February 8: NEW NAMES
“Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the LORD out of all nations . . . to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.” Isaiah 66:20
“They” are those who recognized the sign (v.19) set by God among all of His professed people. Following that recognition, they escaped to fulfill the LORD’s Great Commission to the Gentiles, meaning those who do not know of a Creator who loves and desires to bring them into His kingdom.
Beloved, your full acceptance of the once-for-all substitutionary offering of Christ Himself frees you to go out and tell the gospel story. Those who believe it become your brethren for an offering to the LORD. What a magnificent thing it is to spiritually be fruitful and multiply! When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, your words and actions carry the potential of new birth for dear souls who were simply in need of a personal witness of the power of God’s love.
The reference to a clean vessel brings to mind the contrast that Isaiah had mentioned shortly before: broth of abominable things brought in their vessels by a rebellious people (65:2,4). Isaiah moves fluidly in his writings between the literal and the spiritual, or metaphorical, as well as in the time of the earth in its present, fallen state and its future, restored state. Even young children, once they understand a literal, tangible concept, can move into similes and metaphors with ease and clarity of understanding.
It is a fact that God’s future plan includes settling the heavenly Jerusalem upon the recreated earth as the capital of the universe (see Revelation 21:2). Isaiah’s vision of God’s holy mountain Jerusalem seems to leap forward into the future!
“For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD, so shall your descendants and your name remain.” (v.22) The reference to descendants does not necessarily mean only people who are related to you, but also includes those you have helped to bring into the eternal kingdom by your witness. This number may become very great as your converts gain converts and those converts gain converts. This gives a greater depth of meaning to the term generations. As illustrated in the naming of babies, the changing of names by God, and the names/roles of God Himself, names have meaning. Much of this concept has been lost in our Western culture.
The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name. Isaiah 62:2 (see also Revelation 2:17; 3:12)