Season 6, Podcast 110, Isaiah 51:1-23, “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness.”

Season 6, Podcast 110, Isaiah 51:1-23, “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness.”Isaiah 51 is a continuation of Isaiah 50. It focuses on the Savior but primarily is addressed to the gathering of Israel in the last days. The Lord defines his audience.Isaiah 51:11 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.The Lord is speaking to all those who ‘follow after righteousness’ and ‘who seek the Lord.’ He tells them where to look, “Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn” means to look to God who is your Father. Though he is speaking of the gathering of Israel, that message is for everyone. Christ is coming again to the earth and only the righteous and those who seek the Lord shall be able to stand. The call is addressed to the children of Abraham or the to covenant people; however, the scriptures have already established who the covenant people are. They are all those who have faith in Christ.Galatians 3:26-29 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.Isaiah is very clear that there will, in the last days, be a literal gathering of Israel. The twelve tribes shall return to the promised land, but Isaiah is also clear that Zion refers to all those who follow after righteousness, who seek the Lord, and who believe in Jesus Christ. Notice what Paul says about those who are caught up in the cloud.1 Thessalonians 4:16-1816 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.Keep the double meaning in mind as Isaiah speaks of the gathering of Israel.Isaiah 51:2-52 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.Isaiah is speaking of one of his favorite themes, the Millennial day. Mount Zion is not for the Jews only but for all who call upon the name of the Lord.Joel 2:3232 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.Isaiah then gives what has become a very familiar image when speaking of the last days.Isaiah 51:66 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness