ISAIAH 62

ISAIAH 62

BUILDING UP ZION

Again, I do not claim to have all the answers. There is much I still do not know, but it seems to me Isaiah is here telling about the Lord developing His plan for an Overcoming people who will point the way for those who are not as fully developed in God as they have been able to attain to.

Ø Son 8:8 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts (undeveloped—“run-of-the-mill” Christians): what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?
Ø Son 8:9 If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.
Ø Son 8:10 I (Overcoming Christians) am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favor.

You will recall that Mount Zion of the Bible area was within the city of Jerusalem, yet separate and distinct from the city. It was a city within a city. David had captured the mountain and made it his home, and made a tabernacle to house the Ark of the Covenant until the Temple could be built.

Ø 2Sa 5:7 Nevertheless David took the STRONGHOLD OF ZION: the same is the city of David.

Ø 2Sa 5:9 So David DWELT IN THE FORT, AND CALLED IT THE CITY OF DAVID. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

One other thing to note is that Mount Zion was a bit higher in elevation than Mount Moriah where the Temple was built. The Spiritual Ascendancy of the Mt. Zion group of believers is higher than the “run of the mill” Christians, yet they are within the physical confines of the Church. It is rarely possible to know who they are, though God knows fully who they are. The “Zion” group benefits the “Jerusalem” group.

God has something special in store for His Church before the next dimension of the Spirit is ushered upon the scene.

Isa 62:1 For Zion's sake (OVERCOMERS)will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake (THE HOLY CITY- THE CHURCH) I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.

Ø Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ø Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Isa 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a NEW NAME, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

Did you “get” that? Israel of the Old Testament would cease to be known by that name, and would be given another name by the Lord after they had heard and responded to the “Call of the Spirit” sent to them about 600 years before they heard it.

The New Name, given by the Lord, would probably NOT be a name we are familiar with, for it would be a SPIRITUAL name that would be very difficult to be understood by the mind of a man.

Isa 62:3 Thou shalt also be a CROWN OF GLORY in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

The Church (Re-formed Israel) will have been through the Dark Ages, and will have been through the “mill” of denominationalism, but God’s promise to Abraham is still valid. He WILL perform ALL that He has promised to do.

The Church will serve as a crown and a royal headdress for the God of the Universe.

Ø 1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

Isa 62:4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her), and thy land Beulah (Happily married): for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy “land” shall be married.

The “land” spoken of here is the “place of gathering” mentioned in Gen 49:10 “Unto Him shall the gathering of the people be…” It will encompass the entire earth.

Isa 62:5 For as a young man marrieth (dominion, oversight) a virgin, so shall thy sons (builders of the family name) marry (dominion, oversight) thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

I personally see this as the Overcomers being anointed to take oversight of the Spiritual welfare of the Church as a whole—Guarding, guiding, feeding and protecting the under developed majority of believers. I believe the ZION company is synonymous with the OVERCOMERS. (more fully developed in Spiritual affairs)

Isa 62:6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,

WALLS are for PROTECTION. Some Christians are specially called for the purpose of guarding against false teachings and practices creeping into the Church. They do not hesitate to “cry out” against foolish and hurtful elements that would seek admittance into the Church. (I emphasize the arena of the CHURCH as distinct from the POLITICAL arena. I do not see that we are called to attempt to impose our standards on those who do not belong to Jesus.)

Also, there are those Christians who are especially zealous for the work of the Lord, and spend much time reminding (remembrancers) the Lord of His Promises to Abraham.

Isa 62:7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem (the Holy City) a praise in the earth.

Don’t stop praying! Keep on believing! Cast not away your confidence!

Isa 62:8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give THY CORN to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink THY WINE, for the which thou hast labored:

The “Uncircumcised in Heart and Mind” know nothing about the wonderful things God has provided for His Own in the Spirit.

Ø Joh 4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Ø Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

The Priests of the Law “ate from the Altar”, in that a portion of most of the sacrifices were given to them as payment for their service at the Altar. It was their livelihood.

Jesus has supplied an “Altar full” of Spiritual food and drink for us who believe on Him as our Saviour. It is HIS BODY and HIS BLOOD.

WE CANNOT PARTAKE OF BOTH ALTARS (LAW AND GRACE). It is “either or”— one or the other. “MOSES, MY SERVANT (LAW) IS DEAD”. Jos 1:2

Ø Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Ø Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Ø Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Ø Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Ø Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Ø Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.

Isa 62:9 But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.

Get ready for others to “gather” with you also. They will surely come!

Isa 62:10 Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

When Jesus was with His Disciples in Galilee, they could be “in the right place at the right time” because HE was in their midst, and WAS LEADING THEM. HE KNEW WHAT TO DO, AND WHEN TO DO IT. But, left to their own wisdom and understanding, they floundered.

