Exulting in the Blessings of Jehovah

Some among the nations have recognized Jehovah's blessing on his people.  This was foretold by Jehovah's promise:  "Their offspring will actually be known even among the nations, and their descendants in among the peoples.  All those seeing them will recognize them,  that they are the offspring whom Jehovah has blessed."  (Isaiah 61:9)  Members of the Israel of God, anointed Christians have been active among the nations during Jehovah's year of goodwill.  Today those who have responded to their ministry number into millions. By working closely with the Israel of God, those from the nations have the privilege of becoming "the offspring whom Jehovah has  blessed."  Their happy condition is visible to all mankind.

All Christians, both anointed and other sheep, look forward to praising Jehovah eternally.  They wholeheartedly agree with the prophet Isaiah, who says under inspiration:  "Without fail I shall exult in Jehovah.  My soul  will be joyful in my God. For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; with the sleeveless coat of righteousness he has enwrapped me, like the bridegroom who, in a priestly way, puts on a headdress, and like the bride who decks herself with her ornamental things." -Isaiah 61:10.

Clad in "the sleeveless coat of righteousness," anointed Christians are determined to remain pure and clean in Jehovah's eyes.  (2 Corinthians 11:1, 2) Declared righteous  by Jehovah with a view to inheriting heavenly life, they will never return to the desolate estate of Babylon the Great, from which they have been liberated.  (Romans  5:9; 8:30)  The garments of salvation are priceless to them.  Their other sheep companions are similarly determined to observe Jehovah God's elevated standards of pure worship.  Having  "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb," they are declared righteous and will survive "the great tribulation."  (Revelation 7:14; James 2:23, 25) Until then, they imitate their anointed companions in avoiding any contamination by Babylon the Great.

Today Jehovah's worshipers delight to be in a spiritual paradise.  Soon they will also enjoy Paradise in a physical  sense.  We look forward with all our hearts to that time, which is vividly described in the closing  words of Isaiah chapter 61:  "As the earth itself brings forth it sprout, and as the garden itself makes the things that are sown in its sprout, in like manner the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will cause the sprouting of righteousness and of praise in front of all the nations."  (Isaiah 61:11)  During Christ's Millennial Reign, the earth will experience "the sprouting of righteousness."  Humans will shout triumphantly, and righteousness will expand to the ends of the earth.  (Isaiah 26:9) We, however, do not have to wait for that glorious day in order to give praise in front of all the nations.  Righteousness is already sprouting among the millions who give glory to the God of heaven and publish the good news about his Kingdom. Even now our faith and our hope give us every reason to exult in the blessings of our God.

Next time: "A New Name", Chapter Twenty-Three

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