Whoever Remains in Zion: Isaiah 4:3 (Part 3)

This is another in a series of excerpts from The Book of Life: What the Bible Says about God’s Registry of the Redeemed from High Street Press and available at Amazon. This except comes from Chapter 8: Whoever Remains in Zion: Isaiah 4:3.

In two previous posts (#1; #2), we began to explore Isaiah’s revelation about the book of life: “Whoever remains in Zion and whoever is left in Jerusalem will be called holy ​— ​all in Jerusalem written in the book of life ….” (Isa. 4:3). We complete our study of this passage here.

Zion

So, to whom is this promise made? Isaiah 4:3 tells us, “Whoever remains in Zion and whoever is left in Jerusalem will be called holy ​— ​all in Jerusalem written in the book of life ….”​

The word “Zion” appears more than 150 times in Scripture. Essentially, it means “fortification” and carries the idea of being raised up as a monument. Zion is depicted both as the city of David and the city of God. We find the first mention of Zion in 2 Samuel 5: “Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David…. David took up residence in the stronghold, which he named the city of David” (vv. 7, 9).

As we move through the Old and New Testaments, the word “Zion” takes on additional, spiritual meaning. For example, Zion refers figuratively to Israel as the people of God (Isa. 60:14). And it comes to mean God’s spiritual kingdom.

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Whoever Remains in Zion: Isaiah 4:3 (Part 2)

This is another in a series of excerpts from The Book of Life: What the Bible Says about God’s Registry of the Redeemed from High Street Press and available at Amazon. This except comes from Chapter 8: Whoever Remains in Zion: Isaiah 4:3.

In the previous post, we were introduced to Isaiah’s reference to the book of life in Isaiah 4:3: “Whoever remains in Zion and whoever is left in Jerusalem will be called holy ​— ​all in Jerusalem written in the book of life.” Here, we continue our exploration of this passage.

Branch

Isaiah’s reference to “the Branch of the LORD” reinforces this view (4:2). The “Branch” foreshadows the coming Messiah, who brings marvelous fertility to the land and reverses the dire situation described in previous chapters. The Lord is going to replace Judah’s proud leaders with the Branch, a “beautiful and glorious” monarch who takes away sin and restores the land’s abundance. This Branch is of David’s lineage, yet also, in an unexplained way, he bears divine ancestry.

Other Old Testament passages give us insight into the person and work of the Branch. For example:

Isaiah 11:1-5 – Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him — a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight will be in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, he will not execute justice by what he hears with his ears, but he will judge the poor righteously and execute justice for the oppressed of the land. He will strike the land with a scepter from his mouth, and he will kill the wicked  with a command from his lips. Righteousness will be a belt around his hips; faithfulness will be a belt around his waist. 

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Whoever Remains in Zion: Isaiah 4:3

This is another in a series of excerpts from The Book of Life: What the Bible Says about God’s Registry of the Redeemed from High Street Press and available at Amazon. This except comes from Chapter 8: Whoever Remains in Zion: Isaiah 4:3.

Whoever remains in Zion and whoever is left in Jerusalem will be called holy ​— ​all in Jerusalem written in the book of life … (Isa. 4:3).

Isaiah prophesies in Judah during the reigns of four kings, a period of sixty to seventy years during which Samaria is captured, the northern kingdom of Israel is carried away (722-721 BC), and Judah is invaded (701 BC). 

Isaiah’s messages harken back to the eternal councils of God and gaze forward to the  creation of new heavens and a new earth (65:17; 66:22). Isaiah’s prophecies have a powerful messianic focus. He foretells Messiah’s birth (7:14; 9:6); reveals his deity (9:6-7); describes his ministry (9:1-2; 42:1-7; 61:1-2); foretells his death (52:1 – 53:12); and celebrates his future reign on earth (chaps. 2; 11; 65). 

A high point in Isaiah’s ministry comes in chapter 6 as he encounters God. The enraptured prophet catches a glimpse of Yahweh’s glory, moving Isaiah to despise his uncleanness and declare his sinfulness. He then confesses the people’s sins and responds to the divine call to take them God’s message: “Here I am. Send me” (see Isa. 6:1-8). 

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Key Truths about Heaven

This is another in a series of excerpts from What Every Christian Should Know About the Return of Jesus, released by High Street Press and available at Amazon. 

The New Testament reveals many truths about the intermediate state – the time between physical death and future resurrection. Further, it shows us a seamless transition from the intermediate state to the eternal state as the intersection between heaven and earth is restored, with God bringing down his throne to rest among the redeemed. Consider several key truths regarding heaven. 

First, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reside in heaven, yet they have immediate access to earth. This is seen, for example, in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism, where all three members of the Trinity appear together (Matt. 3:16-17).

Second, God’s will is done completely in heaven – and one day will be done on earth as well. In his model prayer, Jesus expresses this desire for God’s kingdom to come in its fullness (Matt. 6:9-10).

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Are There Aliens Among Us?

This is the first in a series of articles on what the Bible says about UFOs and aliens.

The radio announcer tried to hide his panic as he spoke: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have a grave announcement to make. Incredible as it may seem, both the observations of science and the evidence of our eyes lead us to the inescapable conclusion that those strange beings who landed in the Jersey farmlands tonight are the vanguard of an invading army from the planet Mars.”1

The CBS presentation of Orson Welles and his Mercury Theater was intended to entertain a dial-happy radio audience in the fall of 1938. Instead, it sent the world into panic. Shortly after signing off, Welles and his colleagues learned the unintended consequences of their broadcast.

Hundreds of thousands of screaming Americans had taken to the streets. Governors were begging their constituents to believe that martial law had not been declared. Weeping families jammed houses of worship, seeking absolution from their sins before the Martians descended on their towns. 

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