“You know you’re from San Bernardino if…”
It’s a FaceBook Group I joined with 5K members. I’m also on, “You might be from Hanford if you…” Almost 16K members on that site. Why would little Hanford have three times the membership? Because the murder rate in Berdoo is 23 per hundred thousand.
I’m thinking of starting a site for Riverdale. I’ve got to work out the name. So far I’ve got, “You can’t prove I’m from Riverdale because…”
Believers are part of a city group: Jerusalem.
In the Bible, in the letter written to the Hebrew Christians, Abraham “waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (11:10).
The writer continues, describing the life of the believer as a journey of faith towards the city. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the Earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland… a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (11:13-16).
I’ll organize my comments around two points: #1You Can Have “I Won’t Hold My Peace” Excitement About Jesus, and #2 Jesus Has “I Won’t Hold My Peace” Excitement About You.
#1 – You Can Have “I Won’t Hold My Peace” Excitement About Jesus (v1-5)
- Right out of the gate, Isaiah promises, “For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest.”
- Then in verses 6&7 we read, “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest…”
The Lord challenges us to examine ourselves in light of the revealed future. Are we excited about where we are going? If we are, we won’t be able to “hold our peace” about it; and there is no time to “rest” along the way.
At the time he wrote, Isaiah’s time on Earth was getting short. In an apocryphal document titled, The Martyrdom of Isaiah, the prophet addresses King Hezekiah and predicts, “by Manasseh thy son, and through the agency of his hands I shall depart mid the torture of my body… by his hands I shall be
sawn asunder.” This is alluded to in Hebrews 11:37.
Isa 62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns.
“Zion” refers to both a hill in the city of Jerusalem and to the city on the hill. It is also synonymous with the nation of Israel.
Isaiah is showing us Jerusalem after the Time of Jacob’s Trouble (aka, The Great Tribulation) in the one thousand year Kingdom of God on Earth.
He is not going to “hold his peace” means he will talk about future Jerusalem constantly. The remainder of his book does just that.
He promised not to “rest.” Do you remember when it was popular to call Christians ‘pew potatoes’? (It’s a variation of ‘couch potato’).
How many of you had Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head for a toy? How many of you had them before 1964? You would know if you did because for the first 12 years Mr. Potato Head was offered as separate plastic parts to be affixed to a real potato (or other vegetable). Due to complaints regarding rotting vegetables and new government safety regulations, Hasbro introduced the plastic potato body in 1964.
“Rest.” I dare say most of us, as believers, get too much rest when it comes to our work & walk with Jesus. If you want to immediately anger me, tell me about a pastor who is taking a Sabbatical.
But having said that, let us agree that it is too easy to judge others:
- Somebody who attends every meeting of the church may be may be carnal.
- Those who seem less involved may have a full prayer closet.
In Romans 14:4 we are told, “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.”
Tom Bodett promised, “We’ll leave the light on” at his chain of Motel 6’s. If Isaiah had made advertisements, he’d have said, “Look for the lamps of righteousness & salvation.”
Isa 62:2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.
Bible “righteousness” can refer to doing what is right. Mostly we think of it in conjunction with salvation. A sinner believes God. He then “puts it into your account as righteousness” (BBE). You are not actually righteous; you still sin on account of your mortal body. God declares you righteous because Jesus died in your place. You are thereby justified. God remains just and is the justifier of sinners.
Thanks to Ezekiel, we know Jerusalem’s future name: “And the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE” (48:35). (Jehovah Shama).
(Sounds like the start of a “Who’s on first?” skit. Where are we going? There. Where? Can’t you Hear? We are going There. I feel like this is going Nowhere. Are we There yet?).
“There” will be many Gentile nations on Earth during the Millennium. It appears they will be monarchies. Wait a minute! What happened to democracy?
Theocracy overrules democracy (and our republic and any form of government man has attempted). In the future, that is. Not now.
Isa 62:3 You shall also be a crown of glory In the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem In the hand of your God.
The “crown” is worn by a king. The “diadem” or “turban” is worn by a priest.
- As to the crown, the nation of Israel was unconditionally promised that a descendant of David would sit on the throne in Jerusalem forever.
- As to the turban, Israel will be a kingdom of priests, ministering to Gentiles who make pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Do you ever play the game of asking a child which hand the candy is in, and making them choose? God’s version is that either hand, anytime you pick, opens to a blessing.
Isa 62:4 You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the LORD delights in you…
According to one source, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. I don’t think that count includes everything in the modern age.
- “Hephzibah” means something like, My delight is in her.
- “Beulah” means married.
He is describing a last-minute rescue of Israel, motivated by His deep & abiding love for her. The LORD has a very particular set of skills. He will save the Jews.
- Israel is referred to as the wife of the LORD (Isaiah 54:6).
- The Church is called the Bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7).
Though these two references are similar, they are not the same. The Church is never called a wife. The Bride of Christ (or just bride) is always used in reference to the (primarily Gentile) Church of the New Testament. These are the ones who have been saved since Pentecost and remain until the Church is removed from Earth at the Resurrection & Rapture.
One commentator explains, “These two references reflect the two-part nature of God’s plan of redemption for the world. Salvation comes to the Jew first, but the Gentiles are also given opportunity through their association with Israel and the promises made to that nation. Both groups are ‘wedded’ to the Lord in that both are included in a single covenant given to Abraham and fulfilled in Christ.”
