The Jesus Bible Reading PlanНамуна

THE FUTURE GLORY OF ZION

These verses begin with the misery and affliction of the people of Jerusalem. The residents had been terrorized by an attack on the city, and God had not yet intervened to stop the invaders. But God, through Isaiah, detailed the bold plans he had to personally step into the city and gloriously transform it. This passage stunningly pictures everything from the foundation of the city to its ornamentation. The imagery described in terms of the jewels and precious stones is meant to help people visualize something beyond their wildest imagination.

Though Jerusalem has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history, nothing has been erected by human hands that comes anywhere close to the glittering vision God presented in this passage. That’s because the true fulfillment of the future glory of Zion is yet to come. The new Jerusalem is God’s future city; it will be inhabited by his people from every tribe, tongue and nation. United once and for all in his city, God’s people will worship him in the splendor of his beauty and holiness. And Jesus, the Lamb of God, will be its centerpiece (Rev 21:18 – 23).

Jesus, I thank you and praise you for the splendid future awaiting us. All of creation could spend eternity worshiping you, and it still wouldn’t be all that you deserve. Amen.