A Great Crowd Runs to God's Anointed

Jesus' disciples entertain one of two hopes. First, a "little flock" numbering 144,000 has been gathered-anointed Christians of both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds who are "the Israel of God" and have the hope of ruling with Jesus in his heavenly Kingdom.  (Luke 12:32; Galatians 6:16; Revelation 14:1) Second, in the last days, "a great crowd" of "other sheep" have manifested themselves.  These have the hope of living forever on a paradise earth. Before the outbreak of the geat tribulation, this multitude -whose number is not foreordained-serve alongside the little flock, and both groups form "one flock" under "one shepherd." -Revelation 7:9, 10; John 1-0:16.

The gathering in of this great crowd can be discerned in the following words of Isaiah's prophecy:  "Look! A nation that you do not know you will call, and those of a nation who have not known you will run even to you, for the sake of Jehovah your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he will have beautified you."  (Isaiah 55:5)  In the years following their release from spiritual captivity, the anointed remnant did not at first understand that before Armageddon they would be instrumental in calling to Jehovah's worship a large "nation."  However, as time went on, many honesthearted ones who did not have a heavenly hope began association with the anointed  and serving Jehovah with the same zeal as that of the anointed.  These newcomers took note  of the beautified  condition of God's people, recognizing that Jehovah was among them.  (Zechariah 8:23)  In the 1930's, the anointed  came to understand the real identity of this group, whose numbers were growing in their midst.  They came  to discern that a great in gathering work still lay ahead.  The great crowd was hastening to associate with God's covenant people, and with good reason. 

 In Isaiah's day, the call went out:  "Search for Jehovah, you people, while he may be found. Call to him while he proves to be near.." (Isaiah 55:6)  In our day, these words are appropriate, both for those who form the Israel of God and for the growing great crowd.  Jehovah's blessing  is not unconditional, nor his invitation extended indefinitely.  Now  is the time  to seek God's favor.  When the appointed time for Jehovah's judgment arrives, it will be too late. Hence, Isaiah says:  "Let the wicked man leave his way, and the harmful man his thoughts; and let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy upon him , and to our God, for he will forgive in a large way." -Isaiah 55:7.

 The phrase  "let him return to Jehovah" implies that those needing to repent had a relationship  with God formerly.  The expression reminds us that many aspects of this part of Isaiah's prophecy have their first application with the Jewish captives in Babylon.  Centuries before, the forefathers of these captives declared their determination to be obedient to Jehovah when they stated:  "It is unthinkable, on our part, to leave Jehovah so as to serve other gods."  (Joshua 24:16)  History shows that the "unthinkable " did happen-repeatedly!  The lack of faith  on the part of God's people is the reason why they are exiles in Babylon.

 What will happen if they repent?  Through Isaiah Jehovah promises that he will "forgive in a large way." and he adds:  "For the thoughts of you people are not my thoughts, nor are my ways your ways,' is the utterance of Jehovah.  'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.' "  (Isaiah 55:8, 9) Jehovah is perfect, and his thoughts and ways are unreachably high. Even his mercy is on a level that we humans can never hope to attain.  Consider: When  we forgive a fellow human, it is a case of a sinner forgiving a sinner.  We realize that sooner or later we will need to have some fellow human forgive us.  (Matthew 6:12)  But Jehovah, even though he never needs to be forgiven, forgives  'in a large way"!  Truly, he is a God of great loving-kindness. And in his mercy, Jehovah opens the floodgates of the heavens, showering  down blessings on those who return to him with all their hearts. -Malachi 3:10.

Next time: Blessings for Those Returning to Jehovah

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