“Behold, a King will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice. A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, And a cover from the tempest, As rivers of water in a dry place, As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. The eyes of those who see will not be dim, And the ears of those who hear will listen. Also the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, And the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly. (Isaiah 32:1-4, NKJV). “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:16, NKJV). “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6, NKJV).
Isaiah’s prophecy abounds with Messianic references. In this passage from Isaiah 32, he forsees the Messiah as an ideal king, with both the King and his princes ruling with justice, and subjects in the kingdom as helpful, wise and righteous. While rulers and people should be the kinds of people described by Isaiah, it was left to the Kingdom under Messiah to ultimately bring about the true nobility and righteousness described. And where do we go in the New Testament to find the fulfillment of this Messianic prophecy? To Revelation, which is John’s vision of the Kingdom established.
When the King of King and Lord of Lords sets up His kingdom, then all who enter will know the pleasure, prosperity and purposes of a truly perfect place. Those who, according to Isaiah’s prophecy, provided “a hiding place from the wind,” were “covers from the tempest,” provided “rivers of water in a dry place,” were “a great rock in a weary land,” were dim of eye and stutters, all of these, imperfect as they were, will be made perfect and will be priests and reign with the Lord. And death will no more have dominion over them. Only under the Messianic King will people come into their true union with God. Then all people will be treated as God desires. Isaiah saw a glimpse of this kingdom and John the Revelator saw a vision of it. Only the Holy Spirit working to give them this insight could have left for us their visions of how things will be. “Ears will hear…eyes will see” Isaiah wrote!
What message does this have for us in the twenty-first century when governments are awry and the whole political system is out of kilter with hidden motives, self-seeking aims and economic chaos? It’s not always going to be like this. The time is coming when a true kingdom of righteousness will prevail. And the amazing fact is that God is already in the future, preparing this Reign of Righteousness. His plan and purpose will not be thwarted. And it will come to pass. We are to rest in His promises and wait for the establishment of His kingdom which He purposed from the beginning to build. With patience and diligence we pray and wait. Selah!
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Saturday, December 11, 2010
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