"Come to the Water"

Through Isaiah, Jehovah speaks prophetically to the Jewish captives in Babylon:  "Hey there, all you thirsty ones!  Come to the water. And the ones that have no money!  Come, buy and eat.  Yes, come, buy wine and milk even without money and without price." (Isaiah 55:1)  These words are rich in symbolism.  For example, consider the invitation:  "Come to the water."  Without water, life is impossible.  Without that  precious liquid, we humans can survive only for about a week.  Hence, it is fitting that Jehovah uses water as a metaphor for the effect that his words will have upon the Jewish captives.  His message will refresh them, like a cold drink on  a hot day. It will lift them out of their despondent state of mind, quenching their thirst for truth and righteousness. And it will infuse them with hope of freedom from captivity.  Still, to benefit, the Jewish exiles will have to drink in God's message, pay attention to it, and act upon it.

Jehovah also offers "wine and milk."  Milk strengthens young bodies and helps children to grow.  Similarly, Jehovah's words will strengthen his people spiritually and enable them to fortify their relationship with him. What, though, of wine?  Wine is often used on festive occasions.  In the Bible, it is associated with prosperity and rejoicing.  (Psalm  104:15)  By telling his people to "buy wine," Jehovah is assuring them that a wholehearted return to true worship will make them "nothing but joyful." - Deuteronomy 16:15; Psalm 19:8; Proverbs 10:22.

How merciful of Jehovah to offer such spiritual refreshment to the exiled Jews!  His compassion is all the more remarkable when we remember the Jews' history of waywardness and rebellion.  It is not that they are deserving of  Jehovah's approval.  However, the psalmist David wrote centuries earlier:  "Jehovah is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.  He will not for all time keep finding fault, neither will he to time indefinite keep resentful."  (Psalm 103:8, 9)  Far from cutting off this people, Jehovah is taking the first step toward reconciliation.  Truly, he is a God "delighting in loving-kindness." -Micah 7:18.

Next time: Misplaced Trust

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

A Message of Hope for Downhearted Captives, Chapter Sixteen

IT WAS a dark period in Judah's history.  God's covenant people had been forcibly taken from their homeland and now were languishing in captivity in Babylon.  Granted, they were allowed  a measure of freedom to carry on their daily affairs.  (Jeremiah 29:4-7)  Some acquired professional skills or engaged in commercial enterprises.  (Nehemiah 3:8, 31. 32)  Nevertheless, life for the Jewish captives was not easy.  They were in bondage, both physically and spiritually. Let us see how.

When the Babylonian armies destroyed Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E., they did more than devastate a nation; they also dealt a blow to true worship. They stripped Jehovah's temple and destroyed it, crippling the priesthood arrangement by taking some of the tribe of Levi captive and putting others to death. With no house of worship, no altar, and no organized priesthood, it was impossible for the Jews to offer sacrifices to the true God as prescribed by the Law.

Faithful Jews could still preserved their religious identity by practicing circumcision and following the Law to the extent possible.  For example, the could abstain  from forbidden foods and observe the Sabbath.  But in doing so, they risked the ridicule of their captors, for the Babylonians viewed the religious rituals of the Jews as foolish.  The downhearted condition of the exiles can be seen in the psalmist's words:  "By the rivers of Babylon-there we sat down. We also wept when we remembered Zion. Upon the poplar trees in the midst of her we hung  our harps. For there those holding us captive asked us for the words of a song, and those mocking us-for rejoicing:  'Sing for us one of the songs of Zion.' "-Psalm 137:1-3.

To whom, then, could the Jewish captives turn for comfort?  From where would come their salvation?  Certainly not from any of the surrounding nations!   All of those were powerless against Babylon's armies, and may were hostile to the Jews.  But the situation  was not hopeless.  Jehovah, against whom they had rebelled when they were a free people, graciously extended a heartening invitation to them, even though they were in exile.

Next time: "Come to the Water"

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

Conclusion of The Spiritual Security of God's People

Isaiah's prophecy also shows that the anointed are blessed with abundant peace.  Does this mean that they are never under attack?  No, but God gives the assurance that he will neither order such attacks nor allow them to succeed.  We read: " 'Look! I myself have created the craftsman, the one blowing upon the fire of charcoal and bringing forth a weapon as his workmanship.  I myself, too, have created the ruinous man for wrecking work.  Any weapon whatever that will be formed  against you will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in judgment you will condemn.  This is the hereditary  possession of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from me,' is the utterance of Jehovah." -Isaiah 54:16, 17.

For the second time in this chapter of Isaiah, Jehovah reminds his servants that he is the Creator. Earlier, he tells his symbolic wife that he is her "Grand Maker."   Now he says that he is the Creator of all mankind. Verse 16 describes a metal worker blowing on the coals of his forge as he creates his weapons of destruction and a warrior, a "ruinous man for wrecking work." Such men might present a frightening picture to fellow humans, but how can they possibly hope to prevail against their own Creator?  So Today, even when the most powerful forces of this world attack Jehovah's people, they will have no chance of ultimate success. How can that be?

The time for ruinous attack against God's people and their worship  with spirit and truth has passed.  (John 4:23, 24)  Jehovah allowed Babylon the Great to make one attack that proved  temporarily successful. For a brief moment, "Jerusalem above"  saw her offspring brought to near silence as the preaching work on earth ground to a virtual halt.  Never again!  Now she exults over her sons, for they are, in  a spiritual sense, unconquerable.  (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4)  Oh, there have been weapons of attack formed against them, and there will be more.  (Revelation 12:17)  But these have not and will not succeed.  Satan possesses no weapon that can quell the faith and burning zeal of anointed and their companions.  This spiritual peace is "the hereditary possession of the servants of Jehovah," so no one can forcibly take it away from them. -Psalm 118:6' Romans 8:38, 39.

No, nothing that Satan's world can do will ever put a stop to the work and enduring clean worship of God by his dedicated servants. The anointed offspring of "Jerusalem above" have taken great comfort in that assurance . Members of the great crowd do the same.  The more we come to know Jehovah's heavenly organization and its dealings with his worshipers on earth, the stronger our faith will be.  As long as our faith is strong, Satan's weapons will prove to be futile in the fight against us!

Next time: A Message of Hope for Downhearted Captives, Chapter Sixteen

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

The Spiritual Security of God's People

Jehovah goes on to foretell security for his faithful people:  "O woman afflicted, tempest-tossed, uncomforted, here I am laying with hard mortar your stones, and I will lay your foundation with sapphires. And I will make your battlements of rubies, and your gates of fiery glowing stones, and all your boundaries of delightsome stones.  And all your sons  will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant.  You will prove to be firmly established in righteousness itself.  You will be far away from oppression-for you will fear none-and from anything terrifying, for it will  not come near you.  If anyone should at all  make an attack, it will not be at my orders.  Whoever is making an attack upon you will fall even on account of you." - Isaiah 54:11-15.

Of course, Jehovah's "woman" in the spirit realm has never been directly afflicted or tempest-tossed.  But she suffered when her anointed "offspring" on earth suffered, especially when they were in spiritual captivity during the  1918-1919 period.  Conversely, when the heavenly "woman" is exalted, this reflects a similar state prevailing among her offspring.  Consider, then, the glowing description of "Jerusalem above."  The precious stones on the gates,  the costly "hard mortar," the foundations, and even the boundaries suggest, as one reference work notes, "beauty, magnificence, purity, strength, and solidity." What would led anointed Christians to such a secure and blessed condition? 

Verse 13 of Isaiah chapter 54 provides the key-all will be "taught by Jehovah."  Jesus himself applied the words of this verse to his anointed followers.  (John 6:45)  The prophet Daniel foretold that during this "time of the end, "  the anointed would be blessed with an abundance of true knowledge and spiritual insight.  (Daniel 12:3, 4)  Such insight has enabled them to spearhead the greatest educational campaign in history, spreading divine teaching in all the earth.  (Matthew  24:14)  At the same time, such insight has helped them to see the difference between true religion and false .  Isaiah 54:12 mentions "boundaries of delightsome stones."  Since 1919, Jehovah has given the anointed an ever clearer understanding of the boundaries-the lines of spiritual demarcation-setting them apart  from false religion and ungodly elements of the world.  (Ezekiel 44:23; John 17:14; James 1:27)  They are thus set apart as God's own people. - 1 Peter 2:9. 

