Season 6, Podcast 121, Isaiah 62:1-5, Part One “And They Shall Call them, The Holy People.” Episode

Season 6, Podcast 121, Isaiah 62:1-5, Part One “And They Shall Call them, The Holy People.”

The primary theme of Isaiah is overwhelmingly the Savior Jesus Christ. Christ is the center of everything Isaiah says. Subordinate to that primary theme are supporting themes such as the scattering and gathering of Israel, the Second Coming of Christ and the Millennium. 

Through his Holy Prophets, the Lord often uses types. 

For example, Babylon is a type or symbol of the world. It is ironic that, in the Book of Isaiah, all the other cities, even the evil ones, are restored, all but Babylon which represents the wickedness of the entire world. The message is clear. When Christ comes again all the wicked will be destroyed in the world. Only the righteous shall survive. There will no wickedness in the Millennium. And there will be no wickedness in the Kingdom of God.

Israel is a symbol of God’s elect, God’s chosen. The Old Testament focuses primarily upon the literal seed of Abraham that expands through Isaac and then Jacob. Jacob has twelve sons. Just as Abram’s name was changed to Abraham because he became the father of many nations, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel which is the name given to the twelve tribes, known as The Twelve Tribes of Israel, or Israelites. 

The New Testament changes the focus from the literal house of Israel and includes the Gentiles. The seed of Abraham takes on a new meaning. It is no longer primarily the literal seed. The seed of Abraham refers to all those who come to Christ, who keep the commandments, and who endure to the end. 

Only the righteous inherit the promises made to Abraham, known as the Abrahamic Covenant, because only the righteous keep the covenant. 

Genesis 12:18: “And in thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed; because thou has obeyed my voice.”

Galatians 3:28-29 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

We need to consider the above when we read of the ‘gathering of Israel’ in the latter-day. The righteous of the Twelve Tribes of Israel will be gathered again or restored to their former home and glory in preparation for the Millennium; however, the gathering of Israel or Zion refers to even greater things. We must consider the words of John the Revelator literally for he is also speaking of the gathering of Israel in preparation for the Second Coming of Christ, meaning both Jew and Gentile.

Revelation 14:6-7

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Notice that the angel has the ‘everlasting gospel of Christ’ to preach unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.’ Consider what happens when the true followers are gathered.

Revelation 14:8 

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Now consider what happens to the wicked.

Revelation 14:9-11

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: