Although one would likely not have realized it at the time, the Lord was laying out His roadmap for the entire future of Judah and the world through the prophet Isaiah. It impacts every living person – past, present, and future – and reaches to the ends of the earth.
Three basic prophetic themes are scattered throughout the book of Isaiah. Two of the prophetic themes have been fulfilled, one has not. These three themes are as follows:
- The suffering of Judah and their exile to Babylon due to stubborn idolatry, and their return to the land of Israel in repentance. (Fulfilled)
- The coming, crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life to atone for the sins of Judah and for the entire world. (Fulfilled)
- The return of Messiah, Jesus, to reign over the entire earth from David’s throne in Jerusalem. His second coming will bring many blessings to the people of Israel and attract others from all over the world to come there to worship the Lord in His physical presence. (Not yet fulfilled)
Later prophets, such as Daniel and Ezekiel, will shed light on the great Gentile empires that would rise and fall in the interim, but Isaiah’s focus is on the line of King David and its ultimate purpose, the regal birth of Jesus Christ.
Having covered most of the first two prophetic themes, Isaiah returns to the third theme in Chapter 54 – the unfulfilled prophecy regarding the return of Christ and the installation of His global kingdom at the end of the age.
Speaking the Lord’s words to Judah, who would face the severe trial of an onslaught by Nebuchadnezzar and exile in Babylon, Isaiah encourages them with God’s promise of a much brighter future into eternity.
11 “O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
Your gates of crystal,
And all your walls of precious stones.
13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:11-13 (NKJV)
As predicted, Jerusalem would be trodden down by the Gentiles, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, the first of the remaining four great world empires. Babylon will be followed by Medo-Persia, Greece, and finally Rome. The Roman Empire will not be conquered but will crumble – it will be replaced by the European nations and former colonies that we have known throughout history, right up to the present time. It will reform one day under Antichrist in one last vain attempt to defy and defeat the Lord. One day in the future, God will brush these governments aside and replace them with one far greater, an eternal kingdom, centered in Jerusalem, built of priceless and colorful gems and stones. Here, Jesus Christ will reign as king, perhaps assisted by a resurrected King David, himself.
At last, Jerusalem will be a place of peace, and all the children of the land will be taught in truth by the Lord Himself.
The last book of the New Testament, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, shares a vision given to the Apostle John highlighting the color and splendor of God and His heaven. Christ’s new kingdom on earth will undoubtedly share and reflect many of these colorful qualities.
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Revelation 4:2-3 (NKJV)
God will draw from the very best of creation as He builds up the foundations and walls of His new, eternal kingdom. We can only begin to imagine what this will be like. It will be given to the righteous, those who have been made clean by the blood of the Lamb through faith in Jesus. In the words of a prison chaplain I know, “Be there!”
By His great grace and mercy, through faith, let us be there to enjoy a future of color and splendor in the Lord and His works.
Reflection
God adds color to our world as an amazing gift of His love. Everyone who enters His kingdom by faith will be able to enjoy its magnificent beauty throughout eternity.
Lord, You and Your goodness are the true color and glory in our lives. Your radiance and brightness surpass our every imagination. May we be there to see the gem-covered walls and foundations of the New Jerusalem. We trust in You and Your sacrifice on the cross to cleanse us from our sin and grant us the righteousness we need to stand in Your presence. We thank You for Your abundant grace and mercy. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Have a beautiful day inspired by the color and magnificence of the Lord today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 