The Book Of Isaiah - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copelandnew creation for the remnant who heed His call. The promise involves new heavens and a new earth,with Jerusalem as a rejoicing, depicted in terms that would be especially comforting to the people inBabylonian captivity. The prophecy of Isaiah ends with a chapter containing a reminder that the Lordlooks favorably upon the poor and contrite in spirit who tremble at His word, repeating the promises tocome for Jerusalem and the end of the wicked (again framed in terms to comfort the captives inBabylon).I believe much of this section was fulfilled with the inauguration of the Messianic age in the firstcoming of Christ. Yet in view of the words of Peter (cf. 2 Pe 3:13-14) and the vision of John (cf. Re 21-22), Isaiah may have also looked forward to the future glory of Zion (spiritual Israel, i.e., the church) tobe experienced at the culmination of the Messiah’s reign at the end of time, following the resurrectionand final judgment. The difference is that Isaiah couched his description of the new heavens and newearth in terms to which the Babylonian captives could easily relate, while John was shown the eternaldestiny of God’s people in pictures especially comforting to the persecuted Christians of the first centuryA.D.OUTLINEI. THE FUTURE SPLENDOR OF BARREN ZION (54:1-56:8)A. PROMISED TO THE REMNANT OF ZION...1. The Lord will be merciful to her who was barren and desolate - 54:1-82. His covenant of peace ensures glory and permanence - 54:9-173. The invitation to all who thirst - 55:1-13a. An everlasting covenant of mercy to those who accept - 55:1-5b. Seek the Lord while He may be found to have joy and peace - 55:6-13B. OFFERED TO RIGHTEOUS GENTILES...1. They will be given a place in His House and an everlasting name - 56:1-52. They will brought to His Holy mountain along with the outcasts of Israel - 56:6-8II. THE PRESENT SHAME OF WICKED ZION (56:9-59:21)A. CONDITIONS THAT LED TO HER DOWNFALL...1. Her irresponsible watchmen - 56:9-122. Evil that made the death of the righteous a blessing - 57:1-23. Idolatry that profited nothing and cost everything - 57:3-14B. CONTRITION THAT WILL LEAD TO RESTORATION...1. The humble and contrite will receive blessings, not the wicked - 57:15-212. True religion, not hypocritical formalism, will be blessed by God - 58:1-14a. Why their fasting had not pleased God - 58:1-5b. The kind of fasting that pleases God - 58:6-143. Confession and repentance will lead to redemption - 59:1-21a. The people are rebuked for their sins - 59:1-8b. Their sins are acknowledged and confessed - 59:9-15ac. The Lord responds with vengeance for His enemies and blessings for those who repent- 59:15b-21The Book Of Isaiah 60