Thus, each of us does well to ask himself, 'Am I being taught by Jehovah?'  We do not receive such teaching automatically. We must put forth effort. If we read God's Word regularly and meditate upon it and if we take  in instruction by reading the Bible-based literature published by "the faithful and discreet slave" and by preparing for and attending Christian meetings, we will indeed be taught by Jehovah.  (Matthew 24:45-47)  If we endeavor to apply what we learn and remain spiritually awake and watchful, divine teaching will set us apart as different from those in this godless world.  (1 Peter 5:8,9)  Better still, it will help us "draw closer to God." -James 1:22-25; 4:8.

Next time: Conclusion of The Spiritual Security of God's People

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

Momentary Discipline, Eternal Blessings

The prophecy continues:  'For a little moment I left you entirely, but with great mercies I shall collect you together.  With a flood of indignation I concealed my face from you for but a moment, but with loving-kindness to time indefinite I will have mercy upon you,' your Repurchaser, Jehovah, has said." (Isaiah 54:7, 8)  Earthly Jerusalem is inundated by "a flood" of God's indignation when  the Babylon forces attack in 607 B.C.E.  Her 70 years in exile might seem a long time.  Still, such trials last "for but a moment" when compared with the eternal blessings in store for those who respond well to the discipline.  Similarly, the anointed sons of "Jerusalem above" felt as if they had been overwhelmed by "a flood" of divine wrath when Jehovah allowed them to come under attack by political elements at the instigation of Babylon the Great.  But how brief that disciplinary measure later seemed, in contrast with the era of spiritual blessings that have followed since 1919!

These verses express great truth-God's wrath is fleeting, but his mercy lasts forever.  His anger blazes against wrongdoing, but it is always controlled, always purposeful. And if  we accept Jehovah's discipline, his anger lasts "but for a moment," then subsides .  It is replaced by his "great mercies"-his forgiveness and his loving-kindness.  These  last 'to time indefinite."  When we commit a sin,  we should never hesitate to repent and seek to make amends to God. If the sin is of a serious nature, we should approach the congregation elders immediately.  (James 5:14)  True, discipline may be needed , and that can be brief when compared with the eternal blessings that flow from receiving the forgiveness of Jehovah God!

Jehovah now offers his people comforting reassurance:  "this is just as the days of Noah to me.  Just as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more pass over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not become indignant  toward you or rebuke you.  For the mountains themselves may be removed, and the very hills may stagger, but my loving-kindness itself will not be removed  from you, nor will my covenant of peace itself stagger,' Jehovah, the One having mercy upon you, has said."  (Isaiah 54:9, 10)  After the Deluge, God made a covenant-with Noah and every other living soul. Jehovah promised that no more would he bring destruction upon the earth by means of a global flood.  (Genesis 9:8-17) What does that mean to Isaiah and his people?

 It is comforting to know that the punishment they muse suffer-the 70-year exile in Babylon-ill occur only once.  When it is over, it will happen no more.  Thereafter, God's  "covenant of peace" will be in effect.  The Hebrew word for "peace" conveys not just the absence of war but also well-being of every kind.  On God's part this covenant of is permanent.  Sooner will the hills and mountains vanish than his loving-kindness  toward his faithful people end.  Sadly, his earthly nation will ultimately fail to live up to their side of the covenant and will shatter their own peace by rejecting the Messiah.  The sons of "Jerusalem above," however, fared much better.  Once their difficult period of discipline was over, they were assured of divine protection.

Next time: The Spiritual Security of God's People

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

A Mother Who Cares for Her Offspring

We have seen that in the greater fulfillment, the "woman" of the prophecy represents Jehovah's heavenly organization.  But after reading Isaiah 54:4, we may wonder how that organization of spirit creatures has ever suffered shame or reproach.  The ensuing verses say that God's "woman" will be rejected, afflicted, and subjected to attack.  She will even provoke God's indignation.  How can such things apply to an organization of perfect spirit creatures who have never sinned?  The answer lies in the nature of the family.

Jehovah uses family relationships-husband and wife, mother and children-to convey profound spiritual truths because such symbols are meaningful to humans.  Regardless of the extent or quality of our own family experiences, we likely have an idea of what a good marriage or a good-parent-child relationship ought to be.  (from what I have observed, there are too many  divorces  and too children/teens taking over that role for that to be true.  just being honest here) How vividly, then, Jehovah teaches us that he has a warm, intimate, and trusting relationship with his vast throngs of spirit servants!  And how impressively he teaches us that his heavenly organization cares for its spirit-anointed  offspring on earth! When the human servants suffer, the faithful heavenly servants, "Jerusalem above,"  suffer.  Similarly, Jesus said:  "To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my [spirit-anointed] brothers, you did it to me." -Matthew 25:40.

Not surprisingly, then, much of what is said to Jehovah's heavenly  "woman" reflects  the experiences of her children on earth.  Consider these words:  " 'Your Grand Maker is your husbandly owner, Jehovah of armies being his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Repurchaser.  The God of the whole earth he will be called.  For Jehovah called you as if you were a wife left entirely and hurt in spirit and as a wife of the time of youth who was then rejected,' your God has said."-Isaiah 54:5, 6.

Who is the wife here addressed? In the initial fulfillment, it is Jerusalem, representing God's people.  During their 70-years exile in Babylon, they will feel as if Jehovah has rejected them and left them entirely.  In the greater fulfillment, the words refer to "Jerusalem above" and her experience of finally producing the "seed" in fulfillment of Genesis 3:15. 

Next time: Momentary Discipline, Eternal Blessings

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

Numerous Sons for the Barren Woman

After Jesus' death and subsequent resurrection, God's heavenly  "woman" rejoiced to receive this favored Son back as "the firstborn from the dead."  (Colossians 1:18)  Then she began to produce more spiritual sons.  At Pentecost 33 C.E., about 120 of Jesus' followers were anointed with holy spirit, thereby being adopted as Christ's joint heirs.  Later that day a further 3,000 were added.  (John 1:12; Acts 1:13-15; 2:1-4, 41; Romans 8:14-16)  This body of sons continues to grow.  During the early centuries of Christendom's apostasy, the growth slowed to a trickle.  However, that was to change in the 20th century.

 Isaiah goes on to prophecy about a period of remarkable growth:  "Make the place of your tent more spacious. And let them stretch out the tent cloths of your grand tabernacle.  Do not hold back.  Lengthen out your tent cords, and make those tent pins of yours strong.  For to the right and to the left you will break forth, and your own offspring will take possession even of nations, and they will inhabit even the desolated cities.  Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame; and do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disappointed. For you will forget  even the shame of your time of youth, and the reproach of your continuous widowhood you will remember no more."-Isaiah 54-2-4.

Here Jerusalem is addressed as of she were a wife and mother dwelling in tents, just like Sarah.  When blessed with a growing family, it is time for such a mother to see to the expansion of her home.  She needs to put up longer tent cloths and cords and secure the ten pins in her new positions.  This is happy work for her, and at such a busy time, she may easily forget the years she spent wondering anxiously whether she would ever bear children to carry on the family line.

Earthly Jerusalem was blessed with such a time of renewal after the Babylonian exile.  "Jerusalem above" has been even  more blessed.  Particularly since 1919, her anointed "offspring" have flourished  in their newly restored spiritual condition.  (Isaiah 61:4; 66:8)  They 'took possession of nations' in that they spread abroad into many lands to seek out all those who would join their spiritual family. As a result, explosive growth occurred in the gathering of the anointed sons.  Their final number of 144,000 appeared to be filled sometime in the mid 1930's.  (Revelation14:3)  At that time the focus of the preaching work ceased to be the gathering of the anointed . Still, expansion did not stop with the anointed.

