Special Ops Force - Rumor notes 123

 Revelation 14

1 I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. 2 I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. 3 They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth.

The pattern of this first section begins with seeing, followed by descriptions of what is heard and moving into details of perceiving the reasons for what is seen and heard. The verses 1-5 are an outline of a group of people that shows up repeatedly throughout this book as special forces agents who work intimately and closely with the Lamb. They become so closely allied with Him that in the next chapter they are described as being dressed pretty much identical to Him. That is the result of worship – identifying so closely with a hero that one desires to emulate them in every way possible from a spirit of admiration, affection, awe and intense loyalty.

with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand

Following are some additional details relating to these people who are closely allied with the Lamb.

The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour. These have one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast. These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings. They also will overcome who are with him, called and chosen and faithful. (Revelation 17:12-14)

What does overcoming mean? It is mentioned at the end of every message to the assemblies in chapters 3 and 4 and is central to the identity of all who remain loyal to the very end. Like Jacob whose name was changed to Israel as overcomer, these overcome their false identity that inhibited them all their lives, overcoming the enemy's power of fear in their lives by embracing their true identity in Christ who becomes their superhero for all eternity. They choose to be aligned completely with the motives, methods and disposition of the Lamb who reflects the same things about His Father that He represents so perfectly. They overcome the world because He overcame the world.

I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Numbers and names convey key messages about identity, worth and motives and fighting.

and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six. (Revelation 13:17-18)

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called "The Word of God." The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen. (Revelation 19:11-14)

Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me." (Matthew 26:38)

He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn't it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves. But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22:25-30)

Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. (John 15:4-8)

When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27)

The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:22-24)

We need to reemphasize that this war is an identity war, not a war over who can crush their opponent through superior force, but rather whose version of what God is really like can be trusted as authentic.

I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands; (Revelation 5:11)

I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: (Revelation 7:4)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)

144,000

I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!" I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: (Revelation 7:2-4)

They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. (Revelation 14:3-4)

The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. (Revelation 21:16-17)

The significance of the dimensions of this city is lost when the numbers are converted into equivalent measurements. The symbolic meaning of the numbers themselves is what is important. These numbers link to the organizational design seen in the Israelite encampment in the wilderness. That was reflective of God's social design for all humanity in two dimensional format. Here the number 12 is linked up with the number 1000 (representing divinity – the cubic dimension of the Most Holy place) adding a third dimension. Thus 144,000 represents a fulfillment of God's original intent for humanity to mature into becoming reflectors having the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26; 1 John 3:2). This team of 144,000 people are the first fruits of this amazing project by God to salvage and redeem as much of humanity as are willing, back to their original design and purpose – to mature into the fulness of Christ, producing all the fruit of the Spirit of Christ that dwells in them.

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-15)

All of this is what is meant by the word 'name' that shows up so much here.

having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. (Revelation 22:4)

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. (Revelation 3:12)

I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn't deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (Revelation 2:13)

His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called "The Word of God." (Revelation 19:12-13)

Moses said to God, "Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you;' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' What should I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM," and he said, "You shall tell the children of Israel this: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God said moreover to Moses, "You shall tell the children of Israel this, 'Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations. (Exodus 3:13-15)

Yahweh descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of Yahweh. Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, "Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children's children, on the third and on the fourth generation." (Exodus 34:5-7)

He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:6)

How is the name of God and His dwelling blasphemed? It is by distorting the truth about God's heart and defacing the reflection of His glory in those designed to reveal His glory in their lives and hearts.

It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth.

This is the work outlined by the prophet Isaiah in the words, "O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him." Isaiah 40:9,10.

Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them. {COL 415}

In contrast, we have just spent considerable time exploring what is involved in this blasphemy of God's reputation. The beast insists that it represents the truth about God, and the whole world wonders after it because they are duped into thinking God is like the beast rather than like the Lamb.

and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:17)

In Isaiah's day the spiritual understanding of mankind was dark through misapprehension of God. Long had Satan sought to lead men to look upon their Creator as the author of sin and suffering and death. Those whom he had thus deceived, imagined that God was hard and exacting. They regarded Him as watching to denounce and condemn, unwilling to receive the sinner so long as there was a legal excuse for not helping him. The law of love by which heaven is ruled had been misrepresented by the archdeceiver as a restriction upon men's happiness, a burdensome yoke from which they should be glad to escape. He declared that its precepts could not be obeyed and that the penalties of transgression were bestowed arbitrarily. {PK 311.1}

