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{{DOD-August}}
Chapters 60--66 describe the glorious Kingdom [[Jesus Christ]] will establish when He returns to this earth to reign. The [[Word]] "glory" in its various forms is found 23 times in these chapters. There was certainly no glory in [[Israel]] or [[Judah]] when the [[Babylon]]ian captivity ended and the feeble remnant returned to their land. How discouraging it must have been to return to a war-torn land, a city with walls and gates destroyed, and a Temple left in ruins. But [[Isaiah]] looked down through the years and saw a glorious Holy City with a glorious Temple (chapter 60:7), and a city with its walls and gates rebuilt (chapter 60:10,11). [[Israel]] was the scorn of the Gentile nations, but she would be the center of the earth, the very throne of [[God]], and the Gentiles would come to [[Jerusalem]] to worship the true [[God]]. These promises given in [[Isaiah]] of the future glory of the nation of [[Israel]] would be a great encouragement to the [[Jews]] as they returned to their land after the captivity.
[[Israel]] was married to [[Jehovah]] at Mt. Sinai, when He gave them the Law. But the nation was unfaithful and followed after other [[God]]s and other nations. Because of her spiritual adultery, the nation was sent into captivity. But even this did not cure her of her sins. Today, [[Israel]] is a forsaken wife; but when Christ returns the nation will be saved, and she will again be married to [[Jehovah]]. [[Isaiah]] 62:4 promises that she will not be forsaken or desolate; rather, she will be named "Hephzibah--my delight is in her" and "Beulah--married." Verse 5 pictures the [[Lord]] rejoicing over His restored wife.
In chapter 63:1-6 Christ is pictured as the Bloody Warrior, returning from His [[victory]] over the nations at the Battle of Armageddon. His [[victory]] is described as a farmer pressing out the juice on the winepress. Christ's first miracle on earth was turning water into [[wine]]; His last [[victory]] before establishing His Kingdom on earth will be treading out the winepress of His wrath.
When [[Isaiah]] considered the goodness of [[God]] to [[Israel]], in spite of their rebellion, he had to cry out in prayer for the cleansing of the nation. He longed to see [[God]] work in mighty power as He had done in past years. The Temple was trodden down, and the nation had possessed it but a few years. [[Isaiah]] points out their sins--uncleanness, unconcern, and unyieldedness.
We have now completed our reading of the great Book of [[Isaiah]]. It would benefit each of us to spend much time in this great book--to learn of the prophecies and follow up those that have already been fulfilled. This will build you up in the [[faith]] of our [[Lord]] and [[Saviour]] [[Jesus Christ]], and will cause you to want to serve Him better.