 Jesus himself foretold that besides his "little flock" of anointed brothers, he would have "other sheep" that must be brought into the sheepfold of true Christians.  (Luke 12:32; John 10:16)  Though not among the anointed sons of "Jerusalem above," these faithful companions of the anointed fill an important and long-prophesied role. (Zechariah 8:23) From the 1930's until today, a "great crowd" of them have been gathered, resulting in unprecedented expansion of the Christian congregation.  (Revelation 7:9, 10)  Today that great crowd  number well into the millions. All this expansion has created an urgent need for more Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, and branch complexes. Isaiah's words seem ever more apt. What a privilege to be part of that foretold expansion!

Next time: A Mother Who Cares for Her Offspring

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

The Family of Abraham-A Prophetic Picture

The apostle Paul explained that the family of Abraham serves as a symbolic drama, a prophetic picture of Jehovah's relationship with his heavenly organization and with the earthly nation of Israel under the Mosaic Law covenant. -Galatians 4:22-31.

Abraham, as family head, represents Jehovah God. Abraham's willingness to offer up his dear son Isaac as a sacrifice foreshadows Jehovah's willingness for mankind's sins. -Genesis 22:1-13; John 3:16.

Sarah, pictures God's heavenly "wife," his organization of spirit beings.  That heavenly organization is aptly described as Jehovah's wife, for she is intimately associated with Jehovah, (no, not sexually; get your mind out of the gutter) is subservient to his headship, and is fully cooperative in fulfilling his purposes.  She is also called  "Jerusalem above."  (Galatians 4:26) The same "woman" is mentioned at Genesis 3:15, and she is depicted in vision at Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17.

Isaac, typifies the spiritual Seed of God's woman.  Primarily, this is Jesus Christ.  However, the seed also came to include Christ's anointed brothers, who are adopted as spiritual sons and become joint heirs with Christ.- Roman 8:15-17; Galatians 3:16, 29.

Hagar, Abraham's secondary wife, or concubine, was a slave.  She aptly pictures earthly Jerusalem, where the Mosaic Law code held sway, exposing all of its adherents as slaves to sin and death.  Paul said that "Hagar means Sinai a mountain in Arabia," because the Law covenant was established there. -Galatians 3:10, 13; 4:25.

Ishmael, Hagar's son, pictures the first-century Jews, the sons of Jerusalem still enslaved  to the Mosaic Law. As Ishmael persecuted Isaac, so those Jews persecuted Christians who were anointed sons of the figurative Sarah, the "Jerusalem above." And just as Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away, Jehovah ultimately cast off Jerusalem and her rebellious sons. -Matthew 23:37, 38.

Next time: Numerous Sons for the Barren Woman

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

The "Woman" Identified

Chapter 54 opens on a happy note:  "Cry out joyfully, you barren woman that did not give birth! Become cheerful with a joyful outcry and cry shrilly, you that had no childbirth pains, for the sons of the desolated one are more numerous than the sons of the woman with a husbandly owner,' Jehovah has said."  (Isaiah 54:1)  How thrilled Isaiah must be to speak these words! And what comfort  their fulfillment will bring to the Jews exiled in Babylon!  At that time Jerusalem will still be lying desolate.  From a human standpoint, there will seem  to be no hope that she will ever again be populate, just as a barren woman could not normally hope to bear children in her future-she will become fertile.  Jerusalem will be beside herself with joy. She will again teem with 'sons," or inhabitants.

Isaiah may not know it, but his prophecy will have more than one fulfillment.  The apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah chapter 54 and explains that the "woman' signifies something far more important than the earthly city of Jerusalem.  He writes:  "The Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother."  (Galatians 4:26) what is this "Jerusalem above"?  Clearly not the city of Jerusalem in the Promised Land. That city is earthly, not "above" in the heavenly realm.  "Jerusalem above" is God's heavenly  "woman," his organization of mighty spirit creatures. 

How, though, can Jehovah have two symbolic women-one heavenly and the other earthly?  Is there some inconsistency here?  Not at all. the apostle Paul shows that the answer lies in the prophetic picture provided by Abraham's family.  (Galatians 4:22-31) Sarah, "the free woman" and Abraham's wife, pictures  Jehovah's wifelike organization of spirit creatures.  Hagar, a slave girl and Abraham's secondary wife, or concubine, pictures earthly Jerusalem.

With that background, we begin to see the profound significance of Isaiah 54:1.  After decades of barrenness, Sarah bore Isaac when she was 90 years old. Similarly, Jehovah's heavenly organization went through a long period of barrenness. Way back in Eden, Jehovah promised that his "woman" would produce the "seed."  (Genesis 3:15) Over 2,000 years later, Jehovah made his covenant with Abraham regarding the Seed of promise.  But God's heavenly "woman" had to wait many, many more centuries before producing that Seed. Still, the time came when the children of this one "barren woman" were more numerous than those of fleshly Israel. The Illustration  of the barren woman helps us to see why the angels were so eager to witness the arrival of the foretold Seed. (1 Peter 1:12) When did that finally happen?

Jesus' birth as a human child was certainly an occasion for rejoicing among the angels. (Luke 2:9-14) But that was not the event foretold  at Isaiah 54:1.  Only  when Jesus was begotten with holy spirit in 29 C.E. did he become a  spiritual son of "Jerusalem above," publicly acknowledged by God himself  as his "Son, the beloved."  (Mark 1:10, 11; Hebrews 1:5; 5:4, 5) It was then that God's heavenly "woman" had cause for rejoicing, in fulfillment of Isaiah 54:1. At last she had produced the promised Seed, the Messiah!  Her centuries of barrenness were over.  That, however, was not the end of her rejoicing. 

Next time: The Family of Abraham -A Prophetic Picture

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

The Barren Woman Rejoices, Chapter fifteen

SARAH  longed to bear children.  Sadly, she was barren, and that pained her greatly. In her day, barrenness was viewed as a reproach, but there was more to Sarah's pain than that.  She yearned to see God's promise to her husband fulfilled. Abraham was to father a seed that would be a blessing to all famil8ies of the earth.  (Genesis 12:1-3) However, decades after God has made that promise, there was still no child. Sarah grew old and remained childless. At times, she may have wondered if her hopes had been in vain. One day, though, her despair turned to joy!

Sarah's plight helps us to understand the prophecy recorded in Isaiah chapter 54.  There Jerusalem is addressed as if she were a barren woman who comes to know the great joy of having many children.  By picturing his ancient people collectively as his wife, Jehovah shows his tender feelings toward them.  Moreover, this chapter of Isaiah helps us to unravel a crucial aspect of what the Bible calls a "sacred secret."  (Romans 16":25, 26)  The identity of the "woman" and her experiences foretold in this prophecy shed important light on pure worship today. 

Next time: The "Woman Identified"

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

'Jehovah Took Delight in Crushing Him'

The closing words of this part of Isaiah's prophecy teach something heartwarming about Jehovah: He values those who remain loyal to him.  This is indicated by the promise that he will "deal" the Messianic Servant  "a portion among the many."  These words are apparently derived from the custom of dividing spoils of war.  Jehovah appreciates the loyalty of "the many" faithful ones of ancient time, including Noah, Abraham, and Job, and he has reserved  "a portion" for them in his coming new world.  (Hebrews 11:13-16)  Similarly, he will deal out a portion  to his Messianic Servant.  Indeed, Jehovah will not let his integrity to unrewarded.  We too can rest assured that Jehovah will not 'forget our work and the love we show for his name.' -Hebrews 6:10.

God's Servant will also gain spoils of war by victory over his enemies.  He will share these spoils with "the mighty ones."  In the fulfillment, who are "the mighty ones"?  They are the first disciples of Jesus to conquer the world as he did-the 144,000 citizens of "the Israel of God."  (Galatians 6:16; John 16:33; Revelation 3:21; 14:1)  What, then, are the spoils?  Evidently, these include the "gifts in men,"  whom Jesus wrenches from Satan's control, as it were, and gives to the Christian congregation.  (Ephesians 4:8-12) The 144,000 "mighty ones" are also given a portion of another spoil.  By reason of their victory over the world, they wrest from Satan any basis for taunting God.  Their unbreakable devotion to Jehovah exalts him, making his heart rejoice.

