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Prophets and Kings
placing their trust in a form of godliness, but were not bringing true
holiness into the life practice. The outlook seemed hopeless; but soon
the scene changed, and before the eyes of the prophet was spread a
wondrous vision. He saw the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing
in His wings; and, lost in admiration, he exclaimed: “The dimness
shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first He lightly
afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward
did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan,
in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have
seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.”
Isaiah 9:1, 2
.
This glorious Light of the world was to bring salvation to every
nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Of the work before Him, the
prophet heard the eternal Father declare: “It is a light thing that Thou
shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore
the preserved of Israel: I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles,
that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth.” “In an
acceptable time have I heard Thee, and in a day of salvation have I
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helped Thee: and I will preserve Thee, and give Thee for a covenant
of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate
heritages; that Thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that
are in darkness, Show yourselves.” “Behold, these shall come from
far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from
the land of Sinim.”
Isaiah 49:6, 8, 9, 12
.
Looking on still farther through the ages, the prophet beheld the
literal fulfillment of these glorious promises. He saw the bearers of the
glad tidings of salvation going to the ends of the earth, to every kindred
and people. He heard the Lord saying of the gospel church, “Behold, I
will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like
a flowing stream;” and he heard the commission, “Enlarge the place
of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations:
spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt
break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit
the Gentiles.”
Isaiah 66:12
;
54:2, 3
.
Jehovah declared to the prophet that He would send His witnesses
“unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, ... to Tubal, and Javan, to
the isles afar off.”
Isaiah 66:19
.