Having spent the majority of his prophecy condemning Judah for failure to keep the Covenant, Isaiah turned in the last few chapters to the Messianic Promises. God's redemption of Israel would come on His terms, and that meant a new covenant. Once Israel was dragged off into Exile, she strayed farther and farther from the path of truth. Upon the Return and Restoration, she had become so materialistic, her soul was fertile ground for the infection of Hellenism. By the time Jesus confronts the nation with the ancient truth, this particular chapter in Isaiah had been utterly twisted to support the notion Messiah would bring the material wealth of the world to Jerusalem. What a horrendous fall from the glorious truth, too grand for words!
Whatever it was Israel should have been, the New Israel would be. She would rise like the morning sun, reflecting the glory of God Himself. While the Gentile Nations had been allowed to wander in darkness spiritually for thousands of years, now would come the truth, shining for all to see.
What had been the spiritual sterility of Old Israel would be replaced by the vast spiritual growth of the Realm of the Spirit. The New Israel would be populated by unborn children, converted not by Law, but by Blood. This would be the spiritual wealth of the Kingdom: Souls reborn, without number. All the transports in the world would not be enough to carry their number, streaming to the new Spiritual Jerusalem, which would be so secure in the Lord, there would be no gates. Nations which set up systems to prevent minds and souls hearing the gospel would be destroyed, given to new rulers who would respect God's plans.
The treasures of the world would hardly suffice to present a due offering for the boundless spiritual blessings. People will gladly sacrifice all they have, and all they are, to purchase a place in Christ's Realm. What had been the deep embarrassment to God of Israel's truculent sins would become the glory of New Israel. The difference is so great, it's hard to describe in human terms. It would be as if exchanging common materials for precious, cheap junk for first rate stuff. The New Land of the Spirit would be ruled, not by mere men, but by peace and righteousness. No one will notice mere suffering of the flesh, because the joys of the Spirit would be too great.
For once, mankind will be able to see with the eyes of God. The full truth of things will be revealed, and this fallen world will be laid bare by the full understanding of the Spirit. It will be as if neither moon nor sun ever go down. Righteousness will be a defining quality of those who walk in this light. These will have an eternal inheritance too rich for words. Mere children in the flesh will have more power and wisdom than any army of men, because those who walk in the Spirit can do anything God desires. When that Final Day of Christ dawns, things will happen so quickly, few will be able to grasp it even after the fact.
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By Ed Hurst
04 September 2009
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