Jesus was aware that he was fulfilling the prophecy about God's Servant.  On the night of his arrest, he quoted the words recorded at Isaiah 53:12 and applied them to himself:  "I tell you that this which is written must be accomplished in me, name, 'And he was reckoned with lawless ones.'  For that  which concerns me is having an accomplishment."  (Luke 22:36, 37)  Sadly, Jesus was indeed treated  like a lawless one. He was executed  as a lawbreaker, impaled between two robbers.  (Mark 15:27) Yet, he willingly bore this reproach, knowing full well that he was interceding for us.   He stood, in effect, between sinners and the stroke of death penalty, and he received the blow himself.

The historical record of Jesus' life and death enables us to make an unmistakable identification:  Jesus Christ is the Messianic Servant of Isaiah's prophecy.  How thankful we should be  that Jehovah was willing to let his dear Son fulfill the prophetic role of the Servant, suffering and dying that we might be redeemed from sin and death!  Jehovah thus showed great love for us. Romans 5:8 says: "God recommends his own love to us in that, whole we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  How grateful we should also be to Jesus Christ, the exalted Servant who willingly poured out his soul to the very death!

Next time: The Barren Woman Rejoices, Chapter Fifteen

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

'Jehovah Took Delight in Crushing Him'

Next Isaiah says something startling:  "Jehovah himself took delight in crushing him; he made him sick.   If you will set his soul as a guilt offering, he will see his offspring, he will prolong his days, and in his hand what is the delight of Jehovah will succeed. Because of the trouble of his soul he will see, he will be satisfied. By means of his knowledge the righteous one, my servant, will bring a righteous standing to many people; and their errors he himself will bear."  (Isaiah 53:10, 11) How could Jehovah possibly take delight in seeing this faithful servant crushed?  Clearly, Jehovah did not personally inflict suffering upon his dear Son.  Jesus' enemies were fully responsible for what they did to him.  But Jehovah permitted them to act cruelly.  (John 19:11)  for what reason?  Surely the God of empathy and tender compassion was pained to see his innocent Son suffer.  (Isaiah 63:9; Luke 1:77, 78) Jehovah was certainly not displeased in any way with Jesus.  Even so, Jehovah took delight in his Son's willingness to suffer because of all the blessings that would result from it. 

For one thing, Jehovah set Jesus' soul as "a guilt offering."  Hence, when Jesus ascended back to heaven, he entered Jehovah's presence bearing the merit of his sacrificed human life as a guilt offering, and Jehovah was pleased to accept it in behalf of all mankind.  (Hebrews 9:24; 10:5-14)  By means of his guilt offering,  Jesus acquired "offspring." As "Eternal Father," he is able to give life-eternal life-to those who exercise faith in his shed blood.  (Isaiah 9:6) After all the trouble that Jesus went through as a human soul, how satisfying it must be for him to have the prospect of delivering mankind from sin and death!  Of course, it must be even more satisfying for him to know that his integrity provide his heavenly Father with an answer to the taunts of His Adversary, Satan the Devil. - Proverbs 27:11.

Another blessing that results from Jesus' death is that he brings "a righteous standing to many," even now.  He does so, says Isaiah, "by means of his knowledge."  Evidently, this is knowledge that Jesus acquired by becoming a man and suffering unjustly for his obedience to God.  (Hebrews 4:15) Having suffered to the point of death, Jesus was able to provide the sacrifice  needed to help others acquire a righteous standing. To whom does this righteous standing come? First to his anointed followers.  Because they exercise faith in Jesus' sacrifice, Jehovah declares them righteous  with a view to adopting them as sons and making them joint heirs with Jesus.   (Romans 5:19; 8:16, 17)  Then, "a great crowd" of "other sheep" exercise faith in Jesus' shed blood and enjoy  a righteous standing with a view to believing friends of God and survivors of Armageddon. -Revelation 7:9; 16:14, 16; John 10:16; James 2:23, 25.

Finally, Isaiah describes the triumphs of the Messiah:  "For that reason I shall deal him a portion among the many, and it will be with the might ones that he will apportion the spoil, due to the fact that he poured  out his soul to the very death and it was with the transgressors that he was counted in; and he himself carried the very sin of many  people, and for the transgressors he proceeded to interpose." -Isaiah 53:12.

Next time: Conclusion of 'Jehovah Took Delight in Crushing Him'

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

'He Let Himself Be Afflicted

Was the Messiah willing to suffer and die?  Isaiah says: "He was hard pressed, and he was letting himself be afflicted; yet he would not open his mouth.  He was being brought just like a sheep to the slaughtering; and like a ewe that before her shearers has become mute, he also would not open his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7) On the final night of his life, Jesus could have summoned "more than twelve legions of angels" to come to his aid. But he said: "In that case, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must take place this way?"  (Matthew 26:53, 54) Instead the "Lamb of God"  offered no resistance.    (John 1:29) When the chief priest and the older men falsely accused him before Pilate, Jesus "made no answer."  (Matthew 27:11-14)  He did not want to say anything that might interfere  with the carrying out of God's will for him.  Jesus was willing to die as a sacrificial Lamb, knowing full well  that his death would redeem obedient mankind from sin, sickness, and death. 

Isaiah now gives more details of the Messiah's suffering and humiliation.  The prophet writes:  "Because of restraint and of judgment he was taken away; and who will concern himself even with the details of his generation?  For he was severed from the land of the living ones.  Because of the transgression of my people  he had the stroke."  (Isaiah 53:8)  When Jesus was finally taken by his enemies, these religious  opposers applied "restraint"  in the way they dealt with him.  It was not that they held back from expressing their hatred but that they restrained, or withheld, justice. In its rendering  of Isaiah 53:8, the Greek Septuagint says "humiliation" instead of "restraint."  Jesus' enemies humiliated him by withholding the fair treatment to which even a common criminal was entitled. The trial of Jesus made a mockery of justice.  How so?

In their determination to get rid of Jesus, the Jewish religious leaders broke their own rules.  According to tradition, the Sanhedrin could try a capital case only in the hall of hewn stones in the temple precincts, not in the high priest's house. Such  a trial had to be held during the day, not after sundown. And in a capital case, a guilty verdict had to be announced the day following  the conclusion of  the hearing. Hence, no trials could  be held on the eve of a Sabbath  or a festival.  These rules were all ignored in the case of Jesus' trial. (Matthew 26:57-68)   Even worse, the religious leaders  flagrantly  broke God's Law  as they handled the case.  For example, they resorted to bribery to entrap Jesus.  (Deuteronomy 16:19; Luke 22:2-6)  They gave heed  to bearers of false witness.  (Exodus 20:16; Mark 14:55, 56) And they conspired to release a murderer, thereby bringing bloodguilt upon themselves and their land.  (Numbers 35:31-34; Deuteronomy 19:11-13; Luke 23:16-25)  Hence, there was no "judgment," no fair trial resulting in a correct impartial ruling. 

Did Jesus' enemies investigate to see who the man on trial before them really was?  Isaiah asks a similar question:  "Who will concern himself even with  the details of his generation?"  The word "generation" may refer to one's descent , or background.  When Jesus was on trial before the Sanhedrin, its members, did not take into account his background-that he fulfilled the requirements for the promised Messiah.  Instead, they accused him of blasphemy  and held him liable to death.  (Mark 14:64)  Later, the Roman governor Pontius Pilate yielded to  pressure  and sentenced Jesus to be impaled.  (Luke 23:13-25) Thus Jesus, at just 33 1/2 years of age, "was severed" or cut off in the midst of his life. 

Concerning the Messiah's death and burial, Isaiah next writes:  "He will make his burial place even with the wicked ones, and with the rich class in his death, despite the fact that he had done no violence and there was no deception in his mouth."  (Isaiah 53:9)  How, in his death and burial, was Jesus  with the wicked as well as with the rich?  On Nisan 14, 33 C.E., he died on the execution stake outside the walls of Jerusalem. Since he was impaled  between two evildoers , in a sense his burial place  was with the wicked ones.  (Luke 23:33)  However, after  Jesus died, Joseph , a wealthy man from Arimathea, mustered up the courage to  ask Pilate for permission to take down Jesus' body and bury it.  Along with Nicodemus, Joseph prepared the body for burial and then place it in a newly excavated tomb that belonged to him.  (Matthew 27:57-60; John 19:38-42)  So Jesus' burial place was also with the rich class.  

