The Real Meaning of Life

Interesting chapter. The title in the NKJV is “The Future Glory of Zion”, and I can perceive Isaiah’s words in two different ways.

First, I don’t mean to spoil the ending, but eventually Israel separates themselves far enough from God that Babylon comes and takes them into captivity for 70 years. But eventually they return and rebuild Jerusalem. So in one way, Isaiah may be prophesying about this rebuilding.

Then again, Isaiah’s words also ring true about the rebuilding of earth. In the very end, God will cleanse the earth of sin and return it to it’s original design, as He intended for it to be at Creation. Listen to what Isaiah says.

“They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God.” In the end, the saved will live with God in the new Jerusalem. In fact, there will be no need for the sun because the earth will be illuminated by God’s bright glory.

“Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” I’m not so sure about the word “vengeance”, but then again the original Hebrew word may have different meanings that we do not immediately associate with the word. But, in both cases, Babylon and the end time, God will save His Chosen people, the remnant. And what will He be saving us from? This wicked world. Many can say they have a happy life, but is it true happiness? Can one be truly happy while there are murders, rapes, abortions, natural disasters, and other wickedness in the world occurring. If our lives are centered around ourselves and what immediately affects us, then yes, we can say we’re happy; but can we sleep at night knowing that babies are being murdered in the world and that Christians abroad are being killed for their belief, or that there are those that are addicted to drugs and overdosing daily, or those that are homeless, living on the street? These things and more, is what Jesus will come and save us from.

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing.” To me, this points specifically to Heaven; I don’t see these things happening when the children of Israel return to their land. I do see it happening if Isaiah is prophesying about the Second Coming of Christ as scripture says we will have new bodies, bodies that are new and healthy, no illness or disease.

Isaiah continues talking about the land and how it will be restored, and how there will be no predators; all animal will be herbivores. This means the lion can lay with the lamb and cohabitate. No more deserts, all will be lush grass with waters. Everything changed by sin will be reversed or restored.

And the best part, aside from living with God, is…”And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Scripture says that the New Jerusalem will descend from heaven, takes it’s place in Israel, and all of the righteous and redeemed will live there.

It is wonderful for the children of Israel to be released from their captivity in Babylon and return to their homeland, but it will be even more wonderful to live with God in the new, sinfree world.

I can not wait for that day! I pray I’ll see you there!