So it will be, I believe, when the Anointing of God on the Day of Atonement brings the Overcomers into the limelight. The Anointing will enable them to also “know what to do, and when to do it.”

Thus, as a young married man SHOULD assume the responsibility of the Spiritual and physical well-being of the Bride and the eventual family, so the OVERCOMERS can “step up to the plate” and assume TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS leadership in the Church of the Living God, THE ISRAEL OF GOD.

Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy (complete) salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

Ø 1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Ø 1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (kairos).

Ø Isa 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

Ø Heb 9:28 (Weymouth) so the Christ also, having been once offered in sacrifice in order that He might bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, separated from sin, to THOSE WHO ARE EAGERLY EXPECTING HIM, TO MAKE THEIR SALVATION COMPLETE.

God will be debtor to NO MAN. Consecration and dedication WILL be rewarded

ISA 62:12 AND THEY SHALL CALL THEM, THE HOLY PEOPLE, THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD: AND THOU SHALT BE CALLED, SOUGHT OUT, A CITY NOT FORSAKEN.

THE REDEMPTION OF ISRAEL! GLORY!!!



THE ORIGIN OF THE FUTURIST INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY

"Through two Jesuit priests, Francisco Ribera (1537-1591), of Salamanca Spain, and Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621), of Rome, Papacy put forth her Futurist interpretation. Antichrist prophecies were to be fulfilled in a seven year period in the distant future. The Futurist "gap" theory has been widely accepted by Fundamentalist churches today, who have made popular the "Left Behind" series."

"Francisco Ribera published his 500-page commentary on Revelation around 1590. He assigned the first three chapters of Revelation to ancient Rome. The rest of Revelation he restricted to a literal 3-1/2 year reign of an infidel Antichrist man who would oppose and blaspheme the saints just before the second advent. Ribera taught that Antichrist would be a literal man who would rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, abolish the Christian religion, deny Christ, be received by the Jews, pretend to be God, and conquer the world. [LeRoy Edwin Froom, THE PROPHETIC FAITH OF OUR FATHERS, Vol. II, pp. 484-505, The Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1948]"

"The "Left Behind" series by Fundamentalist Christians has accepted the Jesuit Futurist View that the "Antichrist" is a literal man, and not the Protestant Reformation view that the system of Papacy is the Antichrist."

ISAIAH 62

BUILDING UP ZION

Again, I do not claim to have all the answers. There is much I still do not know, but it seems to me Isaiah is here telling about the Lord developing His plan for an Overcoming people who will point the way for those who are not as fully developed in God as they have been able to attain to.

Ø Son 8:8 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts (undeveloped—“run-of-the-mill” Christians): what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?
Ø Son 8:9 If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.
Ø Son 8:10 I (Overcoming Christians) am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favor.

You will recall that Mount Zion of the Bible area was within the city of Jerusalem, yet separate and distinct from the city. It was a city within a city. David had captured the mountain and made it his home, and made a tabernacle to house the Ark of the Covenant until the Temple could be built.

Ø 2Sa 5:7 Nevertheless David took the STRONGHOLD OF ZION: the same is the city of David.

Ø 2Sa 5:9 So David DWELT IN THE FORT, AND CALLED IT THE CITY OF DAVID. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

One other thing to note is that Mount Zion was a bit higher in elevation than Mount Moriah where the Temple was built. The Spiritual Ascendancy of the Mt. Zion group of believers is higher than the “run of the mill” Christians, yet they are within the physical confines of the Church. It is rarely possible to know who they are, though God knows fully who they are. The “Zion” group benefits the “Jerusalem” group.

God has something special in store for His Church before the next dimension of the Spirit is ushered upon the scene.

Isa 62:1 For Zion's sake (OVERCOMERS)will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake (THE HOLY CITY- THE CHURCH) I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.

Ø Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ø Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Isa 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a NEW NAME, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

Did you “get” that? Israel of the Old Testament would cease to be known by that name, and would be given another name by the Lord after they had heard and responded to the “Call of the Spirit” sent to them about 600 years before they heard it.

The New Name, given by the Lord, would probably NOT be a name we are familiar with, for it would be a SPIRITUAL name that would be very difficult to be understood by the mind of a man.

Isa 62:3 Thou shalt also be a CROWN OF GLORY in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

The Church (Re-formed Israel) will have been through the Dark Ages, and will have been through the “mill” of denominationalism, but God’s promise to Abraham is still valid. He WILL perform ALL that He has promised to do.

The Church will serve as a crown and a royal headdress for the God of the Universe.

Ø 1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

Isa 62:4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her), and thy land Beulah (Happily married): for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy “land” shall be married.