This is how the beast and all who side with it blaspheme the name of God. These views of God lie at the root of all sin and dysfunction, misery, violence and disharmony. This is what the Lamb hero of Revelation came to expose and dispel. He alone reveals the true heart of the Father as being love and only love, and that love will win over every lie the enemy uses to slander His reputation. This is the work these 144,000 join the Lamb to complete, to demonstrate in their lives a living reflection of the true nature of God's heart of compassionate love, care, humility and the kindness that alone leads to true repentance.

a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters

His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. (Revelation 1:15)

I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:6-7)

Significantly, the wife for the Lamb is made up of these very agents who have come to know Him so intimately and thoroughly that they share all the same values and priorities and reflect the same likeness as does the Lamb of God. Their sin, their distrust, every last doubt about God's pure goodness has been eradicated from their hearts and thinking by the blood of the Lamb, so their voice now sounds just like the voice of God – like the voice of many waters and of mighty thunders.

Ascribe to Yahweh, you sons of the mighty, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength. Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Worship Yahweh in holy array. Yahweh's voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters. Yahweh's voice is powerful. Yahweh's voice is full of majesty. (Psalms 29:1-4)

The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters: but he will rebuke them, and they will flee far off, and will be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like the whirling dust before the storm. At evening, behold, terror! Before the morning, they are no more. This is the portion of those who plunder us, and the lot of those who rob us. (Isaiah 17:13-14)

Under the expanse were their wings straight, the one toward the other: each one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies. When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army: when they stood, they let down their wings. There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings. Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke. (Ezekiel 1:23-28)

Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shined with his glory. (Ezekiel 43:2)

like the sound of a great thunder

I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, "Come and see!" (Revelation 6:1)

When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don't write them." (Revelation 10:4)

Yahweh's voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters. Yahweh's voice is powerful. Yahweh's voice is full of majesty. The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars. Yes, Yahweh breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young, wild ox. Yahweh's voice strikes with flashes of lightning. Yahweh's voice shakes the wilderness. Yahweh shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. Yahweh's voice makes the deer calve, and strips the forests bare. In his temple everything says, "Glory!" Yahweh sat enthroned at the Flood. Yes, Yahweh sits as King forever. Yahweh will give strength to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace. (Psalms 29:3-11)

Father, glorify your name!" Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." (John 12:28-29)

See that you don't refuse him who speaks. For if they didn't escape when they refused him who warned on the Earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven, whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:25-29)

like that of harpists playing on their harps

Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:8)

I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. (Revelation 15:2)

David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. (1 Chronicles 13:8)

Oh, send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill, To your tents. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy. I will praise you on the harp, God, my God. (Psalms 43:3-4)

I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. (Psalms 71:22)

Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody. (Psalms 98:5)

They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth.

As David accurately indicates, harps and music are designed for praising and glorifying God. Since the whole war is over God's reputation, all the energies of these agents are focused on winning the war. And music is like a giant heart amplifier to accentuate and empower the truth about God's good character so wonderfully that it finally achieves what it was meant to do originally – drawing out the hearts of God's creatures in admiration, affection and loyalty to the One who not only created them but ever loves them with an unquenchable, everlasting love that cannot be restrained.

Next time we will focus on this powerful New Song music which is the secret weapon of power relied on exclusively by the Lamb's special ops forces. They have learned how to fight the way their leader fights – in righteousness alone. He never judges or wages war any other way, and if we want to follow the Lamb wherever He leads us we must accept His ways in place of our ways and be cleansed of all motives that do not resonate with the motives of heaven.

Retribution of Zion - Rumor notes 122

 Revelation 14

1 I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. 2 I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. 3 They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth.

Let's begin with an overview of chapter 14 where we see more clearly the other side of the war. This clarifies the core issues involved. It begins by distinguishing God's true reflectors from counterfeit god reflectors just explained in chapter 13. (Refer to a chart compiled to compare these opposites.)

In verses 1-5, one of the high points of Revelation, we see more clearly God's end-time faithful witnesses who have allowed His graciousness to transform them into reflectors of His goodness and glory. This description will be even more clear in chapter 15 where we see the Lamb's fully matured special forces agents dressed like Him. In chapter 16 they pour out God's glory, strategically targeting each part of Satan's strongholds with praises and intercessions to God. A summary of these praises is found in the first of three angel's messages in this chapter right after their group description. Their final warnings and appeal to the world will be summarized in the next two messages with increasing intensity, all released on the world through means of these special agents who follow the Lamb.