Next time: 'Jehovah Took Delight in Crushing Him'

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

"Pierced for Our Transgressions"

Why did the Messiah have to suffer and die?  Isaiah explains:  "Truly our sicknesses were what he himself carried; and as for our pains, he bore them.  But we ourselves accounted him as plagued, stricken by God and afflicted. But he was being pierced for our transgressions; he was being crushed for our errors. The chastisement  meant for our peace was upon him, and because of his wounds there has been a healing for us.  Like sheep we have all of us wandered about; it was each one to his own way that we have turned; and Jehovah himself has caused the error  of us all to meet up with that one." -Isaiah  53:4-6.

The Messiah carried the sicknesses of others and bore their pains.  He lifted up their burdens, so to speak, place them on his shoulders, and carried them. And since sickness and pain are consequences of mankind's sinful state, the Messiah carried the sins of others.  Many did not understand  the reason for his suffering and believed that God was punishing him, plaguing him with a loathesome disease.  The Messiah's suffering culminated in his being pierced , crushed,  and wounded-strong words that denote a violent and painful death. But his death has atoning power; it provides the basis for recovering those who wander about in error and sin, helping them to find peace with God.

How did Jesus bear the suffering of others?  The Gospel of Matthew, quoting Isaiah 53:4, says: "People brought him many demon-possessed persons; and he expelled the spirits with a word, and he cured all who were faring badly; that there might be fulfilled what was spoken  through Isaiah the prophet, saying: 'He himself took our sicknesses and carried our diseases.' " (Matthew 8:16, 17) By curing those who came to him with various diseases, Jesus, in effect, took their suffering upon himself. And such healings drew on his vitality.  (Luke 8:43-48)  His ability to heal all kinds of ailments-physical and spiritual-proved that he was empowered to cleanse people from sin. -Matthew 9:2-8.

Yet, to many it seemed that Jesus was "plagued" by God. After all, he suffered at the instigation of respected religious leaders.  Remember, though, that he did not suffer on account of any sins of his own.  "Christ suffered for you," says Peter, "leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely.  He committed no sin, nor was  deception found in his mouth.  He himself bore our sins in his own body upon the stake, in order that we might be done with sins and live to righteousness.  And 'by his stripes you were healed.' " (1 Peter  2:21, 22, 24)  We were all at one time lost in sin,  (actually, still are) "like sheep, going astray."  (1 Peter 2:25) Through Jesus, however, Jehovah provided redemption from our sinful state.  He caused our error to "meet up with" Jesus, to rest upon him.  The sinless Jesus willingly suffered the penalty for our sins.  By undeservedly suffering a shameful death on a stake, he made it possible for us to be reconciled to God.

Next time:  'He Let Himself Be Afflicted'

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

'Despised and Avoided by Men'

Isaiah now begins to describe in detail how the Messiah will be viewed and treated:  "He was despised and was avoided by men, a man meant for pains and for having acquaintance with sickness. And there was as if the concealing of one's face from us. He was despised, and we held him as of no account." (Isaiah 53:3) Certain that his words will come true, Isaiah writes in the past tense, as if they had already been fulfilled. Was Jesus Christ really despised and avoided by men?  Indeed, he was!  self-righteous religious leaders and their followers viewed him as the vilest of humans.  They called him a friend of tax collectors and harlots.  (Luke 7:34, 37-39)  They spit in his face. They hit him with their fists and reviled him. They sneered  and jeered at him.  (Matthew 26:67)  Influenced by these enemies of truth, Jesus' own people did not take him in." -John 1:10, 11.

As a perfect man, Jesus did not get sick.  Yet, he was "a man meant for pains and for having acquaintance with sickness."  Such pains and sicknesses were not his own.  Jesus came from heaven and into a sick world.  He lived amid suffering and pain, but he did not shun those who were ailing, either physically or spiritually. Like a caring physician, he became  intimately acquainted  with the suffering of those around him.  Moreover, he was able to do what no ordinary human physician can do. -Luke 5:27-32.

Nevertheless, Jesus' enemies viewed him as the ailing one and refused to look upon him with favor.  His face was 'concealed' from view but not because he did his face from others.  In rendering Isaiah 53:3, The New English Bible uses the phrase "a thing from which men turn away their eyes."  Jesus' opposers found him so revolting that they, in effect, turned away from him as if he were too loathesome to look upon. They reckoned  his worth at no more than the price of a slave.  (Exodus 21:32;  Matthew 26:14-16)  They had less esteem  for him than for the murderer Barabbas.  (Luke 23:18-25)  What more could they have done to demonstrate their low opinion of Jesus? 

Jehovah's servants today can derived much comfort from Isaiah's words. At times, opposers may disdain faithful worshipers of Jehovah or treat them as if they were of no account. Yet, as was true with Jesus, what really matters is how Jehovah God values us. After all, even though men 'held Jesus as of no account,' this certainly did not change his value in God's eyes!

Next time: "Pierced for Our Transgression"

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

Who Will Put Faith in This Good News?

After describing the amazing transformation of the Messiah-from 'disfigured' to "exalted very much"-Isaiah asks:  "Who has put faith in the thing heard by us?  And as for the arm of Jehovah, to whom has it been revealed?"  (Isaiah 53:1) These words of Isaiah raise intriguing questions:  Will this prophecy be fulfilled?  Will "the arm of Jehovah," representing his ability to exert power, reveal itself and make these words come true?

The answer is unquestionably yes!  In his letter to the Romans, Paul quotes  Isaiah's words to show that the prophecy  heard and recorded by Isaiah came true in Jesus. The glorification of Jesus after his sufferings on earth was  good news.  "Nevertheless," says Paul with reference to the unbelieving Jews, "they  did not all obey the good news.  For Isaiah says:  'Jehovah, who put faith in the thing heard from us?'  So faith follows the thing heard. In turn the thing heard is through the word about Christ."  (Romans 10:16, 17)  Sadly, though, few in Paul's day put faith in the good news about God's Servant. Why?

 The prophecy next explains to the Israelites the reasons for the question recorded in verse 1, and in so doing, sheds light on why many will not accept the Messiah:  "He will come up like a twig before [an observer], and lie a root out of waterless land.  No stately form does he have, nor any splendor; and when we shall see him, there is not the appearance  so that we should desire him."  (Isaiah 53:2) Here we see the backdrop against which the Messiah is to enter the earthly scene. He is to have a lowly start, and to observers  he will appear unlikely to amount to anything.  Moreover, he is  to be like a mere twig, a tender sapling, that grows on the trunk or branch of a tree. He is also to be like a water-dependent root in dry, unpromising  soil.  And he is not to come with regal pomp and splendor-no robes of royalty nor any sparkling diadems.  Instead, he start is to be humble and  unpretentious.

How well that describes Jesus' lowly beginning as a human!   The virgin Jewish Mary gave birth to him in a stable in a little town known as Bethlehem.  (Luke 2:7; John 7:42)  Mary and her husband,  Joseph, were poor.  About 40 days after Jesus' birth, they brought the sin offering permitted in the case of the poor, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."  (Luke 2:24l Leviticus 12:6-8)  In time, Mary and Joseph settled in Nazareth, where  Jesus grew up in a large family, likely in modest circumstances. -Matthew 13:55, 56.

It seemed that as a human, Jesus did not have his roots in the right soil.  (John 1:46; 7:41, 52) Although he was a perfect  man and a descendant of King David, his humble circumstances did not impart to him any "stately form" or "splendor"-at least not in the eyes of those who were expecting the Messiah to come from a more impressive background. Spurred on by the Jewish religious leaders, many were led to overlook and even despise him.  In the end the crowds saw nothing desirable in the perfect Son of God. -Matthew 27:11-26. 

Next time: 'Despised and Avoided by Men'

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

'Staring at Him in Amazement'

How will the nations and their rulers react to the exalted Messiah?  If we momentarily skip the parenthetical comment in  the second part of verse 14, the prophecy reads: "To the extent that  many have stared at him in amazement . . . he will likewise startle many nations. At him kings will shut their mouth, because what had not been recounted to them they will actually see, and to what they had not heard they must turn  their consideration." ( Isaiah 52:14a, 15)  With these words  Isaiah describes, not the Messiah's initial appearance, but his final confrontation with earthly rulers. 