The “land” spoken of here is the “place of gathering” mentioned in Gen 49:10 “Unto Him shall the gathering of the people be…” It will encompass the entire earth.

Isa 62:5 For as a young man marrieth (dominion, oversight) a virgin, so shall thy sons (builders of the family name) marry (dominion, oversight) thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

I personally see this as the Overcomers being anointed to take oversight of the Spiritual welfare of the Church as a whole—Guarding, guiding, feeding and protecting the under developed majority of believers. I believe the ZION company is synonymous with the OVERCOMERS. (more fully developed in Spiritual affairs)

Isa 62:6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,

WALLS are for PROTECTION. Some Christians are specially called for the purpose of guarding against false teachings and practices creeping into the Church. They do not hesitate to “cry out” against foolish and hurtful elements that would seek admittance into the Church. (I emphasize the arena of the CHURCH as distinct from the POLITICAL arena. I do not see that we are called to attempt to impose our standards on those who do not belong to Jesus.)

Also, there are those Christians who are especially zealous for the work of the Lord, and spend much time reminding (remembrancers) the Lord of His Promises to Abraham.

Isa 62:7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem (the Holy City) a praise in the earth.

Don’t stop praying! Keep on believing! Cast not away your confidence!

Isa 62:8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give THY CORN to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink THY WINE, for the which thou hast labored:

The “Uncircumcised in Heart and Mind” know nothing about the wonderful things God has provided for His Own in the Spirit.

Ø Joh 4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Ø Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

The Priests of the Law “ate from the Altar”, in that a portion of most of the sacrifices were given to them as payment for their service at the Altar. It was their livelihood.

Jesus has supplied an “Altar full” of Spiritual food and drink for us who believe on Him as our Saviour. It is HIS BODY and HIS BLOOD.

WE CANNOT PARTAKE OF BOTH ALTARS (LAW AND GRACE). It is “either or”— one or the other. “MOSES, MY SERVANT (LAW) IS DEAD”. Jos 1:2

Ø Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Ø Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Ø Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Ø Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Ø Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Ø Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.

Isa 62:9 But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.

Get ready for others to “gather” with you also. They will surely come!

Isa 62:10 Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

When Jesus was with His Disciples in Galilee, they could be “in the right place at the right time” because HE was in their midst, and WAS LEADING THEM. HE KNEW WHAT TO DO, AND WHEN TO DO IT. But, left to their own wisdom and understanding, they floundered.

So it will be, I believe, when the Anointing of God on the Day of Atonement brings the Overcomers into the limelight. The Anointing will enable them to also “know what to do, and when to do it.”

Thus, as a young married man SHOULD assume the responsibility of the Spiritual and physical well-being of the Bride and the eventual family, so the OVERCOMERS can “step up to the plate” and assume TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS leadership in the Church of the Living God, THE ISRAEL OF GOD.

Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy (complete) salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

Ø 1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Ø 1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (kairos).

Ø Isa 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

Ø Heb 9:28 (Weymouth) so the Christ also, having been once offered in sacrifice in order that He might bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, separated from sin, to THOSE WHO ARE EAGERLY EXPECTING HIM, TO MAKE THEIR SALVATION COMPLETE.

God will be debtor to NO MAN. Consecration and dedication WILL be rewarded

ISA 62:12 AND THEY SHALL CALL THEM, THE HOLY PEOPLE, THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD: AND THOU SHALT BE CALLED, SOUGHT OUT, A CITY NOT FORSAKEN.

THE REDEMPTION OF ISRAEL! GLORY!!!



THE ORIGIN OF THE FUTURIST INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY

"Through two Jesuit priests, Francisco Ribera (1537-1591), of Salamanca Spain, and Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621), of Rome, Papacy put forth her Futurist interpretation. Antichrist prophecies were to be fulfilled in a seven year period in the distant future. The Futurist "gap" theory has been widely accepted by Fundamentalist churches today, who have made popular the "Left Behind" series."

"Francisco Ribera published his 500-page commentary on Revelation around 1590. He assigned the first three chapters of Revelation to ancient Rome. The rest of Revelation he restricted to a literal 3-1/2 year reign of an infidel Antichrist man who would oppose and blaspheme the saints just before the second advent. Ribera taught that Antichrist would be a literal man who would rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, abolish the Christian religion, deny Christ, be received by the Jews, pretend to be God, and conquer the world. [LeRoy Edwin Froom, THE PROPHETIC FAITH OF OUR FATHERS, Vol. II, pp. 484-505, The Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1948]"

"The "Left Behind" series by Fundamentalist Christians has accepted the Jesuit Futurist View that the "Antichrist" is a literal man, and not the Protestant Reformation view that the system of Papacy is the Antichrist."