Prophecy – Isaiah 62-66

We have come to the end of our first book of prophecy today.  Way to go!

Let’s read and see what Isaiah says today…

Bible Passage:  Isaiah 62-66

The climax of the prophecies of Isaiah is at hand.  Some people say that the way Isaiah is divided is pretty much like the 66 books of the Bible.  And so the final part of Isaiah is linked closely to what is written in Revelations.

In Chapter 62 – we learn about the high calling of Marriage of God’s people to Him – the bridegroom.  The final salvation is coming and chapter 63 speaks of the lovingkindnes of God and His mercy upon the holy people.

The rest of the chapters talks about how the rebellious will turn back to God and God will preserve those who serve and obey Him.  New Heavens and a new earth will be created and we can rejoice forever.  There will be peace for some and fury for others but in the end, the world wil come to worship God in heaven.

I just want to point out 66:19 today.

I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles.

Do you spot a familiar city name here?

Tarshish.

Isaiah refers to this city more than any other Old Testament author and it is believed that Tarshish is somewhere in southern Spain, although no one is exactly sure (Jonah 1:3).

But in this vision of Isaiah, the cities mentioned here refers to the ends of the earth.  These distant lands have not heard about God or have seen what He has done.

However God will send His messengers to them and they will recruit representatives to come to Him at the “holy mountain Jerusalem” (Isa 66:20).

It is just like in the New Testament isn’t it?  Jesus send His followers out from Jerusalem into “all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19).  This mission sounds very much like the prophecy Isaiah made here.

So we all know that in the New Testament, the early church sent workers throughout the Roman world to preach Jesus.  Paul was one of them and could he have the  mission of Isaiah 66 in his mind when he went on all his missionary journeys?

What is certain is Isaiah’s vision and the church’s mission have not changed.  Christ still wants His people to take His message to the ends of the earth.  He still wants to bring people back to Him and prepare them to be His bride.

That has not changed.

So, to what extent are we doing to bring about the completion of God’s plan?

Think about it.

Sidenote:  Some of the verses you read in today’s passage are the inspiration of some of the hymns we sing.  These are a couple of youtube videos on these hymns… see if you can find the relevant verses…