When the exalted Jesus comes to execute judgment on this ungodly system of things, earthly rulers will 'stare at him in amazement.'  True, human rulers will not literally see the glorified Jesus.  But they will see the visible evidence of his power as a heavenly  Fighter for Jehovah.  (Matthew 24:30)  They will be forced  to turn their consideration to what they have not heard recounted by religious  leaders -that Jesus is the Executioner of God's judgments !  The exalted Servant of whom they will encounter will act in a way that they do not expect. 

According to the parenthetical comment in verse 14, Isaiah says:  "So much was the disfigurement as respects  his appearance more than that of any  other man and as respects his stately form more than that of the sons of mankind. (Isaiah 52:14b)  Was Jesus physically disfigured in any way?  No. Although the Bible does not give details about what Jesus looks like, the perfect Son of God no doubt  had a pleasing appearance  and countenance.  Evidently, Isaiah's words  refer to the humiliation that Jesus experienced. He boldly exposed the religious leaders of his day as hypocrites, liars and murderers; and they responded by reviling him.  ( 1 Peter 2:22, 23)  They accused him of being a lawbreaker, a blasphemer, a deceiver, a seditionist against Rome.  Thus, those false accusers painted an utterly disfigured picture of Jesus.

Today, the misrepresentation of Jesus continues.  Most people picture Jesus as a babe in a manger or as a tragic figure nailed to a cross, with his face distorted  in agony under a crown of thorns.  Christendom's clergy have encouraged such views.  They have failed to present Jesus  as the mighty heavenly King with whom  nations will have an accounting.   When human rulers  confront the exalted Jesus in the near future, they will have to deal with a Messiah who has 'all authority in heaven and on the earth!' -Matthew 28:18.

Next time: Who Will Put Faith in This Good News?

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

"My Servant"-Who Is He?

Isaiah has just told of the release of the Jews from exile in Babylon.  Now looking ahead to a far greater event, he records Jehovah's words:  "Look! My servant will act  with insight.  He will be in high station and will certainly be elevated and exalted very much."  (Isaiah 52:13)  Just who is this "servant"?  Over the centuries, Jewish scholars offered various opinions. Some claimed that he represented the whole nation of Israel during its Babylonian  exile. But such an explanation does not match the prophecy.  God's Servant suffers  voluntarily, Although innocent, he suffers for the sins of others.  This hardly describes the Jewish nation, which went into exile because of its sinful ways.  *(2 Kings 21:11-15; Jeremiah 25:8-11)  Others claimed that the Servant represented the pious elite in Israel and that these suffered in behalf of sinful Israelites.  However, during times of affliction in Israel, no one specific group suffered for another. 

Before the advent of Christianity and to some extent during the early centuries of the Common Era, a few Jewish scholars did apply this prophecy to the Messiah.  That this is the correct application is seen in the Christian Greek Scriptures.  The book of Acts reports that when the  Ethiopian eunuch said that he did not know the identity of the Servant of Isaiah's prophecy, Philip "declared to him the good news about Jesus."  (Acts 8:26-40; Isaiah 53:7, 8)  Other Bible books  likewise Jesus Christ as the Messianic Servant of Isaiah's prophecy.  As we discuss this prophecy, we will see the undeniable parallels between the one whom Jehovah calls "my servant" and Jesus of Nazareth.

The prophecy begins by describing the ultimate success of the Messiah in carrying out the divine will. The word "servant" indicates that he will submit to God's will, as a servant does to that of his master. In so doing, he "will act with insight."  Insight is the ability to see into a situation. To act with insight is to act discreetly. Regarding the Hebrew verb here used, one reference work says:  "At its heart is the thought of prudent and wise dealing.  He who deals wisely will obtain success."  That Messiah will indeed be successful is seen in that the prophecy says he will "be elevated and exalted very much."

Jesus did "act with insight," showing understanding of the Bible prophecies that applied to him and being guided by them to do the will of his Father.  (John 17:4; 19:30)  With what result?  Following Jesus' resurrection and ascension to heaven, "God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name." (Philippians 2:9; Acts 2:34-36)  then, in 1914 the glorified Jesus was elevated  even further.  Jehovah exalted him to the throne of the Messianic Kingdom.  (Revelation 12:1-5) Yes, he was "elevated and exalted very much."

Next time: 'Staring at Him in Amazement'

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

Jehovah Exalts His Messianic Servant

IMAGINE that you are to meet with an important dignitary. The time and the place of your meeting are set.  But there is a problem: You do not know what he looks like, and he will be traveling discreetly, without fanfare.  How will you recognize him?  It would help if you had a detailed description of him.

In the early part of the first century C.E., many Jews faced a situation like this.  They were expecting the Messiah-the most important man who would ever live.  (Daniel 9:24-27; Luke 3:15)  But how were faithful Jews to recognize him?  Jehovah, by means of the Hebrew prophets, had painted a detailed  written portrait of events surrounding the Messiah that would enable  discerning ones to identify him unmistakably. 

Among the Hebrew prophecies of the Messiah, perhaps none provide a clearer picture than that recorded at Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Over 700 years in advance , Isaiah described, not the physical appearance of the Messiah, but details that were more significant-the purpose and manner of his suffering and specifics about his death, burial, and exaltation. A consideration of this prophecy and its fulfillment will warm our hearts and strengthen our faith. 

Next time: "My Servant"-Who Is He?

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

An Urgent Requirement

Those who get out of Babylon to return to Jerusalem have a requirement to meet. Isaiah writes: "Turn away, turn away, get out of there, touch nothing unclean; get out from the midst of her, keep yourselves clean, you who are carrying the utensils of Jehovah.  For you people will get out in no panic, and you will go in no flight.  For Jehovah will be going even before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 52:11,12)  The  departing  Israelites must leave behind them in Babylon anything having a taint of Babylon's false worship.  Since they carry the utensils of Jehovah that came from the temple in Jerusalem, they have to be clean, not merely in an outward, ceremonial way, but primarily in their hearts.  (2 Kings 24:11-13; Ezra 1:7)  Further, Jehovah is going before them, so they do  not have to panic, nor do they have to run frantically, as though bloodthirsty pursuers were hard on their heels. The God of Israel is their rear guard. -Ezra 8:21-23.

Isaiah's words about keeping clean have a major fulfillment on the offspring of "Jerusalem above."  When Paul admonished the Corinthian Christians not to become unevenly yoked with unbelievers, he quoted the words of Isaiah 52:11:  " 'Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,' says Jehovah, 'and quit touching the unclean thing.' " (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)  Just like the Israelites heading home from Babylon, Christians have to steer clear of Babylonish false worship.

This was particularly true of those anointed followers of Jesus Christ who fled Babylon the Great in 1919.  They progressively cleansed themselves of all traces of false worship.  (Isaiah 8L19, 20; Romans 15:4)  They also became increasingly  aware of the importance of moral cleanness. Although Jehovah's Witnesses have always  upheld high moral standards, the Watchtower carried articles in 1952 emphasizing the need  to discipline immoral ones to so as to keep the congregation clean. Such disciplinary actions also helps the wrongdoer himself to realize the need for sincere repentance. - 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7, 9-13; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10; 2 John 10, 11,

Anointed Christians together with the great crowd of other sheep are determined to touch nothing that is spiritually unclean.  Their purified, cleansed condition qualifies them to be bearers of  "the utensils of Jehovah"-the precious provisions that God makes for sacred service in the house-to-house and Bible ministry and other forms of Christian activity.  By maintaining a clean standing, God's people today can be confident that Jehovah will continue to go before them as well as be their rear guard.  As God's clean people, they have an abundance of reasons to "cry out joyfully in unison"!

Next time:  Jehovah Exalts His Messianic Servant, Chapter Fourteen

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

Conclusion of "Your Own Watchment Have Raised Their Voice"

To share in such a unifying work takes humility and brotherly love.  For the call to be effective, all involved must preach the same message, featuring Jehovah's name, his ransom provision, his wisdom, his love, and his Kingdom.  As Christians all around the world work shoulder to shoulder, their personal bond with Jehovah is strengthened to sound out the glad tidings in unison.