The last of these three messages is a summary of what will be expanded on in chapter 16 where we find a fuller explanation such as reactions of torment inevitably experienced whenever unmitigated selfishness encounters relentless, selfless love. Emotional torment is the unavoidable and tragic reaction of continued resistance to undiluted love pouring out from God's heart through His faithful reflectors on earth. Yet this torment is a natural reaction that occurs in the psyche of any who refuse a love of the truth, reject God's mercy and spurn His glory; it is not punishment imposed by God.

The last half of chapter 14 describes two different harvests, the first one being non-violent and carried out by the Hero of this book with His angels. The second harvest is executed by the prince of this world counterfeiting the true harvest, likely under the guise of a need to purify the world of dissenters by all means possible. This harvest may correlate to the 6^th trumpet examined in chapter 9. In the name of God and justice, religious and political authorities will unite to carry out a global slaughter of God's followers in the greatest pogrom of bloodletting ever to occur in history.

The chapter begins with a refreshing reminder of the character and disposition of the Lamb as reflected in His true followers in stark contrast to the very dark scenes just reviewed in chapter 13.

behold, the Lamb

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:9-10)

These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.' I didn't know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel." (John 1:28-31)

Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (John 1:35-37)

standing on Mount Zion

The angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky, (Revelation 10:5)

Then I [or the dragon] stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names. (Revelation 13:1)

I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished. I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. (Revelation 15:1-2)

When evening had come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land. Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them, but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid." He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled; (Mark 6:47-51)

The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here; thinking, David can't come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. David said on that day, Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated of David's soul. Therefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he can't come into the house. (2 Samuel 5:6-8)

The remnant that has escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and out of Mount Zion those who shall escape: the zeal of Yahweh shall perform this. (2 Kings 19:30-31)

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us."

He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: "Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion."

I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father. Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him. (Psalms 2:1-12)

Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says: "Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries, and avenge myself of my enemies; and I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin. I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called 'The city of righteousness, a faithful town.' Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness. But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake Yahweh shall be consumed. (Isaiah 1:24-28)

It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of Yahweh's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many peoples shall go and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. House of Jacob, come, and let us walk in the light of Yahweh. (Isaiah 2:2-5)

In that day, Yahweh's branch will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the beauty and glory of the survivors of Israel. It will happen, that he who is left in Zion, and he who remains in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem; when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from its midst, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. Yahweh will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain. (Isaiah 4:2-6)

In that day you will say, "I will give thanks to you, Yahweh; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation."

Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation. In that day you will say, "Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name. Declare his doings among the peoples. Proclaim that his name is exalted! Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth! Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy One of Israel is great in the midst of you!" (Isaiah 12:1-6)

For it will be so in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done. These shall lift up their voice. They will shout for the majesty of Yahweh. They cry aloud from the sea. Therefore glorify Yahweh in the east, even the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea! From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the righteous! But I said, "I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!"

The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously. Fear, the pit, and the snare, are on you who inhabitant the earth. It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the midst of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble. The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently. The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.

It shall happen in that day that Yahweh will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth. They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders will be glory. (Isaiah 24:13-23)

Therefore hear the word of Yahweh, you scoffers, that rule this people in Jerusalem: "Because you have said, 'We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol are we in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it won't come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.'"

Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.

I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. Your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand.

When the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. As often as it passes through, it will seize you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be nothing but terror to understand the message." (Isaiah 28:14-19)

It will be like when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his hunger isn't satisfied; or like when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and behold, he is faint, and he is still thirsty. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like that. (Isaiah 29:8)

For the people will dwell in Zion at Jerusalem. You will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When he hears you, he will answer you. (Isaiah 30:19)

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they don't look to the Holy One of Israel, and they don't seek Yahweh!

Yet he also is wise, and will bring disaster, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of those who work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When Yahweh stretches out his hand, both he who helps shall stumble, and he who is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together.

For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them, so Yahweh of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its heights. As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it."

Return to him from whom you have deeply revolted, children of Israel. For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold--sin which your own hands have made for you.

"The Assyrian will fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of mankind, shall devour him. He will flee from the sword, and his young men will become subject to forced labor. His rock will pass away by reason of terror, and his princes will be afraid of the banner," says Yahweh, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 31:1-9)

Woe to you who destroy, but you weren't destroyed; and who betray, but nobody betrayed you! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed; and when you have made an end of betrayal, you will be betrayed.

