4; 21:1-4; Isaiah  65:17-25)  This entire arrangement is made possible by Christ's ransom sacrifice.

After seeing in vision the final sealing of these 144,000 co-rulers, the apostle John reports: "I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."  Here is the nucleus of the new earth-a great crowd now numbering into the millions, who have been gathered to the side of the few, mostly elderly remaining ones of the 144,000.  This great crowd will survive the fast-approaching great tribulation and in the Paradise earth will be joined by resurrected  faithful ones and billions of others who will be given the opportunity to exercise faith.  All who do so will be blessed with everlasting life. -Revelation 7:4, 9-17.

However, as long as the present hate-filled world exists, members of the great crowd need protection.  In large measure this is provided by the "princes" who "rule . . .for justice itself."  What a grand arrangement!  These "princes" are described further in the glowing words of Isaiah's prophecy:  "Each one must prove to be like a hiding place from the wind and a place of concealment from he rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless country, like the shadow of a heavy crag in  an exhausted land." Isaiah 32:2.

Right now in this time of worldwide distress, there is a need for "princes," yes, elders who will "pay attention  to . . . all the flock," caring for Jehovah's sheep and administering justice in harmony with Jehovah's righteous principles.  (Acts  20:28)  Such "princes" must meet the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9. 

Next time: Conclusion of Ruling for Righteousness and Justice

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000