B06.02.89.htm

(ISAIAH No.5)

(Cont. from Page 5/2/89).

Chapter 12: In that day, when "Jehovah will again offer His hand, a second time, to acquire the remnant of His people... He will certainly raise up a signal for the nations". (11:11,12). In relation to this signal from God, those residing in spiritual Mount Zion will be moved to say: "I shall thank you, O Jehovah, for although You got incensed at me, Your anger gradually turned back, and You proceeded to comfort me." (12:1). "Cry out, shout aloud, you that dwell in Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is among you in majesty." (12:6 NEB). We shall, "Give thanks to the Lord and invoke Him by Name, make His deeds known in the world around; declare that His Name is Supreme." (12:4 NEB). Those residing in Zion will feel the Spirit of Jehovah among them and will openly declare abroad His Holy Name and His deeds. The gradual turning back of His anger shall become a Spirit of comfort and joy to His people: "And so you shall draw water with joy from the springs of deliverance." (12:3 NEB). Heavenly Spirit "waters" are new spiritual understandings from Jehovah. (Rev 22:1,2).

Chapter 13: When the signal is raised, wicked spirits of Godless people of the world and their leaders (the "nobles") will hear the "call to arms" and will set themselves to war against the incoming Spirit of the Lord's Judgement. (See Joel 3:9 12 & Isaiah 66:16 NEB). "Hark, a tumult in the mountains, the sound of a vast multitude; hark the roar of kingdoms, of nations gathering!" (13:4 NEB). Almighty God has issued the command to His anointed "sanctified ones", and His "mighty ones" will gather from the "extremity of the heavens" to express His anger: "Jehovah and the weapons of His denunciation, to wreck all the earth." (13:3,5). "Thereat shall every hand hang limp, every man's courage shall melt away, his stomach hollow with fear; anguish shall grip them, like a woman in labour. One man shall look aghast at another, and their faces shall burn with shame." (13:7,8 NEB). By the Spirit of His righteous Judgement Jehovah will bring the error of wicked ones upon themselves. His burning anger will bring low the arrogance of ruthless men and exterminate them. (13:9 12 NWT & NEB). In seeking refuge from the anger of God, many will flee to their native countries. But "anyone captured is cut down, anyone caught is stabbed". (13:15 Moffatt).

As for the inhabitants of Babylon (modern-day Iraq), Jehovah will arouse against them the forces of the "Medes and Elamites" (modern-day Iran) who care nothing for the power of the wealthy or their wives and children. (13:17,18 Moffatt). And the Babylon that is modern-day Iraq, and "Babylon the great" the world empire of sectarian religion, shall both be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them, never to be inhabited again. (13:19 22. Rev 18:1-8).

Chapter 14: The "king of Babylon" is satan. Oppressive exploitation by his "rod of the wicked ones, the staff of the ruling ones" that are "driving others to work" will be brought to a stop by Jehovah. He will break the "rod" of their authority by the Spirit of His Judgement. The whole earth will then be at peace, even Lebanon. (14:4-8).

All those having a sincere appreciation for spiritual things are of the household of "Israel". Of these it says: "The household of Israel shall be conducted home by outside nations, and then Israel shall hold them as slaves in the land of the Eternal, thus making captives of their former captors, and ruling over their oppressors... and they must have in subjection those who were driving them to work." (14:2 Moffatt) (See NWT).

As for satan the "king of Babylon": "You shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the abyss." (14:15 NEB). As for men and women of "Babylon" today: "They shall not rise up and possess the world nor cover the face of the earth with cities. I will rise against them, says the LORD of Hosts; I will destroy the name of Babylon and what remains of her, her offspring and posterity, says the Lord". (14:21,22 NEB).

(Cont. on Page 25/2/89).

6/2/89.