Yahweh, be gracious to us. We have waited for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. At the noise of the thunder, the peoples have fled. When you lift yourself up, the nations are scattered. Your spoil will be gathered as the caterpillar gathers. Men will leap on it as locusts leap. Yahweh is exalted, for he dwells on high. He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of Yahweh is your treasure. (Isaiah 33:1-6)

The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning?

He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil-- he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. They will see a distant land. Your heart will meditate on the terror. Where is he who counted? Where is he who weighed? Where is he who counted the towers?

You will no longer see the fierce people, a people of a deep speech that you can't comprehend, with a strange language that you can't understand. Look at Zion, the city of our appointed festivals. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet habitation, a tent that won't be removed. Its stakes will never be plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken. But there Yahweh will be with us in majesty, a place of broad rivers and streams, in which no galley with oars will go, neither will any gallant ship pass by there. For Yahweh is our judge. Yahweh is our lawgiver. Yahweh is our king. He will save us.

Your rigging is untied. They couldn't strengthen the foot of their mast. They couldn't spread the sail. Then the prey of a great spoil was divided. The lame took the prey. The inhabitant won't say, "I am sick." The people who dwell therein will be forgiven their iniquity. (Isaiah 33:14-24)

The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon's glory Lebanon will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see Yahweh's glory, the excellence of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Tell those who have a fearful heart, "Be strong. Don't be afraid. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God's retribution.

He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.

A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called The Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools will not go there. No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there. The Yahweh's ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." (Isaiah 35:1-10)

"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh's hand double for all her sins."

The voice of one who calls out, "Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain.

The glory of Yahweh shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it." The voice of one saying, "Cry!" One said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh's breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever."

You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up. Don't be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold, your God!" Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young. (Isaiah 40:1-11)

Listen to me, you stout-hearted, who are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory. (Isaiah 46:12-13)

Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek Yahweh: look to the rock whence you were hewn, and to the hold of the pit whence you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many.

For Yahweh has comforted Zion; he has comforted all her waste places, and has made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Yahweh; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Attend to me, my people; and give ear to me, my nation: for a law shall go forth from me, and I will establish my justice for a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and my arms shall judge the peoples; the islands shall wait for me, and on my arm shall they trust. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and those who dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; don't you fear the reproach of men, neither be you dismayed at their insults. (Isaiah 51:1-7)

The ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy shall be on their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. I, even I, am he who comforts you: who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die, and of the son of man who shall be made as grass; and have forgotten Yahweh your Maker, who stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fear continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he makes ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile shall speedily be freed; and he shall not die and go down into the pit, neither shall his bread fail. For I am Yahweh your God, who stirs up the sea, so that the waves of it roar: Yahweh of Armies is his name. I have put my words in your mouth, and have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and tell Zion, You are my people. (Isaiah 51:11-16)

Now therefore, what do I here, says Yahweh, seeing that my people is taken away for nothing? those who rule over them do howl, says Yahweh, and my name continually all the day is blasphemed. Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he who does speak; behold, it is I.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns! The voice of your watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when Yahweh returns to Zion.

Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for Yahweh has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Yahweh has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Depart you, depart you, go you out from there, touch no unclean thing; go you out of the midst of her; cleanse yourselves, you who bear the vessels of Yahweh. For you shall not go out in haste, neither shall you go by flight: for Yahweh will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward.

Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. Like as many were astonished at you (his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men), so shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they understand. Who has believed our message? and to whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed? For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we didn't respect him. Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for[by] our transgressions, he was crushed for[by] our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 52:5 – 53:5)

Keep in mind that this is the same Lamb as in Revelation seen on Mount Zion.

Based on all we have just reviewed, what is the retribution of Zion? What does God's kind of vengeance look like?

What emerges from these passages when viewed through the lens of a Jesus-version of God's heart, is that God's vengeance is opposite of how we usually carry out vengeance. God is into the restoration business, not the payback business of evil for evil. God is restoring joy, peace, intimacy, safety, wholeness and healing so that the damage sin has caused may be reversed in all who are willing to cooperate to be transformed into the same glory the Lamb reflects.

The story of David capturing Jerusalem from the Jebusites, there identified as Zion, launches a fascinating thread that connects all the way down many hundreds of years to the story of blind Bartimaeus, a beggar (and possibly another with him) who confronted Jesus who was on His way to Jerusalem to face His death in this city identified as Zion. The blind beggars used a title for Jesus to get His attention, very possibly because they knew it would resonate with Him from the story of David.

