“God's Covenant People in Prophecy: Their Identity, Role, and Final Victory”
Prayer Thought:
"God's Purpose Fulfilled Through Spiritual Israel"
That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today. He has "let out His vineyard unto other husbandmen," even to His covenant-keeping people, who faithfully "render Him the fruits in their seasons." Never has the Lord been without true representatives on this earth who have made His interests their own. These witnesses for God are numbered among the spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people. {PK 713.1}
Purpose of the Study
To Understand the Symbols: Clarify the prophetic roles of Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel in God’s plan.
To Identify God’s People Today: Recognize the characteristics of spiritual Israel, including the remnant who uphold God’s commandments and faith.
To Highlight the Church's Mission: Emphasize the call to proclaim the Three Angels’ Messages and gather the faithful into one fold.
To Prepare for the End-Time Events: Inspire spiritual readiness and faithfulness in anticipation of Christ’s second coming.
To Promote Unity and Purity: Encourage self-examination, reformation, and alignment with God's truth.
This study would serve as a foundation for spiritual growth, equipping God’s people to understand their prophetic role and mission in the final events of earth’s history.
A. JERUSALEM IN PROPHECY
Biblical Perspective
Jerusalem
Symbolic of the church or God's chosen people (Isaiah 52:1- 2, Revelation 21:2).
Isaiah 52:1-2 provides a powerful prophetic message of hope, renewal, and deliverance. It is addressed to Jerusalem but holds both literal and spiritual significance for God’s people. Let’s break it down:
Text: Isaiah 52:1-2 (KJV)
1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
Insights
Verse 1: “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments...”
Call to Wakefulness:
The repetition of "awake" emphasizes urgency. God calls His people to rise from spiritual lethargy and become fully aware of their divine calling.
It symbolizes a revival among God’s people, both individually and collectively.
Strength and Beautiful Garments:
Strength refers to spiritual empowerment through God. It is a call to put on the power of faith, righteousness, and reliance on God’s promises (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Beautiful garments symbolize righteousness and purity
(Revelation 19:8). God’s people are called to reflect His character and holiness.
Holy City Without the Unclean:
Jerusalem is referred to as the "holy city," indicating its special status as a place set apart for God.
The exclusion of the uncircumcised and unclean signifies the ultimate purification of God’s people, both morally and spiritually, as they prepare to meet their Lord (Revelation 21:27).
Verse 2: “Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down...”
Shaking Off the Dust:
Dust represents humiliation, defeat, and bondage. This is a call to rise from spiritual defeat and oppression.
It echoes the message of renewal and restoration, reminding God’s people to claim victory through His power.
Arise and Sit Down:
"Arise" signifies taking a stand for truth, regaining dignity, and embracing God’s calling.
"Sit down" implies taking one’s rightful place in authority, rest, and communion with God as His redeemed people (Ephesians 2:6).
Loosing the Bands of Bondage:
This signifies deliverance from captivity, whether physical (as in Babylonian exile) or spiritual (bondage to sin or falsehood).
God promises freedom for Zion, reflecting His power to break the chains of oppression (Isaiah 61:1).
Spiritual Application
Revival and Reformation:
A. Isaiah 52:1-2 calls for spiritual awakening. God’s people must arise from complacency, clothe themselves with righteousness, and prepare for His kingdom.
Separation from Sin:
The exclusion of the unclean emphasizes the need for purity and separation from sin and worldliness.
Deliverance and Restoration:
The imagery of shaking off dust and loosing bands reflects God’s power to redeem His people, both in the past (deliverance from Babylon) and in the future (final deliverance at Christ’s return).
Mission of Zion: Rev. 14:1-5
Zion (God’s church) is called to stand strong, reflect His glory, and fulfill her mission to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ.
Insights from Spirit of Prophecy (SOP)
Ellen White frequently draws on these verses to emphasize the importance of spiritual readiness and revival:
“When the church awakens to a sense of what must be done in this time, they will stand in the strength of God and will put on the beautiful garments of Christ's righteousness.” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, p. 41)
The call to "awake" is linked to the Three Angels’ Messages, which require God’s people to proclaim truth and prepare for the final harvest (Revelation 14:6-12).
Summary 1:
Isaiah 52:1-2 is both a call to action and a promise of hope. It urges God’s people to awaken from spiritual slumber, embrace righteousness, and prepare for their ultimate deliverance. Itassures that God will purify and empower His church to fulfill its mission and be ready for His eternal kingdom.
