III. FUTURE GLORY OF A RESTORED ZION (60:1-62:12)
A. The Glory Of The Lord Which Will Be Upon Zion (60:1-22)
1. Zion's light will be the presence of the Lord (60:1-3)
(1) Zion is commanded to arise, to put new life into her limbs. Additionally, Zion is to shine. These things will occur when the Word becomes flesh (Jn. 1:4,9,14,18).
(2) When the Light does appear the world will be in total spiritual darkness. Some will be practicing idolatry, others will be caught up in traditions, and still others will be following the philosophies of Greece and Rome. It will be in the midst of this darkness that Jehovah will bring forth spiritual Zion through the Light of His Son.
(3) Even the heathen and their Kings will be drawn to the Light.
2. Zion will be rebuilt in splendor and in wealth (60:4-14)
a. Made glorious through the return of her children (vv. 4-9)
(4) Zion must look in all directions for her returning children. The more delicate among the children will have to be carried to the Light.
(5) Upon their return Zion's face will light up and beam with joy. The abundance of the sea probably refers to the masses of people that will eventually respond to the Light rather than physical riches.
(6,7) Looking now to the east, the ancestors of Abraham (by Keturah and Hagar) will be drawn to the Light as well. Even these cast-off relations of Abraham will be able to stand together with the sons of Isaac because all belong to Jehovah by creation.
(8,9) Looking once again to the sea, Zion sees the white sails of ships approaching. These are the Gentiles coming from the remotest regions of the world. These too have been drawn to Zion because she has been glorified by the presence of Jehovah, His light, and His name.
b. Made glorious through offerings (vv. 10-14)
(10) Previously, in His wrath, Jehovah had used foreigners to break down the walls of physical Zion, now He will use them to build up the walls of spiritual Zion.
(11) But why would there be a need for walls if the gates are to be open day and night? This prophecy cannot refer to the return of the physical remnant because emphasis was placed on repairing the gates (Neh. 3; 7:3). It is spiritual Zion that is to keep her gates opened (Isa. 26:2). Through the open gates the blessings of Jehovah will come as will the kings made captive, not by physical force, but by the force of faith in the Messiah (2 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 10:5; Ps. 110:3).
(12) Only nations willing to submit to being brought to Jehovah's city will survive, all others will perish (Mic. 5:15).
(13) Jehovah's sanctuary will be beautified by trees and the place of worship (his footstool, Ps. 99:5; 132:7) will be glorified.
(14) The former oppressors of Jerusalem-Zion will now honor her. They will recognize her relationship to God and do homage to her in honor of her God.
3. Zion will be the city of the Lord (60:15-22)
a. Made glorious through her eternal excellency (vv. 15-18)
(15) Because of the rebellion of the Jews against God, spiritual Zion was virtually empty. Through the Light this emptiness will be repaired. Zion's population will be replenished and will stand through many generations.
(16) Those that were formerly the enemies of Zion will now be drawn to her. From these former enemies, Zion will obtain sustenance, while recognizing Jehovah as her ultimate spiritual Savior and Sustainer.
(17) God's house will progressively get better: from brass to gold, from iron to silver, from wood to brass, and from stones to iron. The new Zion will be superior to the old Zion in all points. The ruling forces of the government of new Zion will be peace (Col. 3:15) and righteousness (Heb. 1:8).
(18) This kingdom of peace will not tolerate violence; swords and spears will be made into plowshares and pruning-hooks (Isa. 2:2-4). Only those outside of Zion will know desolation and destruction.
b. Made glorious through Jehovah's everlasting light (vv. 19-22)
(19,20) The prophet continues the picture of the glorious light of Jehovah's presence in His future kingdom. The sun and the moon can contribute nothing to the light being provided by God. Neither can the light of human wisdom and philosophy hold a candle to God's spiritual light.
(21) The citizens of such a city must hold certain credentials. They shall all be righteous. Their conduct is completely governed by His law (Rev. 14:1-5). The vineyard that had previously been left to destruction has been replanted with the citizens of the new Zion. The branch of my planting will be accomplished through the work of the Servant (the Root and Branch of Jesse).
(22) The number and strength of the citizens will be multiplied. The Lord has set a time for this prophecy to occur and He will hasten it in its time (Mk. 1:14,15; Acts 1:7; Gal. 4:4). What has been promised will be done. [TOP OF THIS PAGE]
B. The Servant's Mission (61:1-11) - In this chapter the Servant is the speaker; through Him Jehovah will bring inner beauty to His glorious city (Hailey).
1. The purpose of His mission (61:1-3)
(1) As to the identity of the speaker here see (Lk. 4:16-21) to confirm that it is indeed Jesus Christ. The speaker declares that the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him (Acts 10:38). The speaker will bring the good news of victory and blessings to the humble, lowly, and gentle; namely those disposed to hear. He will: 1, bind up the broken hearted; 2, proclaim liberty to the captives; 3, announce the opening of the prison to them that are bound. While the return from exile foreshadowed the Servant's work the true fulfillment of this prophecy would be in Him.