Key to appreciating the deeper meanings in these connected stories is the context in which it is found in the gospels. The disposition of David who is closely tied to the identity of Jesus, was in that story not reflective of the disposition of Jesus. Thus that story became a key factor influencing the thinking of people in Jesus' day about how God relates to the blind and the lame as well as others.

Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, "Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, "You son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still, and said, "Call him."

They called the blind man, saying to him, "Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!" He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "Rhabboni, that I may see again."

Jesus said to him, "Go your way. Your faith has made you well." Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. (Mark 10:42-52)

What is so significant about this story and its parallel rehearsals in the other gospels? Jesus came to this world primarily for God's salvation, to salvage God's reputation that has been slandered pretty much by every human being since the beginning of this world. David was viewed by the Jews as one of their greatest heroes that they relied on as to how God relates to His chosen people. The story of David's attitude towards the blind and the lame in reaction to the taunting of the Jebusites who occupied the strong city David wanted for himself, resonated strongly with the kind of God the religious people throughout history imagine and expect Him to be like.

The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here; thinking, David can't come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. David said on that day, Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated of David's soul. Therefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he can't come into the house. (2 Samuel 5:6-8)

David's reaction to the words of the Jebusites created a prejudice that become embedded into the culture of Israel for many generations and was rigidly enforced in Jesus' day by the exclusion of anyone from the temple they deemed inferior or handicapped – particularly the lame and the blind. This prejudice could be traced back to this story. This shared hatred with David for the lame and the blind extended to others they also viewed as cursed by God. But Jesus came to rectify such thinking that so distorts our views of God, so when a blind man called out Jesus as the Son of David, he was in effect challenging Jesus to address this centuries-old prejudice and maybe defy tradition, hoping to see Jesus respond differently than David.

The fact that Jesus responded to this blind man with a disposition quite different than what David had exhibited was itself an affront to the attitudes of the religious elite of His day. Many things about Jesus were like this, and the fact that here we find the Lamb standing on Mount Zion at the beginning of this highly important chapter is not incidental. The Lamb of God is also the Son of David who came to dispel distorted opinions that have darkened our views of how God feels about us, and He continues to challenge them until light completely dispels the darkness of misapprehensions about Him.

Notice that at the end of the story of Bartimaeus it says he followed Jesus. From the larger context of this story we learn that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for the last time, the same place identified as Mount Zion. He is the Lamb of God that John the Baptist said would take take away the sin of the world. That sin includes the prejudices and hatred initiated and perpetuated by even God's champions throughout history like David. This is why it is so important to make Jesus our preeminent example, for He alone is the revelation of the truth about God's disposition towards every person.

What else can we learn in connection with this theme of Zion?

It is God who will accomplish all that must be done to restore the honor of Zion.

the zeal of Yahweh shall perform this. (2 Kings 19:30-31)

I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion. (Psalms 2:1-12)

Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness. (Isaiah 1:24-28)

out of Zion the law shall go forth ...let us walk in the light of Yahweh. (Isaiah 2:2-5)

look at Zion...let us walk in the light of Yahweh. (Isaiah 2:2-5)

he who is left in Zion, ...shall be called holy

when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion

Yahweh will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion...a cloud

over all the glory will be a canopy. (Isaiah 4:2-6)

Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion;

for the Holy One of Israel is great in the midst of you!" (Isaiah 12:1-6)

Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem;

and before his elders will be glory. (Isaiah 24:13-23)

I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone

He who believes shall not act hastily. (Isaiah 28:14-19)

the people will dwell in Zion...will weep no more.

He will surely be gracious to you... When he hears you, he will answer you. (Isaiah 30:19)

Yahweh of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion.

As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies will protect...and deliver it.

He will pass over and preserve it. (Isaiah 31:1-9)

He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.

The fear of Yahweh is your treasure. (Isaiah 33:1-6)

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty.

Look at Zion, ...Your eyes will see a quiet habitation,

there Yahweh will be with us in majesty

people who dwell therein will be forgiven their iniquity. (Isaiah 33:14-24)

rejoice even with joy and singing.

see Yahweh's glory, the excellence of our God

the redeemed will walk there.

everlasting joy will be on their heads.

They will obtain gladness and joy, (Isaiah 35:1-10)

comfort my people, ...iniquity is pardoned

The glory of Yahweh shall be revealed

He will feed his flock...gather the lambs in his arm... gently lead... (Isaiah 40:1-11; 51:1-7)

I bring near my righteousness

I will place salvation in Zion (Isaiah 46:12-13)