Revelation 21:2 provides a vivid and symbolic description of the New Jerusalem, the eternal home of the redeemed. Let’s explore its meaning in depth.
Text: Revelation 21:2 (KJV)
"And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
Insights
1. "The holy city, New Jerusalem"
New Jerusalem as a Literal and Spiritual City:
The New Jerusalem is described as the dwelling place of God with His redeemed people (Revelation 21:3). It is a literal city, yet also symbolizes the church triumphant—the glorified community of believers. Chap. 58 - The Church Triumphant {AA 593.1-602.3}
It is the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to dwell with His people (Exodus 25:8, Ezekiel 37:27).
Holy City:
The city is "holy" because it is entirely set apart for God, free from sin, corruption, or impurity (Revelation 21:27).
It represents a restored relationship between God and humanity, where holiness and righteousness prevail.
2. "Coming down from God out of heaven"
Divine Origin:
The city is not man-made but originates from God, symbolizing His provision and ultimate fulfillment of His promise of restoration.
It reflects the heavenly perfection and glory of God, as He prepares a dwelling for His people (John 14:2-3).
Descending to Earth:
The New Jerusalem’s descent signifies the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom on the new earth, where heaven and earth are united (Revelation 21:1).
It marks the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, where the redeemed inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
3. "Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband"
Prepared for a Special Union:
The imagery of a bride highlights meticulous preparation and beauty. This reflects the perfection, purity, and readiness of the city for its eternal purpose.
The preparation also symbolizes the work of God in cleansing and sanctifying His people (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Bride Adorned for Her Husband:
The husband is Christ, and the bride is His church (Revelation 19:7-8). This points to the intimate, covenantal relationship between Christ and His redeemed people.
The adornment reflects the righteousness of Christ, which covers the redeemed (Isaiah 61:10).
Spiritual Application
Heavenly Focus:
Revelation 21:2 reminds believers to focus on the eternal kingdom rather than the transient things of this world (Colossians 3:2).
God’s Provision and Fulfillment:
The descent of the New Jerusalem assures believers that God will bring His promises to completion. The redeemed will dwell with Him forever in a perfect environment.
Sanctification and Readiness:
Just as the bride is adorned, God’s people are called to prepare for Christ’s return by living lives of holiness, reflecting His character (2 Peter 3:11-14).
Unity of Heaven and Earth:
The union of the New Jerusalem with earth signifies the removal of all separation between God and humanity. It is the ultimate goal of redemption: reconciliation and eternal communion.
Insights from Spirit of Prophecy (SOP)
Ellen G. White provides further insights into Revelation 21:2:
The New Jerusalem as the Eternal Home:
“Christ assured His disciples that He went to prepare mansions for them. He will come again, and receive them unto Himself, that where He is, there they may be also. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called ‘the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’” (The Great Controversy, p. 426)
Preparation and Sanctification:
“Only those who are clothed in the robe of Christ’s righteousness will be able to enter the gates of the city of God.” (Steps to Christ, p. 62)
The Beauty of the Bride:
The adornment of the bride represents the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers and their readiness for eternity.
Summary 2:
Revelation 21:2 is a profound promise of hope and restoration.
The New Jerusalem symbolizes the eternal dwelling of God with His redeemed people, marked by purity, beauty, and unity. It calls believers to live in anticipation of this reality, preparing through Christ’s righteousness and eagerly awaiting the consummation of God’s kingdom.
Conclusion
JERUSALEM
It represents the center of worship, truth, and God’s covenant with His people (Psalm 122:6-7).
In prophecy, it points to the heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal home of the redeemed (Hebrews 12:22-23, Revelation 21:10).
Literal Jerusalem: The historic city central to Israel's history and worship, as the location of the temple (1 Kings 8:29; 2 Chronicles 6:6).
Spiritual Jerusalem: Symbolizes God's people or His church. The New Testament often uses Jerusalem to represent the "heavenly Jerusalem," the eternal city of God (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:2).
Prophetic Significance: Represents the center of God's purposes on earth, often tied to restoration (Zechariah 8:3- 8), the focus of eschatological conflict (Zechariah 12:2-9), and ultimate triumph in the establishment of God’s kingdom.