(2) 4, He will loudly proclaim the year of Jehovah's favor and the day of vengeance. The use of the words "year" and "day" are probably just general expressions of "time." The vengeance will come upon whoever or whatever holds God's people in prison and 5, He will comfort all that mourn. The consolation for these mourners is that there is life after death in the Servant.
(3) The ashes on the heads of the mourners will be replaced by a headpiece of beauty. They will additionally be given the oil of joy (Ps. 45:7; Ecc. 9:8; Song 4:10), and clothed in a garment of praise. They will be called trees of righteousness because of their sturdiness, endurance, beauty, and fruitfulness (Jer. 17:7,8).
2. The effect of His Mission (61:4-11)
a. The mission and blessing of the redeemed (vv. 4-9)
(4) Those blessed by the work of the Servant have three jobs to accomplish: they are to 1, build the old wastes, 2, raise up the former desolations, and 3, repair the waste cities. The new Zion cannot be contained within the boundaries of old Zion - there must be world-wide expansion.
(5) The new Zion will not be built by just the Jewish remnant, but the they will work side by side with the Gentiles.
(6) There will be no distinction in new Zion between Jew and Gentile, as each citizen of the new order will be a priest. While the world will provide for the material needs of humanity, it is up to the saints to provide for the spiritual needs of their fellow man. True glory actually belongs to the redeemed, not the nations. In this fact the saints can boast.
(7) Taking the place of shame and dishonor is everlasting joy, which includes a share of the inheritance of the land of God's spiritual blessings - God's Holy Mountain.
(8) Jehovah's actions are controlled by His love of justice and His hatred of robbery (representing any iniquity). His nature demands that He destroy His enemies and reward the righteous.
(9) The godly will be a peculiar people who can be recognized wherever they go by their righteousness, joy, and peace.
b. Zion's burst of praise! (vv. 10,11)
(10) Now Zion herself breaks forth in a song of praise. The filthy rags that she has been forced to wear, due to the unrighteousness of her people, will be replaced by the finery of wedding garments.
(11) Jehovah's work in Zion will be achieved through the Servant. He will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. Jehovah will anoint the Servant with His Spirit, redeem and glorify Zion, establish an everlasting covenant, and make His people known among the nations. [TOP OF THIS CHAPTER][TOP OF THIS PAGE]
C. Zion's Salvation Is Drawing Near (62:1-12) - As with the previous two chapters it is best to place this chapter in the category of prophecy of the messianic period instead of the post-exilic period.
1. A new name will be given (62:1-5)
(1) From verse 6 it appears the speaker here is Jehovah. The glory of Jerusalem will defeat the darkness that has surrounded it for so long. She will be vindicated through her righteousness and her salvation will come through the Servant which will appear as the beam of an unquenchable lamp.
(2) This new standard of righteousness and glory will stand in stark contrast to the false beliefs and glory of the heathens. There will be a new name, but it is not revealed here. It is possible that the new name is known only to Jehovah and to Zion itself (Rev. 2:17; 3:12; 19:12).
(3) The crown of beauty and a royal diadem represent honor, glory, and a special headdress in the form of a king's turban. Because the new Zion will be fashioned by God according to His will it will be in the hand of God.
(4) Previously, the people had forsaken the Lord, so He had forsaken them for a time. The new Zion will never forsake the Lord therefore He will never have cause to forsake her. The land had also suffered because of the sins of the people. Now Zion will be called "My delight is in her" and the land will be called "Married." Note that Forsaken and Hephzibah are names of the mothers of two kings of Judah (1 Ki. 22:42; 2 Ki. 21:1).
(5) The sons of Zion will marry the land. The children of God will enter into an intimate relationship with His Holy Mountain. The true sons of Zion will protect and honor Jehovah's land (His Kingdom) as a young husband honors and protects his bride.
2. The Lord has appointed watchmen and will provide protection over Zion as He brings salvation (62:6-12)
a. Jehovah's protection and provision for Zion (vv. 6-9)
(6,7) If these verses do refer to spiritual Zion then these watchmen will be the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers of the New Testament (Eph. 4:11,12). They are constantly on the watch in behalf of souls (Heb. 13:17). They will continue to petition Jehovah on behalf of the people.
(8,9) Jehovah will not allow the spiritual food of Zion to be fed to the heathens. Enemies of God's people might take away material possessions but they cannot appreciate or take the food which abideth unto eternal life (Jn. 6:27).
b. Salvation of the daughter of Zion (vv. 10-12)
(10) Now Zion must prepare for the nations to enter her gates. This includes going out from Zion and clearing the highways. Zion must set up a rallying point (ensign) for people to see and be drawn to - this especially includes the Gentiles. This ensign is the Messiah (Isa. 11:10).
(11) The Servant will come to both Jacob and the Gentiles. When He comes the glory of Zion will be complete and God's reward to the people (a dwelling place in His presence) will be established.
(12) Those that are saved will be called The holy people,
The redeemed of Jehovah. Because their redemption is from
Jehovah and not man, the saved will be a peculiar people. If the
citizens of Zion lose sight of their sacred relationship with
God and try to make the church become something that God did not
design it to be (such as a social club, a political action committee,
or a business enterprise) then they will cease to be the peculiar
holy people and become another of the thousands of religious denominations.
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