With God's people shouting in joy, even the place in which they dwell looks cheerful.  The prophecy continues:  "Become cheerful, cry out joyfully unison, you devastated places of Jerusalem,  for Jehovah has comforted his people; he has repurchased Jerusalem.  Jehovah has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth must see the salvation of our God."  (Isaiah 52:9, 10)  With the arrival of the returnees from Babylon, the mournful-looking places of desolated Jerusalem have a cheerful appearance because Jehovah's pure worship  can now be restored.  (Isaiah 35:1, 2)  Clearly, Jehovah has his hand in this.  he has "bared his holy arm," as if rolling up his sleeves in order to apply himself to the task of saving his people. -Ezra 1:2, 3.

In these "last days,"  Jehovah has bared his holy arm in order to revive  the anointed remnant, the "two witnesses'  of the book of Revelation.  (2 Timothy 3:1; Revelation 11:3, 7-13)  Since 1919, these have have been brought into a spiritual paradise the spiritual estate that they now share with millions of their associates , the other sheep.  Eventually, Jehovah will bare his holy arm to bring salvation to his people at "Har-Magedon."  (Revelation 16:14, 16)  Then, "all the ends of the earth must see the salvation of our God.'

Next time: An Urgent Requirement

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

"Your Own Watchmen Have Raised Their Voice"

Does the cry "Your God has become king!" elicit a response?  Yes. Isaiah records:  "Listen!  Your own watchmen have raised their voice.  In unison they keep crying out joyfully; for it will be eye into eye that they will see when Jehovah gathers back Zion."  (Isaiah  52:8)  No literal watchmen take their positions in Jerusalem in 537 B.C.E. to welcome back the returning exiles.  The city has laid desolate for 70 years.   (Jeremiah 25:11, 12)  So the "watchmen" who raise their voice must be those Israelites who get the news in advance  regarding Zion's   restoration and who become responsible for passing the news o n to the rest of Zion's children.  Upon seeing Jehovah give Babylon into  the hands of Cyrus in 539 B.C.E., the watchmen have no doubt in their minds that Jehovah is liberating his people.  Together with those who respond to their call, the watchmen keep crying out joyfully, in unison, letting others hear the good news.

The alert watchmen establish a close, personal relationship with Jehovah, seeing him "eye into eye," or face-to-face, as it were.  (Numbers 14:14) Their close contact with Jehovah and with one another highlights their unity and the joyful nature of their message. -1 Corinthians 1:10.

In the modern-day fulfillment, the watchmen class, "the faithful and discreet slave," raises their voice not just to the ones who are already in God's visible organization but also to outsiders.  (Matthew 24:45-47)  A call went out to gather in the remaining ones of the anointed  in 1919, and in 1922 the call was intensified at the Cedar Point, Ohio, convention with the appeal to "advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom."  Since 1935, attention has been turned  to gathering in a great crowd of sheeplike ones.  (Revelation 7:9, 10)  In recent years  the announcement of Jehovah's kingship has intensified.  How?  In the year 2000, some six million  were sharing in telling of Jehovah's kingship in more than 230 lands and territories. Further, the Watchtower, the foremost instrument of the watchman class, sounds out the joyful message in more than 130 languages.

Next time: Conclusion of "Your Own Watchmen Have Raised Their Voice"

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

"The One Bringing Good News"

Now our attention is turned back to Zion when she is still in her desolate state.  A messenger approaches bearing good news:  "How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, the one publishing peace, the one bringing good news  of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion:  'Your God has become king!' "  (Isaiah 52:7)  In 537 B.C.E., how can it be said that Zion's God has become King?  Has not Jehovah always been King?  Indeed, he is the "King of eternity!"  (Revelation 15:3)  But the exclamation "Your God has become king!" is appropriate because Babylon's fall and the royal proclamation to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and restore pure worship there constitute a new expression of Jehovah's kingship. -Psalm 97:1.

In Isaiah's day, no individual or group of individuals was identified as "the one bringing good news."  Today, though,  the identity of the bearer of good news is known. Jesus Christ is Jehovah's greatest messenger of peace. While on earth, he preached the good news that there would be a release from all the effects of sin inherited from Adam, including sickness and death.  (Matthew 9:35)  Jesus set a zealous example in publishing this good news of something better, seizing every opportunity to teach people about the Kingdom of God.  (Matthew  5:1, 2; Mark 6:34; Luke 19:1-10; John 4:5-26) And his disciples followed his example. 

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 to highlight the importance of the work of preaching the good news. He poses a series of thought-provoking questions, including 'How will people hear without someone to preach?'  He then says:  "Just as it is written:  'How comely are the feet of those  who declare good news of good things!' " (Romans 10:14, 15)  Paul thus expands the application of Isaiah 52:7, using the plural form "those" instead of the singular "one,"  which appears in the original text  of Isaiah. Imitating Jesus Christ, all Christians are messengers of the good news of peace.  How are their feet "comely"?  Isaiah speaks  as if the herald is approaching Jerusalem from the nearby mountains of Judah.  From afar, it is impossible to see the messenger's feet. Rather, the focus here is on the messenger, the feet standing for the messenger himself.  Just as Jesus  and his disciples were a beautiful sight to meek ones in the first century,  present-day Witnesses are a welcome sight to humble ones who heed the life-saving message of good news.

Since when in modern times has the cry "Your God has become king!"  Been heard?  Since 1919.  In that year at a convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, J.F. Rutherford , then president of  the Watch Tower Society, stirred his listeners  with a talk entitled "Address to Co-laborers."  The talk, based on Isaiah 52:7 and Revelation 15:2, encouraged all present to take up the preaching work.  Thus, 'comely feet" began to appear on "the mountains."  First anointed Christians and later their companions of the "other sheep" zealously went forth to preach the good news that Jehovah had become King. (John 10:16)  How had Jehovah become King?  He expressed his kingship a new in 1914 when he installed his Son, Jesus Christ, as King in the newly established heavenly Kingdom.  And Jehovah made  yet another expression of his kingship in 1919 when he liberated "the Israel of God"  from Babylon the Great. -Galatians 6:16; Psalm 47:8; Revelation 11:15, 17; 19:16.

Next time: "Your Own Watchmen Have Raised Their Voice"

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

"My People Will Know My Name"

The captive condition of Jehovah's people has an effect on his name, as the prophecy shows:  "Now, what interest do I have here? Is the utterance of Jehovah. "For my people were taken for nothing. The very ones ruling over them kept howling,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'and constantly, all day long, my name was being treated with disrespect.  For that reason my people will know my name, even for that reason in that day, because I am the One that is speaking.  Look!  It is I.' " ( Isaiah 52:5, 6) What interest does Jehovah have in the situation?  What concern of his is it that Israel is enslaved in Babylon?  Jehovah  must act because Babylon has taken his people captive and has howled over them in triumph. Such  bragging has led Babylon's treating Jehovah's name disrespectfully.  (Ezekiel 36:20, 21) She has failed to recognize that the desolate condition of Jerusalem is on account of Jehovah's displeasure toward his people. Rather, Babylon has viewed the enslavement of the Jews as evidence of the weakness of their God.  The Babylonian  coregent Belshazzar even mocks Jehovah by using vessels from His temple during a feast in honor of Babylonian gods. -Daniel 5;1-4.

How does all this apply to "Jerusalem above"?  Ever since apostasy took root among professed Christians, it could be said that "the name of God is being blasphemed on account of [those] people among the nations."  (Romans 2:24; Acts 20:29, 30)  For that matter, because of superstition the Jews eventually started to avoid using the divine name. Soon after the death of the apostles, apostate Christians followed suit and ceased to use God's  personal name.  The apostasy resulted in the development of Christendom,  a major part of Babylon the Great.  (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7;p Revelation 17:5) Christendom's wanton immorality and brazen bloodguilt have reflected badly on Jehovah's name. -2 Peter 2:1, 2.

