Through His prophets, the Lord had called Israel, then Judah, an adulterous prostitute. He bought her out of slavery, she sold herself again. He bought her out repeatedly, but eventually He had to let her go a lot farther. Though He did buy her back one last time, it was never the same. So we find Isaiah celebrating the coming Messianic Age when God would remake Israel.
Zion as a symbol stood for Heaven, the throne of God. For the sake of His Throne in Heaven, the Lord must remake Israel. He refused to rest in the failure of earthly Israel, and was determined to build a spiritual empire, a place where righteousness was as natural as the air we breathe, or the light of day. All the world would see this brand of eternal living, and would be drawn to it. While this new nation of the spirit would inherit the privileges of the name of Israel, He would give it yet a new name, to reflect the newness of what it would be. This new Bride would wear the crown of God's own glory. While earthly Israel would be called Forsaken and Desolate, the New Israel would be called My Delightful Wife.
It's possible a few hardy souls in Old Israel would desire to see this new Realm of the Spirit. Like faithful soldiers on guard duty atop the city walls, these would be looking for the coming of His Kingdom. Indeed, they would call out to the Lord to make it so. It would have to be something He Himself would do, because no man was capable. The God who granted enemies to oppress Israel on earth would be the same God who prospered the Spiritual Israel of Heaven. The former rejected His promises; the latter would have nothing but His promises: sustenance, security, and stability.
Anticipation was burning in the heart of God. He couldn't wait to see it come. He called for those whose calling was prophecy to lay the ground work for this new nation, to make the path obvious and smooth. The celebratory announcement would go around the whole world. The Messiah would come through Israel, and His own brand of holiness would be the character of His People. The Heavenly Zion would be bigger than any tourist destination in history, drawing souls from the whole of humanity, from every corner of Creation. Yet it would be in truth the Lord who seeks them out, making His New Zion a place overflowing which joyful souls.
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By Ed Hurst
28 September 2009
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