Isaiah
54
Isaiah
describes in this chapter the role of the accumulated new remnant at the Latter Rain added to the regular remnant
through all the generations. The “barren one” is probably the non-remnant ones
that will be saved at the Latter Rain
event and “you have not born [someone]” (v. 1). The saved ones at that time
will “break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud” (v. 1b). “For many are
the sons of the desolate one [those who never had a chance to grow in the
gospel and evangelize]. They are more than the sons of the married one, the
regular remnant who is the Bride of Christ through all the ages (v. 1d). This
addition group to the longtime remnant must enlarge their tent (v. 2a-3a) since
“your seed shall possess nations”, they will come from many nations (v. 3b) and
what is desolate cities on a desolate earth after the Hell event, after the
Millennium will be recreated as a new earth for them to live in. They do not need
to fear or feel humiliated or disgraced “the reproach of your widowhood you
will remember no more”. The phrase “no more” put it in the Eschaton. Also Paul
understood this passage to be the New Jerusalem in Heaven in Galatians 4:27.
This “barren one” husband is the Lord of Hosts (v. 5a). He is the Redeemer, the
Holy One of [spiritual] Israel (v. 5c). He will also be called the “God of all
the earth” (5d). “For a brief moment I [the Lord] forsook you but with great
compassion I will gather you” (v. 7a-b). The Latter Rain is a gathering of the harvest of the Lord in the
end-time and Joel also outlined that as well as other prophets. Isaiah recorded
God’s word by using a poetic phrase which rhymes “In the reception [Egyptian šsp
meaning receive] of anger [from the
not yet remnant ones] I [God] hid My face from you” (v. 8a-b). God’s compassion
and everlasting lovingkindness made Him to have compassion over them (v. 8d). We
know it is the end of time for Christ said that just as it was in the days of
Noah before the Flood so shall it be in the end time. God said in Isaiah 54:9 “for
this is like the days of Noah to Me”. There will be a shaking of mountains in
the eschaton but “My covenant of peace will not be shaken” (v. 10c). Both the
regular remnant and the joined remnant will be afflicted “o afflicted one,
storm tossed and not comforted” (v. 11a). In the Time of Jacob’s Trouble God
will have “compassion on you” (v. 8c). Then follows a description of the New
Jerusalem build by God for the remnant saved at the Second Coming of Christ “your
foundations I will lay in sapphires” (v. 11c); “your gates of crystal” (v.
12b); “your entire wall of precious stones” (v. 12c). The saints have beautiful
apartments and houses in the New Jerusalem which cannot be compared to present
earthly conditions. The Lord will be their teacher (v. 13a) and their “well-being
of your sons will be great” (v. 13b). God says to the remnant that they will be
established “in righteousness” (v. 14a). “Your will be far from oppression for
you will not fear” (v. 14b) meaning that safely in the New Jerusalem after the
Second Coming the remnant is safe. “From terror for it will not come near you”
(v. 14c). Verse 15 cancels any form of antagonism from an enemy. The Lord is
the creator just like a iron smith who blows the fire of coals to make a weapon
is a creator and the Lord has originally created Lucifer who became Satan “the
destroyer” but God planned his “ruin” (v. 16c). During the Time of Trouble “no weapon
that is formed against you shall prosper” (v. 17b). Every accusation against a
remnant member in earthly courts of law will be judged during the millennium by
the remnant in heaven reopening the books to verify why certain people were not
saved “every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn” (v. 17b). God
says that this safety and these beautiful apartments in the New Jerusalem is
the “heritage of the servants of the Lord” (v. 17c). Their vindication is from
the Lord (v. 17d).
Dear God
Enlarging your
remnant in the End Time is the constant yearning of the present remnant. Come
quickly Lord Holy Spirit to gather them in globally and prepare the remnant for
the arrival of Christ at the Second Coming. Amen.
Koot
van Wyk, (DLitt et Phil; ThD) Kyungpook National University, Department of
Liberal Education, Sangju, South Korea; conjoint lecturer of Avondale College,
Australia