 When the Greater Cyrus, Jesus Christ, freed God's covenant people from captivity to Babylon the Great in 1919, they came to a better understanding of  Jehovah's requirements. They had already cleansed themselves of many teachings of Christendom that have their roots  in pre-Christian paganism, such as the Trinity, immorality of the soul, and eternal torment in a fiery hell.  Now they set out to rid themselves of all traces of Babylonish influence .  They also came to realize the importance of maintaining strict neutrality regarding this world's partisan affairs. They even wanted to purify themselves of whatever bloodguilt some might have incurred.

The modern-day servants of God also came to have a deeper understanding of the importance of Jehovah's name.  In 1931 they adopted the name Jehovah's Witnesses, thus publicly announcing that they supported  Jehovah and his name. Moreover, through the publications of the New World Translations since 1950, Jehovah's Witnesses have restored the divine name to its proper place in the Bible. Yes, they have come to appreciate Jehovah's name and are making it known to the ends of the earth.

Next time: "The One Bringing Good News"

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

"Put On Your Strength, O Zion!"

Jehovah, through Isaiah, calls out to His beloved city, Zion:  "Wake up, wake up, put on your strength, O Zion!  Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city!  For no more will there come again into you the uncircumcised  and unclean one.  Shake yourself free from the dust, rise up, take a seat, O Jerusalem.  Loosen for yourself the bands on your neck, O captive daughter of Zion."  (Isaiah 52:1, 2)   Because her inhabitants have provoked Jehovah's anger, Jerusalem has lain desolate for 70 years.  (2 Kings 24:4; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Jeremiah 25:8-11; Daniel 9:2)  Now it is time for her to wake up from her long period of inactivity and don the beautiful garments of liberty.  Jehovah has moved the heart of Cyrus to free the "captive daughter of Zion" so that the former  inhabitants of Jerusalem and their offspring can leave Babylon, return to Jerusalem, and restore true worship.  No uncircumcised  and unclean ones must be found in Jerusalem. -Ezra 1:1-4.

These words of Isaiah also have a fulfillment on the Christian congregation.  The congregation of anointed Christians can be described as the modern-day "daughter of Zion," since "Jerusalem above" is their mother. Set free from pagan teachings and apostate doctrines, the anointed must maintain a clean standing before Jehovah, no, not by circumcised in the flesh, but by being circumcised   in their hearts.  (Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 2:25-29) This includes maintain spiritual, mental, and moral cleanness before Jehovah. -1 Corinthians 7:19; Ephesians 2:3)

True, "Jerusalem above" has never disobeyed Jehovah.  During the first world war, however, her representatives on earth-anointed Christians - unwittingly broke Jehovah's law because they did not properly understand true Christian neutrality.  Losing divine favor, they came into spiritual captivity to "Babylon the Great," the world  empire of false religion.  (Revelation 17:5)  Their condition of being in slavery climaxed in June 1918 when eight staff members of the Watchtower Society  were imprisoned on false charges, including conspiracy. At that  point the organized preaching of the good news virtually stopped. In 1919, however, a clarion call to spiritual  wakefulness was sounded forth.  Anointed Christians began to separate themselves more completely from the moral and spiritual  uncleanness of Babylon the Great.  They rose from the dust of captivity, and  "Jerusalem above" came to have the splendor of a "holy city" where spiritual uncleanness is not allowed. 

Both in 537 B.C.E. and in 1919 C.E., Jehovah had a perfect right to liberate his people, Isaiah explains:  "This is what Jehovah has said: 'It was  for nothing that you people were sold, and it will be without money that you will be repurchased.' " (Isaiah 52:3) Neither ancient Babylon nor Babylon the Great paid anything when they took possession of God's covenant people as slaves.  Since no transaction involving money took place.  Jehovah was still the legal Owner of his people.  Should he have felt indebted to anybody?  Of course not.  In both cases, Jehovah could rightly purchase his worshipers without giving any compensation to their captors. -Isaiah 45:13.

Jehovah's  enemies had not learned any lessons from history. We read:  "This is what the Sovereign  Lord Jehovah has said:  'It was to Egypt that my people went down in the fist instance to reside there as aliens; and without cause Assyria, for its part, oppressed them.' " (Isaiah 52:4)  Pharaoh of Egypt enslaved the Israelites, who had  been invited to his land to reside as guests.  But Jehovah drowned Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea.  (Exodus 1L11-14; 14:27, 28)  When King Sennacherib of Assyria threatened Jerusalem, Jehovah's angel struck down 185,000 of the king's soldiers.  (Isaiah 37:33-37) Similarly, neither ancient Babylon nor Babylon the Great can escape the consequences of oppressing God's people.

Next time: "My People Will Know My Name"

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

"Cry Out Joyfully in Unison"! Chapter Thirteen

LIBERATION! Can there be a more joyful prospect for a captive people?  Since a major theme in the book of Isaiah is liberation and restoration, it is not surprising that aside from the Psalms, this Bible book contains more expressions of joy than any other.  Isaiah chapter 52 especially gives reason for God's  people to rejoice.  Its prophetic words are fulfilled upon Jerusalem in  537 B.C.E.  And they have a greater fulfillment involving "Jerusalem above," Jehovah's heavenly organization of spirit creatures, which is sometimes described as a  mother and a wife. -Galatians 4:26; Revelation 12:1.

Next time: "Put On Your Strength, O Zion!"

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

A Call to Action

Having reassured Zion, Jehovah issues a call to action. Speaking as if she had already reached the end of her sufferings, he says: "Rouse yourself, rouse yourself, rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk at the hand of Jehovah is cup of rage.  The goblet, the cup causing reeling, you have drunk, you have drained out." (Isaiah 51:17)  Yes, Jerusalem must rise up from her calamitous condition and recover her former position and splendor.  The time will come when she will have drained the symbolic cup of divine retribution.  There will be nothing left of God's anger toward her.

Nevertheless, while Jerusalem is being punished none of her inhabitants, her "sons," will be able to prevent what is happening.  (Isaiah 43:5-7; Jeremiah 3:14)  The prophecy says:  "there was none of all the sons that she brought to birth conducting her, and there was none of all the sons that she brought taking hold of her hand."  (Isaiah 51:18)  How will she suffer at the hands of the Babylonians!  "Those two things were befalling you.  Who will sympathize with you?  Despoiling and breaking down, and hunger and sword! Who will comfort you?  Your own sons have swooned away. They have lain down at the head of all the streets like the wild sheep in the net, as those who are full of  the rage of Jehovah, the rebuke of your God." -Isaiah 51:19, 20.

Poor Jerusalem!  She will endure "despoiling and breakdown" as well as "hunger and sword."  Unable to guide her and keep her on her feet, her "sons" will stand by helpless, emaciated, not storing enough to repel the Babylonian invaders.  Conspicuously, at the head or corner, of the streets, they will like faint, weak, and exhausted.  (Lamentations 2:19; 4:1, 2) They will have drunk the cup of God's rage and will be as powerless as animals caught in a net.

But this sad situation will come to an end. Isaiah comfortingly says:  "Therefore listen to this, please, O woman afflicted and drunk, but not with wine. This is what your Lord, Jehovah, even your God, who contends for his people, has said:  'Look! I will take away from your hand the cup causing reeling.  The goblet, my cup of rage-you will not repeat the drinking of it anymore.  And I will put it in the hand of the ones irritating you, who have said to your soul, "Bow down that we may cross over," so that you used to make your back just like the earth, and like the street  for those crossing over.' " (Isaiah 51:21-23)  After disciplining Jerusalem, Jehovah is ready to act with pity and to show a forgiving spirit toward her. 

Jehovah will now turn his anger away from Jerusalem and direct it toward Babylon.  Babylon will have razed Jerusalem and humiliated her.  (Psalm 137:7-9)   But Jerusalem will not have to drink from such a cup again at the hands of Babylon or her allies. Instead, the cup will be taken out of Jerusalem's hand and given  to those who rejoiced at her disgrace.   (Lamentations 4:21, 22)  Babylon will go down, dead drunk.  (Jeremiah 51:6-8)  Meanwhile, Zion will rise!  What a reversal!  Truly, Zion can be comforted by such a prospect. And Jehovah's servants can be assured that his name will be sanctified through his saving acts. 

Next time: "Cry Out Joyfully in Unison"! Chapter Thirteen

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