New Arrivals Share in the Expansion

The new arrivals offer both their possession and their personal services in support of Jehovah's "woman."  "Foreigners will actually build your walls, and their own kings will minister to you; for in my indignation I shall have struck you, but in my goodwill I shall certainly have mercy upon you." (Isaiah 60:10)  Jehovah's mercy was expressed in the sixth century B.C.E. when foreigners helped in the construction work in Jerusalem.  (Ezra 3:7; Nehemiah 3:26)  In today's larger fulfillment, "foreigners," the great crowd, support the anointed remnant in building up true worship.  They help build Christian congregations and strengthen the city like "walls"  of Jehovah's organization.  (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)  They also build in a literal way, working hard in the construction of Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, and Bethel facilities.  thus they join their anointed brothers in caring for the needs of Jehovah's expanding organization. -Isaiah 61:5.

Each years as a result of the spiritual building program, hundreds of thousands of  "foreigners" begin to associated with Jehovah's organization, and the way is open for still more.  Jehovah says:  "Your gates will actually be kept open constantly; they will not be closed even by day or by night, in order to bring to you the resources of the nations, and their kings will be taking the lead."  (Isaiah 60:11)  Who, though, are the "kings" taking the lead in bringing the resources of the nations to Zion?  In ancient times Jehovah moved the hearts of certain rulers to "minister to" Zion.  Cyrus, for example, took the initiative in sending the Jews  back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.  Later, Artaxerxes contributed  resources and sent Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  (Ezra 1:2, 3; Nehemiah 2:1-8)  Truly, "a king's heart is as streams of water in the hand of Jehovah." (Proverbs 21:1)  Our God can move even more powerful rulers to act in harmony with his will. 

In modern times many "kings," or secular authorities, have tried to close the 'gates" of Jehovah's organization.  However, others have ministered to Zion by making decisions that helped to keep those "gates" open.  (Romans 13:4)  In 1919, secular authorities released Joseph F. Rutherford and his companions from unjust imprisonment.  (Revelation 11:13)  Human governments  "swallowed up" the flood of persecution unleashed by Satan after his fall from heaven.  (Revelation 12:16) Some governments have promoted religious tolerance, sometimes specifically in behalf of Jehovah's Witnesses.  This kind of ministering has made it easier for crowds of meek ones to pass through the open "gates" into Jehovah's organization.   And what of the opposers who try to close those "gates"? They will never succeed.  Of them, Jehovah says: "Any nation and any kingdom that will not serve you will perish; and the nations themselves will without fail come to devastation."  (Isaiah 60:12)  All who fight against God's "woman" -be they individuals or organizations-will perish in the coming war of Armageddon at the latest. -Revelation 16:14, 16.

After this warning of judgment, the prophecy turns back to promises  of exaltation and prosperity. Speaking to his "woman,"  Jehovah states:  "To you the very glory of Lebanon will come, the juniper tree, the ash tree and the cypress at the same time, in order to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I shall glorify the very place of my feet."  (Isaiah 60:13)  Luxuriant trees symbolize beauty and fruitfulness.  (Isaiah 41:19; 55:13)  The expression "sanctuary" and "place of my feet" in this verse refer to Jerusalem's temple.  (1 Chronicles 28:2; Psalm 99:5)  However, the apostle Paul explained that the temple in Jerusalem was a typical representation foreshadowing a greater spiritual temple, the arrangement for approaching Jehovah in worship  on the basis of Christ's sacrifice.  (Hebrews 8:1-5; 9:2-10, 23) Today Jehovah glorifies the 'place of his feet,'  the earthly courtyards of this great spiritual temple.  These become so inviting that they attract people out of all nations to share in true worship there. -Isaiah 2:1-4; Haggai 2:7.

Now turning his attention back to the opposers, Jehovah says:  "to you the sons of those afflicting you must go, bowing down; and all those treating you disrespectfully must bend down   at the very soles of your feet, and they will have to call you the city of Jehovah, Zion of the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 60:14)  Yes, seeing the bountiful increase and the superior way of life that God's blessing brings to his people will compel some opposers to bow down and call out to the "woman."  That is, they will be forced to acknowledge -at Armageddon at the latest-that the anointed remnant and their companions truly do represent God's heavenly organization, "the city of Jehovah, Zion of the Holy One of Israel."

Next time: Using Available Resources

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