The Birth of a New Nation

Of course, in the sixth century  B.C.E., the fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 35 is limited.  The paradisiac conditions enjoyed by  the repatriated Jews do not last.  In time, false religious teachings and nationalism  contaminate pure worship.  Spiritually, the Jews against experience grief and sighing.  Jehovah eventually rejects them as his people.  (Matthew 21:P43)  Because of renewed obedience, their rejoicing is not permanent.  All of this points to a further, greater fulfillment of Isaiah  chapter 35.

In Jehovah's due time, another Israel,  a spiritual one, came into existence.  (Galatians 6:16) Jesus set the stage  for the birth of this new Israel during his earthly ministry.  He restored pure worship, and with his teachings, waters of truth began to flow once again.  He healed the sick, both physically and spiritually.  A joyful cry went forth as the good news of God's Kingdom was proclaimed.  Seven weeks after his death and resurrection, the glorified Jesus established the Christian congregation, a spiritual Israel made up of Jews and others redeemed by Jesus' shed blood, begotten as God's spiritual sons and brothers of Jesus, and anointed by holy spirit. -Acts 2:1-4; Romans 8:16, 17; 1 Peter 1:18, 19.

When writing to the members of spiritual Israel the apostle Paul referred to the words of Isaiah 35:3  by saying: "Straighten up the hands that hand down and the enfeebled knees."  (Hebrews 12:12)   Evidently, then, in the first century C.E., there was a fulfillment of the words of Isaiah chapter 35.  In a literal sense, Jesus and his disciples miraculously gave sight to blind ones and hearing to deaf ones.  They enabled 'lame ones" to walk and speechless ones to regain their speech.  (Matthew 9:32; 11:5; Luke  10:9)  More important, righthearted ones escaped from false religion and came to enjoy a spiritual paradise within the Christian congregation.  (Isaiah  52:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17)  As in the case of the Jews returning from Babylon, these escapees found that a positive, courageous spirit was essential. -Romans 12:11.

What of our day? Does the prophecy of Isaiah have another fulfillment, a more complete one involving the Christian congregation today?  Yes. After the death of the apostles, the number of true anointed Christians greatly diminished, and false Christians, "weeds,"  flourished on the world scene.  (Matthew 13:36-43; Acts 20:30; 2 Peter 2:1-3)  Even when during the 19th century, sincere individuals begin to separate themselves from Christendom and seek pure worship , their understanding remained tainted with unscriptural  teachings.  In 1914, Jesus was enthroned as Messianic King, but soon thereafter , the situation looked bleak for those sincere truth seekers.  In fulfillment of prophecy, the nations 'made war with them and conquered them,' and the attempts of these sincere Christians to preach the good news were stifled.  In effect, they went into Babylonish captivity. -Revelation 11:7, 8.

Next time: Conclusion of The Birth of a New Nation

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