Isa 62:5 (CEV) Your people will take the land, just as a young man takes a bride. The LORD will be pleased because of you, just as a husband is pleased with his bride.
Sometimes the mention of marriage, brides & the bridegroom is a simple illustration. Life in the future Millennial Jerusalem will be joyous, like marriage as it was meant to be. Israel will be so thoroughly cleansed and purified of her sin that she will be looked upon as a virgin. Just as a groom rejoices over a bride, so will God rejoice over them. This is a way of saying, “The honeymoon never ends!”
The Bible says “Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). Over the period of his life walking with God, he went through many cities on Earth, but in the end knew exactly where he was going – Jerusalem.
You have exactly that same testimony to share.
You don’t know where you’re going on Earth; not really. Let God lead. Eventually, we get to Jerusalem.
People are leaving California. They get pretty excited about it:
- No more unaffordable vehicle registration; in fact, they pay you in the state you are going to, because they can’t wait to have Californians.
- You can buy 10 houses with acreage and a lake for the price of a one-bedroom California home that has a communal neighborhood bathroom.
- You can fish & hunt simultaneously, without a license, using mortars or shoulder mounted missiles – which are sold in any mini-mart. They give every Californian a bump stock as a welcoming gift.
That’s all good, but let’s get & stay excited about the Lord’s coming.
#2 – Jesus Has “I Won’t Hold My Peace” Excitement About You (v6-12)
Do you set reminders? God does!
They are called “watchmen” by Isaiah.
Isa 62:6 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent,
Most likely these “watchmen” are angelic beings:
- They have a 24/7, 360 ministry.
- They make their announcement to the LORD, not to the Jews.
- It isn’t wrong to suggest they’ve constantly been making this announcement from at least the 7th century – even though Jews were dispersed from Jerusalem for centuries and there were no towers.
The Talmud is the collection of rabbinical writings compiled in the 5th century BC. Jews consider it authoritative. These watchmen are identified as angels in the Talmud.
What do they say to the LORD?
Isa 62:7 And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Is Jerusalem established as “a praise in the Earth?” Hardly! We are seeing maybe the greatest outpouring of hatred for the Jews to ever occur at once.
When Jerusalem is established as “a praise in the Earth,” it will mean that Jesus has returned and is ruling over the Kingdom of God on Earth.
God doesn’t need angelic watchmen to remind Him of His promises to Israel. Whatever else might be going on, in Heaven or on Earth, there is, for lack of a better word, an atmosphere of expectation that the Lord is going to finalize the redemption & restoration plan He announced in the Garden of Eden. It may seem delayed, but be assured there are angels who keep it at the top of the agenda.
Isa 62:8 The LORD has sworn by His right hand And by the arm of His strength: “Surely I will no longer give your grain As food for your enemies; And the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine, For which you have labored.
Isa 62:9 But those who have gathered it shall eat it, And praise the LORD; Those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts.”
It is a basic tenet of government that those governed are free, and protected, to enjoy their own labors. The Millennium will be such a time for Israel.
Isa 62:10 Go through, Go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; Build up, Build up the highway! Take out the stones, Lift up a banner for the peoples!
Isa 62:11 Indeed the LORD has proclaimed To the end of the world: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.’ ”
When citizens knew that their King was coming, they’d prepare for it, working night & day if needed. Working joyfully, I might add.
Israel’s King did come! Jesus was “salvation” to Israel. He was their Savior. He would have rewarded them with the fulfillment of the covenants God made them over the centuries. The “work before Him” of redeeming His creatures & restoring His creation would have commenced.
Sadly, Israel was not prepared – even though they were warned to be. I’m talking, of course, about John the Baptist announcing that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, and then presenting Jesus as the King.
Isa 62:12 And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.
There is a lot of evil ‘name-calling’ against God’s chosen nation. It won’t permanently end until the Lord, Jesus, is ruling from Jerusalem.
You can recognize it when someone is genuinely excited to see you, either every time or after a long time. For one thing, they don’t duck down the aisles at Save Mart.
Jesus is described in the Gospels and elsewhere as being genuinely excited to be with us. I think one strong example should be enough. The Revelation of Jesus Christ closes out God’s story of redemption and restoration:
- Jesus returns in chapter 19. He returns with us I might add.
- Chapter 20 – We are assured that the 1000 year Kingdom of Heaven on Earth is a reality.
- Chapters 21 and 22 are dedicated to showing us as much of eternity as we can stand as human beings in our mortal bodies. Those chapters are filled with excitement and anticipation. Like being told that there won’t be any temple in eternity because “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”
Twice in chapter twenty-two Jesus let’s us know, “Behold, I am coming quickly.”
An excited Holy Spirit joins with an enthusiastic bride to respond, “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (v17).
If that’s not enough to convince you, Jesus shouts out, “Surely I am coming quickly.” To which we exclaim, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
A.W. Tozer said, “Let us be alert to the season in which we are living. It is the season of the Blessed Hope, calling for us to cut our ties with the world and build ourselves on this One who will soon appear. He is our hope – a Blessed Hope enabling us to rise above our times and fix our gaze upon Him.”